Sphagnum Research Articles

Multi-Proxy Paleoecological Reconstruction of Peatland Initiation, Development and Restoration in an Urban Area (Moscow, Russia)

Peatlands play an important role in the global carbon cycle but have been exploited over many centuries, which reduces their carbon storage capacity. To investigate peatland development during the late Holocene and their restoration after peat extraction, we applied a multi-proxy paleoecological (pollen, plant macrofossils, testate amoebae, loss on ignition, peat humification, etc.) approach to undisturbed and floating vegetation mat deposits of the Gorenki peatland (Meshchera Lowlands, East European Plain). Peatland development started around 2550 before the common era (BCE) as a waterlogged eutrophic birch forest (terrestrial paludification) surrounded by a broadleaf forest. Around 2400 BCE, the peatland turned into an open mire with Sphagnum mosses, sedges, and willows. During 900–800 BCE, the mire transformed into a wet mesotrophic peatland surrounded by a spruce forest. The first human settlements and deforestation around 300–400 CE coincided with oligotrophization of the mire. The growth of the Slavic population in the region in 14th century CE caused transformation of indigenous spruce–broadleaf forests into croplands, and the mire became drier and forested. Since peat extraction was abandoned in the beginning of 20th century CE, the mire has undergone self-restoration starting with the formation of a Sphagnum cuspidatum/obtusum quagmire on the floating peat remains. The Sphagnum mat stabilized during 1960–2000 CE. During the last twenty years, agricultural activity decreased and pine forests were restored in the adjacent area; the floating mat became drier and more oligotrophic, which can lead to the formation of a bog in the absence of considerable anthropogenic impact.

Effect of peat and thiol-modified peat application on mercury (im)mobilization in mercury-polluted paddy soil

Mercury (Hg) pollution in paddy soil has gained special attention because methylmercury (MeHg) can accumulate in rice grains. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore the remediation materials of mercury-polluted paddy soil. In this study, herbaceous peat (HP), peat moss (PM), and thiol-modified HP/PM (MHP/MPM) were selected to investigate the effects and probable mechanism of their application on Hg (im)mobilization in mercury-polluted paddy soil through pot experiments. The results showed that HP, PM, MHP and MPM addition increased MeHg concentrations in the soil, indicating that the addition of peat and thiol-modified peat might increase the exposure risk of MeHg in soil. The addition of HP could significantly decrease the total mercury (THg) and MeHg concentrations in rice, with average reduction efficiencies of 27.44% and 45.97%, respectively, while adding PM slightly increased the THg and MeHg concentrations in rice. In addition, the addition of MHP and MPM significantly decreased the bioavailable Hg concentrations in the soil and THg and MeHg concentrations in rice, with reduction efficiencies of rice THg and MeHg of 79.14∼93.14% and 82.72∼93.87%, respectively, indicating that thiol-modified peat had good remediation potential. The possible mechanism is that Hg can bind with thiols in MHP/MPM and form steady compounds in the soil, reducing Hg mobility in the soil and inhibiting its uptake by rice. Our study showed the potential value of HP, MHP and MPM addition for Hg remediation. Additionally, we must weigh the pros and cons when adding organic materials as remediation agents to mercury-polluted paddy soil.

In Vitro Propagation and Histochemical Analysis of Launaea sarmentosa (Willd.) Kuntze

Launaea sarmentosa (Willd.) Kuntze., an edible perennial herb, is critically considered an endangered species due to its habitat destruction. In vitro L. sarmentosa propagation was therefore conducted to preserve this plant. Two types of explants including leaf and stolon were applied to induce the multiple shoots by culturing on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with BA (0, 1, and 2 mg/L) and 2,4-D (0, 1, 2, and 4 mg/L). The optimal shoot induction medium for both explants was MS medium containing 2 mg/l BA (presented 100 % shoot induction). Roots were induced by various types and concentrations of auxins [1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA)]. The highest percentage of rooting (70.00 ± 11.05 %) was obtained from stolon-derived shoots on MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/l IAA. One-hundred percent survivability was presented after transforming plantlets into a mixture of soil, sand, and peat moss (1:1:1). Starch, protein, and lipid were accumulated in leaves detected by histochemical technique. The obtained information will be a useful tool for mass propagation of L. sarmentosa and to obtain basic knowledge for plant accumulating substances. HIGHLIGHTS This paper highlights 2 types of sarmentosa explant including leaves and stolons have great potential to produce multiple shoots after inoculation in MS medium adding BA. All regenerated plants get success for acclimatization and transplantation to the greenhouse. In vitro plantlets of L. sarmentosa leaves accumulated fat, protein and carbohydrate which might be related with precursor of medicinal properties GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Comparison of Pin Mill and Hammer Mill in the Fine Grinding of Sphagnum Moss

