Thuja Research Articles

Construction of a DNA Fingerprint Map and a Core Collection of Platycladus orientalis

Platycladus orientalis is one of the main species used in afforestation projects in the arid mountains of north and northwest China, meaning that the species has high ecological and economic value. Studying its genetic diversity and obtaining a core germplasm base and genetic fingerprint data are important for the screening, development, and utilization of the species. This can provide the core materials for the preservation and evaluation and mining of germplasm resources and can provide superior gene resources for breeding programs. In this study, the genetic diversity among 104 P. orientalis germplasm resources was examined using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, and a core germplasm containing 31 accessions was constructed that represents the most genetic diversity of P. orientalis accessions. Each of 20 pairs of primers showed polymorphism, and 117 alleles were identified. The average number of alleles at each locus was six, and the mean effective allele number was 2.607. The average Shannon’s information index was 0.983, and the average polymorphism information content was 0.445. There is thus a significant amount of genetic variation within P. orientalis germplasm, yielding a rich genetic diversity. The constructed core germplasm accounted for 30% of the original germplasm. There was no significant difference in genetic diversity between the core germplasm and the original germplasm resources, indicating that the obtained core germplasm resources could fully represent the original germplasm. Using 17 SSR primers with high polymorphism, the DNA fingerprints of 104 P. orientalis germplasm resources were constructed. The results showed that 98 had specific DNA fingerprints. The results of this study provide a valuable basis for the collection, preservation, and utilization of P. orientalis germplasm resources, and the methods adopted in this study have important reference value for the construction of core germplasm of other perennial woody plants.

New Data on Phytochemical and Morphophysiological Characteristics of Platycladus orientalis L. Franco and Thuja occidentalis L. Conifer Trees in Polluted Urban Areas of Kazakhstan

The adaptive potential of plants in urban environments, responding to factors like air pollution, electromagnetic radiation, and specific microclimates, remains insufficiently understood. Our study focused on two evergreen Cupressaceae family species, Thuja occidentalis L. and Platycladus orientalis L. Franco, which are commonly found in Kazakhstan’s urban landscapes. Conducted in Almaty, one of Kazakhstan’s most polluted cities, our comparative analysis examined the anatomical features, photosynthetic activity, and secondary metabolite composition of these conifers. Both species exhibited xeromorphic traits, such as submerged stomata, resin passages, and a prominent leaf cuticle. T. occidentalis displayed higher photosynthetic activity values (quantum yield of photosystem II (YII), electron transport rate (ETR), and quantum yield of non-photochemical quenching (Y(NPQ))) than P. orientalis, while P. orientalis exhibited a higher quantum yield of non-regulated energy dissipation in PSII (Y(NO)) values. Chemical analysis revealed 31 components in T. occidentalis and 33 in P. orientalis, with T. occidentalis containing three times more thujone (16.42% and 5.18%, respectively) and a higher monosaccharide content (17.33% and 6.98%, respectively). T. occidentalis also contained 14.53% steroids, whereas P. orientalis showed no steroid presence. The cytotoxic activity of essential oils was determined by the survival of Artemia salina aquatic crustaceans, whereas tested essential oils from both species exhibited acute lethal toxicity to A. salina aquatic crustaceans across all tested concentrations. The connection between physiological traits, adaptation strategies, and cytotoxic effects offers a comprehensive view of the ecological and pharmacological importance of these two observed conifer species, highlighting their diverse roles in urban environments, as well as their potential medical uses.

Characteristics of soil moisture limitation and non-limitation in the response of sap flow to transpiration driving factors

Transpiration is a significant part of water cycle in forest ecosystems, influenced by meteorological factors and potentially constrained by soil moisture. We used Granier-type thermal dissipation probes to monitor xylem sap flow dynamics of three tree species (Quercus liaotungensis, Platycladus orientalis, and Robinia pseudoacacia) in a semi-arid loess hilly region, and to continuously monitor the key meteorological factors and soil water content (SWC). We established the SWC thresholds delineating soil moisture-limited and -unlimited sap flow responses to transpiration drivers. The results showed that mean sap flux density (Js) of Q. liaotungensis and R. pseudoacacia was significantly higher during period with higher soil moisture compared to lower soil moisture, while the difference in Js for P. orientalis between the two periods was not significant. We used an exponential saturation function to fit the relationship between the Js of each tree species and the integrated transpiration variable (VT) which reflected solar radiation and vapor pressure deficit. The difference in the fitting curve parameters indicated that there were distinct response patterns between Js and VT under different soil moisture conditions. There was a threshold in soil moisture limitation on sap flow for each species, which was identified as 0.129 m3·m-3 for Q. liaotungensis, 0.116 m3·m-3 for P. orientalis, and 0.108 m3·m-3 for R. pseudoacacia. Below the thresholds, Js was limited by soil moisture. Above these points, the normalized sensitivity index (NSI) for Q. liaotungensis and P. orientalis reached saturation, while that of R. pseudoacacia did not reach saturation but exhibited a significant reduction in moisture limitation. Among the three species, P. orientalis was the most capable of overcoming soil moisture constraints.

