Underground Plant Parts Research Articles

Use of Cannabis sativa L. for Improving Cadmium-Contaminated Mediterranean Soils—Effect of Mycorrhizal Colonization on Phytoremediation Capacity

Although the phytoremediation strategy has been studied worldwide, little research data are available regarding the influence of mycorrhizae on the phytoremediation capacity of various plants grown in Cd-contaminated soils in Mediterranean environments. Therefore, a pot experiment was carried out to study the possible effectiveness of hemp plant (Cannabis sativa L.) in the remediation of moderately and heavily Cd-contaminated soils and additionally to quantify the effect of Cd on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMFs). For this purpose, an alkaline clay soil collected from the Farm of Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources (North Greece) was contaminated with two levels of Cd (3 and 30 mg Cd kg−1, corresponding to Levels A and B, respectively—first factor) at two incubation times (10 and 30 days—second factor) and six treatments (Control_30d, Control_10d, CdA_30d, CdB_30d, CdA_10d, CdB_10d) were created. Soil Cd concentrations, both pseudo-total and available to plants, were determined after extraction with Aqua Regia mixture and DTPA solution, respectively, before and after the cultivation of hemp plants and after the harvesting. Cd concentrations in the aboveground and underground plant parts were also estimated after digestion with Aqua Regia, while root colonization by AMFs was determined with a microscope. The highest plant’s Cd concentration, more than 50%, was observed in its underground part, at all Cd-contaminated treatments, indicating a strong capacity for cadmium to gather up in the roots. Among different Cd levels and incubation days, significant differences were recorded in the rates of root colonization by AMFs. Among different Cd levels and incubation days, 3 mg Cd Kg−1 soil promoted AMF root colonization, particularly at 10-day incubation, while 30 mg Cd Kg−1 soil diminished it. Colonization was lower with longer incubation times at both levels of Cd. Hemp appears to be a viable option for phytostabilization in Cd-contaminated soils, enabling further utilization of AMFs to assist the phytoremediation process.

Phytomass carbon pools of Koivulambisuo mire system (South Karelia)

Koivulambisuo mire system (61,80º N, 33,56º E, middle taiga subzone) has a complex structure of vegetation cover, includes south karelian variant of aapa mires, raised bogs, transitional herb-sphagnum fens and forested sites of different trophic levels.The study was carried out within the framework of the National system for monitoring carbon pools and greenhouse gas fluxes in Russia. Phytomass and carbon pools were determined for three types of mire sites: aapa, ridge-hollow sphagnum bog and oligotrophic pine-dwarf shrub-cotton grass-sphagnum. On each type of mire sites, 3 sample plots 50x50 m in size were set up, with 8–12 sampling points on each. Tree stand estimated by total count and basic measurements of all standing trees on plots, production of needles and branches by model tree method. The above-ground vascular plants phytomass material was collected by the cutting method, mosses and underground phytomass by monoliths method, the production of sphagnum mosses by annual increment method. Aapa mire extremely poorly afforested, to the least extent among the studied sites, due to strong watering and poor development of strings. The total carbon pool in a forest stand is only 0.01 tC/ha. The carbon pool in the above-ground phytomass of aapa complexes is also minimal – 2.56 tC/ha. It is mainly provided by sphagnum mosses, while herbs and shrubs contain half as much carbon in total. Living underground phytomass deposits 21.56 tC/ha (89% of the total phytomass). Such a high carbon sequestration by living underground plant organs is a feature of aapa sites and is associated with favorable regime of water movement. Some overestimation is also possible due to the difficulty of separating living and dead tightly intertwined roots. The mortmass of a 40 cm surface layer of peat soil contains 38.71 tC/ha, most of it in the sphagnum remains. The annual ground cover production of aapa is minimal: 1.55 tC/ha, which is caused by the development of extensive flarks with sparse vegetation cover. Unlike other sites, the role of vascular plants is higher here (0.68 tC/ha) due to the predominance of herbaceous plants in cover. The afforestation degree of ridge-hollow bogs varies; the living forest stand of the most afforested sites is contains 0.31 tC/ha, while in the other two, more watered sites, the pool is less than 0.02 tC/ha. The average carbon stock in a tree stand is 0.11 tC/ha. The carbon pool in the ground cover of the ridge-hollow bogs is maximum among the studied mire sites (4.25 tC/ha), the main share in it is sphagnum mosses (3.52 tC/ha), while grasses and shrubs 0.73 tC/ha. Living underground phytomass deposits 8.62 tC/ha (66% of the total phytomass).The mortmass of a 40 cm surface layer of peat soil contains, on average, 61.77 tC/ha, most of it in the sphagnum remains. In cotton grass-sphagnum hollows the stock reaches 80.09 tC/ha due to dense cotton grass tussocks. The above-ground vascular plants annual production is 0.48 tC/ha (the minimum among the studied mire site types) and 1.56 tC/ha by mosses. Pine-dwarf shrub-cotton grass-sphagnum plots have the most developed forest stands among the studied mire sites. The average tree height here is 1-2 m, individual trees reach a 5-6 m. The carbon pool in the living tree stand is 2.92 tC/ha, in dead wood – 1.66 tC/ha. Accordingly, the forest stand contribution to the total living phytomass carbon stock is maximum here and equal to moss stock. In the ground cover is deposited 4.46 tC/ha, besides sphagnum mosses (2.9 tC/ha), a significant stock in dwarf shrubs (1.11 tC/ha). Living underground phytomass deposits 9.04 tC/ha (56% of the total phytomass). The mortmass of a 40 cm surface layer of peat soil contains 63.43 tC/ha. The total contribution of pine needles and branches to the annual production is 0.04 tC/ha. The above-ground phytomass here also demonstrates the maximum annual production – 2.21 tC/ha per year, mainly provided by sphagnum mosses (1.64 tC/ha). In general, the main living phytomass carbon pools of mire sites are concentrated in the underground parts of vascular plants. The ground cover main stock is in sphagnum mosses. Significant carbon stock in the tree stands only has pine-cotton grass-dwarf shrub-sphagnum sites, where it equal to the carbon stock of mosses. In all types of sites, carbon pool in the mortmass of the upper 40 cm of the deposit are noticeably higher than the total reserves in living phytomass. The main part of the mortmass consists of the sphagnum mosses remains. Mosses are also characterized by the largest primary annual production of carbon.