Dried sphagnum moss was ground using a pin mill and a hammer mill under various operating conditions, i.e., changes in the rotor frequency and feed rate. The specific energy consumption of the size reduction was recorded. The ground powder was characterized by median particle size, width of size distribution (span), loose and tapped bulk densities, and the Hausner ratio. Pin milling used less energy for size reduction than hammer milling, especially when the target size was below 100 μm. In both milling methods, the specific energy consumption was mainly caused by the rotor frequency used. However, in pin milling, the specific energy consumption was also dependent on the production rate: the higher the rate, the higher the energy consumption. No such dependence was observed with the hammer mill. The span was wider in pin milling than hammer milling in the intermediate product size range although the difference decreased at the fine and coarse ends. A similar pattern was found for bulk densities. However, the flowability of powder, as characterized by the Hausner ratio, was comparable between the grinding methods.

Doom Bar

Doom Bar Katherine Robinson (bio) When George leaves for the hotel, fog emulsifies the hills and feathers down grassy cliffs. As he walks up the single-track road, he hears the waves but can't see the water. On nights like this, the island contracts, and he notices russet grass, beaded with rain, arcing towards the road. Sphagnum moss lines the ditches, neon green and buoyant, expanding in damp fog. The smell of wet peat rises from the fields. Blue tarps cover piles of cut peats, waiting to be carried home. George has stopped fishing now, but he hasn't yet acclimated to this new consistency. For years, he only rested on foggy days and during storms. Wind and rain meant quiet and sleep. On clear days, he was out on the water before dawn. Now, weather no longer dictates his schedule. He walks to the hotel pub almost every evening, whether the night is clear, or foggy, or stormy. On wet nights, he wears his fishing oilskin. Rain jackets in mainland shops are flimsy and thin, designed, he thinks, for people who don't have to go out in rain. He trusts clothes from the fishing supply store: heavy orange oilskins, neon yellow parkas, green wellington boots. When he arrives at the hotel, he shoulders the heavy door open and hangs his oilskin on a peg. The general store closed ten years ago, and now the hotel is the only business on the island. He orders his shopping from the mainland on the Thursday mailboat. Jeanette, his niece, has run the hotel the past five years. She does a good job. When storms force the oil men off rigs, the men stay here. When weather delays their flights, they stay for days, sometimes a week, and the island's population doubles. The hotel is nearly empty tonight. Three birders sit in a booth, studying an island map. They're here looking for migrating birds, but it's late September, and birds arriving now are alone, sparrows and warblers blown off course. Exhausted, they land on the first solid ground they've found in days. When they arrive this late, they're too disoriented and exhausted to leave. George doesn't like birders who come this late in the season. He thinks they're cynical, making a cynical bid to add dying birds to their "life lists." It's not the same, he thinks, as following birds in their own habitat, catching a glimpse of a creature on its own terms. The birders always complain. They need the internet, which goes offline [End Page 59] in foggy weather, to look at bird websites. Bored by everything that isn't birds, they complain, too, about the rain and wind through which they traipse to find birds. It's an odd sort of self-imposed misery, George thinks. Jeanette knows his order, a pint of Doom Bar, but he asks for it anyway. She pours it. Her easy command of tap handles and faucets reminds him of the control he felt on the boat. She hands him his pint and twists her hair, dyed red, up into a bun. She's focused, but restless, adjusting her hair, drumming her nails, painted black, on the bar. She wants a cigarette, he can tell. She hands him his pint. A parrot cage, arced like a lobster trap, stands in an alcove, and George walks over to Lucy, a gray parrot. "Doom Bar!" Lucy says as he approaches, hopping onto her perch. She's heard his drink order for years now, and she greets him like this most nights. George is impressed. He holds up his pint. "Doom Bar," he says. "Doom Bar," she repeats. He wonders if she knows that Doom Bar refers to the drink, or if she thinks it means hello in his particular language. He wonders what he could say back. He's not sure how another parrot would say hello. "Doom Bar," he says again, approvingly. When Jeanette took over managing the hotel, Lucy came with it. Parrots live a long time, Jeanette told him, especially the gray ones. "Doom Bar," Lucy repeats. Some nights, other men from the island...

