Thorny Shrub Research Articles

Improvement in Seed Germination Through Pre-treatments in Timur (Zanthoxylum armatum DC.): A Plant with High Medicinal, Economical and Ecological Importance

Timur (Zanthoxylum armatum DC.) also known as toothache tree or winged prickly ash is an important large thorny wild shrub of Rutaceae family. Owing to its high medicinal properties, the plant population is rapidly depleting due to the unsustainable premature harvesting from open-access forests. Because of which the plant species can become endangered or rare in the absence of conservation measures through its mass propagation. Seed propagation in Timur is a time consuming and tedious process due to the requirement for stratification. Here, we report the effect of different seed pre-treatments including water soaking, potassium nitrate (300 mM), sodium chloride (75 mM) and concentrated sulfuric acid treatments followed by water soaking on seed germination in Timur. Seed pre-treatment with acid for 120 min resulted in rapid and synchronous seed germination whereas the control, water-soaked, potassium nitrate or sodium chloride-treated seeds failed to germinate during the observation period of 30 days. The plantlets from acid-treated seeds further established successfully. Thus, the results of the present study may be applicable in large-scale simple and low-cost mass propagation of the plant as a source of medicines and other purposes.

Association benefits between harvester termites (Trinervitermes trinervoides) and num-num plants (Carissa bispinosa) in a semi-arid savanna setting

Few plant-insect interactions have been documented in semi-arid savannas. The reciprocal benefits that termites derive from plants in the ecosystem remain poorly studied. We studied the association between Carissa bispinosa (thorny shrub), and Trinervitermes trinervoides, termite mounds in Nylsvley nature reserve, South Africa and further assessed whether the association changed in its importance in different seasons. We hypothesised that mounds provide nutrients for plants, hence trees establish better on mounds and, in return, plants protect the mounds from predation. We measured plants (height, canopy diameter, leaf appearance and fruiting) and mounds (height, diameter, damage and activity) and also evaluated soil nutrient properties from mounds with active colonies and the adjacent matrix. There was a significant benefit accrued to both organisms from the plant-insect association. Plants on mounds were larger (~3.3 times taller), greener and fruited more in the dry season compared to matrix plants. Mounds under plants were significantly less damaged compared to exposed mounds. Sodium, magnesium, potassium, sulphur and copper were enriched in mounds relative to the matrix. The nutrient further validates the high productivity of plants on mounds. Although the benefits of trees from termite mounds is well documented, our findings show that trees established on mounds can protect the mounds from damage and excessive erosion.

Thorny Shrubs Limit the Browsing Pressure of Large Herbivores on Tree Regeneration in Temperate Lowland Forested Landscapes

Thorny shrubs are considered as an important driver in the natural development of temperate forest structures, particularly in European lowland forests. We assessed the current role of thorny shrubs in the regeneration of deciduous tree species under heavy browsing pressure in a central European temperate forested landscape. The study’s military training area offered a unique opportunity to investigate the processes in which deciduous tree seedlings grew under thorny shrubs and in the close vicinity of thorny shrubs in a landscape with a high density of large herbivores (red deer and sika deer). We assessed the number of seedlings, species composition, seedling height, and degree of browsing damage, and their relationship to study plots elevation, thorny shrub species, coverage, and height. The regenerated tree seedlings were mostly detected as common ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and wild cherry (Cerasus avium). The species of thorny shrubs were blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), hawthorn (Crataegus sp.), and wild rose (Rosa sp.). We found that the thorny shrubs protected the tree seedlings from browsers to a large extent. However, the effects of thorny shrubs on the tree seedlings’ characteristics varied among the shrub species. While results revealed significant effects of hawthorn and wild rose on the tree seedlings’ abundance and survival, blackthorn’s negative effect of shading the tree seedlings outweighed its protective role. These results indicated a possible mechanism that enabled the regeneration of deciduous tree species under large herbivore pressure. These results can be applied in the landscape planning and forest management of deciduous tree regeneration and forest restoration in temperate forested lowland landscapes, where high densities of large herbivores (without the presence of large predators) usually occur.