Natural Foraging Selection and Gut Microecology of Two Subterranean Rodents from the Eurasian Steppe in China.

As the most abundant group of mammals, rodents possess a very rich ecotype, which makes them ideal for studying the relationship between diet and host gut microecology. Zokors are specialized herbivorous rodents adapted to living underground. Unlike more generalized herbivorous rodents, they feed on the underground parts of grassland plants. There are two species of the genus Myospalax in the Eurasian steppes in China: one is Myospalax psilurus, which inhabits meadow grasslands and forest edge areas, and the other is M. aspalax, which inhabits typical grassland areas. How are the dietary choices of the two species adapted to long-term subterranean life, and what is the relationship of this diet with gut microbes? Are there unique indicator genera for their gut microbial communities? Relevant factors, such as the ability of both species to degrade cellulose, are not yet clear. In this study, we analyzed the gut bacterial communities and diet compositions of two species of zokors using 16S amplicon technology combined with macro-barcoding technology. We found that the diversity of gut microbial bacterial communities in M. psilurus was significantly higher than that in M. aspalax, and that the two species of zokors possessed different gut bacterial indicator genera. Differences in the feeding habits of the two species of zokors stem from food composition rather than diversity. Based on the results of Mantel analyses, the gut bacterial community of M. aspalax showed a significant positive correlation with the creeping-rooted type food, and there was a complementary relationship between the axis root-type-food- and the rhizome-type-food-dominated (containing bulb types and tuberous root types) food groups. Functional prediction based on KEGG found that M. psilurus possessed a stronger degradation ability in the same cellulose degradation pathway. Neutral modeling results show that the gut flora of the M. psilurus has a wider ecological niche compared to that of the M. aspalax. This provides a new perspective for understanding how rodents living underground in grassland areas respond to changes in food conditions.