STUDYING THE GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF SAFFRON UNDER DIFFERENT AGRICULTURE TECHNIQUES

This study was conducted at Abi – Jarash farm, Damascus, Syria, during 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 growing seasons. The aim of this study was comparing the effect of three different cultivation techniques of saffron (Crocus sativus L.), which were soilless cultivation, within the nutrient film technique (NFT), and the technique of cultivation in substrates (mixture of peat moss- perlite), in addition to cultivation in soil. An increasing in the vegetative growth measurements was recorded with​​ cultivation saffron in the soil, compared to the cultivation without soil, within the nutrient film technology (hydroponics) ,and the technology of cultivation in the substrates (peat moss and perlite mixture)، Flowering was poor in the hydroponics technique, while non significant differences were observed among the cultivation technique in the peat moss–perlite mixture, and the cultivation in the soil in first and second seasons . Cultivation in the soil achieved a significant increase in the rate of corms multiplication (corm plant-1), and the weight of daughter corms produced from one plant, whereas, a qualitative superiority appeared within the nutrient film technique, in which the percentage of commercial corms (˃ 8 g) reached 100%, and the average weight of the produced corms was 13.65,16.07 g in first and second seasons, respectively .

Biochar Influences Phytochemical Concentrations of Viola cornuta Flowers

Edible flowers are a rich source of phytochemicals with potential health benefits. Yet, changes in production practices can influence the phytochemical composition of edible flowers. Practices such as the addition of biochar have been used to affect growing media properties as well as to conserve peat resources. However, there is little known about how biochar affects the phytochemical composition of edible flowers. To determine if biochar affects phytochemicals in Viola cornuta, four cultivars were subjected to different rates of biochar, with and without fertilizer. At the rate of 10% biochar and without fertilizer application, flower polyphenol and flavonoid concentrations were decreased by 10–20% in two cultivars. However, at 25% biochar, flower polyphenol concentrations varied widely. When fertilizer was added, no effects of biochar were seen. Phytochemical characterization of unfertilized plants further revealed that while increased rates of biochar reduced concentrations of certain antioxidant compounds, these compounds were increased when fertilizer was added. Overall, fertilization can counteract some of the negative effects of biochar on Viola cultivars, resulting in higher nutritional quality and an increase in bioactive compounds produced, providing an ability to replace the peat moss with biochar.

N, O-dual coordination regulation directs the design of active sites on nanoclusters for highly efficient catalytic water purification

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are regarded as promising strategies for generating powerful oxygen-containing radicals that can degrade nearly all organic compounds. However, developing catalysts with highly active sites for carrying out AOPs is still a significant challenge. Herein, we design and synthesize of ultra-small cobalt nanoclusters with N, O-dual coordination (O-Co-N) on porous carbonized peat moss (CPM-Co-2) for the efficient catalytic purification of water through peroxymonosulfate (PMS)-based AOPs. Density functional theory calculations revealed that introducing O causes the d-band center of the O-Co-N configuration to shift away from the Fermi level, which significantly decreased the desorption energy of sulfate radicals (SO4•−) and accelerated the rate-limiting step to promote the reaction. The CPM-Co-2 showed excellent catalytic activity and stability in the remediation of organic pollutants and bacteria. The immensely increased catalytic activity achieved through regulating the metal coordination environment provided useful insights for the future design and synthesis of catalyst.