Forest development in a restored floodplain: effects of grazing, inundation and vegetation

In many countries worldwide, measures have been taken in floodplains for flood prevention and nature rehabilitation. In the Netherlands, floodplains are lowered by excavating to enlarge the discharge capacity and to create opportunities for development of river habitats such as forest. As forest can obstruct the water flow through the floodplain, their development has to be controlled in some cases. In many floodplains, vegetation development is controlled by cattle and horses. We carried out an exclosure experiment over a twelve year period in a partly excavated and year-round grazed floodplain along a lowland river in the Netherlands. We focussed on the thorny shrub hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna Jacq.) as it plays an important role in the obstruction of the water flow and in the wood-pasture cycle. Most hawthorn shrubs established on the excavated part of the floodplain with low cover of tall herbs. The total number of established hawthorn was negatively related to inundation on the lower parts of the excavated sites and positively related to inundation on the higher parts of the excavated sites. The herbivores negatively affected establishment and growth of hawthorn. Although lowering the floodplain by excavation will increase discharge capacity of the floodplain in the short term, it will decrease in the long term as excavation also increases opportunities for floodplain forest. If flood prevention and nature rehabilitation are both goals to be achieved in a floodplain, hawthorn encroachment can be controlled by a clever design of the measures and grazing management is needed

BOTANICAL PROFILING OF GMELINA PHILIPPENSIS CHAM., CULTIVATED IN EGYPT

Gmelina philippensis Cham. Family Lamiaceae, sometimes placed in family Verbenaceae, is one of the ornamental and medicinal plants, known as parrot’s peak, as it produces yellow flowers from a long tube-shaped structure comprised of overlapping bracts. It is a sprawling thorny shrub that was formerly taxonomically classified to family Verbenaceae. It is native to Philippines, Burma and distributed in tropical and subtropical countries. The present investigation attempts to study the pharmacognostical features of the aerial parts (leaves, stems and inflorescence) of Gmelina philippensis Cham. which could be helpful in authentication of the plant and establishing pharmacognostical standard measurements which help in its identification in both entire and powdered forms.

¿Protegen las espinas arbustivas a los nidos de aves contra la depredación? Un análisis experimental en la estepa patagónica

Nest predation is one of the most important selection pressures for birds; so, the choice of nesting site is key to chick survival. We experimentally evaluated if the presence of thorns in shrubs contributes to the protection against nest predation. The work was developed near the city of San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina, in a Patagonian steppe environment. We placed artifcial nests on rose mosqueta shrubs, experimentally varying the density of thorns, and on shrubs naturally free of thorns. The general predation rate was around 90% and was not affected by the density of thorns. Possible causes of the selection of thorny shrubs as nesting sites are discussed. https://doi.org/10.25260/EA.18.28.3.0.706

The South Indian hedgehog Paraechinus nudiventris (Horsfield, 1851): review of distribution data, additional localities and comments on habitat and conservation

Abstract The South Indian hedgehog Paraechinus nudiventris (Horsfield, 1851) is one of the least studied, small mammals endemic to India. Although it is listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), its distribution is still unknown due to the paucity of data. This study reports the distribution data of the South Indian hedgehogs from 16 districts in Tamil Nadu, India. The distribution records were retrieved from field surveys, published records, interviews, trade survey, local newspaper reports and museum specimens. From 2012 to 2017, there were 103 localities and 18 live sightings recorded. Its major habitats are grassland, shrubs around urban landscapes, small hillocks and thorny shrubs. In Tamil Nadu, it is found at low elevations; in sandy patches, dry areas and on scrub dominated plains. Hunting, habitat loss, roadkill and local trade were found to be the main threats responsible for the species’ declining population. This study discusses details such as distribution, habitat and ongoing threats, with a view to contributing to future species conservation and legislative decision-making.

