Reseda Lutea Research Articles

The phytocoenoses of anthropogenically transformed areas with a great importance for Apoidea

The paper indicates the phytocenoses most rich in bee taxons and occurring in habitats located along railway lines crossing Lublin Upland. To date, in the study area 124 basic phytocoenoses have been discovered, described and classifi ed into 12 different synecological groups. Among 52 phytocoenoses, the participation of bee flora was considerable. Most voluble phytocoenoses represent ruderal and segetal associations (<i>Artemisietea vulgaris</i>, <i>Stellarietea mediae</i> classes - 87 species), meadow and pasture associations (<i>Mollinio-Arrhenatheretea</i> - 56 species), psammophilous and xerothermic grasslands (<i>Festuco</i>- <i>Brometea</i>, <i>Koelerio glauce</i>-<i>Corynophoretea canescensis</i> - 38 species), thermophilous forest edge communities and thickets (<i>Trifolio</i>-<i>Geranietea</i> and <i>Rhamno</i>-<i>Prunetea</i> - 33 species). Significantly fewer melliferous and polleniferous taxons were noticed in mesophilous deciduous forests or thermophilous oak forests - 29 species. Most simple in structure and species richness are associations with <i>Rumex acetosa</i>, <i>Reseda lutea</i>, <i>Linaria vulgaris</i>, <i>Papaver rhoeas</i>, <i>Cirsium arvense</i>, <i>Oenothera biennis</i>, <i>Viola arvensis</i> and <i>Potentilletum anserine</i> or <i>Sisymbrietum altissimi</i>. The communities form patches (15-20 m<sup>2</sup>) with 80-100% cover of the diagnostic taxon and are of low or medium stability. The most persistent and floristically stable are <i>Tanaceto Artemisietum</i>, <i>Rudbeckio</i>- <i>Solidaginetum</i>, <i>Echio</i>-<i>Melilotetum</i>, <i>Sambucetum nigrae</i>, <i>Rubo fruticosi</i>-<i>Prunetum spinosae</i> and communities with <i>Rosa rugosa</i>, <i>Rubus caesius</i>, <i>Geranium robertianum</i>, <i>Pastinaca sativa</i>, <i>Trifolium medium</i> or <i>Euphorbia cyparissias</i>. The maintenance of the mosaic of phytocoenoses in anthropogenically transformed habitats, including those along railway lines, is of decisive importance for the protection of floristic diversity and adaptation processes of Apoidea.

Effect of the Heavy Metals on Developmental Stages of Ovule, Pollen, and Root Proteins in Reseda lutea L. (Resedaceae)

Heavy metals are some of the most important environmental pollutants. Excessive amounts of heavy metals adversely affect plant growth and development. Also, the presence of elevated levels of heavy metal ions triggers a wide range of cellular responses including changes in gene expression and synthesis of metal-detoxifying peptides. The overall objective of this research was to elucidate some microscopic effects of heavy metals on the formation, development, and structure of pollen, ovule, and embryo and also root proteins in Reseda lutea L. For this purpose, the vicinity of Ahangaran lead-zinc mine (Hamedan, Iran) was chosen as a polluted area where amount of some heavy metals was several times higher than the natural soils. Flowers and young buds were collected from non-polluted and polluted plants, fixed in FAA(70), and studied during developmental stages by light microscopy. The results showed that heavy metals can cause some abnormalities during the pollen and ovule developmental process. The number of pollen grains was decreased, and their shape was changed. Increasing in thickness of the callosic wall and stabilizing of tapetum layer were observed in polluted plants. Asymmetrical formation of ovular integuments, degradation of egg apparatus, irregular formation of embryo sac, considerable vacuolation of embryonic cells, and degeneration of embryo in the late stage of heart-shaped embryo are the results of heavy metal pollution. For protein studies, young roots were harvested from plants exposed to pollution and non-exposed to pollution at the same time. Root proteins were extracted and studied by electrophoresis. The results revealed that some new proteins were synthesized in polluted samples that probably elevate plant tolerance to heavy metals.