Atrazine Persistence in Sediment of Aquatic Microcosms

Atrazine is a mutagenic, carcinogenic, and environmentally persistent herbicide commonly detected in natural waters and sediment due to its broad use in corn, sugarcane, and sorghum plantations. Though largely studied, investigations on atrazine’s fate and routes of transformation in freshwater environments have been somewhat scarce and fragmented. Thereby, the purpose of this study is to comprehend the physicochemical destiny of atrazine in the sediment of laboratory-based aquatic freshwater microcosms. Four microcosms with a capacity of 40 L were set up in the laboratory after the preparation of standard synthetic sediment (composed of peat moss, medium-sized grain sand, and white clay) and filled with tap water. Two of these systems (labeled 1 and 3) were contaminated with atrazine, resulting in an overall initial concentration of 100 μg L-1 in each, whereas the other two systems (labeled 2 and 4) were maintained under control conditions. The assays were monitored for 43 weeks in total, for pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), apparent color, turbidity, and temperature. Atrazine was added to the systems only in the 14th week (100 μg L-1) and quantified in the water column in the 38th week (46 μg L-1) through liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, showing that the initial concentration of atrazine in the water column decayed by approximately 50% during this period. This finding indicates that the herbicide underwent biological and/or physicochemical transformations in the water column and sediment. The systems’ water was replaced in the 40th week, after which the atrazine concentration in the water column returned to equilibrium (46 μg L-1), revealing that the sediment can function as a repository of the compound in the systems’ aquatic environment.

Influence of Funneliformis mosseae in the growth and accumulation of dry biomass in Dalia plants

Objetive: in the production of Dahlia spp., only chemical fertilization has been used, and an option that has not yet been explored is the implementation of a microbial inoculant. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the mycorrhizal fungus Funneliformis mosseae on the growth and development of the dahlia (Dahlia variabilis var. Variegated dwarf). Design/methodology/approach: the seeds were sown in polyethylene bags containing a mixture of black soil, peat moss, and agrolite. A completely randomized design was used, and the treatment structure was 2x3 factorial. The study factors were F. mosseae, chemical fertilization, and substrate sterilization. Results: an analysis of variance was performed, and the mean values of the treatments were compared with Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). Conclusions: with the inoculation of F. mosseae, a significant increase was obtained in the study variables: plant height, stem diameter, number of buds and flowers per plant; leaf + stem, flower, root, and total biomass, compared to non-inoculated plants. A colonization of 89 % in the roots was recorded. A limitation of the study is that the effect of the inoculum on plant growth can vary according to the mycorrhiza species used. In conclusion, inoculation with Funneliformis mosseae increased growth and biomass accumulation in Dahlia plants.

Pelletisation of peat moss using binder from palm oil refinery waste (spent bleaching earth) and binder from grey oyster mushroom plantation waste (spent mushroom substrate)

Spent bleaching earth (SBE); a solid waste generated from refining palm oil process and spent mushroom substrate (SMS); a waste generated from grey mushroom plantation were explored as potential binding agents. The experimental work of pelletisation using a pelleting machine was carried out by varying the ratio of peat moss (PMS) to spent bleaching earth (SBE) and spent mushroom substrate (SMS) at 90:10, 80:20 and 70:30 (by weight %). Several analyses were conducted to determine the physical and thermal degradation characteristics of the peat moss pellet at different level of binders. Density and hardness tests were performed for physical analysis. Results from durability test shows that pellet from the tested ratios achieved pellet durability index (PDI) value of more than 97.5%. In terms of pellet hardness, pellet mixed with SBE was found to decrease its hardness when the amount of SBE in the mixture increases. On the contrary, for peat soil pellet mixed with SMS, when the amount of SMS in the mixture increases, the pellet hardness also increases. In terms of water resistance, peat soil pellet mixed with SBE showed high resistance towards moisture whereas peat soil pellet mixed with SMS was found to break during the test when the amount of SMS binder increased. The pelletisation of peat soil aimed to increase the density and strength of the material and consequently provide better thermal degradation characteristics It can be concluded that the most ideal formula among the tested ratios to produce biosolid fuel pellet with SBE as binding agent was 90:10 PMS:SBE whereas for pellet with SMS as binding agent was 70:30 PMS:SMS. This study thus brings opportunity for spent bleaching earth and spent mushroom substrate as potential binding agents to aid pelletisation of raw/biomass material.

