Melilotus Alba Research Articles

Fytoextrakce těžkých kovů z odpadních kalů rostlinami

In 2008 and 2009, studies made contents of cadmium and lead in the soil and their uptake by non-traditional plants were studied in a small-plot trial. At the same time also the effect of bio-algeen preparations on phytoextraction of heavy metals by these plants was investigated. Experimental plots were established on the reclaimed land after closing down mining operations in the town of Žacléř (North-East Bohemia) where a layer of sewage sludge from a wastewater treatment plant 0.6–0.8 m thick was subsequently applied. The locality is situated in the altitude of 612 m, its average annual temperature is about 6.8 °C and the mean annual precipitations are 857 mm. Analyses revealed higher concentrations of heavy metals in the applied sewage sludge. The average concentrations of lead and cadmium were 180 mg . kg−1 and 6.89 mg . kg−1, respectively. The experiment had two variants: Variant 1 – sewage sludge without any other substances, and Variant 2 – sewage sludge + bio-algeen preparations (B. A. S-90 or B. A. Root Concentrate). To find the most suitable plant species for the phytoextraction of cadmium and lead, the following non-traditional plants were cultivated in both variants: fodder mallow (Malva verticillata L.), rye (Secale cereale L. var. multicaule METZG. ex ALEF.) and white sweet clover (Melilotus alba MEDIC.). The highest accumulation of cadmium and lead in the aboveground biomass was found out in rye, viz 14.89 mg . kg−1 DM and 14.89 mg . kg−1 DM of Cd and Pb, respectively., As compared with other plants under study, white sweet clover exhibited the significantly lowest capability to extract both heavy metals from soil (viz 0.22 and 3.20 mg . kg−1 DM of Cd and Pb, respectively). A positive effect of bio-algeen on phytoextraction of cadmium and lead was evident in all plants. The highest yield of aboveground biomass was recorded on the plot with white sweet clover with added alginate (496 g . m−2). Of plants under study, the fodder mallow seems to be the most suitable crop for the phytoextraction of both metals (0.35 and 5.87 mg . m−2 of Cd and Pb, respectively).

English

Allelopathy refers to the beneficial or retardatory effect of one plant on another plant through the release of chemicals from plant parts by leaching, root exudation, volatilization, residue decomposition and other processes in both natural and agricultural system. Allelochemicals concentration in the producer plants may vary from each part. Allelopathic effect of different parts extract of Eclipta alba L. on seed germination and seedling growth of Melilotus alba Medik. was conducted under laboratory condition. The trial was replicated three times in completely randomized design with four concentrations (0.5, 1, 2 and 4%). Aqueous extracts of leaf, stem and root were prepared by soaking the powder of different parts in distilled water for a period of 24 h. The germination of seeds was recorded for 15 days and radical and plumule length were recorded. The result suggested that aqueous extract from leaves significantly inhibited not only the germination but also the radical and plumule length of seedlings. Stem and root extracts also suppress the germination and seedling growth as compared to control. However, treatment with higher concentration had negative effect on rate of germination, plumule length and radical length. Hence, it is suggested that E. alba L. has strong allelopathic potential and might be candidate for biological control of weeds.   Key words: Aqueous extract, biological control, Eclipta alba L., Melilotus alba Medik.

경기도 안산시 대송갯벌 습지에 분포하는 관속식물상

This study is carried out to offer the raw data for conservation and management of tidal flat ecosystem by surveying and analysing the flora distributed in Daesong tidal flat wetland, Ahnsan-si, Gyeonggi-do coast, Korea. The results of surveying the flora were recorded as 186 taxa including 45 families, 121 genera, 170 species, 14 varieties and 2 forms. The halophytes checked around this site were 20 taxa including Atriplex gmelinii, Salicornia europaea, Suaeda glauca, Suaeda japonica, Phragmites communis, Carex scabrifolia and so forth. Polygonum bellardii that species had ecological value was the specific plant by floristic region. The growth locations of halophytes were 11 taxa of upper, 4 taxa of high tide line and 5 taxa of lower. The naturalized plants were 42 taxa including Phytolacca americana, Chenopodium glaucum, Melilotus alba, Veronica persica, Bidens pilosa, Leptochloa fusca and so forth. Because Aster subulatusand Leptochloa fusca grew a upper tidal flat wetland, they had the characteristics of halophytes. The focuses on the management of Daesong wetland were halophytes and naturalized plants. Firstly, to maintain a halophytes communities, we will sow the halophytes seeds and plant the individuals. And In-Situ conservation was applied to Polygonum bellardii habitat. Secondly, to prevent the genesis of naturalized plant, we will don't disturb around the wetland environment. The invasive alien plant, Lactuca scariola, was removed by periodic monitoring and purification activity.