Understory specific species appearances indicate the soil improvement of low-function Platycladus orientalis forest in Beijing’s mountainous areas

How to assess the effect of ecosystem restoration is a trending topic with all the restoration projects and ecosystem function studies in recent years. Although many studies have used different indicators and methods to evaluate ecosystem restoration effects, it needs a lot of site works to acquire the data. Low-function Platycladus orientalis forest restoration program in Beijing mountainous area has been started since 2002, in this study, the understory species of 92 plots were investigated and recorded. We assumed that the effect of ecosystem restoration would improve site conditions, especially for the soil conditions which might lead to the appearance of new species. The relationship between understory species and eleven site condition factors was elucidated by means of canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), further, specific species were chosen to represent the improvement and possible growth areas of specific species was predicted by Maximum Entropy model. Results shown that Spiraea pubescens, Deutzia parviflora, Chrysanthemum chanetii, Themeda triandra, Oplismenus undulatifolius were the main understory species which were sensitive to environmental factors, and their distribution were related to soil factors closely. The species of Spiraea pubescens, Chrysanthemum chanetii, Oplismenus undulatifolius had strong indication to soil nutrient, the appearances would happen when the comprehensive index of soil nutrient was above 81,64 and 61 respectively. The appearance of Chrysanthemum chanetii and Oplismenus undulatifolius would indicate that the soil nutrient level was in or above the range of medium, and the appearance of Spiraea pubescens would mean that the soil nutrient level was in or above the range of high in low-function Platycladus orientalis forest of Beijing mountainous area. Our study indicates that the specific species could as an indicator to reflect or evaluate the ecosystem restoration effect.

Effects of Land Use Change on Avian Diversity in the Semi-Arid Area of Longxi Loess Plateau

Biodiversity is under threat due to human-induced changes in land use. While various aspects of biodiversity are increasingly studied in response to these changes, there is limited understanding of their effects on the structure and composition of bird communities in dryland regions. We examined the impacts of land use change on birds in the semi-arid area of the Longxi Loess Plateau by considering taxonomic diversity, functional diversity, and phylogenetic diversity. We analyzed both the α- and β-diversity of avian communities across different dimensions of diversity and calculated functional and phylogenetic structures using the net relatedness index. Our findings revealed that species richness was highest in farmland and abandoned farmland, while artificial mixed forests exhibited the highest number of unique species. Functional and phylogenetic α-diversity was greater in farmland and abandoned farmland when compared to the other four land use types. Moreover, the taxonomic diversity in artificial mixed forests, artificial Caragana korshinskii forests, and artificial Platycladus orientalis forests surpassed that in typical grasslands, but no differences were observed in functional and phylogenetic diversity. Regarding β-diversity, turnover patterns dominated multidimensional dissimilarity, with taxonomic turnover and total dissimilarity lower than their functional counterparts but higher than phylogenetic counterparts. Based on the present findings, we emphasize the long-term cessation of ongoing silvicultural initiatives to safeguard bird diversity in the semi-arid region of the Longxi Loess Plateau. This is crucial for narrowly distributed species such as Alectoris magna, as they face heightened vulnerability to losses.

