Plant Species Of Origin Research Articles

Herbivory by Leaf-Cutting Ants: Exploring the Jasmonate Response in Host and Non-Host Plants.

Leaf-cutting ants (Formicidae; Atta spp., Acromyrmex spp.) cut off pieces of leaves and other plant tissue and feed it to their symbiotic fungi. As this foraging behavior poses an imminent threat to agriculture, leaf-cutting ants are considered as pests of huge ecologically and economically importance. Consequently, research on leaf-cutting ants focused on their foraging decisions and interactions with their cultivated symbiotic fungi, whereas their effect on the attacked plants, apart from the loss of plant tissue, remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the consequences of an attack by leaf-cutting ants and analyzed the plants' defense responses in comparison to chewing caterpillars and mechanical damage. We found that an attack by leaf-cutting ants induces the production of jasmonates in several host and non-host plant species (Arabidopsis thaliana, Vicia faba, Phaseolus lunatus, Tococa quadrialata). Additionally, we showed in the natural host plant lima bean (P. lunatus) that leaf-cutting ant damage immediately leads to the emission of typical herbivory-induced plant volatiles, including green leaf volatiles and terpenoids. Further data exploration revealed clear differences in the defense-related phytohormone profile in plant species of Neotropical and Eurasian origin. Taken together, we show that leaf-cutting ant infestation and their way of clipping the plants' tissues induce jasmonate and jasmonates-mediated responses and do not differ from those to mechanical injury or larval feeding.

Leveraging off higher plant phylogenetic insights for antiplasmodial drug discovery

The antimalarial drug-resistance conundrum which threatens to reverse the great strides taken to curb the malaria scourge warrants an urgent need to find novel chemical scaffolds to serve as templates for the development of new antimalarial drugs. Plants represent a viable alternative source for the discovery of unique potential antiplasmodial chemical scaffolds. To expedite the discovery of new antiplasmodial compounds from plants, the aim of this study was to use phylogenetic analysis to identify higher plant orders and families that can be rationally prioritised for antimalarial drug discovery. We queried the PubMed database for publications documenting antiplasmodial properties of natural compounds isolated from higher plants. Thereafter, we manually collated compounds reported along with plant species of origin and relevant pharmacological data. We systematically assigned antiplasmodial-associated plant species into recognised families and orders, and then computed the resistance index, selectivity index and physicochemical properties of the compounds from each taxonomic group. Correlating the generated phylogenetic trees and the biological data of each clade allowed for the identification of 3 ‘hot’ plant orders and families. The top 3 ranked plant orders were the (i) Caryophyllales, (ii) Buxales, and (iii) Chloranthales. The top 3 ranked plant families were the (i) Ancistrocladaceae, (ii) Simaroubaceae, and (iii) Buxaceae. The highly active natural compounds (IC50 ≤ 1 µM) isolated from these plant orders and families are structurally unique to the ‘legacy’ antimalarial drugs. Our study was able to identify the most prolific taxa at order and family rank that we propose be prioritised in the search for potent, safe and drug-like antimalarial molecules.

THE INFLUENCE OF CLIMATIC CHANGES ON THE WOODY VEGETATION OF THE MEHEDINTI PLATEAU GEOPARK

In the climatic conditions of the Mehedinți Plateau, the plant species of sub-Mediterranean origin have adapted to a certain duration and variation of the thermal and precipitation regime during the growing season, in correlation with their demands on temperature and humidity.The climatic disturbances observed in recent years (short periods with very abundant precipitation, very long periods of drought, springs with very low temperatures, at the limit of freezing), can create serious imbalances in these plants. From a phenological point of view, the plants started growing in 2021, at the beginning of April. In 2022, in the same period, the plants were still resting. Compared to the data from the spring and summer of 2021, in 2022 the water content of the leaves was lower and much lower values of the photosynthesis process were recorded. As a consequence, the growth rate was seriously affected. Young plants were more strongly affected than mature trees.