Botanical composition, forage yield and quality under different improved Mediterranean rangeland

Proliferation of invasive of annual plant species and thorny shrubs such as Christ’s thorn (Paliurus spina-christi) is common in Mediterranean rangelands due to climatic shifts and heavy grazing. Improved practices are needed to manage such invasive species. This study assessed how improved rangeland practices affected herbage yield and quality, botanical composition in the Canakkale in western Turkey. The rangeland practices were: 1. control (no improvement practices (C), 2. removal of Christ’s thorns followed by forage crop planting (R), 3. use of herbicides to treat Christ’s thorn shrubs (H), 4. removal of Christ’s thorn shrubs by grubbing with dozers and rippers (M), and 5. the shrubs were cut out in the rangelands dominated with Christ’s thorn. The field has been plowed deep by a tractor. Then, it had been used as field for 10 years (sown with wheat). At the end, it has been turned back in the form of rangelands by sowing forage crops (F). The seeding practice has been done into bare parts of the rangelands that were occurred due to the removal of Christ’s thorn. The treatment plots were seeded with perennial ryegrass, orchardgrass and alfalfa. Control had the greatest number of species (45 species) whereas mechanically-treated plot had the least (28 species). All treatments increased herbage yield and grazed herbage quantities of the rangelands. The mechanically-treated rangeland increased yield by 2.5 folds compared with control. Treatments did not affect herbage quality of the rangelands. Results indicate that improvement practices improved rangelands invaded with Christ’s thorn shrubs.

Riverine wood‐pasture responds to grazing decline

AbstractThere is insufficient available information on structural changes within wood‐pastures including their relationship to abiotic influences such as livestock grazing, flooding and available soil nutrients. In this paper, we address the links between important environmental variables and different stages of the wood‐pasture cycle, with the aim of understanding fluctuations in this relationship and processes that follow changes in wood‐pasture condition. We used satellite and aerial image interpretation to identify structural vegetation shifts over 44 years under significantly declining livestock numbers. We used ground truthing of 24 plots to assess the current field scenario and employed canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) to evaluate the relationship between plant communities and environmental influences. Three dominant structural vegetation types grassland, transitional vegetation with thorny shrubs and woody encroachment were surveyed and the following set of variables was chosen: grazing intensity, inundation frequency, elevation, soil total nitrogen, soil available phosphorus, soil potassium, soil magnesium, soil calcium, soil pH and soil carbon to nitrogen ratio. Interpretation of satellite images revealed dominance of wood‐pasture in the past, which alternated structurally between more open and more closed physiognomies. CCA with ground truthing data and forward selection revealed grazing intensity as the predominant ecological driver modifying vegetation structure, as well as transitioning vegetation patterns between open herbaceous and closed woody cover. Each structural vegetation type demonstrated a collective distribution pattern and a close relationship to certain abiotic drivers, indicating strong interactions between soil parameters, grazing pressure and vegetation composition.

Sea Buckthorn Oil—A Valuable Source for Cosmeceuticals

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L., Elaeagnaceae.) is a thorny shrub that has small, yellow to dark orange, soft, juicy berries. Due to hydrophilic and lipophilic ingredients, berries have been used as food and medicine. Sea buckthorn (SB) oil derived from berries is a source of valuable ingredients for cosmeceuticals. The unique combination of SB oil ingredients, in qualitative and quantitative aspects, provides multiple benefits of SB oil for internal and external use. Externally, SB oil can be applied in both healthy and damaged skin (burns or skin damage of different etiology), as it has good wound healing properties. Due to the well-balanced content of fatty acids, carotenoids, and vitamins, SB oil may be incorporated in cosmeceuticals for dry, flaky, burned, irritated, or rapidly ageing skin. There have been more than 100 ingredients identified in SB oil, some of which are rare in the plant kingdom (e.g., the ratio of palmitoleic to γ-linolenic acid). This review discusses facts related to the origin and properties of SB oil that make it suitable for cosmeceutical formulation.