Investigation of Thuja orientalis Leaves Extract's Anti-Arthritic Activity in Freund's Complete Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis in Wistar Rats

A severe auto-immune disease that destroys the body's joints and may render a person physically incapable is rheumatoid arthritis. In Ayurveda, herbs have been used to cure a wide range of illnesses. Herbal medicines are widely available and have fewer side effects. As a result, many people find herbal treatments to be intriguing. The Thuja orientalis is a valuable plant for Chinese and Indian medicine. The leaves of Thuja orientalis have long been used in traditional medicine to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, The current study investigates the anti-arthritic mechanism and phytochemical evaluations of methanolic extract of Thuja orientalis leaves. Researchers employed rats that had Freund's Complete Adjuvant (FCA)-induced arthritis to test the anti-arthritic potential of methanol extracts from Thuja orientalis. Among other things, we have examined paw edoema, body mass index, locomotor activity, haematological observations, biochemical assessment, arthritic score, radiography, etc. Rats were given 0.05ml of FCA subcutaneously to cause arthritis. Four groups of arthritic rats and one group of normal rats, each with six animals, were created. The arthritic rats in Groups IV and V got 200mg per kg and 400mg per kg of thuja orientalis extract, respectively. Diclofenac sodium (10mg per kg) was given as a routine medication to Groups III of the arthritic rats, respectively, and CMC (1ml/kg) was given to Group I of the normal animals. The disease control groups were Group II respectively. Paw volumes were measured using a plethysmometer at 1, 7, 14, 21 days. When compared to arthritis control rats, the Thuja orientalis extract (200 and 400mg/kg orally) significantly (p<0.05, p<0.01) decreased the size of the paws and changed the body weight in CFA rats at day 21. In statistical analysis, all data were reported as mean SEM. The mean values of the test groups and the control group were compared using one-way ANOVA and Dunnett's test. The results of the current investigation showed that a methanol extract from Thuja orientalis leaves may have anti-arthritic properties.

Angelica Sinensis and Chinese Arborvitae: A Review on its Phytochemical & Pharmacological Importance

Angelica sinensis and Chinese arborvitae has had a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicinal herbs and have been used to heal various ailments such as heartburn, overnight urination, arthritis, circulation problems and androgenic alopecia, pain, hemorrhoids, abnormally heavy bleeding during menstrual periods and many other conditions. The modern pharmacological studies discovered that these two plants have a wide variety of beneficial attributes for human health. Besides, its importance, a review of this both plants have not been properly assessed in the scientific literature to date. Here, we review and summarize the historic and recent literature concerning the botany, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and toxicity of this wonder plant. This summary could be advantageous for future research objective to exploit the therapeutic potential of these beneficial medicinal plants.

The Response of Endogenous ABA and Soluble Sugars of Platycladus orientalis to Drought and Post-Drought Rehydration.

To uncover the internal mechanisms of various drought stress intensities affecting the soluble sugar content in organs and its regulation by endogenous abscisic acid (ABA), we selected the saplings of Platycladus orientalis, a typical tree species in the Beijing area, as our research subject. We investigated the correlation between tree soluble sugars and endogenous ABA in the organs (comprised of leaf, branch, stem, coarse root, and fine root) under two water treatments. One water treatment was defined as T1, which stopped watering until the potted soil volumetric water content (SWC) reached the wilting coefficient and then rewatered the sapling. The other water treatment, named T2, replenished 95% of the total water loss of one potted sapling every day and irrigated the above-mentioned sapling after its SWC reached the wilt coefficients. The results revealed that (1) the photosynthetic physiological parameters of P. orientalis were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) under fast and slow drought processes. The photosynthetic physiological parameters of P. orientalis in the fast drought-rehydration treatment group recovered faster relative to the slow drought-rehydration treatment group. (2) The fast and slow drought treatments significantly (p < 0.05) increased the ABA and soluble sugar contents in all organs. The roots of the P. orientalis exhibited higher sensitivity in ABA and soluble sugar content to changes in soil moisture dynamics compared to other organs. (3) ABA and soluble sugar content of P. orientalis showed a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) under fast and slow drought conditions. During the rehydration stage, the two were significantly correlated in the T2 treatment (p < 0.05). In summary, soil drought rhythms significantly affected the photosynthetic parameters, organ ABA, and soluble sugar content of P. orientalis. This study elucidates the adaptive mechanisms of P. orientalis plants to drought and rehydration under the above-mentioned two water drought treatments, offering theoretical insights for selecting and cultivating drought-tolerant tree species.