Introducing a new metal accumulator plant and the evaluation of its ability in removing heavy metals

A field study was conducted in a dried waste pool of a lead (Pb) mine in Arak (Iran) to find the accumulator plant(s) and to evaluate the amount of metal bioaccumulation in the root and shoot portion of the naturally growing vegetation. Concentrations of heavy metals were determined both in the soil and the plants that were grown in the dried waste pool. The concentrations of total Cu, Zn, Pb, and Ni in the waste pool were found to be higher than the natural soil and the toxic levels. The results showed that six dominant vegetations, namely, Centaurea virgata, Eleagnum angustifolia, Euphorbia macroclada, Gundelia tournefortii, Reseda lutea, and Scariola orientalis accumulated heavy metals. Based on the results, it was concluded that E. macroclada belonging to Euphorbiaceae is the best Pb accumulator and also a good accumulator for Zn, Cu, and Ni. The bioaccumulation ability of E. macroclada was evaluated in experimental pots. The study showed that the amount of heavy metals in polluted soils decreased several times during two years of phytoremediation. The accumulation of metal in the root, leaves, and shoot portions of E. macroclada varied significantly, but all the concentrations were within the toxic limits. Based on the obtained data, E. macroclada is an effective accumulator plant for soil detoxification and phytoremediation in critical conditions.

Contact and residual toxicities of 30 plant extracts to Colorado potato beetle larvae

Contact and residual toxicities of 30 plant extracts were investigated on third instar larvae of Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata. The plant samples were collected during the spring and summer of 2002 and were dried and ground. The plant samples were treated with methanol and the residue was eluted with distilled water containing 10% acetone, resulting in plant extracts. In contact bioassays, the beetle larvae were treated with 40% (w/w) plant extract using a Potter Spray Tower. The insects were incubated at 28±2°C under a 16 h: 8 h photo regime and the mortality was recorded at 24 h intervals for 7 days. The plant extracts exhibited varying toxicity to the larvae ranging from 0 – 91% after 24 h incubation and Artemisia vulgaris, Hedera helix, Humulus lupulus, Lolium temulentum, Rubia tinctoria, Salvia officinalis, Sambucus nigra, Urtica dioica, Verbascum songaricum, and Xanthium strumarium extracts resulted in significantly higher mortality than the control. Generally, prolonged incubation time did not result in an increase in mortality. After 48 h of incubation, 10 plant extracts yielded a significant mortality and H. lupulus extract, the most toxic extract among those tested, caused 99% mortality which is similar the mortality caused by the chemical standard, imidacloprid. In residual assays, potato leaflets were treated with 20% (w/w) plant-extract concentrations using a Potter Spray Tower. Third instar larvae were added to a glass jar to which treated leaflets were transferred before incubation at the temperature and photo regime described above. Mortality was recorded at 24 h intervals for 7 days. Five plant extracts, H. lupulus, L. temulentum, Reseda lutea and Solanum nigrum, induced significantly higher mortalities compared with controls. Chenopodium album extract was the most toxic, killing 34.9% of exposed larvae, followed by L. temulentum, H. lupulus and S. nigrum after 72 h incubation. The results exhibited that certain plant extracts were toxic to the beetle larvae and may have potential for controlling this destructive pest under field conditions.

Screening seeds of Scottish plants for antibacterial activity

Based on ethnopharmacological and taxonomic information, seeds of 21 Scottish plant species from 14 different families were obtained from authentic seed suppliers. Their n-hexane, dichloromethane and methanol extracts were assessed for antibacterial activity against 11 pathogenic bacterial species. Methanol extracts of 11 plant species showed significant antibacterial activity. Malva moschata and Prunus padus were active against five bacterial species, Reseda lutea against four, Centaurium erythraea and Crithmum maritimum against three, Calluna vulgaris against two, and Armeria maritima, Centaurea scabiosa, Daucus carota, Rosa canina and Stellaria holostea against one bacterial species. C. erythraea and P. padus were also active against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Prospects for biological control of cutleaf mignonette, Reseda lutea (Resedaceae), by Baris picicornis and Bruchela spp. in Australia

