Herbivore Species Research Articles

Advancements in copy number variation screening in herbivorous livestock genomes and their association with phenotypic traits.

Copy number variations (CNVs) have garnered increasing attention within the realm of genetics due to their prevalence in human, animal, and plant genomes. These structural genetic variations have demonstrated associations with a broad spectrum of phenotypic diversity, economic traits, environmental adaptations, epidemics, and other essential aspects of both plants and animals. Furthermore, CNVs exhibit extensive sequence variability and encompass a wide array of genomes. The advancement and maturity of microarray and sequencing technologies have catalyzed a surge in research endeavors pertaining to CNVs. This is particularly prominent in the context of livestock breeding, where molecular markers have gained prominence as a valuable tool in comparison to traditional breeding methods. In light of these developments, a contemporary and comprehensive review of existing studies on CNVs becomes imperative. This review serves the purpose of providing a brief elucidation of the fundamental concepts underlying CNVs, their mutational mechanisms, and the diverse array of detection methods employed to identify these structural variations within genomes. Furthermore, it seeks to systematically analyze the recent advancements and findings within the field of CNV research, specifically within the genomes of herbivorous livestock species, including cattle, sheep, horses, and donkeys. The review also highlighted the role of CNVs in shaping various phenotypic traits including growth traits, reproductive traits, pigmentation and disease resistance etc., in herbivorous livestock. The main goal of this review is to furnish readers with an up-to-date compilation of knowledge regarding CNVs in herbivorous livestock genomes. By integrating the latest research findings and insights, it is anticipated that this review will not only offer pertinent information but also stimulate future investigations into the realm of CNVs in livestock. In doing so, it endeavors to contribute to the enhancement of breeding strategies, genomic selection, and the overall improvement of herbivorous livestock production and resistance to diseases.

Low spatial habitat overlap of herbivores in the High Arctic tundra

Herbivores play a crucial role in shaping tundra ecosystems through their effects on vegetation, nutrient cycling, and soil abiotic factors. Understanding their habitat use, co-occurrence, and overlap is therefore essential for informing ecosystem-based management and conservation. In the High Arctic, only a marginal proportion of the land area is vegetated, and climate change is impacting herbivore population sizes and their habitats. In this study, we assessed the spatial habitat overlap of a vertebrate herbivore community based on: 1) regional predictive summer habitat suitability models for the resident Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus), resident Svalbard rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea), and the migratory pink-footed goose (Anser brachyrhynchus), and 2) presence of fecal pellets, reflecting the annual habitat use of reindeer, ptarmigan, and geese, including the pink-footed goose and barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis). Our findings revealed that only small proportions of the available land cover (∼ 12,516 km2; all land area excluding glaciers and freshwater) are suitable for each of the species (habitat suitability [HS] > 0.5): reindeer (22 %), ptarmigan (11 %), and pink-footed goose (4 %). Overlapping suitable habitat [HS > 0.5] for reindeer and goose accounted for only 3 % of the total vegetated area (∼ 8848 km2) and was primarily found in heath and moist habitats dominated by mosses, graminoids, and herbaceous plants. The overlapping suitable habitat for reindeer and ptarmigan covered 8 % of the vegetated area, in higher elevation ridges with vegetation on drier substrates. The shared habitat for ptarmigan and goose, and all three species of herbivores, was less than 1 % of the vegetated area. Additionally, an assessment of fecal pellets suggested that the highest overlap in habitat use among reindeer and goose occurred in bird cliff moss tundra, followed by moss tundra and heath habitats. The small proportion of the vegetated area suitable for all three herbivores indicates a high degree of habitat differentiation. Therefore, different habitats need to be considered for the management and conservation of resident and migratory herbivore species in this High Arctic Archipelago. Moreover, our results underscore the importance of the small but productive parts of the landscape that were used by all herbivores.