Analytical Methods for the Characterization of Vegetable Oils

The determination of the authenticity of extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) has become more interesting in recent years. Italy is the first country in Europe in terms of number of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) oils, which connects consumers to a feeling of tradition and thus to higher quality standards. This work focused on the consideration of the inorganic content as a possible marker of EVOOs. Ten vegetable oils (VOs), eight Italian EVOOs and seven not Italian EVOOs were analyzed. After pretreatment by acid mineralization, Al, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Sb, Se and Zn were determined by ICP-OES. The electrochemical properties of a selected group of EVOOs and other vegetal oils of different botanical origin were investigated by voltammetry. Carbon paste electrodes (CPEs) were prepared. The features observed in the voltammograms reflect the reactions of electroactive compounds, which are present in the oils. A chemometric treatment of the results was performed to assess the possibility to distinguish (i) the region of provenience considering the inorganic profile; and (ii) the plant species from which each oil was obtained on the basis of the current profile registered during voltammetric analysis. Inorganic composition seems to be a useful marker for the assessment of the geographical origin of an EVOO. The EVOO-CPEs voltammetry seems to have a good ability to distinguish the plant species of origin. This method could be useful to monitor the conservation status of the oils, as the redox profile is linked to the oxidative degradation state.

Functional assembly of grassland plant species in native communities in Spain and recipient communities in California

Abstract A major aim in invasion ecology is to understand the role of exotic species in plant communities. Whereas most studies have explored the traits of exotic species in the context of the introduced community, functional comparisons of entire assemblages of species in their native and introduced communities have rarely been analysed. Taking advantage of the unidirectional invasion of plant species of European origin (i.e. colonizers) into California, this study aims to investigate the relative importance of plant traits, environmental factors and invasion status in biological invasions. We compared the functional structure (i.e. trait composition and diversity) along resource availability gradients in recipient and native Mediterranean grassland communities in California and Spain, respectively. Traits were related to resource use in above‐ground and below‐ground organs and reproductive strategy. We also investigated how niche differences vary along environmental gradients between coexisting colonizer and native species assemblages within communities. There were clear differences in the functional structure of Mediterranean grassland communities between regions, which were associated with the resource availability gradient. Paradoxically, the most acquisitive communities occurred in resource‐poor sites, highlighting that rapid acquisition and use of resources permit species to cope with environmental stress through stress avoidance. In Spain, colonizer species had greater specific leaf area than non‐colonizers. Yet, differences between colonizer and non‐colonizer species in Spain for other traits were mostly absent and did not change along the gradient. This might be a result of the greater native species richness as a consequence of the agricultural practices that have taken place in Europe for millennia and reflect that the entire species pool of grasslands is adapted to agricultural landscapes. In comparison, in California, colonizer species were more acquisitive in their use of resources than natives under favourable conditions, but functionally converged in resource‐limited sites. Synthesis. These results underscore that the importance of niche differences between native and colonizer species as a community assembly mechanism is strongly subjected to the influence of habitat filtering. Trait comparisons are context dependent, and a correct interpretation of filtering processes in community assembly requires a regional perspective.

Non-native plant species integrate well into plant-pollinator networks in a diverse man-made flowering plant community

Urban green areas offer diverse flower resources for pollinators. Yet, the role of non-native plant species in local plant-pollinator networks is understudied. We explored the effects of plant origin, nationwide distribution, flower color and type on flower visitation by wild bees and honey bees as well as the structure of a plant-pollinator network in a botanical garden in Hungary. Honey bee preferred North American plants over Europeans; it had the highest degree and topological centrality value. The network had similar compactness with its simulated removal from the network model. The species richness and abundance of flower-visiting wild bees did not differ among the plants of different origins and flower color and type. Plant species of different origin, nationwide distribution, and flower color and type had the highest number of direct and indirect links. Our results suggest that non-native plant species can integrate well in diverse botanical gardens and wild bees can adopt these new foraging resources.

Nephrotoxicity of Herbal Products in Europe-A Review of an Underestimated Problem.