Soil fertility alters the nature of plant–resource interactions in invaded grassland communities

Resource competition theory suggests that the nature of diversity–resource–invasibility interactions will vary along fertility gradients, concurrent with changes in the relative availability of limiting above- versus below-ground resources. Experimental support for this contingency is lacking. Here, we manipulated resident diversity, baseline fertility, and the availabilities of light and soil nitrogen in grassland communities invaded by two functionally distinct non-native plant species (Lolium arundinaceum and Melilotus alba). We tested the hypotheses that increased resident diversity reduces community invasibility and dampens the effects of light and soil nitrogen pulses, and that the relative effects of light versus soil nitrogen additions on diversity–invasibility relationships depend on the baseline fertility of the study system. Our results reveal an overall weak negative effect of resident diversity on Lolium performance, but in contrast to our expectations, this diversity effect did not vary with light or soil nitrogen additions or with baseline fertility. However, the relative effects of above- versus below-ground resource additions on invader performance varied with baseline fertility as expected: Lolium responded most strongly to soil nitrogen additions in low-fertility mesocosms and most strongly to increased light availability in high-fertility mesocosms. In contrast to Lolium, nitrogen-fixing Melilotus was overall less responsive to diversity and resource manipulations. Together, these patterns do not lend support for the dependence of diversity–resource–invasibility relationships on either baseline fertility or invasive species identity, but they do highlight the dominant role of resources over diversity in determining invader performance, as well as the manner in which fertility alters the relative importance of above- versus below-ground resource pulses in promoting invasions.

English

Allelopathy is described as both beneficial and deleterious biochemical interaction between plant and weeds, and/or plant and microorganisms through the production of chemical compounds that escape into the environment and subsequently influence the growth and development of neighbouring plants. The present laboratory experimental study was conducted to evaluate the allelopathic effect of Cassia sophera (L.) on three weed plants (Chenopodium album L., Melilotus alba Medik and Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Viv.). Aqueous extracts of Cassia at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0% concentrations were applied to determine their effect on seed germination, seedling growth, dry biomass, leaf area, relative water content, chlorophyll and protein content of test plants under laboratory conditions. The aqueous extracts had a significant retardatory effect on seed germination of test plants which varied among species and also with the different concentrations used. Root length and shoot length of weed species decreased significantly when plants were exposed to increasing aqueous concentration (0.5, 1, 2 and 4%). The noticed reduction in dry biomass, leaf area and relative water content were also significant. Physiological parameters (total chlorophyll content and protein content) in relation to three test species (M. alba, C. album and N. plumbaginifolia) were significantly reduced with the different concentrations of aqueous extract used. From this we can predict that cassia might possess allelochemicals that causes the suppressive ability.   Key words: Allelopathy, aqueous extract, Melilotus alba, Chenopodium alba and Nicotiana plumbaginifolia.

In vitro screening of forty medicinal plant extracts from the United States Northern Great Plains for anthelmintic activity against Haemonchus contortus

An egg hatch assay (EHA) and a larval migration assay (LMA) involving Haemonchus contortus was used to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of methanol extracts from 40 plants that are native or naturalized within the U.S.A. Northern Great Plains. Only one of these 40 plants (i.e. Lotus corniculatus) had been previously evaluated for activity against any gastrointestinal nematode. The various extracts were initially screened at 50mg/ml diluted either in 0.5% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) or 3-(N-morpholino) propanesulfonic acid (MOPS buffer), and plants showing 100% inhibition at 50mg/ml, were further evaluated at 8 other concentrations (25–0.19mg/ml). Extracts with 100% activity with the EHA were again screened with the LMA (50mg/ml). Two extracts with the highest LMA inhibition were also evaluated at lower concentrations (25–3.1mg/ml). Of the 40 methanolic extracts screened, 7 (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ericameria nauseosa, Liatris punctata, Melilotus alba, Melilotus officinalis, Perideridia gairdneri, and Sanguinaria canadensis) showed significant egg-hatch inhibition in DMSO and MOPS buffer. Three extracts (Geranium viscosissimum, L. corniculatus, and Rhus aromatica) only showed significant inhibition in DMSO. The 8 extracts showing 100% efficacy at 50mg/ml exhibited dose-dependent effects at the 8 lower concentrations, and R. aromatica and E. nauseosa extracts had the lowest ED50 values. Similarly, when these 8 plant extracts were further evaluated with the LMA, the extracts of E. nauseosa and R. aromatica again exhibited the highest activity (p<0.001), with ED50 values of 4.0mg/ml and 10.43mg/ml respectively. Three other extracts (C. viscidiflorus, M. alba and M. officinalis) also showed inhibitory activity in the LMA. These results support the need for additional evaluations of the nematocidal properties for at least these 5 plants.