The Family Asteraceae: A review of phytochemical contents and anticancer activity of selected members

Background: The Asteraceae is one of the largest families among the angiosperms, consisting of over 1,620 genera and 23,600 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees which are found in the world. They are unique due to the possession of composite inflorescence heads and single-seed achene fruits. Members exert various levels of pharmacological activities such as anticancer, anti-inflammation, antimicrobial, antimalaria and antidiabetic due to the presence of phytoconstituents contained in their leaves, stembarks, flowers, and roots. Some of the members have shown potent cytotoxic effects on various cancers like breast, cervical, ovarian and blood cancers. Main body: Due to the side effects caused by chemotherapeutic drugs on cancer patients, there is a paradigm shift towards natural remedies for cancer by researchers. Studies carried out on different species belonging to the Asteraceae showed that they possessed potential cytotoxic and therapeutic effects on cancer cells like MCF-7 breast cancer cells, liver, leukaemia, ovarian and cervical cancer. The anticancer potentials of the Asteraceae were reported to have been due to the presence of phytoconstituents isolated from the various parts of some selected members. These metabolites or phytoconstituents include flavonoids, sesquiterpenes, alkaloids, and various types of glycosides. These compounds were found to inhibit angiogenesis, prevent metastasis and induce cellular apoptosis in cancer cells. Various techniques have been deployed to characterize and elucidate the chemical structures of isolated compounds from some members. These techniques are UV-vis, FTIR, GC-MS, LC-MS and NMR. This present review revealed the presence of potential anticancer compounds and the need to screen more members of the family for their anticancer activities against various cancer cells. In this case, various search engines such as Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, BASE, ResearchGate, DOAJ, Science.gov, Semantic Scholar and CORE were used in this study. Conclusion: This review showed that despite the numerous beneficial anticancer therapeutic potentials of the Asteraceae, only a few members of the family were screened for their anticancer activity. There is a need, therefore, for more studies on many members towards the isolation of potential anticancer compounds. This will help in the discovery of novel compounds that will serve as lead compounds for anticancer drug development.

Survey of ground beetles inhabiting agricultural crops in south-east Kazakhstan.

Ground beetles (Carabid beetles) may be found in virtually all of the world's habitats. They are one of the three most diverse families of extant beetles, with 34,275 species documented, and they serve as vital ecological markers in all environments. Edaphic living beetles catch and eat a wide variety of arthropods that live in the soil. In the case of weeds, most of the ground beetles eat their seeds and help regulate their populations. The findings of a field study in agrocenoses in South-East Kazakhstan from 2019 to 2020 are presented in this article. Twenty-seven ground beetle species from 9 genera were discovered as a consequence of the study. 670 soil traps yielded a total of 1012 beetles. Polytopic mesophilic beetles provide the foundation of the agrocenoses fauna. Hygrophils, mesophiles, and eurybionts are among the beetles found in irrigated areas, as are mixed and herbivorous species. The Carabidae family of beetles is the most numerous in fields and steppe settings. As a result, mixed-diet beetles can be found depending on the habitat and air temperature. The species of beetles in all fields in the investigation area are in accordance with the insects' complex. During the growth season, the diet of beetles shifts: predatory beetles take precedence initially, followed by mixed-diet beetles.

Modern arable and diverse ley farming systems can increase soil organic matter faster than global targets

Abstract Agriculture can be pivotal in mitigating climate change through soil carbon sequestration. Land conversion to pasture has been identified as the most effective method to achieve this. Yet, it creates a perceived trade-off between increasing soil carbon and maintaining arable food crop production. In this on-farm study, we assessed the potential of incorporating a 2-year diverse ley (consisting of 23 species of legumes, herbs, and grasses) within a 7-year arable crop rotation for soil organic matter accumulation. We established upper and lower boundaries of soil organic matter accumulation by comparing this approach to positive (permanent ley, akin to conversion to permanent pasture) and negative (bare soil) references. Our findings in the 2-year diverse ley treatment show greater soil organic matter accumulation in plots with lower baseline levels, suggesting a potential plateau of carbon sequestration under this management practice. In contrast, the positive reference consistently showed a steady rate of organic matter accumulation regardless of baseline levels. Moreover, we observed a concurrent increase in labile carbon content in the 2-year ley treatment and positive reference, indicating improved soil nutrient cycling and ecological processes that facilitate soil carbon sequestration. Our results demonstrate that incorporating a 2-year diverse ley within arable rotations surpasses the COP21 global target of a 0.4% annual increase in soil organic carbon. These findings, derived from a working farm's practical and economic constraints, provide compelling evidence that productive arable agriculture can contribute to climate change mitigation efforts.