Assessment of the Health Status of Old Trees of Platycladus orientalis L. Using UAV Multispectral Imagery

Assessing the health status of old trees is crucial for the effective protection and health management of old trees. In this study, we utilized an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with multispectral cameras to capture images for the rapid assessment of the health status of old trees. All trees were classified according to health status into three classes: healthy, declining, and severe declining trees, based on the above-ground parts of the trees. Two traditional machine learning algorithms, Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Random Forest (RF), were employed to assess their health status. Both algorithms incorporated selected variables, as well as additional variables (aspect and canopy area). The results indicated that the inclusion of these additional variables improved the overall accuracy of the models by 8.3% to 13.9%, with kappa values ranging from 0.166 and 0.233. Among the models tested, the A-RF model (RF with aspect and canopy area variables) demonstrated the highest overall accuracy (75%) and kappa (0.571), making it the optimal choice for assessing the health condition of old trees. Overall, this research presents a novel and cost-effective approach to assessing the health status of old trees.

Modelling rainfall interception losses of three plantations in the Loess Plateau

AbstractThe forest canopy affects the water entering the forest ecosystem by intercepting rainfall. This is especially pertinent in forests that depend on rainfall for their ecological water needs, quantifying and simulating interception losses provide critical insights into their ecological hydrological processes. In the semi‐arid areas of the Loess Plateau, afforestation has become an effective ecological restoration measure. However, the rainfall interception process of these plantations is still unclear. To quantify and model the canopy interception of these plantations, we conducted a two‐year rainfall redistribution measurement experiment in three typical plantations, including a deciduous broadleaf plantation (Robinia pseudoacacia) and two evergreen coniferous plantations (Platycladus orientalis and Pinus tabuliformis). Based on this, the revised Gash model was used to simulate their interception losses, and the model applicability across varying rainfall types was further compared and verified. The experiment clarified the rainfall redistribution in the three plantations, and the proportions of throughfall to gross rainfall in Robinia pseudoacacia, Platycladus orientalis, and Pinus tabuliformis were 84.8%, 70.4%, and 75.6%; corresponding, the stemflow proportions were 2.0%, 2.2%, and 1.8%; the interception losses were 13.2%, 27.4%, and 22.6%, respectively. The dominant rainfall pattern during the experiment was characterized by low‐amounts, moderate‐intensity, and short‐duration, during which the highest interception proportions across the three plantations were observed. We used the Penman‐Monteith equation and the regression method, respectively, to estimate the canopy average evaporation rate of the revised Gash model, finding that the latter provides a closer match to the measured cumulative interception (NSE &gt;0.7). When simulating interception under the three rainfall patterns, the model with the regression method better simulated the cumulative interception and event‐scale interception for Platycladus orientalis and Pinus tabuliformis plantations under the dominant rainfall pattern. The results contribute valuable information to assess the impact of forest rainfall interception on regional hydrologic processes.

Vegetation and Dormancy States Identification in Coniferous Plants Based on Hyperspectral Imaging Data

Conifers are a common type of plant used in ornamental horticulture. The prompt diagnosis of the phenological state of coniferous plants using remote sensing is crucial for forecasting the consequences of extreme weather events. This is the first study to identify the “Vegetation” and “Dormancy” states in coniferous plants by analyzing their annual time series of spectral characteristics. The study analyzed Platycladus orientalis, Thuja occidentalis and T. plicata using time series values of 81 vegetation indices and 125 spectral bands. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was used to identify “Vegetation” and “Dormancy” states. The model contained three to four independent variables and achieved a high level of correctness (92.3 to 96.1%) and test accuracy (92.1 to 96.0%). The LDA model assigns the highest weight to vegetation indices that are sensitive to photosynthetic pigments, such as the photochemical reflectance index (PRI), normalized PRI (PRI_norm), the ratio of PRI to coloration index 2 (PRI/CI2), and derivative index 2 (D2). The random forest method also diagnoses the “Vegetation” and “Dormancy” states with high accuracy (97.3%). The vegetation indices chlorophyll/carotenoid index (CCI), PRI, PRI_norm and PRI/CI2 contribute the most to the mean decrease accuracy and mean decrease Gini. Diagnosing the phenological state of conifers throughout the annual cycle will allow for the effective planning of management measures in conifer plantations.

Bioenergy and Biopesticides Production in Serbia—Could Invasive Alien Species Contribute to Sustainability?