Currently in Europe, despite the many advances in production technology of synthetic drugs, the interest in natural herbal medicines continues to increase. One of the reasons for their popular use is the assumption that natural equals safe. However, herbal medicines contain pharmacologically active ingredients, some of which have been associated with adverse effects. Kidneys are particularly susceptible to injury induced by toxins, including poisonous constituents from medicinal plants. The most recognized herb-induced kidney injury is aristolochic acid nephropathy connected with misuse of certain Traditional Chinese herbal medicines. Data concerning nephrotoxicity of plant species of European origin are scarce. Here, we critically review significant data of the nephrotoxicity of several plants used in European phytotherapy, including Artemisia herba-alba, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Euphorbia paralias, and Aloe). Causative mechanisms and factors predisposing to intoxications from the use of herbs are discussed. The basic intention of this review is to improve pharmacovigilance of herbal medicine, especially in patients with chronic kidney diseases.

DITTRICHIA GRAVEOLENS (ASTERACEAE) – A NEW ALIEN PLANT SPECIES FOR ROMANIA

Dittrichia graveolens (L.) W. Greuter, an invasive plant species of Mediterranean origin, is recorded for the first time in Romania. We found the species in October 2020 in two separate locations along the main highway that connects Brașov and Sibiu cities, in Southern Transylvania, central Romania. We present here the first data concerning the species occurrence in the investigated area, its observed habitat, local distribution and accompanying species. We presume that the main vector for the introduction and dispersal of this species in Romania is the high traffic density along the major roads. Dittrichia graveolens has proven its invasive potential in other regions of Europe and North America of similar temperature and precipitation regimes under an overall temperate climate. Consequently, taking into account its fast dispersal, especially in the more favourable habitats for its establishment that exist along the major roads from the lower altitudes and the riparian communities from the western, southern and eastern parts of Romania, we conclude that close monitoring of the species occurrence should be undertaken in order to better assess its full invasive potential in our country and to reduce the risk of impact on natural plant communities.

Evaluation of Antioxidant Prospective of Diospyros malabarica Methanolic Extract for Improving Oxidative Stability of Mustard Oil

Antioxidants are substances which inhibit auto-oxidation of oils and fats by donating an atom of hydrogen to free radicals produced in the initial stages of autooxidation. In the course of the past two decades, a lot of work is done on application of natural plants extracts as preservative in edible oils due to the drift towards reducing the use of synthetic food additives. The aim of this research project was to estimate antioxidant efficacy of pharmaceutical plant species of Pakistan origin famous as �Gaab tree� (Diospyros malabarica), in local language and its use as a stabilizing agent for mustard oil. To carry out this study, its fruit and leaves methanolic extracts were prepared and their antioxidant efficiencies were analyzed by means of various tests like: TPC, TFC, TAC. They were found to be enriched with potential antioxidants. For finding antioxidant potential, DPPH, ABTS, FRAP analysis and a-carotene bleaching tests were also carried out. Results indicated their oxidative potentials were similar to synthetic antioxidants, like: BHA and BHT. So these extracts can be used as natural stabilizers, like synthetic one, for minimizing the use of synthetic chemicals for food storage.

Diversity, food, nutrition and medicinal importance of some selected less-known African indigenous tropical plant species: advocacy for global research attention.

Abstract Many plant species of tropical African origin have substantial socio-economic and cultural importance among the rural populace. A good number of these species exhibit long-term ethno-medicinal relevance to the African people. Besides, they have major food and nutritional values that have guaranteed some levels of food and nutritional security. Species considered in this review have shown considerable diversity in many traits including those that are economically significant. Prospects for selection for genetic improvement therefore exist with profound implications on household and rural economies. In this review, the following tropical plant species were discussed: African breadfruit ( Treculia africana Decne), African Walnut ( Plukenetia conophora Muell Arg.), Tamarind ( Tamarindus indica L), baobab ( Adansonia digitata L), shea butter tree ( Vitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gaertn.), bitter leaf ( Vernonia amygdalina L.) and 'Utazi' ( Gongronema latifolium ). Certain facts have emerged from the review that tend to fault the neglect of these species by the international research community and thus, makes a call for research attention compelling. Relevant current literature studies especially those published by sub-Saharan African scientists in areas of interest were reviewed. Also consulted were research outputs from elsewhere in related fields including pharmacy and veterinary medicine. These indigenous species therefore merit more serious research attention due to their food, nutritional, health and economic significance to concerned African populations who continue to exploit them for these purposes. Besides their value for biodiversity conservation they, unlike the exotic species, have no problems with adaptation to the environment and familiarity with the local inhabitants.