Putative Celtis Leaves from Eocene Patagonia are Allied with Asian Anacardiaceae

The most common macrofossils in the highly diverse flora from Laguna del Hunco (early Eocene of Chubut, Argentina) are “Celtis” ameghinoi leaves, whose true affinities have remained enigmatic for a century. The species accounts for 14% of all plant fossils in unbiased field counts and bears diverse insect-feeding damage, suggesting high biomass and paleoecological importance. The leaves have well-preserved architecture but lack cuticles or reproductive attachments. We find that the fossils only superficially resemble Celtis and comparable taxa in Cannabaceae, Ulmaceae, Rhamnaceae, Malvaceae, and many other families. However, the distinctive foliar morphology conforms in detail to Dobinea (Anacardiaceae), a genus with two species of shrubs and large herbs ranging from India’s Far East and Tibet to Myanmar and central China, and we propose Dobineaites ameghinoi (E.W. berry) gen et. comb. nov. for the fossils. This discovery strengthens the extensive biogeographic links between Eocene Patagonia and mainland Asia, provides the first fossil record related to Dobinea, and represents a rare Gondwanan macrofossil occurrence of Anacardiaceae, which was widespread and diversified in the Northern Hemisphere at the time. The diverse leaf architecture of Anacardiaceae includes several patterns usually associated with other taxa, and many other leaf fossils in this family may remain misidentified.

Spatially heterogeneous shifts in vegetation phenology induced by climate change threaten the integrity of the avian migration network.

Phenological responses to climate change frequently vary among trophic levels, which can result in increasing asynchrony between the peak energy requirements of consumers and the availability of resources. Migratory birds use multiple habitats with seasonal food resources along migration flyways. Spatially heterogeneous climate change could cause the phenology of food availability along the migration flyway to become desynchronized. Such heterogeneous shifts in food phenology could pose a challenge to migratory birds by reducing their opportunity for food availability along the migration path and consequently influencing their survival and reproduction. We develop a novel graph-based approach to quantify this problem and deploy it to evaluate the condition of the heterogeneous shifts in vegetation phenology for 16 migratory herbivorous waterfowl species in Asia. We show that climate change-induced heterogeneous shifts in vegetation phenology could cause a 12% loss of migration network integrity on average across all study species. Species that winter at relatively lower latitudes are subjected to a higher loss of integrity in their migration network. These findings highlight the susceptibility of migratory species to climate change. Our proposed methodological framework could be applied to migratory species in general to yield an accurate assessment of the exposure under climate change and help to identify actions for biodiversity conservation in the face of climate-related risks.

Inventorying the Broodstocks of Belarusian Carp Breeds and Herbivorus Fish Species by the Genes of the Most Economically Valuable Traits to Maximize the Use of the Physiological Potential of a Fish Organism to Increase Fish Productivity in Ecological Conditions of Intensive Pond Fish Farming

One of the most promising marker genes for assessing and predicting animal meat productivity is the myostatin gene (MSTN). The protein encoded by this gene regulates the development of muscle tissue in various species of terrestrial and aquatic vertebrates. Mutations of the myostatin gene may lead to a twofold and in some cases even a threefold increase in muscle mass in the individuals of different species. Studies are underway to test the breeders of the Belarusian mirror carp and herbivorous fish species for the presence of mutations in the myostiatin gene (MSTN). When revising the broodstock of a new species of the Belarusian mirror carp, the effectiveness of using mutations of the MSTN gene associated with an economically valuable trait of fish productivity and mass accumulation has been established. The fish capacity of the juvenile mirror carp obtained during the reproduction of test breeders, where one parent was a GG homozygote and the other was an AG heterozygote with a mutation by the MSTN gene, was 1.3-1.7 times higher compared to the average productivity in the experimental and control groups and it showed a better productivity indicator for the control groups by 1.1-1.5 times. When testing silver carp and bighead carp selected for study (in Belarus and Uzbekistan), no mutations in the myostatin gene (MSTN) were found.

Unveiling the therapeutic potential of Lobaria extract and its depsides/depsidones in combatting Aβ42 peptides aggregation and neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's disease.