Shrub Encroachment Under the Trees Diversifies the Herb Layer in a Romanian Silvopastoral System

Rangelands with scattered trees are complex and dynamic systems with a long history in Europe. Generally referred to as “wood-pastures,” they are considered to have outstanding conservation value. Thorny shrubs are important for supporting the biodiversity of these wooded rangelands, as well as facilitating the regeneration of trees by acting as nurse species. We assess the direct effects of temporary shrub encroachment under the cover of mature sparse trees on overall plant and habitat diversity. We surveyed the herb layer of the main landscape features of a wood-pasture: open pasture, trees with a grass understory, trees with shrubs, and adjacent forest edges. The herb layer under trees with shrubs resembled that of forest edges more than open pastures and trees with grass. Trees with grass had a higher cover of ruderal species than trees with shrubs, while forest edges and open pastures had a lower cover of them. Forest species were absent from open pastures but were well represented in the other sites. The herb layer of trees with shrubs and forest edges had similar cover values, while trees with grass had a significantly lower cover of herbs than the other types. Trees with shrubs had higher species richness than any of the other three landscape features and had a much higher proportion of diagnostic species. We conclude that the scattered trees and shrubs of the studied silvopastoral system have additive facilitative effects on their understory, probably through modifying the microenvironment and grazing pressure, leading to the formation of temporary diversity hot spots with distinct vegetation. Thus maintaining a moderate level of shrub-encroachment under sparse trees is recommended for not only creating safe havens for tree recruitment but also increasing the overall species and habitat diversity of wood-pastures.

Preliminary Study on the Relationship between Vessel Growth of Thorny Shrubs and Water Balance in the Semi-arid Region, Northeastern Brazil

Preliminary Study on the Relationship between Vessel Growth of Thorny Shrubs and Water Balance in the Semi-arid Region, Northeastern Brazil

Genetic variability and relationship studies of Ber Ziziphus nummularia (Burm. F.) using morphological and molecular markers

Introduction: Ber (Ziziphus nummularia (Burm. F.) is the most commonly occurring branched thorny shrub species in the Indian desert. A total of 10 Zadber accessions collected from different agroclimatic regions of India, were evaluated for phenotypic and genotypic variations using morphological and inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers. Materials And Methods: Morphological characterization was done using descriptors and Molecular characterization studies was done with fifty primers of University of British Columbia (UBC) procured from Geno Biosciences Pvt. Ltd., were used for ISSR-PCR optimisation trials. Eleven primers, which gave the best amplification results with the sample DNA, were selected for final ISSR-PCR analysis. Results: Significant variability was observed in the selected Zadber accessions by the analysis of five quantitative and 25 qualitative morphological characters of leaves, fruits and seeds. ISSR markers also showed polymorphism (86.58%). Jaccard’s genetic similarity value of ISSR was found in the range of 0.45-0.77 (average 0.61) suggesting moderate level of genetic diversity within the Zadber group. Two of the eleven ISSR primers were also able to generate cultivar specific amplicons, which may be used for identification of accessions Zadber-5 and Zadber-8. Conclusion: The present study revealed that morphological and molecular markers can be successfully utilized for determining genetic diversity and genetic relationship of Zadber cultivars and used in breeding programmes.

Restoration and Conservation of Deteriorated Arid Land by a Native Thorny Shrub Lycium shawii

Restoration and Conservation of Deteriorated Arid Land by a Native Thorny Shrub Lycium shawii

Micropropagation of Pyracantha coccinea

Pyracantha coccinea is a thorny evergreen shrub native to southeast Europe to southeast Asia. It is a popular ornamental plant because of its showy bright red fruits and small white flowers. However, in vitro vegetative propagation of P. coccinea has not been studied. Nodal segments with one or two axillary buds (1 to 1.5 cm in length) were cut and disinfected in a solution of 0.1% (v/v) mercuric chloride (HgCl2) for 5 minutes, and proliferated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with various concentrations 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA). After 4 weeks, newly formed shoots were transferred to proliferation and rooting media containing various concentrations of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Establishment of axillary buds was significantly better with an establishing rate of 67% on basal MS medium augmented with 6.6 µm 6-BA. The best medium for proliferation of shoots was three-fourth basal MS supplemented with 1.5 µm IBA, with a proliferation rate of 3.4 axillary bud. The optimum rooting medium was one-fourth MS basal medium containing 93 µm IBA. Rooting of shoots was as much as 77%. Rooted plantlets were transferred to pots containing vermiculite:perlite:peat (6:1:2) and acclimatized to ambient greenhouse conditions with a 95% survival rate. This protocol can be used for in vitro propagation of P. coccinea.