Protecting nature's most effective carbon sink: an important role for fungi in peatlands.

This article is a Commentary on Shao et al. (2023), 238: 80–95.

Newly identified sex chromosomes in the Sphagnum (peat moss) genome alter carbon sequestration and ecosystem dynamics

Peatlands are crucial sinks for atmospheric carbon but are critically threatened due to warming climates. Sphagnum (peat moss) species are keystone members of peatland communities where they actively engineer hyperacidic conditions, which improves their competitive advantage and accelerates ecosystem-level carbon sequestration. To dissect the molecular and physiological sources of this unique biology, we generated chromosome-scale genomes of two Sphagnum species: S. divinum and S. angustifolium. Sphagnum genomes show no gene colinearity with any other reference genome to date, demonstrating that Sphagnum represents an unsampled lineage of land plant evolution. The genomes also revealed an average recombination rate an order of magnitude higher than vascular land plants and short putative U/V sex chromosomes. These newly described sex chromosomes interact with autosomal loci that significantly impact growth across diverse pH conditions. This discovery demonstrates that the ability of Sphagnum to sequester carbon in acidic peat bogs is mediated by interactions between sex, autosomes and environment.

Initial ecological change in plant and arthropod community composition after wildfires in designated areas of upland peatlands.

Wildfires are an increasing concern due to rising temperatures and incidence of droughts associated with changing climate, poor land management, and direct human interference. Most studies of the impact of fire on temperate heathland and bog examined the consequences of controlled or prescribed burning. Less is known about the impacts of uncontrolled wildfires on sites designated for their conservation value. We examined the initial impact and short-term trajectory (3.5 years) of cool temperate peatland plant and arthropod communities on designated upland sites in Northern Ireland following wildfires, that is, unplanned with respect to where and when they occur, severity, and duration. These near simultaneous wildfires were often due to a failure to control prescribed burns. Wildfires were associated with a loss of blanket bog and heath indicator species. Broad vegetation groups showed initial recovery characterized by a decrease in bare ground and increasing cover of shrub species and bryophytes. However, at a species level, Sphagnum spp and bryophyte communities, which are central to peatland ecosystem functioning, showed no sign of recovery to prefire composition. Rather, bryophyte communities became more divergent over the course of the study and were mainly characterized by increased abundance of the alien pioneer acrocarp Campylopus introflexus. Similarly, composition of arthropod communities (ground beetles and spiders) differed between burnt and unburnt areas and showed no evidence of a return to species composition in unburnt areas. The nationally rare beetle Carabus nitens was more common in the aftermath of wildfire. Synthesis. Whilst, long-term recovery was not investigated, these short-term changes suggest enduring detrimental impacts on the distinctive communities associated with peatlands, primarily through the loss of Sphagnum spp., affecting ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and water and soil retention. It may not be possible to restore exact prefire species composition of plant and animal communities. We suggest a precautionary approach involving management of upland vegetation, public education, and vigilance, to prevent further wildfires and protect these key upland habitats.

Study of the effectiveness of a feed additive for calves based on fungi Trichoderma reesei and Ganoderma Lucidum

Gastrointestinal diseases occupy one of the leading places in terms of frequency and mass manifestation in the structure of pathologies of young farm animals. It is known that the main causes of the death of young cattle (cattle) are various viral and bacterial infections, as well as errors in keeping and feeding. Therefore, the development of feed additives from natural components, characterized by eco-friendly, cheapness, harmlessness in handling and technology in use, to reduce the incidence of animals due to nonspecific stimulation of protective mechanisms in the body remains an urgent task in the form of activation of bactericidal, lysozyme activity of blood serum. In this regard, the aim of the research was to determine the effectiveness of a natural feed additive consisting of the mycelial fungus Trichoderma reesei LA-531 VKPM F-184, a soil isolate – producer of cellulases and hemicellulases, which use to produce feed protein, with the addition of fungus Ganoderma Lucidum, which has an immunomodulatory, antitumor, antiviral, antibiotic properties and is widely used in biotechnology, and sphagnum moss. The experiments were conducted on the basis of the farm of LLC "Biruli" of the Republic of Tatarstan on calves of 2 months of age, with a live weight of 60-70 kg, divided into three groups of 10 heads each. Group 1 calves received a basic ration (BR) with the addition of feed grain mixed with a substrate (moss-sphagnum) at a dose of 1 % of the ration. The calves of the 2nd group received a developed feed additive in addition to the BR (at the rate of 1% of the diet). The calves of the 3 groups were given BR (biological control). The experimental period was 30 days. It is shown that daily addition of a feed additive at a dose of 1% of the basic diet increases the safety of young animals by 20.0 %, leads to a decrease in the incidence of gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases by 40.0 %, contributes to an increase in the average daily weight gain by 30.1 % compared with the control group.