Wpływ wsiewek międzyplonowych na zachwaszczenie i plon bulw ziemniaka

Summary The paper presents results of the studies conducted over 2007–2010 to determine the effect of undersown catch crops on the weed burden and potato tuber yield. The following treatments were examined: control (without undersown catch crop), farmyard manure, white sweet clover, annual ryegrass, white sweet clover for mulch, annual ryegrass for mulch. Edible potato varieties were cultivated in the first year after cultivation of the undersown catch crops. The collected results demonstrated that cultivation of undersown catch crops and application of farmyard manure reduced the weed burden in potato compared with the control. The lowest weight and number of weeds were recorded in potato cultivated after white sweet clover plough-incorporated in the autumn. The highest potato tuber yield was obtained after mulching with white sweet clover.

Effect of phytomelioration on Primorskii krai agroabrazems

The main regularities of the change in indices of the humus state, optical parameters, and microflora of soils are studied in agroabrazems with phytomeliorant crops (white melilot, sand lucerne, smooth brome, and red clover). Favorable conditions promoting improvement of soil fertility developed in variants with leguminous grasses (sand lucerne and clover).

Above- and belowground effects of plant-soil feedback from exotic Solidago canadensis on native Tanacetum vulgare

Plant-soil feedback responses for native and invasive plant species are well documented, but little is known about how feedback effects from the soil biota community affect plant interactions with herbivores. Here we examine whether changes of the soil biota community by the successful invader Solidago canadensis influence growth and herbivore susceptibility of two coexisting native plant species (Tanacetum vulgare, Melilotus albus). Root zone soil from two different habitat types (‘urban’ and ‘suburban’) was collected and used as inocula in a plant-soil feedback study. Each plant species was grown either in its own soil biota community or with the community with a history from the competitive invasive or native plant species. To identify potential drivers of responses to the different soil biota communities, we analyzed root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and dark-septate endophytes (DSE), and the community composition of soil inhabiting nematodes at the end of our experiment. Results show that S. canadensis and M. albus were not affected by soil history. In contrast, T. vulgare showed increased plant growth in ‘foreign’ soil derived from S. canadensis root zone compared with its ‘home’ soil suggesting a growth promotion by the soil biota community of S. canadensis. From the examined drivers, the abundance of DSE explained the growth response of T. vulgare to the S. canadensis soil biota community best. However, shoot herbivory by banded snails (Cepaea nemoralis, C. hortensis) was not affected by soil history, but by the habitat type where the soil inocula originated. Our study shows that a native plant species may profit from the presence of an invasive competitor mediated by changes in the soil biota community.

Влияние способов посева кукурузы и донника белого однолетнего на продуктивность поливидового агрофитоценоза

В статье приводятся данные, показывающие, что создание бинарных травостоев кукурузы с донником белым однолетним по сравнению с моноценозом кукурузы позволяет на 46,6 - 83,3 % увеличить выход переваримого протеина с 1 га. При этом максимальный сбор кормовых единиц, переваримого протеина и обменной энергии обеспечивается при размещении культур в агрофитоценозе чередующими рядами 1:1. Данная схема посева позволяет получать зеленую массу, сбалансированную по переваримому протеину в пределах 123 г/корм. ед.

Competition of nine wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars against Melilotus alba

Ranking of crop cultivars competitiveness against the weeds could be an effective strategy in weed management that resulted in increased our knowledge about the crop ability to suppression of weeds. A field experiment was conducted at Qrakhyl Agronomy Research Station, Iran, to evaluate 9 wheat cultivars competitiveness against Melitotus alba. Wheat cultivars including Morvarid, Darya, Nai 60, Milan, N-85-5, N-87-4, N-86-7, N-80-19 and Shanghai planted in both presence and absence of M. alba in split plot design with four replicates. Competition reduced height, tiller number, grain and biological yield of cultivars. Wheat cultivars showed variations in response to competition. Morvarid cultivar was more successful in reducing M. alba biomass. A significant correlation was found between wheat height and weed biomass. Morvarid and Nai60 had the maximum competition index that representing higher ability of the cultivars to inhibit M. alba than other ones. Grain yield of wheat cultivars positively correlated with the ability to withstand competition (AWC). The wheat cultivars revealed variations in tolerance to competition.