Background: The development of effective inhibitors that can inhibit amyloid β (Aβ) peptides aggregation and promote neurite outgrowth is crucial for the possible treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Lobaria (Schreb.) Hoffm., a traditional Chinese medicine used in Himalaya region for inflammatory diseases, contains depsides/depsidones (DEPs) such as gyrophoric acid, norstictic acid, and stictic acid known for their anti-cancer and anti-inflammation properties. Methods: Lobaria extracts were analyzed using HPLC to identify DEPs and establish standards. The inhibitory effects of Lobaria on Aβ42 fibrillization and depolymerization were assessed using various approaches with biophysical and cellular methods. The neuroprotective activity of Lobaria extracts and its DEPs aganist Aβ-mediated cytotoxicity was also evaluated. Results: Norstictic and stictic acid were found in the water extract, while norstictic, stictic, and gyrophoric acid were detected in the ethanol extract of Lobaria. Both extracts, and their DEPs effectively inhibited Aβ42 fibrillation and disaggregate mature Aβ42 fibrils. Notably, the ethanol extract showed superior inhibitory effect compared to the water extract, with gyrophoric acid being the most effective DEPs. Additionally, herbal extract-treated Aβ42 aggregation species significantly protected neuronal cells from Aβ42-induced cell damage and promoted neurite outgrowth. Conclusion: This study is the first to investigate the effect of Lobaria on Aβ42 and neuronal cell in AD. Given that Lobaria is commonly used in ethnic medicine and food with good safety records, our findings propose that Lobaria extracts and DEPs have potential as neuroprotective and therapeutic agents for AD patients.

Comparison of Metabarcoding Techniques for Dietary Assessment in Herbivores and Omnivores

Dietary assessment plays a crucial role in comprehending the ecological dynamics and nutritional needs of herbivores and omnivores. The metabarcoding technique has emerged as a potent tool for exploring the dietary composition of these animals. However, various metabarcoding techniques have been developed, each with its own advantages and limitations. This study aims to compare the performance of different metabarcoding techniques in herbivores and omnivores diet. We systematically reviewed 159 published manuscripts in Scopus and Google Scholar, and thematic analysis was conducted across several categories, including the marker, platform, and database utilized. Preliminary findings reveal significant variations among metabarcoding techniques across these two animal groups. The trnL gene exhibited higher taxonomic resolution for herbivorous species, whereas the combination of the 'trnL + 16s rRNA' gene exhibited superior performance for omnivorous species. The Illumina platform emerged as the most commonly used method for analyzing the diets of both herbivores and omnivores, with the primary reference database being the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). This study offers valuable insights into the strengths and limitations of different metabarcoding techniques for dietary assessment in herbivores and omnivores and optimizing metabarcoding protocols, facilitating more precise and reliable diet analyses within these ecological groups.

Early response of understory vegetation to the mass dieback of Norway spruce in the European lowland temperate forest

Spruce-dominated forests are commonly exposed to disturbances associated with mass occurrences of bark beetles. The dieback of trees triggers many physical and chemical processes in the ecosystem resulting in rapid changes in the vegetation of the lower forest layers. We aimed to determine the response of non-tree understory vegetation to the mass dieback of Norway spruce (Picea abies) in the first years after the disturbance caused by the European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) outbreak. Our study area was the Białowieża Biosphere Reserve covering the Polish part of the emblematic Białowieża Forest, in total 597 ​km2. The main data source comprised 3,900 phytosociological relevés (combined spring and summer campaigns) collected from 1,300 systematically distributed forest sites in 2016–2018 – the peak years of the bark beetle outbreak. We found that the understory responded immediately to mass spruce dieback, with the most pronounced changes observed in the year of the disturbance and the subsequent year. Shade-tolerant forest species declined in the initial years following the mass spruce dieback, while hemicryptophytes, therophytes, light-demanding species associated with non-forest semi-natural communities, as well as water-demanding forest species, expanded. Oxalis acetosella, the most common understory species in the Białowieża Forest, showed a distinct fluctuation pattern, with strong short-term expansion right after spruce dieback, followed by a gradual decline over the next 3–4 years to a cover level 5 percentage points lower than before the disturbance. Thus, our study revealed that mass spruce dieback selectively affects individual herb species, and their responses can be directional and non-directional (fluctuation). Furthermore, we demonstrated that the mass dieback of spruce temporarily increases plant species diversity (α-diversity).