The critical role of energy in contemporary life and the environmental challenges associated with its production imply the need for research and exploration of its novel resources. The present review paper emphasizes the continuous exploitation of non-renewable energy sources, suggesting the transition toward renewable energy sources, termed ‘green energy’, as a crucial step for sustainable development. The research methodology involves a comprehensive review of articles, statistical data analysis, and examination of databases. The main focus is biomass, a valuable resource for bioenergy and biopesticide production, highlighting not only its traditional diverse sources, such as agricultural waste and industrial residues, but also non-edible invasive alien plant species. This study explores the utilization of invasive alien species in circular economy practices, considering their role in bioenergy and biopesticide production. The potential conflict between bioproduct acquisition and food sector competition is discussed, along with the need for a shift in approaching non-edible biomass sources. The paper emphasizes the untapped potential of under-explored biomass resources and the necessity for policy alignment and public awareness. Species with a significant potential for these sustainable strategies include Acer negundo L., Ailanthus altisima (Mill.) Swingle., Amorpha fruticosa L., Elaengus angustifolia L., Falopia japonica (Houtt.) Ronse Decr., Hibiscus syriacus L., Koelreuteria paniculata Laxm., Paulownia tomentosa Siebold and Zucc., Partenocissus quenquefolia (L.) Planch., Rhus typhina L., Robinia pseudoacacia L. and Thuja orientalis L. In conclusion, the paper highlights the intertwined relationship between energy, environmental sustainability, and circular economy principles, providing insights into Serbia’s efforts and potential in adopting nature-based solutions for bioenergy and biopesticides acquisition.

Chemical composition, odor-active compounds and in vitro antioxidant activity of essential oils from leaves, fresh fruits and seed shells of Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco

To investigate the volatiles and odor-active compounds (OACs) in essential oils (EOs) from leaves, fresh fruits and seed shells of Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco, three EOs were extracted and analyzed by hydrodistillation combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry (GC-MS-O) and GC. The yields of three EOs were 0.22%, 0.48% and 1.94%, respectively; a total of 77 compounds were identified by comparing their mass spectra and retention index with those of the authentic standards or the related data reported in the references, and 29 odorants were determined as OACs. Among them, 58 volatile components were identified in the leaf EO, accounting for 98.19% of the total volatiles, of which 18 compounds were screened as OACs; 47 volatile components were determined in the fruit EO, representing 98.98% of the entire volatile oil, of which 12 compounds were sniffed as OACs; 49 volatiles were found in seed shell EO, covering 97.26% of the whole volatiles, of which 19 compounds were detected as OACs. OACs in three EOs were significantly different, and the odorants with higher concentrations included α-pinene, sabinene, δ-3-carene, myrcene, β-caryophyllene, α-terpinyl acetate, cedrol, etc., which could be used as indexes for optimizing extraction process parameters of POF EOs and evaluating EO quality. The in vitro antioxidant activity of three EOs was tested by DPPH assay, ABTS assay and FRAP assay.

Platycladus Orientalis mediated green synthesis of crystalline palladium nanoparticles as a potential and promising nano catalyst in the degradation of dyes for mitigation of environmental pollution

In the current study, PdNPs were synthesized in a greener way using Platycladus orientalis leaves extract (PO) as a reducing agent with stabilizing ability. UV–Vis Spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electronic Microscopy (TEM) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) were implicated in the characterization of nanoparticles. The structural and the morphological studies were determined using TEM and XRD analysis while UV–Vis and FTIR studies further confirmed the presence of optical, physical and chemical properties. The images of TEM manifested spherical NPs with an average size of 8 ± 3 nm. Phytochemicals present in the leaf extract enabled the reduction of Pd+2 to Pd0 and also acted as a stabilizing agent. Later, the catalytic property of PdNPs, reduction of dyes like Rhodamine B (RhB), Methyl Orange (MO) and Crystal Violet (CV) was investigated. This green preparation method of making small spherical shaped PdNPs were successfully applied for the reduction of organic dyes.