SYNANTROPIZATION FLORA OF PRIPYAT POLESIE AS AN INDICATOR OF ITS ANTHROPOGENIC TRANSFORMATION

The article deals with the peculiarities of the synanthropic component of the flora of the Pripyat Polesie – a natural region located in the southern part of Belarus. It is represented by 810 species of vascular plants that can grow in disturbed human habitats. Among the synanthropic species, 563 taxons (69.5 % of their total number) are adventitious (or anthropophytes), and 247 (or 30.5 %) are aboriginal (apophytes) in relation to the flora under consideration. The geographic structure of the apophytes of the flora of Pripyat Polesie indicates their wide range and weak zonal confinement. Anthropophytes have a more complex genesis with respect to the time and manner of skidding, as well as the degree of naturalization in the natural ecosystems of the southern part of Belarus. They are based on a group of plant species of ancient mediterranean origin. The biomorphological features of the synanthropic species, as well as their relation to environmental factors such as moisture and soil fertility, show that in the process of synanthropization and anthropogenic transformation, the natural flora and natural vegetation cover acquire features characteristic of phytophores in more southern areas.

Co-invasion of ectomycorrhizal fungi in the Brazilian Pampa biome

The introduction of ectomycorrhizal fungi along with the introduced ectomycorrhizal plants is rarely considered at the ecosystem level. In Brazil, the Pampa biome is the dominant ecosystem in the Rio Grande do Sul State, predominantly with pastoral management but intensively planted with non-native trees over the last century. Sporocarps of ectomycorrhizal and putative ectomycorrhizal fungi were collected in Pampa biome native forest vegetation and plantation forests during the period 2009–2013, with an emphasis on plantations of eucalypts and pines. Morphological analysis and molecular markers were used to identify collected sporocarps. A total of 60 different taxa were collected, mainly fitting into Australasian ectomycorrhizal fungi lineages. Among collections, two turned out to be saprotrophic species from Amanita belonging to the subsect. Vittadiniae. The ectomycorrhizal fungi reported here showed that some co-introduced lineages are frequent co-invaders in the Brazilian Pampa biome with alien ectomycorrhizal trees, especially /descolea, /hysterangium, /laccaria, /pisolithus-scleroderma lineages. No ectomycorrhizal sporocarps were found in either plantation forest or in native forest sites and no novel associations were observed between native ectomycorrhizal fungal species and introduced plants. All ectomycorrhizal fungi co-introduced in the Brazilian Pampa were recorded with plant species of Australian or North American origin. The study has raised additional questions regarding the distribution, ecology and taxonomy of fungi from the Brazilian Pampa biome.

Evaluation study of micropropagation stages of patchouli plant

An effective means for rapid multiplication of plant species of clonal origin is micro propagation. Various in vitro studies have been reported on different species of patchouli, one such method of propagation that can be usefully employed to produce relatively uniform plantlets in a short time is via in vitro culture but there is limited effort to study direct organogenesis, which supports cultivation by providing true type plants in large numbers.Therefore this study determines the effect of different concentrations of growth hormones on patchouli, micropropagation and rapid multiplication stages of patchouli plant within a short time with good results of micropropagation stages for regeneration of patchouli were successfully initiated.