Phytodiversity of Herbaceous Flora in the Pratapgarh district: A Change in the Composition due to Adoption of Exotic Species

Edaphic and climatic conditions are the factors that influence the species composition of the particular area. A checklist contains all available plant species of particular area. The area of study Pratapgarh district is located in Uttar Pradesh state. The paper attempts to represent the herbaceous flora of the district.There were 60 species of herbaceous plants, representing 22 different families, identified in the area studied. They were represented by 2 monocots and 20 dicot families. The dominance was shown by the family Asteraceae, represented by the greatest number of herb species. The study also points out the native and exotic status of the plants, changing the composition of the district’s flora. 57% of the reported herbaceous plants were found exotic and 43% native, in origin. The study updates 48 new herbaceous plant species in the existing flora of Pratapgarh.

Vegetation Dynamics of Coastal Mangrove Forest

In the man-made coastal forest, the vegetation dynamics of protected and unprotected coastal forests have been identified. This study examined and quantified the impacts of grazing on coastal vegetation. The investigation was conducted between January 2013 and December 2020. In a transect line, fifty-two distinct tree, herb, and shrub species were found in unprotected coastal areas, and 36 were found in protected areas. After eight years, the number of saplings (p=0.031), poles (p=0.030), and total (p=0.026) (seedling, sapling, and pole) regeneration were substantially different between protected and unprotected areas. The current study found no significant differences in regeneration and tree density after one and five years of establishing the protected zones. The greatest number of natural poles were found in protected and unprotected areas from 2017 to 2020. The changes in tree density were considerable (p=0.03) after eight years. From 2014 to 2017, the highest rate of seedling recruitment was 36622 to 43439 individuals observed in protected and unprotected areas. In protected areas, Excoecaria agallocha L. and Avicinnia officinalis L. had the most extensive regeneration coverage, and nine species of seedlings, saplings, and poles were seen in 2013 protected areas. After 8 years, E. agallocha had a 47.01% while Phoenix paludosa Roxb. had a 30.81% success rate. In 2020, seedlings of Pongamia pinnata L. (6.6%), Herietiera fomes Buch.-Ham. (5.5%), A. officnalis (5.30%) and the remaining six species were also seen. The species E. agallocha comprised 69.11% of the trees at Soner Char tree density, followed by Sonneratia apetala Buch.-Ham. (23.30%), P. paludosa (8.82%), H. fomes (3.43%), and the remaining two species in 2020. After eight years, the species S. apetala declined by 43.64% and 23.90% in protected and unprotected areas, respectively. The species Phoenix paludosa, H. fomes, A. officinalis, and Dolichandrone spathacea (L.F) Baill. Ex K. Schum. was found to replace S. apetala in protected areas. Grazing affects the natural recruitment stage of saplings and poles and tree stem density in unprotected areas. The observations assume that S. apetala will diminish due to climatic conditions, and E. agallocha will become the main dominating species in coastal areas. J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 49(2): 203-224, December 2023

A Comparative Phenological Studies of High-Value Medicinal Herbs: Cassia tora and Argemone maxicana in Achanakmar Regions of Chhattisgarh, India

The phenological behaviour of two herb species, Cassia tora and Argemone maxicana, were studied in Shivtarai Achanakmar regions of Chhattisgarh state, India, from January 2020 to December 2022. Both these species showed marked variations in their phenological behavior studied, such as new foliage, Leaf fall, Flowering and Fruiting, by showing significant variation (P value ˂ 0.05). In the present study, it was revealed that, in Cassia tora, the mean ± SD values of new foliage, leaf fall, flowering and fruiting days were 40±5, 27±5, 127±5, and 102±18 respectively, whereas, in Argemone maxicana, these are 42±6, 36±5, 103±17, 87±2 respectively. In the present study, it was observed that in Cassia tora, the leaf bud busting initiation occurred in July-August, and in Argemone maxicana, it was observed at the end of August. In Cassia tora, the appearance of minimum total mature leaves was observed to occur in September, whereas, in Argemone maxicana, it was in December-January. Moreover, in Cassia tora, the appearance of a maximum number of mature leaves was found in the month of November, whereas in Argemone mexicana, it was in March-May. The length of the reproductive stage was observed to occur in Cassia tora for 3 to 4 months, whereas in Argemone maxicana it was 7-8 months. The Appearance of mature flowers was observed to occur in the month of October for Cassia tora and April-May for Argemone maxicana. The fruit formation was found in Dec-Jan in Cassia tora and in Argemone maxicana in May. The last fruit/fruit fall was initiated in February in Cassia tora and in Argemone mexicana in May to June. The phenological behavior plays a significant role in the study of vegetation patterns in the studied regions, in the field of biochemistry and the field of pharmacology. The plant has evolved in varied phenological phages to attain maximum beneficial phytoconstituents for medicinal purposes in different phenophases and must be studied for future prospects.