Phytochemistry and Phytotherapeutic Aspects of Elaeagnus angustifolia L.

Persian or Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.), from the family Elaeagnaceae, is a nitrogen-fixing thorny shrub extensively used in traditional medicine to alleviate pain and treat rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gastrointestinal problems, fever, and asthma. The current review has tried to give a concise overview of the phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of the plant from published data. Accordingly, published English literatures on Elaeagnus angustifolia were gathered from popular databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect up to 31 December 2015. In accordance with traditional and ethnopharmacological uses, different extracts of E. angustifolia have been known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, antimicrobial, muscle relaxant, anti-ulcer and wound-healing capabilities. Additionally, cardioprotective, antitumor and anti-mutagenic effects of the herb have been demonstrated by current assessments. Despite numerous experimental studies, there is a notable lack of profound and comprehensive clinical trials as well as critical research on E. angustifolia toxicity and teratogenicity. With reference to various pharmacological effects based on experimental and animal investigation, it is worthy to mention a frame for respective clinical studies in further studies.

Factors contributing invasion of Alien Invasive Species prosopis juliflora in Bundala National Park in Sri Lanka

Bundala National Park (BNP) is a thorny shrub forest with a total extent of 6210 ha, consist of 13 habitat types; seven terrestrial types and six wetland types. Because of its precious biodiversity, Ramsar Convention considered the park as the first Ramsar site in Sri Lanka declared in 1990, and a Man and Biosphere reserve declared by UNESCO in 2005. Considering the threats, which have BNP faced, spreading of alien invasive species inside the park is considered as the most serious. Among them, Prosopis juliflorais considered as the most dangerous which has almost covered over 60% of the entire park. The study was conducted to evaluate the factors contributing to invasion of invasive Prosopis juliflora in Bundala National Park by understanding the factors enhancing invasiveness and suppressing native vegetation, allelopathic effects and mode of dispersion of P. juliflora. Our results strongly inferred that spreading of invasive P. juliflora has been imposed a significant ecological damage by suppressing native vegetation. The environmental and soil factors (salinity) enhance the P. juliflora growth while low sunlight and salinity are key external factors suppressing native vegetation in BNP. In addition, P. juliflora has allelopathic effects on native vegetation but impact is species dependent. Asian elephants and other ruminants fed on P. juliflora have great impact on P. juliflora seed dispersion throughout the BNP. The saline soil and high temperature regimes with other microclimatic conditions enhance the germination of dispersed P. juliflora seeds. Therefore, above factors should be taken into consideration for implementing effective management programs of P. juliflora.

Seasonal Variation in Macartney Rose (Rosa bracteata) Response to Herbicide Treatment

Macartney rose is an aggressive, thorny shrub that suppresses forage production and strongly hinders cattle grazing in southern pastures. Previous studies have found this weed to be extremely difficult to control with most pasture herbicides. We conducted two studies in central Alabama to assess several new herbicide chemistries applied at spring, early fall, and late fall timings. In the first study, we compared aminocyclopyrachlor, tank mixed with either 2,4-D, triclopyr, metsulfuron, or chlorsulfuron, with the commercial standard, picloram + 2,4-D. In the second study, we compared aminopyralid, tank mixed with either 2,4-D or metsulfuron and triclopyr + fluroxypyr, to the commercial standard, picloram + 2,4-D. Aminocyclopyrachlor + chlorsulfuron or metsulfuron and aminopyralid + 2,4-D or metsulfuron provided acceptable control and were comparable to picloram + 2,4-D at the early fall timing. Macartney rose control with treatments applied at the late fall timing tended to be less than commercially acceptable levels. We found that no herbicide treatment controlled Macartney rose at the spring timing. In addition, triclopyr + fluroxypyr did not control Macartney rose at any application timing. These results indicate that the early fall timing was optimal and that both aminocyclopyrachlor and aminopyralid can provide good Macartney rose control when mixed with certain other herbicides, including metsulfuron.