Enhanced root system architecture in oilseed rape transformed with Rhizobium rhizogenes

Transformation of plants using wild strains of agrobacteria is termed natural transformation and is not covered by GMO legislation in e.g. European Union and Japan. In the current study, offspring lines (A11 and B3) of Rhizobium rhizogenes naturally transformed oilseed rape (Brassica napus) were randomly selected to characterize the morphological traits, and analyze the implications of such morphological changes on plant drought resilience. It was found that the introduction of Ri-genes altered the biomass partitioning to above- and under-ground parts of oilseed rape plants. Compared to the wild type (WT), the A11 and B3 lines exhibited 1.2–4.0 folds lower leaf and stem dry weight, leaf area and plant height, but had 1.3–5.8 folds greater root dry weight, root length and root surface area, resulting in a significantly enhanced root: shoot dry mass ratio and root surface area: leaf area ratio. In addition, the introduction of Ri-genes conferred reduced stomatal pore aperture and increased stomatal density in the B3 line, and increased leaf thickness in A11 line, which could benefit plant drought resilience. Finally, the modulations in morphological traits as a consequence of transformation with Ri-genes are discussed concerning resilience in water-limited conditions. These findings reveal the potential of natural transformation with R. rhizogenes for drought-targeted breeding in crops.

ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ ФИТОТОКСИЧНОСТИ СУБСТРАТОВ НА ОСНОВЕ ОТХОДОВ АКТИВНОГО ИЛА В ВЕГЕТАЦИОННЫХ ОПЫТАХ

The aim of the study is to determine the phytotoxicity of components and substrates using waste from the treatment facilities of the Arkhangelsk Pulp and Paper Mill. The substrates were made on the basis of high-moor peat with a decomposition degree of 15 %, with the addition of Biohumus Arkhangelsky, which is composted residual activated sludge from treatment facilities (RAS). To test extracts from materials used to prepare experimental substrates, oats (Avena sativa L.) and watercress (Lepidium sativum L.) were used. Comparison was carried out with distilled water and Knop's mixture. To select the optimal ratio of residual activated sludge and peat for plant growth, a model experiment was conducted with growing oats. The substrates prepared by the volume of fractions with a gradation of activated sludge of 10 % were studied. It was found that composted activated sludge does not have phytotoxicity in relation to the test objects. The extract based on dewatered activated sludge of the treatment facilities of the Arkhangelsk Pulp and Paper Mill does not have a depressing effect on the germination of test objects – oat and watercress seeds, and according to the indicators of the length of the root and coleoptile of oats, it has a stimulating effect comparable to or exceeding the effect of the Knop mixture. Phytostimulating effect of peat extract was not detected. The addition of OAI to high-moor peat during the preparation of substrates has a positive effect on growth indicators. An increase in the length of the stem and root, the mass of the underground and aboveground parts of plants is noted. The optimal addition to the substrate for growing oats is composted activated sludge in the amount of 10–20 %. With large proportions of composted activated sludge waste (more than 40 %), oat growth decreases, but the mass of stems and roots increases.

Soil temperature detection based on acoustic method and improved Wyllie model

Soil temperature is one of the important environmental factors for the underground parts of plants. It is important to detect soil temperature in agricultural production. Acoustic waves serve as effective carriers of soil information, providing a reliable means to detect soil physical properties. In order to detect the temperature of sandy loam soil based on acoustic technology, this study extends the application of Wyllie model to the temperature measurement of sandy loam soil. The relationship between soil temperature and acoustic velocity is explored. A model of soil moisture content-soil temperature-acoustic velocity (MTV) for temperature measurement in sandy loam soil is proposed by extending the temperature–velocity of sound relationship with the introduction of a variable empirical coefficient related to soil moisture β(θ). In order to determine the parameters of proposed model, a pulsed acoustic velocity detection system was built in this paper. The influence of temperature on the acoustic velocity in sandy loam soil was analyzed through experiments. Based on the experimental results, the key parameters of the MTV model are refined. Finally, a validation experiment was carried out on sandy loam soil. The maximum estimation error of soil temperature based on the MTV model for sandy loam soil temperature estimation is 8.55 %. The results indicate that the MTV model proposed in this study can be used for temperature estimation in sandy loam soil, providing a theoretical basis for the development of acoustic soil physical information detection sensors.

Influence of conditioner and straw on the herbaceous plant-based phytoremediation copper tailings: a field trial at Liujiagou tailings pond, China.