In South Australia, Reseda lutea is abundant, invading pastures and crops on calcareous soils while in its native Mediterranean range it is uncommon in occurrence and is not reported as a weed of cultivated crops. Its invasive behaviour in South Australia may be attributed to vegetative growth of root fragments spread by cultivation, while propagation by seed is of minor importance. Surveys in Spain, Portugal, Morocco, France, Turkey and Israel indicated that agronomic differences, particularly depth of cultivation and seeding rates of cereals may explain why it is not a crop weed in these countries. Another difference is that plants in the region of origin have an associated fauna not present in Australia. These potential biological control agents include a root-boring weevil, Baris picicornis, flower- and seed-feeding urodontids, Bruchela suturalis and B. rufipes, and a leaf spot pathogen,Cercospora resedae. Baris picicornis was introduced from France and Turkey, under quarantine, to Australia but laboratory specificity-testing demonstrated that it could complete its life cycle on 2 commercially grown cultivars of Brassica rapa (choy sum and Chinese cabbage). Because of this, it is not proposed to release B. picicornis in Australia at present. Bruchela suturalis was also introduced into Australian quarantine from France but attempts to change its annual life cycle to Southern Hemisphere seasons were not successful, and a culture could not be established. Both Baris picicornis and Bruchela spp. remain promising agents, and further work on their introduction is justified by their potential for biological control of R. lutea.

Prospects for biological control of cutleaf mignonette, Reseda lutea (Resedaceae), by Cercospora resedae and other pathogens

Four leaf pathogens were screened as biological control agents for the weed Reseda lutea (Resedaceae) in South Australia. Cercospora resedae isolated from Reseda luteola growing in south-eastern Australia produced a maximum damage to R. lutea seedlings of 54% of leaf area damaged at 22°C and 96% of leaf area damaged at 27°C under laboratory test conditions. By contrast, European isolates of C. resedae from both R. lutea and R. luteola produced a maximum of 10% leaf area damage to R. lutea seedlings. Field releases of Australian C. resedae failed to establish in dense populations of R. lutea on Yorke Peninsula and the mid-north of South Australia, perhaps because the climate was hotter and drier than the source locations. Attempts to enhance the effectiveness of the pathogen by passaging it through R. lutea, leaf abrasion, inundation, or the addition of surfactant or sublethal doses of metsulfuron-methyl failed to increase damage beyond that caused by the pathogen alone. The leaf pathogensAlternaria tenuissima, Cladosporium sp. and Peronospora crispula did not produce damage levels that could be useful in biological control. It is concluded that in the areas of South Australia where R. lutea is a significant weed, the prospects for control by any of these leaf pathogens are not good.

Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schultes (K. alpigena Domin, K. cristata (L.) Pers. pro parte, K. gracilis Pers., K. albescens auct. non DC.)

<i>Koeleria macrantha</i> (Ledeb.) Schultes (<i>K. alpigena</i> Domin, <i>K. cristata</i> (L.) Pers. pro parte, <i>K. gracilis</i> Pers., <i>K. albescens</i> auct. non DC.)

The Pieris napi /bryoniae hybrid zone at Pont de Nant, Switzerland: broad overlap in the range of suitable host plants

1. The butterflies Pieris napi and Pieris bryoniae hybridize in a narrow zone at ≈ 1200 m in the Alps and Carpathians of Europe. They feed as larvae on a variety of hosts in the Brassicaceae, and few host species occur on both sides of the hybrid zone.2. Females were captured on either side of the hybrid zone at Pont de Nant, Switzerland, eggs obtained, and larvae were offered plants from nineteen species of Brassicaceae and Reseda lutea (Resedaceae).3. Nine of the hosts were found to have eggs or larvae already on them. Only Capsella bursa‐pastoris and R. lutea were unsuitable.4. Significant survivorship differences among suitable hosts were found. There was no interaction between butterfly species and host plant, which would indicate adaptation by these taxa to their respective suites of hosts.5. Among suitable hosts, larvae of both taxa had higher mortality on plants with hairy leaves and on older plants beginning to senesce.6. Differential selection on host use, if it occurs at all, is likely to be a very minor factor in the dynamics of the Pieris napi/bryoniae hybrid zone.