Role of sweetclover and phacelia in agriculture ecology improvement for droughty left-bank areas of Saratov region

Ecological pollution and physical degradation of soil depend strongly on anthropogenic action on it. The role of such legumes as biennial yellow sweetclover, annual white sweetclover, and plants of Boraginaceae family—lacy phacelia and blue curls—in improvement of physical and chemical soil properties was investigated. An ecologically safe way for soil fertility increase under droughty conditions is offered. Use of both species of sweetclover and one species of phacelia tanacetifolia as green manure in crop rotations are recommended.

The role of rock mining for maintaining Dauco carotae-Crepidetum rhoeadifoliae Hejný et Grüll in Hejný et al. 1979 — a new to Poland plant association

AbstractThis work presents the Dauco carotae-Crepidetum rhoeadifoliae plant association, which is new to Poland. The association has been observed in industrial reclamation areas in the vicinity of carbonate mineral excavation sites in the central part of the Opole region. In the vast majority of cases, plots of this association developed in reclaimed areas. The majority of diagnostic species for the association was found within surveyed plots, including Verbascum thapsus, V. densiflorum and Bryum argenteum. Taxa characteristic of the alliance were also constantly present, i.e. Daucus carota, Melilotus alba, M. officinalis, Echium vulgare and Erysimum hieracifolium. This association belongs to the rarest syntaxa in Poland included in the Dauco-Melilotion alliance of ruderal communities with a predominance of hemicryptophytes, therophytes and perennials. The main diagnostic species — Crepis rhoeadifolia, belongs to very rare elements of Polish flora. It has been observed only in the southern part of the country in approx. 20 sites. Crepis rhoeadifolia had not been observed in Silesia for approx. 40 years, which is why it was considered to be an extinct taxon in this region. Rediscovering of the species allowed for diagnosing the Dauco-Crepidetum rhoeadifoliae association. This association is an example of a pioneer phytocenosis of, most likely, anthropogenic origin in Silesia.

Conjugate symbiotic populations part II: Analysis of nfr5 receptor gene polymorphisms using molecular docking

In this study, an analysis of nucleotide and amino-acid polymorphisms in the receptor part of the nfr5 gene was conducted in 15 plants of the conjugate collection (Melilotus albus was the plant component; Sinorhizobium meliloti was the bacterial component). The domain structure of the studied region was determined and it was demonstrated that the maxima of the nucleotide polymorphisms fall on the LysM domains of this gene. A clear association between nucleotide and amino-acid polymorphisms of the plant receptor region of the nfr5 gene and the genetic diversity of the rhizobial component of the conjugate system (symbiotic nodD locus) was detected. Based on the data that were obtained, computer modeling of bacterial Nod factor binding with two variants of the plant receptor was conducted.

Synthesis of the Structure Proposed for Natural Meliloester

In an attempt to establish the absolute configuration of meliloester, a natural product isolated from Melilotus alba , the literature structure was synthesized in an enantiopure form. Unexpectedly, the 1 H and 13 C NMR data was completely incompatible with those reported for the natural product. The corresponding m -hydroxy isomer was also excluded as the structure for the natural product.

Green manure as a nutrient source for succeeding crops

The trials were carried out in the Estonian University of Life Sciences (58&amp;deg;23'N, 26&amp;deg;44'E), and studied to what extent green manure crops bind nutrients and the effect and stability of biologically fixed nitrogen (N). Our research covered more species than most of the earlier studies in the Nordic countries. Compared with biomass from unfertilized barley, legume undersowing, straws plus roots added up to 4 times more N, 2.8 times more phosphorus (P) and 2.5 times more potassium (K) returning to the soil. Red clover, hybrid lucerne and white melilot as pure sows produced the highest biomass, amounts of N, P, and K being up to 206, 24 and 144 kg/ha, respectively. The effect of additional N in soil was measured by weighing successive grain yields. In the first test year, 1 kg of N from green manure had the effect of producing 8.6 kg grain and this relation did not change even for higher N amounts. Green manure had a significant effect even in the third year after the green manure was ploughed into soil. &amp;nbsp;

Control of Xiphinema index Populations by Fallow Plants Under Greenhouse and Field Conditions