A field trial was performed to carry out an enhanced phytoremediation technique for multi-metal contaminated copper tailings by Sudan grass (Sorghum Sudanese), ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), using conditioner (TH-LZ01) and straw combination into composite amendments as soil amendments, aimed to obtain the maximum of phytoremediation effect. The results showed that compared with untreated herbaceous plants, the application of conditioner and straw planted with herbaceous plants reduced the pH and conductivity and increased the organic matter and water content of the copper tailings to different degrees. With the addition of conditioner and straw, the DTPA-Cd, DTPA-Cu, DTPA-Pb, and DTPA-Zn contents in the copper tailings showed a decreasing trend compared with the untreated group. The herbaceous plants were promoted to reduce the percentage contents of acid soluble fractions Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn and to increase the percentage contents of reducible, oxidizable, and residual fractions heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in the copper tailings to different degrees. The contents of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the underground part of herbaceous plants were higher than those in the aboveground part, and the contents of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the aboveground part and underground part decreased after adding conditioner and straw, which indicated that the conditioner and straw inhibited the transport of heavy metals in the plant. Furthermore, the principal component analysis showed that the application of conditioner and straw with planting ryegrass had more potential for improving the physicochemical properties of copper tailings and reducing heavy metal toxicity, followed by Bermuda grass and Sudan grass.

Evaluation of the Capparis Herbacea Willd's Chemistry, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activity.

The Capparidaceae family includes the medicinal herb Capparis herbacea Willd. The aerial and underground parts of plant C.herbacea were studied for their chemical composition, antioxidant, and cytotoxic properties. Using gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (7890A/5975C), 94 chemicals were identified in ethanol extract from leaves, roots, seeds, and stems of C. herbacea. Main components were (leaves) phytol 18.16%, hexanedioic acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester 16.75%, vitamin E 11.95%, (roots) sucrose 13.94%, hexadecanoic acid, ethylester 22.80%, octadecanoic acid, ethylester 37.77%; (seeds) hexadecanoic acid, ethylester 13.96%, ethyl9.cis.,11.trans.-octadecadienoate 48.54%, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate 9.77%; (stems) 1-propene-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid, tributyl ester 42.69%, and tributylacetylcitrate 19.63%. Nine components were identified in the makeup of the C. herbacea sample's essential oil using the method of chromatography-mass spectrometry. The main components were (in%): T-cadinol (29.56), meta-cymene (16.12), pulegone (14.11), and σ-amorphene (12.26). Chloroform and methanol extracts of Capparis herbacia roots at concentrations of 1 mg/ml showed higher average antioxidant activity, while ethyl acetate root extract at concentrations of 0.75 and 1 mg/ml showed higher average antioxidant activity compared to gallic acid AOA. In addition, plant extracts have cytotoxic activity. Essential oils of leaves and stems, fruit and roots of Capparis herbacia plants exhibited cytotoxicity, all larvae died, and larval mortality was 96%.

Content of Gentiopicroside in Natural Populations of Gentiana cruciata L., Growing in the Territory of the Republic of Tatarstan

This report contains the results of quantitative analysis of primary iridoid gentiopicroside, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids in the shoots, rhizomes, and roots of cross gentian (Gentiana cruciata L.) plants collected in natural phytocenoses of Alekseevskii, Zelenodol’skii, and Apastovskii raions in the Republic of Tatarstan. The content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in herbs was determined spectrophotometrically. It was shown that the greatest content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in above-ground parts was 19.4 and 10.80 mg/g in Zelenodol’skii and Alekseevskii raions and that in the rhizomes and roots was 8.53 and 1.96 mg/g in Apastovskii raion. By the method of high-performance liquid chromatography, it was shown that the greatest quantity of gentiopicroside (more than 9%) was accumulated in the underground part of plants, whereas the above-ground part contained approximately 6% of this compound. Thus, cross gentian growing in plant communities located in these raions differed in the content of biologically active substances, which probably depended on the joint effect of ecological and cenotic characteristics of habitats. The results of phytochemical analysis suggest that Apastovskii raion in the Republic of Tatarstan may be a promising locality for picking and preparing medicinal herbs with a high content of main iridoid gentiopicroside.