Biology and control of Reseda lutea L. 2. Life cycle: seedling emergence, recruitment, and vegetative reproduction

The reproductive biology of Reseda lutea L. was studied in the laboratory and field in southern Australia. Seedling emergence was greatest from 5 mm depth (57%) to 10 mm (53%) but also occurred from 80 mm. Seeds on the soil surface did not germinate. Following cultivation of a field population, seedling emergence was high (144/m2) in the first winter and recruitment to the perennial population was estimated at 10·2%. Seedling emergence in subsequent winters was low. Perennial shoot numbers increased gradually in the first year after cultivation, from seedling recruitment and daughter shoots, and then stabilised at around 28/m2. Shoots formed on root fragments at a range of constant and fluctuating temperatures between 10° and 35°C, with a maximum of 17·3 shoots per 50-mm fragment at 15°C. Shoot production increased with root fragment length and diameter. Shoots were produced on root fragments as short as 10 mm and as thin as 1 mm. Fragments from the upper tap root produced more shoots than those from further down the tap root, or from laterals. An illustrated model of the life cycle of R. lutea in Australia is presented.

Yellow Mignonette (Reseda lutea) in the United States

Yellow mignonette (Reseda lutea (L.) # RESLU) is a broadleaf perennial weed that is native to the Mediterranean Basin and Asia Minor. It has been spread around the world and is widely recognized in Australia as a troublesome noxious weed in croplands. It is a problem in cropland and pastures because of its high seed output, extensive reproductive root system, ability to thrive under disturbed conditions, and high nitrate levels. While nitrate levels of 2.5 to 3.1% have been detected in plants during the rosette to early flower growth stages, when yellow mignonette is most palatable, no livestock injury or deaths have been reported. Yellow mignonette was first reported in Montana in 1958 but was not recognized as a weed problem until 1990. Since 1988 it has invaded several hundred hectares of small grains and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)-grass pastures in Central Montana and is spreading rapidly along gravel road shoulders.

LIFE HISTORY AND POPULATION DYNAMICS OF COCHLICELLA ACUTA (MūLLER) (GASTROPODA: HELICIDAE) IN A PASTURECEREAL ROTATION

The conical snail Cochlicella acuta was sampled over a 3-year period in a pasture-cereal rotation and a nearby roadside wasteland at Hardwicke Bay, South Australia. The life cycle of C. acuta was primarily biennial in the agricultural fields, with offspring being produced in large numbers in the pasture phase but not the cereal phase of the rotation. The breeding season lasted from autumn to spring. Snails were most abundant in spring and summer, especially near the edges of fields. During summer, snails aggregated on robust weeds such as Reseda lutea. Many snails were killed by burning pastures in autumn, prior to sowing crops. Snails were more abundant and smaller in size in the roadside wasteland than in the agricultural fields. Strategies for the control of C. acuta in pasture-cereal rotations are discussed.

Cultivated and wild host plants supporting populations of the cabbage root fly

SUMMARYTo determine the relative importance of different potential host plants for supporting populations of the cabbage root fly, wild and cultivated crucifers were sampled for pupae at four locations during 1971‐3. In addition, eighty‐three species of Cruciferae native to or naturalized in the British Isles were inoculated with cabbage root fly eggs in a glasshouse to determine which species could support the larvae.In the field, most pupae (28‐7/plant) were collected from untreated cauliflowers. Fewer pupae (i‐7–8‐6/plant) were obtained from untreated crops of Brussels sprout, cabbage and swede. Applications of chlorfenvinphos reduced populations to two or less pupae per plant on all crops. Of five common weed species sampled, only Raphanus raphanistrum produced as many pupae as certain of the untreated brassica crops. Pupae did not occur in samples from Capsella bursa‐pastoris but Sisymbrium officinale, Thlaspi arvense and Sinapis arvensis usually supported low numbers.In the glasshouse, only forty‐four of the eighty‐three cruciferous species tested supported larval development. Most pupae were obtained from 12‐wk‐old plants of Barbarea intermedia. B. stricta, Brassica napus, Cochlearia officinalis and R. raphanistrum and from 24‐wk‐old plants of Brassica rapa, Erysimum aureum, Cochlearia anglica and C. officinalis. Plant age considerably affected pupal production. Plants within a genus often gave similar results, pupae not being recovered from any of the Diplotaxis or Arabis species tested, or from young plants of Erysimum spp. In other families, Reseda lutea and R. luteola supported larval development, but the widely‐separated Plantago major did not.Arguments for and against the removal of cruciferous weeds from the vicinity of cruciferous crops are discussed.