Exotic ancient plant introductions: part of Indian ‘Ayurveda’ medicinal system

AbstractIndia is home to some of the oldest civilizations, during which period the local communities domesticated indigenous plant species for food and agriculture and medicinal uses. In this process, they also bio-prospected and/or absorbed potentially valuable exotic plant species, making them integral part of Indian culture, including the traditional medicinal system, theAyurveda. The present paper discusses the absorption of 26 plant species of exotic origin, before 8th century, as evidenced by archaeological sculptural or botanical remains and documentation of such plants in Sanskrit, theVediclanguage. Occurrence and/or introduction of such plants at such distant places in ancient times is visualized as a result of geographical continental fragmentation followed by drift, natural or man-made transoceanic movement, and cultural and trade exchange of plant material over time and space.

Alien species Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae) in water bodies of urbanized territories of Southern Russia

For the first time, an alien plant species of African origin—water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes L.)—was found in the ponds of the Republic of Adygea (Northwestern Caucasus). In 2014, we discovered clusters of plants with 16–34 rosettes on the water surface of ponds within the city of Maykop, as well as continuous clumps of the plant up to 1 m2 in area each in the coastal zone of the water bodies. The suggested cause of water lettuce occurrence in the urbanized territory is its invasion from aquaculture. Adygea is the southernmost location in Russia in terms of the presence of water lettuce.

AM and DSE colonization of invasive plants in urban habitat: a study of Upper Silesia (southern Poland).

Interactions between invasive plants and root endophytes may contribute to the exploration of plant invasion causes. Twenty plant species of alien origin differing in invasiveness were studied in terms of status and typical structures of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and dark septate endophytes (DSE) in urban habitats in Silesia Upland (southern Poland). We observed that 75 % of investigated plant species were mycorrhizal. The arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) of most plant species was of the Arum morphology. The nearly 100 % mycorrhizal frequency, high intensity of AM colonization within root cortex and the presence of arbuscules in all mycorrhizal plant species indicate that the investigated species are able to establish AM associations in the secondary range and urban habitats. DSE were present in all mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal species. The frequency of DSE was significantly lower in non-mycorrhizal group of plants, however, sclerotia of DSE were found mainly in the roots of non-mycorrhizal plant species. The group of species native to North America including three Solidago congeners have the highest values of all AM mycorrhization and DSE indices. Moreover, we observed that most mycorrhizal invasive species belonged to the family Asteraceae. In turn, representatives of Poaceae had the lowest values of AM mycorrhization. Nevertheless, quite high values of DSE frequency were also encountered in roots of Poaceae species. The high invasiveness of the representatives of the Asteraceae family from North America support theory that both taxonomic pattern, and the fact of root endophytes colonization contribute to invasion success. While, the taxa of Reynoutria also represent successful invaders but they are of Asiatic origin, non-mycorrhizal and weakly colonized by DSE fungi.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10265-016-0802-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Determination of the Plant Origin of Licorice Oil Extract, a Natural Food Additive, by Principal Component Analysis Based on Chemical Components

"Licorice oil extract" (LOE) (antioxidant agent) is described in the notice of Japanese food additive regulations as a material obtained from the roots and/or rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, G. inflata or G. glabra. In this study, we aimed to identify the original Glycyrrhiza species of eight food additive products using LC/MS. Glabridin, a characteristic compound in G. glabra, was specifically detected in seven products, and licochalcone A, a characteristic compound in G. inflata, was detected in one product. In addition, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) (a kind of multivariate analysis) using the data of LC/MS or (1)H-NMR analysis was performed. The data of thirty-one samples, including LOE products used as food additives, ethanol extracts of various Glycyrrhiza species and commercially available Glycyrrhiza species-derived products were assessed. Based on the PCA results, the majority of LOE products was confirmed to be derived from G. glabra. This study suggests that PCA using (1)H-NMR analysis data is a simple and useful method to identify the plant species of origin of natural food additive products.