DETERMINATION OF THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF COUSINIA MINDSCHELKENSIS B. FEDTSCH. BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY METHOD

Vegetation is important component and factor of the redistribution of chemical elements in the landscape. One or another type of vegetation determines the amount and nature of soil organic matter, often affects the degree of development of browning processes, affects the chemical composition of the air, is an environmental indicator. The study and isolation of physiologically active compounds from plant raw materials and the determination of the place of their demand is the most important urgent task. Cousinia mindschelkensis B. Fedtsch. It is a rare species from the Asteraceae. Methods. In the Research Center of Medicinal Plants of the Al-Farabi KazNU, analyses were carried out for the determination of organic compounds by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection and analyses of 70% of alcohol extracts of the aboveground and underground parts species by the method of high-performance liquid chromatography on a liquid chromatograph. Results. Some of the components identified by GC-MS are biologically active compounds. The GC-MS method revealed the presence of 55 phytochemical compounds in the aboveground and 38 in the underground part of plants that can contribute to the medicinal properties of this species. Conclusion. Compounds have some important biological potential for future drug development. Of the aboveground part of the plant includes bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one, 1.7.7-trimethyl-, (1S)- (9.50%), hexadecanoic acid (8.05%), cis-Vaccenic acid (7.66%), 9.12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)- (7.40%), hanphyllin (7.01%), 5.8-Dihydroxy-4a-methyl-4,4a,4b,5,6,7,8,8 a,9,10-decahydro-2(3H)-phenanthrenone (6.51%), dibutyl phthalate (5.64%), while the underground part of the plant has a spike of components such as octacosane (26.84%), β-amyrin (22.35%), β-sitosterol (12.63%), 9.12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)- (8.43%).9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)- it is present both in the aboveground (7.40%) and in the underground part of the plant (8.43%).

Lighting intensity affects the fatty acid composition of total lipids of basil leaves and roots (Ocimum basilicum L.)

The vegetative organs of common basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) grown in water culture at different levels of illumination (50, 100, and 150 μmol PAR quanta/(m2 s)) for 21 days were studied. In the work, the Purple Velvet basil variety, which is popular in agriculture and has intensely colored leaves was used. The biomass, water content, and composition of fatty acids (FA) of total lipids in the leaves and roots of plants and the content of malondialdehyde and chlorophylls (a, b) in the aerial parts of plants were determined. The sensitivity of the FA composition and morphophysiological parameters (biomass and chlorophyll content in leaves) of O. basilicum plants to the intensity of illumination was shown. The greatest effect was caused by the illumination intensity mode of 150 μmol/(m2 s). Species composition of O. basilicum FA under all lighting conditions was wider in root lipids; however, more pronounced changes in the qualitative composition of Fas were observed in leaves. Photodependent regulation of FA component composition of O. basilicum manifested itself in an increase in the proportion of unsaturated FAs, especially polyene ones, which led to an increase in the unsaturation index (UI) of esterified lipid FAs. The highest UI values were obtained with illumination of 150 μmol/(m2 s). At the same time, with an increase in the illumination intensity, a significant increase in the activity of ω-3 and ω-9-desaturases occurred, which indicates in favor of their lightdependent activation. Thus, increasing the intensity of lighting to certain values directly proportionally affects the physiological parameters of O. basilicum. The maximum indicators of productive growth and the implementation of adaptive mechanisms of green and underground parts of basil plants correspond to illumination of 150 μmol/(m2 s).

The Important Nutritional and Wonderful Health Benefits of Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)

Abstract: Traditional medicines are considered as both food items and medicine, which have been used for thousands of years. They contain aerial and underground parts of plants as active ingredients, and they also contain a variety of pharmacologically active plant constituents. The aim of this study was to summarize and highlight the most important traditional and modern health benefits of cashew nuts. The literature search was conducted in PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Medline and Google Scholar databases. The main compounds of cashew nuts are β-phellandrene + limonene, methyl chavicol, germacrene D, germacrene B, trans-α-bergamotene, β-copaene, linalool, α-cadinol, β-phellandrene, β-caryophyllene, β-bisabolene, 9-epi-(E)-caryophyllene, α-phellandrene, epi-α- cadinol, hexadecanoic acid, and epi-α-muurolol. The most important pharmacological benefits of Anacardium occidentale are anti-bacterial activities, anti-diabetic activities, anti-diarrheal activities, anti-fungal activities, anti-hyperglycemic activities, anti-inflammatory activities, anti-microbial activities, anti-oxidant activities, anti-tumor activities, insecticidal activities, and wound healing. Cashew nut is a high potential natural functional food because of its high pharmacological activities and it being an efficacious natural drug.

Carboxylic acids and light interact to affect nanoceria stability and dissolution in acidic aqueous environments.