Properties of Sound Absorption Composite Materials Developed Using Flax Fiber, Sphagnum Moss, Vermiculite, and Sapropel.

To address the need to reduce consumption and pollution in the industrial sector, composite materials were created using a new type of raw materials-organic lake sediments (sapropel) as a binder; sphagnum moss, flax fiber, and vermiculite as a filler. The main application of these composite materials is for sound absorption and moisture buffering, but since they contain bio-based binders and fillers, they also work as carbon storage. Within the framework of this work, a total of 100 samples of composite materials were created. Fungicides-a biocide quaternary ammonium compound and its natural substitute montmorillonite mineral material were also added to the materials to improve microbiological stability. The mechanical sound absorption and microbiological properties of materials were investigated and compared to similar environmentally friendly materials, such as hemp-lime concrete (FHL), hemp magnesium oxychloride composite (MOC), and hemp magnesium phosphate cement (MPC). The results showed that sound absorption and mechanical and microbial properties of the created composite materials are sufficient for their intended use, with flax fiber and vermiculite composites showing more stable mechanical, sound absorbing, and microbiological stability properties than materials containing flax fiber and moss.

Optimizing in vitro nutrient and ex vitro soil mediums-driven responses for multiplication, rooting, and acclimatization of pineapple

A comprehensive study was carried out on in vitro multiplication and rooting using the medium enriched with different plant growth regulators and acclimatization of pineapple cv. ‘Smooth Cayenne’ using different soil growing substrates. The significantly highest shoot buds (Avg. 16.7) were obtained on the medium comprising 2.0 mg L−1 BA (6-Benzylaminopurine). Results showed that 1.0 mg L−1 IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid) increased the thickness and length of white adventitious roots and resulted in a significantly highest number of roots (Avg. 8) and root length (6.15 cm). Plantlets with healthy, multiple roots were transplanted in several soil combinations of river silt, bolhari (yellow sand), and peat moss. However, the significantly highest survival (100%) of plantlets in the greenhouse was obtained on the soil medium containing only peat moss. Furthermore, soil mixtures of bolhari and peat moss (1:1) and river silt alone exhibited 98.9% and 95.1% survivability of plantlets, which was also considered equally significant (at 5% probability level). The in vitro and ex vitro protocols optimized in the current study can be applied commercially for pineapple crop worldwide.

Influences of Organic Additives on Asymbiotic Seed Germination of Dendrobium cruentum Rchb. f. for In Vitro Micropropagation

Dendrobium cruentum Rchb. f., a commercial orchid in Thailand, faces the risk of extinction and should be conserved, and propagated for commercial. Therefore, the aim of this research was to identify a suitable VW medium supplemented with organic additives for the micropropagation of D. cruentum through asymbiotic seed germination. The VW media supplemented with separate organic additives (coconut water (CW) (100 mL/L), ‘Hom Thong’ banana homogenate (BH) (1000 mg/L), and potato homogenate (PH) (1000 mg/L) or its combination was determined, and the seed germination rate (%), protocorm formation, and plantlet development were observed. The results showed that a combination of BH and PH resulted in the highest seed germination (94.69 ± 1.55 %) when compared to basal VW (control). Protocorm formation was highest with CW alone (47.38 ± 7.17 %) and a combination of CW and PH (52.13 ± 6.20 %). Additionally, after 10 weeks of culture, supplementation with BH yielded the highest number of plantlets. However, after 24 weeks of culture, each organic additives gave the different developments of healthy plantlets. To investigate suitable potting media for acclimatization of well-grown plantlets in greenhouse conditions, 2 pieces of foam, dried coconut husk, and a combination of peat moss: Sphagnum moss: Pumice: Perlite (3:1:1:1) were investigated. The highest survival rate percentage was found in foam-planted plantlets (80 %). Ultimately, the effectively simple mediums containing organic additives and a one-step protocol were provided for the micropropagation of D. cruentum via seeds, and the derived information could be used for D. cruentum conservation and production. HIGHLIGHTS The effects of organic additives on asymbiotic seed germination for in vitro micropropagation of Dendrobium cruentum Rchb. f. was firstly reported The media supplemented with organic additives yield significantly the highest seed germination, protocorm formation, and plantlet formation and development of D. cruentum when compared to basal media In greenhouse conditions, 2 pieces of foam gave the highest survival rate percentage of plantlets (80 %) The practical and beneficial media supplemented with organic additives for micropropagation of D. cruentum was provided GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Numerical assessment of morphological and hydraulic properties of moss, lichen and peat from a permafrost peatland