Identify a sustainable afforestation pattern for soil carbon sequestration: Considering both soil water‐carbon conversion efficiency and their coupling relationship on the Loess Plateau

AbstractAfforestation is considered to be an important means to improve the ecological environment and mitigate climate change. However, inappropriate vegetation restoration can result in severe soil desiccation and ecosystem degradation in water‐limited regions. Here, we evaluated the effects of six different afforestation patterns on soil moisture content, soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, and especially the conversion efficiency of the two on the Loess Plateau, taking abandoned land (Al) as a control sample, and attempting to recognize a suitable afforestation pattern based on these parameters. The six afforestation patterns considered were two single‐species shrub plantations (Caragana korshinskii, Ck and Hippophae rhamnoides, Hr), two single‐species tree plantations (Robinia pseudoacacia, Rp and Platycladus orientalis, Po), and two mixed‐species plantations (Rp, Po, Pinus tabuliformis, Pt, and Ulmus pumila, Up mixed plantations (MP); Po and Pt with terracing [MP + T]). We found that mixed‐species plantations (MP + T and MP) have less soil moisture depletion than single‐species plantations, Ck had the highest SOC sequestration but also had a significant deep soil moisture deficit. MP + T had less deep soil moisture deficit but also had lower SOC sequestration than MP. MP show a better comprehensive effect when considering both soil organic carbon sequestration and soil water‐carbon conversion efficiency. Therefore, multispecies MP represent a potentially valuable approach to sustainable afforestation patterns for soil carbon sequestration on the Loess Plateau. This afforestation pattern has the potential to be applied in other similar semi‐arid and semihumid regions. Our results provide insight into vegetation restoration in areas with degraded land. In future afforestation activities, planners must alleviate regional water pressure, increase soil carbon sequestration by increasing species richness, and select the best combination of species to optimize the stability and sustainability of the plantation ecosystem.

Full-length transcriptome characterization of Platycladus orientalis based on the PacBio platform.

As a unique and native conifer in China, Platycladus orientalis is widely used in soil erosion control, garden landscapes, timber, and traditional Chinese medicine. However, due to the lack of reference genome and transcriptome, it is limited to the further molecular mechanism research and gene function mining. To develop a full-length reference transcriptome, tissues from five different parts of P. orientalis and four cone developmental stages were sequenced and analyzed by single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing through the PacBio platform in this study. Overall, 37,111 isoforms were detected by PacBio with an N50 length of 2,317nt, an average length of 1,999 bp, and the GC content of 41.81%. Meanwhile, 36,120 coding sequences, 5,645 simple sequence repeats (SSRs), 1,201 non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and 182 alternative splicing (AS) events with five types were identified using the results obtained from the PacBio transcript isoforms. Furthermore, 1,659 transcription factors (TFs) were detected and belonged to 51TF families. A total of 35,689 transcripts (96.17%) were annotated through the NCBI nr, KOG, Swiss-Prot and KEGG databases, and 385 transcript isoforms related to 8 types of hormones were identified incorporated into plant hormone signal transduction pathways. The assembly and revelation of the full-length transcriptome of P. orientalis offer a pioneering insight for future investigations into gene function and genetic breeding within Platycladus species.

The Fluid–Solid Interaction in the Nonlinear Pressure–Flux Relationship of Bordered Pits in Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis)

The nonlinear pressure–flux relationship in the xylem of a conifer is attributed to the fluid–solid interaction within the bordered pits. However, the fluid–solid interactions between the torus–margo structure and the water flow within the pit lack comprehensive understanding. Herein, a fluid–solid interaction model was developed including the deformation of the torus–margo and the flow of water transportation. Nine pit samples were reconstructed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) pictures. Fluid–solid coupling models for pits in the stems of oriental arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis) were developed. The deflection of the torus was roughly proportional to the pressure difference between adjacent tracheids, while the pit resistance exhibited a considerable nonlinear increase. From 250 to 1750 Pa, the pit resistance increased from 4.1466 × 1016 Pa·s/m3 to 8.8344 × 1016 Pa·s/m3. The pit resistance decreased, and the pit’s ability to regulate water flow enhanced when the pit diameter increased. Both the pit resistance and the pit’s ability to regulate water decreased when the pit depth increased. The decrease in Young’s modulus for the margo promoted the nonlinear pressure–flux relationship in bordered pits. The findings provide theoretical evidence for the nonlinear relationship between pressure and flux in bordered pits, as well as for the prevention of gas bubble transit through a bordered pit during tracheid cavitation. The passive hydraulic regulation of bordered pits could increase flow resistance and reduce the water flow rate in the xylem, inhibiting tree transpiration.