Cerium atoms on the surfaces of nanoceria (i.e., cerium oxide in the form of nanoparticles) can store or release oxygen, cycling between Ce3+ and Ce4+; therefore, they can cause or relieve oxidative stress within living systems. Nanoceria dissolution occurs in acidic environments. Nanoceria stabilization is a known problem even during its synthesis; in fact, a carboxylic acid, namely citric acid, is used in many synthesis protocols. Citric acid adsorbs onto nanoceria surfaces, limiting particle formation and creating stable dispersions with extended shelf life. To better understand factors influencing the fate of nanoceria, its dissolution and stabilization have been previously studied in vitro using acidic aqueous environments. Nanoceria agglomerated in the presence of some carboxylic acids over 30 weeks, and degraded in others, at pH 4.5 (i.e., the pH value in phagolysosomes). Plants release carboxylic acids, and cerium carboxylates are found in underground and aerial plant parts. To further test nanoceria stability, suspensions were exposed to light and dark conditions, simulating plant environments and biological systems. Light induced nanoceria agglomeration in the presence of some carboxylic acids. Nanoceria agglomeration did not occur in the dark in the presence of most carboxylic acids. Light initiates free radicals generated by ceria nanoparticles. Nanoceria completely dissolved in the presence of citric, malic, and isocitric acid when exposed to light, attributed to nanoceria dissolution, release of Ce3+ ions, and formation of cerium coordination complexes on the ceria nanoparticle surface that inhibit agglomeration. Key functional groups of carboxylic acids that prevented nanoceria agglomeration were identified. A long carbon chain backbone containing a carboxylic acid group geminal to a hydroxy group in addition to a second carboxylic acid group may optimally complex with nanoceria. The results provide mechanistic insight into the role of carboxylic acids in nanoceria dissolution and its fate in soils, plants, and biological systems.

Formation of spring barley sowing according to the morphological structure of the underground part of plants depending on the depth of seed wrapping

Formation of spring barley sowing according to the morphological structure of the underground part of plants depending on the depth of seed wrapping

New data on the morphological and anatomical structure, chemical composition and distribution area of a rare species <em>Komarovia anisosperma</em> in Uzbekistan

For the first time, the morphological and anatomical structure of vegetative and generative organs, the localization of secretory ducts in the underground and aboveground parts of the species plants were studied. New GIS technologies were used to elucidate the spatial structure of the rare endemic species Komarovia anisosperma of the monotypic genus Komarovia Korovin of the Apiaceae family. The performed analysis showed the most significant diagnostic features of the studied organs, such as a deep taproot system, the presence of a multi-branched caudex, underdeveloped stem leaves or stem leaves reduced to sheaths, the central cylinder of the main root showing separate concentric circles of large and small vascular bundles, the presence of numerous secretory ducts in the secondary root cortex, strongly elongated palisade leaf cells etc. As a result of phytochemical study, extracts of Komarovia anisosperma roots and inflorescences were analyzed. According to our data, the main component of underground organs from terpenes was α-muurolene, and for inflorescences it was α-curcumene. Grid mapping showed that the species is mainly concentrated in the Samarkand and Kashkadarya regions, where the most favorable conditions for its growth are found. These areas are the natural area of origin of the species, and the establishment of a protected natural area has led to an increase in the number of natural populations.

Effects of grazing on underground parts of marsh plants by wintering Middendorf's bean goose Anser fabalis middendorffii: Its role as a keystone species in plant communities

AbstractGeese are known to impact on the species composition and abundance of plant communities, with grazing pressure by flocks negatively affecting various aspects of vegetation and ecosystems. However, positive effects have also been highlighted, including grazing preventing competition among plants and helping to maintain a high level of biodiversity. The Middendorf's bean goose Anser fabalis middendorffii is one waterfowl that winters in the marsh lands of Japan. At the Katano‐kamoike pond, the species main wintering site in central Japan, the effects of goose grazing on the structure of marsh plant communities were investigated by using field observations and experiments. During observations of foraging behavior, A. fabalis middendorffii mainly foraged on underground parts of Zizania latifolia and Bolboschoenus fluviatilis, including rhizomes, roots, and tubers, at the marshlands of the pond. The field census showed the biomass of the underground parts was significantly reduced by A. fabalis middendorffii grazing during winter. Specifically, the biomass of rhizomes in Z. latifolia was drastically decreased. Data collected from exclosure experiments over 5 years suggested that grazing pressure regulated the overgrowth of B. fluviatilis and enhanced the abundance of Z. latifolia. Furthermore, a field census of marsh plants at the Shimofukuda reservoir, where there have been no A. fabalis middendorffii, confirmed that the absence of A. fabalis middendorffii was related to a decrease in the abundance and biodiversity of marsh plants. In the Katano‐kamoike pond, A. fabalis middendorffii may play a key role in maintaining plant diversity.