Abstract. Due to its insulating and draining role, assessing ground vegetation cover properties is important for high-resolution hydrological modeling of permafrost regions. In this study, morphological and effective hydraulic properties of Western Siberian Lowland ground vegetation samples (lichens, Sphagnum mosses, peat) are numerically studied based on tomography scans. Porosity is estimated through a void voxels counting algorithm, showing the existence of representative elementary volumes (REVs) of porosity for most samples. Then, two methods are used to estimate hydraulic conductivity depending on the sample's homogeneity. For homogeneous samples, direct numerical simulations of a single-phase flow are performed, leading to a definition of hydraulic conductivity related to a REV, which is larger than those obtained for porosity. For heterogeneous samples, no adequate REV may be defined. To bypass this issue, a pore network representation is created from computerized scans. Morphological and hydraulic properties are then estimated through this simplified representation. Both methods converged on similar results for porosity. Some discrepancies are observed for a specific surface area. Hydraulic conductivity fluctuates by 2 orders of magnitude, depending on the method used. Porosity values are in line with previous values found in the literature, showing that arctic cryptogamic cover can be considered an open and well-connected porous medium (over 99 % of overall porosity is open porosity). Meanwhile, digitally estimated hydraulic conductivity is higher compared to previously obtained results based on field and laboratory experiments. However, the uncertainty is less than in experimental studies available in the literature. Therefore, biological and sampling artifacts are predominant over numerical biases. This could be related to compressibility effects occurring during field or laboratory measurements. These numerical methods lay a solid foundation for interpreting the homogeneity of any type of sample and processing some quantitative properties' assessment, either with image processing or with a pore network model. The main observed limitation is the input data quality (e.g., the tomographic scans' resolution) and its pre-processing scheme. Thus, some supplementary studies are compulsory for assessing syn-sampling and syn-measurement perturbations in experimentally estimated, effective hydraulic properties of such a biological porous medium.

Post‐fire peatland recovery by peat moss inoculation depends on water table depth

Abstract Peatland restoration is essential to preserve biodiversity and carbon stored in peat soils. Common restoration techniques such as rewetting do not always result in the full recovery of peatland taxonomic and functional properties, threatening the resilience of restored peatlands and their carbon stores. Here, we study the use of peat moss inoculation in stimulating the short‐term taxonomic and functional recovery of a wildfire‐impacted peatland using mesocosms at high and low water table depth, representing ideal and adverse hydrological conditions respectively. Inoculation in conjunction with high water tables accelerated the recovery of the vascular plant and prokaryote communities. Importantly, Sphagnum—the keystone genus in these peatlands—only established in inoculated mesocosms. Together, this resulted in an increased CO2 uptake by approximately 17 g m−2 day−1 and reduced overall nutrient content in the peat pore water. Synthesis and applications. Our results indicate that inoculation can be used to accelerate the establishment of peatland‐specific species. In addition, they suggest the potential to combine peat moss inoculation and hydrological restoration to accelerate the uptake of carbon back into the system post‐fire. This offers a basis for future work exploring the long‐term use of inoculation to return disturbed peatlands to their pre‐degraded state, and a wider application of soil inoculation as a mechanism for functional recovery.