Steric course and rearrangements in the biosynthesis of phenylalanine, tyrosine, and 3-(3-carboxyphenyl)ala nine from shikimic acid in higher plants

Incorporation of stereospecifically labelled shikimic acid into Reseda lutea L. demonstrates the same steric course and rearrangement in the biosynthesis of phenylalanine and tyrosine as that known from bacteria, whereas the biosynthesis of 3-(3-carboxyphenyl)alanine involves a different rearrangement reaction.

M-Carboxy-substituted aromatic amino acids in plant metabolism. IV. Transformation of 3-(3-carboxyphenyl)alanine into 3-(3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)alanine in Reseda lutea L. and Reseda odorata L

m-Carboxy-substituted aromatic amino acids in plant metabolism. IV. Transformation of 3-(3-carboxyphenyl)alanine into 3-(3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)alanine in Reseda lutea L. and Reseda odorata L

Meta-carboxy-substituted aromatic amino acids in plant metabolism. III

1. 1. Investigations have been performed on the mignonette species Reseda odorata L. and Reseda lutea L. with the purpose of obtaining information about the biosynthesis and metabolism of four meta-carboxy-substituted aromatic amino acids encountered in higher plants, namely d-(3-carboxyphenyl)glycine , l-3-(3-carboxyphenyl)alanine, d-(3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)glycine, and l3-(3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)alanine. 2. 2. The concentration of d-(3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)glycine + l-3-(3-carboxyphenyl)alanine was measured at intervals during the whole growth period of R. odorata L. The two amino acids occurred in all parts of the plant throughout the life cycle, the highest concentrations being observed in roots, flowers, and seeds. 3. 3. Precursors labelled with 14C were fed to R. odorata L. and R. lutea L. A high incorporation of shikimic acid into l-3-(3-carboxyphenyl)alanine, and l-3-(3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)alanine, a slight incorporation of carbon from glucose into l-3-(3-carboxyphenyl)alanine and l-3-(3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)alanine, and a slight incorporation of tyrosine into l-3-(3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)alanine have been demonstrated, whereas virtually no incorporations of carbon atoms from phenylalanine, methionine, and acetate into the meta-carboxy-substituted aromatic amino ac ds occurred. 4. 4. Degradation methods permitting the detection of the radioactivity in the aromatic and alipathic carboxyl groups of l-3-(3-carboxyphenyl)alanine, d-(3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)glycine and l-3-(3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)alanine are described. 5. 5. Degradation of these three amino acids labelled by feeding uniformly-labelled [ 14C]shikimic acid to the plant demonstrates that 1 7 of the radioactive carbon atoms are positioned in the aromatic carboxyl group, the residual 6 7 in the rest of the molecule. This indicates that the aromatic ring of the three amino acids can be derived from the ring of shikimic acid, and that the aromatic carboxyl group of the three amino acids is derivable from the carboxyl group of shikimic acid. 6. 6. Degradation of l-3-(3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)alanine labelled by feeding dl-[ carboxy- 14C]tyrosine to the plants shows that all the radioactive carbon atoms are present in the aliphatic carboxyl group. This indicates that tyrosine can function as a precursor for this amino acid without fission of the C 6C 3 skeleton. 7. 7. The presence of two unidentified compounds, possibly with a biosynthetic relationship to the meta-carboxy-substituted aromatic acids, is briefly discussed. 8. 8. The biosynthetic pathways derived from the above observations and the implications for knowledge of the biosynthesis of tyrosine and phenylalanine in higher plants are discussed.

M-Carboxy-substituted aromatic amino acids in plant metabolism : II. The incorporation of shikimic acid into L-3-(3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-alanine in Reseda lutea L.

m-Carboxy-substituted aromatic amino acids in plant metabolism : II. The incorporation of shikimic acid into L-3-(3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-alanine in Reseda lutea L.