The Use of Waste to Produce Liquid Fertilizers in Terms of Sustainable Development and Energy Consumption in the Fertilizer Industry—A Case Study from Poland

The topical challenge for the Polish, European, and global fertilizer industry is to produce sufficient nutrients for growing plants using more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly methods. The appropriate course of action, in terms of the challenges posed, could be the production of liquid fertilizers, made from waste materials that exhibit fertilizer properties. This solution makes it possible not only to reduce the exploitation of natural resources but above all, to implement elements of a circular economy and reduce the energy intensity of the fertilizer industry. This study shows that both in Poland and the European Union, there are current regulations aimed at elements of a circular economy and indicating the need to obtain fertilizers containing valuable plant nutrients from organic waste or recycled materials. The recognition carried out for the Polish market clearly indicates that to produce liquid organic fertilizers and soil conditioners, the most used is the digestate from the fermentation process. The preparation of liquid organic–mineral fertilizers is mainly based on algae extracts. Mine minerals are used in the production of mineral–liquid fertilizers. An analysis of data has shown that the above-mentioned waste materials, used as substrates to produce fertilizers, contain chemical substances and elements important for, among other things, stimulation of proper plant development, growth of aboveground and underground parts of plants, increased resistance to diseases and pests, and regulation of plant water management. Referring to the above information, the production of liquid fertilizers from waste materials seems reasonable and is an alternative to mineral–solid fertilizers, whose production process is energy-intensive and produces air emissions. Detailed identification of the properties of the various components made it possible to demonstrate their usefulness in terms of fertilizing plants and soils, but also to emphasize the importance of this line of research and the need to look for other groups of waste for reuse within the framework of a circular economy.

Metamorphosis differences of caudiciform plants as an adaptation to arid conditions

In the course of evolution, the formation of succulent variations in the underground and surface parts of plants in different taxa could occur simultaneously under the influence of similar abiotic factors, in particular as an adaptation to arid conditions, and similar structural features even in distant families are a manifestation of convergent evolution. Along with this, the development of such adaptive structures in ontogeny can occur in different ways in different taxa. Studying the anatomical and morphological features of the vegetative organs of Fockea edulis (Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae) at the early stages of ontogenesis and comparing them with those of other plants will improve the understanding of the features of growth and development of caudex-like plants. The research was conducted on seedlings, juvenile and immature plants of F. edulis. When comparing the features of the development of vegetative parts of three representatives of the Apocynaceae family, we found that the strategy of succulent traits development in F. edulis at the organ level is characterized by the active development of the hypocotyl already at the seedling stage, similar to Adenium obesum, and the subsequent formation of an expanded basal part of the stem due to the combined cortex-pith thickening and radish-like root due to the growth of xylem parenchyma. However, Petopentia natalensis is characterized by a mesophytic seedling. It was established that secondary thickening in the basal part of the stem occurs in two individual ways: in Adenium obesum, the cambium generates solid rings of phloem and parenchymatized xylem; in P. natalensis and F. edulis, the bundle type of conducting elements is preserved. The thickening of the tap root in F. edulis is similar to that in A. obesum.