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Activity, and Control Potential of Botanical Fermented Products on Phytopathogenic Fungi of Agricultural Interest

Purpose: This work aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and bioactivity of fermented extracts of the botanical species Platycladus orientalis, Cupressus sempervirens, Ricinus communis, Artemisia absinthium, and Picrasma crenata, assessed at 10 %, 20 %, and 40 % v/v on the mycelial development of phytopathogenic fungi Colletotrichum fructicola, Sclerotium rolfsii, and Fusarium oxysporum. Theoretical framework: The search for sustainable alternatives that are less harmful to the environment regarding synthetic agrochemicals has intensified in recent years. Among the different approaches to mitigate this problem, the use of molecules of biological origin and biotransformed botanical extracts is an important research topic in the area. However, the potential for using fermented botanical extracts is still little explored, and it is necessary to study these materials to evaluate their actual biological activity systematically and, consequently, the potential for practical use, especially in areas such as agriculture. Methods: The antioxidant activity before and after the fermentation process, as well as the levels of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and individual phenolics, were determined by spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. The mycelial growth of Colletotrichum fructicola was evaluated in vitro in a PDA medium containing the fermented ones at zero, 10 %, 20 %, and 40 % v/v. Results and conclusion: The main phenolic compound identified was gallic acid in fermented A. absinthium, followed by P. crenata and R. communis. These same species showed inhibitory activity between 44.0 % and 34.6 %, at a concentration of 40 % v/v, on the mycelial development of C. fructicola. As for the antioxidant activity of the analyzed fermented products and the evaluation of phenolic compounds before and after the fermentation of plant extracts, the results before varied between 58 – 79 %, and in the post-fermentation, the activity was maintained only for the fermented products of C. sempervirens and P. orientalis, a fact also verified in the same species relative to the levels of phenolic compounds. No inhibitory effect was observed on the fungi, showing that these fermentates are ineffective as antifungal agents. Research implications: This work showed that these botanical fermented products do not have any antifungal effect on these phytopathogens. So, further research is necessary to improve their antifungal effect. Originality/value: Few studies address the biological activity of fermented extracts and their potential for agricultural application. In this sense, the present study aims to verify the antifungal activity of different botanical fermentates to evaluate their potential use as an alternative to synthetic products.

In vitro Genotoxicity and In silico Docking Analyses of the Essential Oils of Thuja orientalis.

Two main objectives were pursued to assess the reliability of Thuja orientalis essential oils (TOEO). The first objective was to extract TOEO, analyze them by GC-MS, and determine their in vitro genotoxicity against selected plants using the RAPD-PCR method. The second objective was to evaluate the in-silico toxicity of TOEO. The binding sites and energies of each content was calculated against B-DNA. In-silico analyses were performed using a simulation program, AutoDock Vina, and Toxicity Estimation Software Tools. 3-carene, cedrol, and 2-pinene were identified as the predominant components. In vitro studies showed that the TOEO had a more significant impact on reducing genomic stability in wheat compared to the amaranth. The lowest stability was determined as 39.78 % in wheat and 53.58 % in amaranth. Cedrol (-5,7 kcal/mol) and selinene (-5,6 kcal/mol) exhibited the highest binding affinity. The toxicity test indicated that components other than cyclohexene may have toxic effects, none of them were predicted to be mutagenic, and LD50 (mol/kg) values could vary between 1.33 and 1.55.

Landscaping of settlements in the Aral Sea disaster zone (Kazakhstan)

The role of landscaping in ameliorating the environmental conditions within settlements surrounding the Aral Sea is paramount. The primary natural constraints affecting the proliferation of plant species in the green spaces of Aralsk include low winter temperatures, elevated summer temperatures, meager precipitation, and susceptibility to windstorms. An evaluation of the species composition of tree and shrub vegetation was conducted in landscaped areas belonging to social and cultural facilities, as well on private residential property, within the municipal boundaries of Aralsk. Plantings surveyed encompassed an area of approximately 34,000 m2. 89.5% of the flora is comprised of five predominant taxa: Ulmus pumila, Populus x canadensis, Haloxylon ammodendron, Platycladus orientalis, and Acer negundo. These species demonstrate resilience to both high and low temperatures throughout the growing season, and their availability as planting material in the region further enhances their suitability. Presently, the city incorporates 31 taxa of tree and shrub species in its green spaces. Notably, Ulmus glabra, Catalpa ovata, Platanus orientalis, Hibiscus syriacus, and Prunus padus have been introduced and were not previously observed in the city. Analysis of the age distribution reveals 68.7% of young trees, underscoring ongoing landscaping efforts within the city even amid a shortage of irrigation water.