Inventory study of ethno-medicinal herbs, shrubs and climbers from Terakanahalli reserve forest area of Sirsi taluka, Karnataka, India

Enlisting of plant species from the different regions is a continuous and important process in understanding the changes occurring in floral composition over a period of time. Present study enumerated a total of 60 medicinal species of herbs, shrubs and climbers belonging to 34 families from Teraknahalli Reserve Forest area. The plants belong to diverse families with Apocynaceae, Fabaceae, Phyllanthaceae, Rubiaceae, and Solanceae were top five families contributing a sum of 23 species. This shows the richness in species diversity of the present study area. The documented plants have diverse medicinal usage. Total 25 medicinal species were regarded under different Rare Endemic Threatened categories by FRLHT, Bengaluru and IUCN. The study area is under great pressure because of human interference. The reserve forest needs proper management and conservation practices to improve the floral and faunal diversity of the area.

Trends in the Tissue Culture Techniques and the Synthesis of Bioactive Compounds in Eurycoma longifolia Jack-Current Status and Future Perspectives.

Over the last two decades, there has been a concerted effort by researchers to mass propagate Eurycoma longifolia and improve the yield of its very important and sought-after anti-cancer and aphrodisiac bioactive compounds. To achieve this, various techniques have been used to mass propagate and improve the yield of these bioactive compounds in tissue cultures. These techniques include the optimization of media conditions and application of various types and combinations of plant growth regulators (PGRs). In addition, some elicitation techniques have been used to improve the synthesis of these bioactive compounds. However, in comparison with other herbal species with similar economic importance, many techniques have not been applied to E. longifolia. Adopting the most recent methodologies would ensure efficiency and sustainability in the in vitro production of bioactive compounds in E. longifolia. Therefore, in this review, we present an up-to-date record on the success stories in the tissue culture techniques and synthesis of bioactive compounds. In addition, we attempted to identify some of the missing links on the road to the effective and sustainable biotechnological utilization of this super important biological resource.

Study of carotenoids and chlorophylls content in Thymus L. essential oils genus species at the reproductive period

The genus Thymus (Thymus L., Lamiaceae L.) is polymorphic, containing various races and forms with minor morphological differences. Up to 200 species have been identified in the world, of which up to 50 are found in Ukraine.
 Widespread wild essential oil species of the genus Thymus L. in Ukraine are: creeping thyme, Crimean thyme, Dnieper thyme, Marshall's thyme, flea thyme, Pallas's thyme. Successfully cultivated: common thyme, Spanish white thin thyme, Spanish white flowering thyme, creeping thyme, lemon thyme.
 Thyme is known for its rich chemical composition. Carotenoids and chlorophylls contribute to the accumulation of essential oil, polyphenolic compounds, antioxidant, detoxification and radioprotective effects.
 For the standardization of raw materials of Thymus L. species, it is advisable to determine the accumulation of carotenoids and chlorophylls during the reproductive period.
 The purpose of the work is to identify and determine the quantitative content of carotenoids and chlorophylls during the reproductive period in the herb species of the genus Thymus L. of the flora of Ukraine.
 Raw materials were collected in steppe biocenoses and specialized farms of southeastern Ukraine during the reproductive period (May–September 2018–2023) according to generally accepted methods. They were dried at 35 ºС to a moisture content of no more than 10%. n-Hexane extracts (1:100) were used to identify substances and establish their quantitative content. The determination was made by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) followed by densitometry and spectrophotometry.
 By the methods of thin-layer chromatography and spectrophotometry in n-hexane extracts from grass species of the genus Thymus L. of flora of Ukraine 4 carotenoids and 2 chlorophylls were identified. Cultivated species had the highest content: Th. vulgaris L. and Th. x citriodorus (Pers.) Schreb. var. «Silver Queen».
 The accumulation of carotenoids and chlorophylls in the raw materials of the genus Thymus L. during the reproductive period was studied. The results indicate the expediency of standardization of the studied raw materials according to the accumulation of carotenoids and chlorophylls.