First report of Rhizopus oryzae causing rhizome rot on ginger in China.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) is a herbal plant, widely grown in China for its medicinal and culinary purposes. In July 2020, a new rhizome rot disease was observed on ginger in Laiwu, Shandong Province, China. The disease symptoms were observed on both above-ground and underground plant parts. The above ground stems and leaves becoming withered and yellow, and water-soaked symptoms were observed on the collar region. The diseased rhizomes were poorly developed with brown lesion and eventually they would rot, without offensive odors. Disease incidence was estimated at approximately 5% across the survey area. To isolate the pathogen, tissues from 30 rhizomes were cut from the border between diseased and healthy tissue, surface sterilized in 75% alcohol for 15 s, soaked in 0.1% mercuric chloride for 1 min, washed with sterile distilled water three times, and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 25°C for 2-3 days. Twenty nine fungal isolates with similar morphological characteristics were obtained and pure cultures were obtained using single spore isolation. The colony of AQJ-1, a representative isolate, on PDA was cottony, fluffy, white, and beige coloration on the reverse side at first, and subsequently many black sporangia were produced. The sporangia were black, sub-globose, and 45.2-181.7 μm (n = 50) in diameter. The sporangiospores were unequal, globose or sub-globose, about 3.2-8.7 × 4.6-12.3μm (n = 50) in diameter. For the molecular characterization, genomic DNA was extracted by modified CTAB method (Niu et al., 2008). Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF-1α) gene were amplified using the primer pairs ITS1/ITS4 (White et al., 1990) and MEF10/MEF4 (Abe et al., 2007), respectively. The ITS and EF-1α sequences of isolate AQJ-1 were submitted to GenBank (MN606288 and MN735220, respectively). The BLASTn analysis of the sequences showed 99%-100% similarity to the sequences of R. oryzae strain CBS 120.12 (MH854609, AB281529, respectively). Therefore, based on morphological and molecular characteristics, isolate AQJ-1 was identified as R. oryzae. For pathogenicity tests, thirty ginger seedlings (Laiwu Big Ginger) were grown for 30 days in plastic pots and removed from the pots and the rhizomes washed in running tap water. The rhizomes of fifteen ginger seedlings were attached to a 7 mm agar disk from a plate containing 2-day-old mycelium, and the other fifteen seedlings were attached to agar disk without mycelium as control. Then the inoculated and control seedlings were planted in pots and were kept in separate chambers in a greenhouse at 25±2 °C. After 14 days, the same symptoms of rhizome rot were observed in all inoculated plants as previously described, and no symptoms were observed on the control plants. The pathogen was re-isolated from symptomatic tissues, and was identified as R. oryzae, which full-filled the Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of R. oryzae causing rhizome rot on ginger in China. This disease may pose a potential threat to ginger production in China.

Chromato-mass spectroscopy of tinctures from the underground part of Valerian plants growing in Zaporizhzhia region

Modern sedatives used in medical practice can be of both synthetic and natural origin. It is known that the best phytosedative is valerian. In the 18th century, valerian was included in all European pharmacopeias. High efficiency, good tolerability, and virtually no side effects ensure the widespread use of valerian and its phytopreparations in medical practice, especially for the treatment of geriatric patients. Despite this, valerian remains understudied due to its extreme polymorphism. The aim of the work is to determine the component composition of valerian tinctures made from rhizomes with valerian roots of different species growing in the Zaporizhzhia region by gas chromatography and to carry out their comparative analysis. Materials and methods. Samples of rhizomes with valerian roots made from medicinal plant raw materials of valerian according to the traditional production recipe (Tinctura Rhizomata cum radicibus Valerianae (1:5)) from different species of valerian growing in the Zaporizhzhia region were selected for experimental studies: Valerian stolonifera Czern. – Kantserivska Balka, Zaporizhzhia district, Zaporizhzhia region; V. exaltata Mikan. – Shyroke village, Vasylivskyi district, Zaporizhzhia region; V. tuberosa L. – Khortytsia Island, Zaporizhzhia; V. collina Wallr. – right bank of the Dnieper River, Zaporizhzhia. The component composition of valerian tinctures was studied using an Agilent 7890B gas chromatograph with a mass spectrometric detector 5977B. Results. The component composition of tinctures from the underground part of valerian plants growing in the Zaporizhzhia region was identified and analyzed with chromato-mass spectrometry. Conclusions. 55 components in valerian tincture from underground raw materials of Valeriana stolonifera Czern. were identified with gas chromatography: V. exaltata Mikan. – 48, V. tuberosa L. – 54, V. collina Wallr. – 51. Analyzing the obtained data, we can conclude that valerian tinctures differ in both quantitative and qualitative composition. Only compounds 7 and 9 coincide in tinctures from underground parts of all four types of valerian. Since the tinctures were made following the standard technology, the content of components in medicinal plant raw materials depends on the type, place of growth, environmental conditions, time of collection, drying of raw materials. The results of the study confirm the prospects of using the underground part of the studied plants of the genus Valerian to create new drugs and phytopreparations on their basis. However, given the extreme polymorphism of valerian for the introduction into the culture of promising species that grow in Ukraine, it is necessary to conduct more in-depth pharmacognostic and pharmacological studies of plants of this genus.