مقایسه برخی ازخصوصیات فیزیکی و شیمیایی سه ژنوتیپ زرشک دانه‌دار بومی استان سمنان

کسب اطلاعات در مورد گیاهان بومی بعنوان منابع غذایی عملگر (فراسودمند) رو به افزایش است. یکی از این گیاهان، گونه‌های وحشی زرشک(Berberis. spp.) می‌باشد که بررسی خصوصیات فیزیکی و شیمیایی آنها می‌تواند زمینه کاربردشان را در صنایع غذایی و دارویی فراهم کند. لذا در این پژوهش بمنظور معرفی بیشتر این گیاه ارزشمند بومی، سه ژنوتیپ موجود در باغ کلکسیون زرشک پژوهشکده علوم و صنایع غذایی درسال 1390جمع‌آوری و برخی از خواص فیزیکی و شیمیایی آنها مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. نتایج حاکی از آن بود که بین خصوصیات فیزیکی بررسی شده فقط در طول میوه سه ژنوتیپ اختلاف‌ آماری معنی‌داری در سطح 5 درصدوجود داشت. هر سه ژنوتیپ حاوی میزان بالای چربی، پروتئین، کربوهیدرات و خاکستر بودند. ژنوتیپ نوشین دارای بالاترین قند احیاکننده (222/0±03/8) و در نتیجه دارای مزه شیرین‌تری نسبت به دو ژنوتیپ دیگر بود. هر سه ژنوتیپ در مقایسه با سایر میوه‌ها رنگی نظیر شاتوتو زغال اخته حاوی مقادیر قابل توجهی آنتوسیانین (60/3927-17/950 میلی‌گرم/ لیتر) و ترکیبات فنلی (35/12-75/9 گرم/ لیتر) بودند که بیانگر خواص سلامت‌بخش این میوه‌های خودرو و بومی می‌باشد. بلحاظ مواد معدنی هر سه ژنوتیپ غنی از ریزمغذی‌های مورد نیاز بدن انسان نظیر پتاسیم، کلسیم، منیزیم و روی بودند.

Goat pasturing—A biological solution to counteract shrub encroachment on abandoned dry grasslands in Central Europe?

Shrub encroachment is one of the main causes of dry grassland loss in Central Europe. Abandoned semi-natural grasslands are often overgrown by thorny or spiny shrubs. Such unpalatable shrubs have frequently established by selective foraging during periods with low grazing pressure, particularly if sheep herding was performed. Feeding behaviour and diet selection vary between different livestock species and especially browsing goats are increasingly recognized for preventing woody encroachment. However, little is known about the appropriate timing of the grazing regime and the selection of woody species on abandoned dry grasslands already dominated by thorny and spiny shrubs.We quantified the foraging behaviour of Boer goats by direct observation on three encroached paddocks in the lower Saale River valley (Central Germany), which were grazed yearly from spring to autumn with a high stocking rate (0.6–0.8 LU/ha/yr). Feeding activities, the proportion of browsed woody species and identity of the browsed species were recorded in five minute intervals during a total of 30days in spring and 30days in summer/autumn. Dry grassland vegetation and woody coverage were observed on grazed and ungrazed 25-m2 plots for seven years.Contrary to other studies on grazing animals, we found that goats frequently browsed on spiny or thorny shrub species, if these species exhibited a high share of the shrub coverage. Altogether we detected a significant relationship between the abundance of woody species and browsing time on the respective species. The goats tended to spend more time browsing in spring than in summer/autumn. As a result of the browsing activity, we observed a significant decrease of woody coverage within pastures from 69.8% to 37.4% over seven years, which was positively related to the frequency of typical and endangered dry grassland species. An opposite trend was recorded on ungrazed plots.Therefore, goat pasturing with high-stocking rates and an early start in spring can be an efficient method for improving shrub-encroached dry grasslands during the restoration phase.