Динамика естественного зарастания травянистой растительностью насаждений сосны обыкновенной (Pinus sylvestris L.) при рекультивации гидроотвала Курской магнитной аномалии

To improve the conditions for the growth of forest stands on the Berezovy Log Kursk Magnetic Anomaly (KMA) has been conducted applying fertile topsoils, filmed during the development of the deposit. The analysis of the natural growth of the hydro dump is necessary for an integrated assessment of the growing conditions. We carried out it before and after planting on a dump of forest stands. Prior to the applying fertile topsoils, the herbaceous vegetation had not settled on the sand. Natural overgrowth began after the applying fertile topsoils on the surface of the hydro dumps. The northern part of the dump became more active in natural overgrowth. Twenty species of herbs belonging to 10 families were found here, numbering 153 pcs/m 2. Four years later, in six-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands, a richer floristic composition was noted. Thirty species of herbaceous plants have been recorded, of which 54% are with short life-span. Herbaceous vegetation during this period is represented mainly by heterogeneous grass, almost total absence of legumes and small participation of Gramineae. In 40-year-old Scots pine stands, 32 species of grass on the edge and 11 species under the canopy of the plantation were considered, belonging to 13 families. The participation of members of the families of Gramineae and Compositae has increased. Herbs compete with forest stands for moisture and nutrients up to the age of clamping. It is concluded that forest reclamation should be started immediately after fertile application.

In vitro anti-bacterial properties of: Cynodon dactylon, Cannabis sativa and Datura stramonium against three pathogenic bacterial strains

The use of local herbs in the treatment of small infectious diseases is very common in traditional medicine. The present study reports the antibacterial properties of aqueous extracts of Cynodon dactylon (Doob), Cannabis sativa (Bhang), and their Datura stramonium (Datura). On three pathogenic bacterial strains E.coli, Streptococcus, and Staphylococcus aureus. The local herbal species that is Cynodon dactylon (Doob), Cannabis sativa (Bhang), and Datura stramonium (Datura) are used commonly to treat various bacterial infections and diseases. The development of new antibacterial agents against resistant pathogens is increasing. Therefore, the aqueous extract from different parts of the three local herbs used locally as medicine was evaluated for their antibacterial activity. It was found that among four aqueous extracts the Dautra fruit extract may have antibacterial properties and it may be used as an alternative to antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. This information could help to discover new drugs for the pharmaceutical industry.

Phenotypic Variations and Bioactive Constituents among Selected Ocimum Species.

Basil (Ocimum species) represents an extraordinary group of aromatic plants that have gained considerable economic importance, primarily due to their essential oils, which have applications in medicine, culinary, and perfumery. The Ocimum genus encompasses more than 60 species of herbs and shrubs originally native to tropical regions. This genus stands out for its remarkable diversity, displaying a wide spectrum of variations in phenotype, chemical composition, and genetic makeup. In addition to genetic factors, the growth, development, and essential oil production of basil are also influenced by environmental conditions, ontogeny, and various other factors. Consequently, the primary objective of this study was to explore the diversity in both the morphological characteristics and essential oil composition among basil genotypes preserved within the gene bank of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences' Department of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. The investigation involved the assessment of fifteen basil genotypes, representing four distinct species: Ocimum basilicum (including 'Anise', 'Clove', 'Fino Verde', 'Licorice', 'Mammoth', 'Mrs. Burns', 'Thai tömzsi', 'Thai hosszú', and 'Vietnamese basil'), Ocimum sanctum (green holy basils), Ocimum citrodora (Lemon basil), and Ocimum gratissimum (African and Vana holy basil). The genotypes exhibited significant variations in their morphological growth, essential oil content (EOC), and composition. African basil produced more biomass (408.3 g/plant) and showed robust growth. The sweet basil cultivars clove, licorice, Thai tömzsi, and Thai hosszú also exhibited similar robust growth trends. Vietnamese basil, on the other hand, displayed the lowest fresh biomass of 82.0 g per plant. Both holy basils showed EOC levels below 0.5%, while Mrihani basil stood out with the highest EOC of 1.7%. The predominant constituents of the essential oil among these genotypes comprised estragole, thymol, methyl cinnamate, linalool, and eugenol. In conclusion, this study showed that the genotypes of basil stored in the department's gene bank exhibit a wide range of variability, both within and between species.