The dagger nematode Xiphinema index has a high economic impact in vineyards by direct pathogenicity and above all by transmitting the Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV). Agrochemicals have been largely employed to restrict the spread of GFLV by reducing X. index populations but are now banned. As an alternative to nematicides, the use of fallow plants between two successive vine crops was assessed. We selected plant species adapted to vineyard soils and exhibiting negative impact on nematodes and we evaluated their antagonistic effect on X. index in greenhouse using artificially infested soil, and in naturally infested vineyard conditions. The screening was conducted with plants belonging to the families Asteraceae (sunflower, marigold, zinnia, and nyjer), Poaceae (sorghum and rye), Fabaceae (white lupin, white melilot, hairy vetch, and alfalfa), Brassicaceae (rapeseed and camelina), and Boraginaceae (phacelia). In the greenhouse controlled assay, white lupin, nyjer, and marigold significantly reduced X. index populations compared with that of bare soil. The vineyard assay, designed to take into account the aggregative pattern of X. index distribution, revealed that marigold and hairy vetch are good candidates as cover crops to reduce X. index populations in vineyard. Moreover, this original experimental design could be applied to manage other soilborne pathogens.

충주시 남한강의 관속식물상 분포

Department of Horticultural Science, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 361-763, KoreaAbstract - This study was carried out to survey the vascular plants of Namhan River located in Chungju-si, and the period of survey was from June, 2010 to June, 2011. The results are as follows. The vascular plants distributed in Neungam, Mokgye and Jangcheon around Namhan river were summarized as 225 taxa including 52 families, 164 genera, 200 species, 23 varieties and 2 forms. The rare plant designated by Korea Forest Service was Aristolochia contorta Bunge, and the endemic plant was identified as Salix koriyanagi Kimura. The specific plants by floristic region were 7 taxa including Salix chaenomeloides Kimura, Aristolochia contorta Bunge, Actinostemma lobatum Maxim., Artemisia selengensis Turcz., Cirsium pendulum Fisch., Alisma plantago-aquatic var. orientale Samuels. and Carex versicaria L.. The naturalized plants were 47 taxa including Fallopia dumetorum (L.) Holub., Chenopoidum album L., Silene armeria L., Brassica juncea (L.) Czern., Melilotus alba Medicus, Trifolium pratense L., Oenothera erythrosepala Borbas, Ipomoea hederacea var. integriuscula A.Gray, Bidens frondosa L., Matricaria inodora L., Xanthium canadense Mill., Panicum dichotomiflorum Michx. and so forth. In life forms, megaphanerophytes (M) were 13 taxa, 13 taxa in nanophanerophytes (N), 14 taxa inchamaiphytes (Ch), 40 taxa in hemicryptophytes (H), 20 taxa in geophytes (G), 103 taxa in therophytes (Th) and 22 taxa in hydrophytes (HH). The ratios of the naturalized index (NI), the urbanized index (UI) and the disturbed index (DI) were 20.9%, 14.6% and 18.2% in all sites.

Antioxidant activity in the leaves of Melilotus albus and Trifolium medium from man-made disturbed habitats in the Middle Urals under the influence of copper

Physiological mechanisms of adaptation to copper-induced stress in two widespread legume plants, white sweet clover (Melilotus albus Merik.) and zigzag clover (Trifolium medium L.), growing in habitats differing in the man-made pollution. An antioxidant plant defense system was activated in response to 10 mM CuSO4, which is a stress factor. Specific biochemical features related to adaptation to soil contamination with copper were observed in tested plant species. Superoxide dismutase was activated in response to stress in both species from various habitats. M. albus from the impact zone manifested the better capacity of proline accumulation as compared with plants from less polluted habitats. T. medium plants from the impact zone contained more active peroxidase. It was suggested that plants growing for a long time under stressful conditions manifest the greater tolerance to copper ions than plants, which did not experience stress or were subjected to the milder stress.

Do Populations of an Invasive Weed Differ Greatly in Their Per-Gram Competitive Effects?

ABSTRACT. Quantifying an invasive species' negative impacts across its introduced range will be quite challenging if the impacts vary unpredictably from site to site or from population to population. Little emphasis, however, has been placed on quantifying such interpopulation variation in the impacts of individual invasive species. We studied the response of a native grass (Festuca rubra) to competition from 4 geographically dispersed invasive plant (Melilotus albus) populations in order to determine if some populations of this invader have greater competitive impacts than others. Despite the relatively large number of experimental units in our greenhouse study, we did not obtain evidence that competitive effects per gram of biomass varied by invader population. Therefore, in some cases it should be possible to estimate the effects of invasive weeds with simple competition models that ignore some forms of phenotypic variation, as long as the models control for invader biomass per unit area (i.e., invader...