Lack of enemy release for an invasive leafroller in California: temporal patterns and influence of host plant origin

The enemy release hypothesis posits that the success of invasive species can be attributed to their escape from natural enemies. Invading hosts are expected to encounter an enemy assemblage consisting of fewer species, with lower representation of specialists, and to experience less mortality as a result. In this study, we examined parasitism of the Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM), Epiphyas postvittana (Walker), in California, an exotic leafroller that is native to southeastern Australia. From 2008 to 2011 we monitored parasitoid species richness, representation of the more specialized koinobiont parasitoids, and parasitism rates of LBAM collected three times per year from four plant species of Australian origin and six plant species of non-Australian origin, at two locations in coastal California. We found the resident parasitoid assemblage of LBAM in California to have comparable levels of species richness, to have a similar representation of koinobionts versus idiobionts, and to inflict similar parasitism rates as in its native range. The two dominant parasitoids were Meteorus ictericus (Braconidae) and Enytus eureka (Ichneumonidae). Parasitoid species richness varied with season and plant origin and decreased slowly, but significantly, over the 4 year period. Parasitism rates were lowest in spring and highest on plants of Australian origin, but did not change with year. Hyperparasitism rates were higher on E. eureka (36.5 %) compared with M. ictericus and other parasitoids combined (3.3 %) and were highest on plants of Australian origin. We subsequently discuss the lack of both apparent enemy reduction and realized enemy release for LBAM in California and the unique finding that a shared plant origin enhanced the parasitism of this exotic leafroller by resident parasitoids.

Bioactivity of some natural products against the cowpea storage weevil <i>Callosobruchus Maculatus</i> L.

This work was carried out to evaluate the insecticidal activity of extracts from 14 plant species of Ghanaian origin against Callosobruchus maculatus adults under laboratory conditions. Phytochemical screenings of the 14 plant species were performed using standard laboratory methods to determine the types of secondary natural products present in the plant species. Aqueous, petroleum ether and ethanolic extracts of the 14 plant species were screened for their bioactivity against Artemia selina in a brine shrimp lethality test. The pesticidal activities of the plant products against Callosobruchus maculatus were investigated in laboratory experiments. Contact toxicity (filter paper impregnation method), grain treatment with plant products for insect population and mortality assays, and also effect of the plant products on grain damage were obtained and compared with Actellic Super EC (synthetic insecticide) during a three-month observation period. Cymbopogan winterianus oil caused the highest mortality, least damage to grains and the highest antireproductive effect. All grain-protective properties of the natural products were concentration and time dependent. Extracts of Cassia alata showed good potential in protecting cowpea and gave better protection than the powder, whilst Griffornia simplicifolia did not significantly protect the grains. Phytochemical investigations of the plants revealed the presence of terpenes, saponins, tannins, glycosides, alkaloids, anthraquinones and flavonoids. The presence of some of these compounds may be responsible for the pesticidal action of the plants.Keywords: Phytochemical screening, Extracts, Insecticidal, Brine shrimp lethality test, Cowpea.

Application of RAPD for molecular characterization of plant species of medicinal value from an arid environment

The use of highly discriminatory methods for the identification and characterization of genotypes is essential for plant protection and appropriate use. We utilized the RAPD method for the genetic fingerprinting of 11 plant species of desert origin (seven with known medicinal value). Andrachne telephioides, Zilla spinosa, Caylusea hexagyna, Achillea fragrantissima, Lycium shawii, Moricandia sinaica, Rumex vesicarius, Bassia eriophora, Zygophyllum propinquum subsp migahidii, Withania somnifera, and Sonchus oleraceus were collected from various areas of Saudi Arabia. The five primers used were able to amplify the DNA from all the plant species. The amplified products of the RAPD profiles ranged from 307 to 1772 bp. A total of 164 bands were observed for 11 plant species, using five primers. The number of well-defined and major bands for a single plant species for a single primer ranged from 1 to 10. The highest pair-wise similarities (0.32) were observed between A. fragrantissima and L. shawii, when five primers were combined. The lowest similarities (0) were observed between A. telephioides and Z. spinosa; Z. spinosa and B. eriophora; B. eriophora and Z. propinquum. In conclusion, the RAPD method successfully discriminates among all the plant species, therefore providing an easy and rapid tool for identification, conservation and sustainable use of these plants.