Melilotus Alba Research Articles

Greenhouse Study to Determine the Host Range of the Kudzu Bug,Megacopta cribraria(Heteroptera: Plataspidae)

Summary Field-collected adult kudzu bugs, Megacopta cribraria (F.) (Heteroptera: Plataspidae), were exposed over a 5 to 6 wk period to 21 potted plant species in a greenhouse. Egg masses were deposited and nymphs completed development to the adult stage on kudzu, soybean, alfalfa, white clover, white sweet clover, red clover, perennial peanut, and American joint vetch. However, corn, sorghum, tomato, bell pepper, Johnsongrass, perennial ryegrass, partridge pea, garden pea, rattlepods, stylo, crimson clover, hairy indigo, and Florida beggarweed were not utilized by the kudzu bug as reproductive hosts. Implications and potential damage to Florida commercial crops and forages are reviewed.

Seed Fatty Acid Composition of Some Medicago L. and Melilotus L. (Fabaceae) Taxa From Turkey

Fatty acids composition of plant oil of Medicago disciformis DC., Medicago orbicularis (L.) Bart., Medicago intertexta (L.) Mill var. ciliaris (L.) Heyn., Medicago scutellata (L.) Mill., Melilotus alba Desr. and Melilotus officinalis (L.) Desr. were analyzed. The fatty acid composition of these six different taxa were determined by gas chromatography. The fatty acid composition of plants used to this study showed different saturated and unsaturated fatty acid concentrations. The main fatty acids found were linoleic acid (19.43-56.25%), linolenic acid (22.10-36.35%), oleic acid (18.56-31.21%), stearic acid (3.16-5.09%) and palmitic acid (11.93-23.37%); while other fatty acids were found in minor proportions. As a result, present study determined that all taxa had the highest total unsaturated fatty acid amounts (69.81-82.53%) and the lowest total saturated fatty acid amounts (17.47-30.19%). The higgest unsaturated fatty acid determinated to Melilotus officinalis (82.53%), the lowest in Medicago intertexta (69.81%). In the study of species, palmitic and stearic acid were found, the major saturated fatty acids. The other hand oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids in major unsaturated fatty acids. Fatty acid composition of studied plants oils could be used as a chemotaxonomical marker.

인간 신장암 Caki세포에서 dicumarol에 의한 PMA 매개 matrix metalloproteinase-9의 발현 억제 효과

Dicumarol는 전동싸리 식물에서 추출한 coumarin 유도체로 vitamin K 의존적으로 항응고 작용를 한다. 그러나, dicumarol에 의한 MMP-9의 발현 및 활성화 조절에 대한 연구는 수행되지 않았다. 본 연구에서 dicumarol이 인간 신장암 Caki세포에서 PMA 매개의 MMP-9의 발현과 활성화를 조절 할 수 있는지 확인하였다. Dicumarol는 PMA유도 MMP-9의 활성을 억제하였고, MMP-9의 mRNA RT-PCR 및 promoter assay를 통하여 전사단계에서 조절됨을 확인하였다. Dicumarol에 의한 MMP-9 발현 조절에 NF-κB와 AP1 전사인자의 전사 활성 저해에 의하여 야기됨을 확인하였다. NQO1 siRNA를 이용한 knock-down 실험에서 dicumarol이 PMA유도의 MMP-9 활성 억제에 NQO1의 관련성을 확인 할 수 없었다. Dicumarol는 PMA에 의한 세포이동 및 침윤을 억제하였는데, 이러한 현상은 MMP-9의 발현 및 활성을 조절함으로써 일어날 수 있음을 확인하였다. Dicumarol is a coumarin derivative isolated from sweet clover (Melilotus alba), and has anti-coagulant activity with the inhibitory activity of NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase1 (NQO1). NQO1 catalyzes the two-electron reduction of quinones to hydroquinones. Dicumarol competes with NAD(P)H for binding to NQO1, resulting in the inhibition of NQO1 enzymatic activity. The expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been implicated in the invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. The expression of MMPs is regulated by cytokines and signal transduction pathways, including those activated by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). However, the effects of dicumarol on metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression and activity are not investigated here. This study investigated whether dicumarol inhibits MMP-9 expression and activity in PMA-treated human renal carcinoma Caki cells. Dicumarol markedly inhibited the PMA-induced MMP-9 mRNA expression and MMP-9 activity. NF-κB and AP1 promoter activity, which is important in MMP-9 expression, also decreased in dicumarol-treated cells. Furthermore, dicumarol markedly suppressed the ability of PMA-mediated migration in Caki cells. When the relevance of NQO1 in the dicumarol-mediated inhibitory effect on PMA-induced MMP9 activity was elucidated, knock-down of NQO1 with siRNA was found to have no effect on PMA-induced MMP9 activity, suggesting that the stimulating effect of dicumarol on PMA-induced MMP9 activity is independent of NQO1 activity. Taken together, the present studies suggested that dicumarol may inhibit PMA-induced migration via down-regulation of MMP-9 expression and activity.

Comparative studies of annual legumes

The aim of present study was to get comparative data on forage productivity and quality of forage of Checz cultivars of legumes in the conditions of Northern Bulgaria and respectively to select species and genotypes with the potential for successful introduction in the structure of forage production in Bulgaria. Five species of forage crops were observed and the respective cultivars: Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.), cv. Faraon; crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), cv. Kardinal; annual bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus ornithopoides L.) cv. Junak; black medick (Medicago lupulina L.) cv. Ekola and white melilot (Melilotus albus L.), cv. Adela. The studied legumes differed significantly in their fodder productivity. They are ranked in the following order of DM yield: white melilot - black medick - annual bird's-foot-trefoil - Egyptian clover - crimson clover. The productivity and participation of Egyptian clover and crimson clover in grasslands varied significantly in years. The biomass of crimson clover had the highest content of crude protein (15.24%) and the lowest of crude fiber (21.69%) and no digestible components. According to the comprehensive evaluation of data on productivity and forage quality of studied annual legumes, black medick could be defined as the species with the highest potential for cultivation in the conditions of the Central Northern Bulgaria. It is characterised by high productivity of green mass and dry matter, it has regrowing ability, it is distinguished by a high content of crude protein (14.92%) and crude fat (4.66%), optimal content of neutral and acid detergent fibers (34.67 and 24.99%) and with high levels of hemicellulose content (9.68%). Energy value of forage of that species, assessed by means of feed unit of milk (FUM) and growth (FUG) was assessed as very high (FUM - 0.69/kg DM and FUG - 0.63/kg DM).

Ecology and Management of Kudzu Bug (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) in Southeastern Soybeans.

Kudzu bug, Megacopta cribraria Fabricius (Hemiptera: Plataspidae), is an invasive exotic pest of soybeans that has been present in the southeastern United States since 2009 and has been rapidly spreading through soybean-producing states. Their primary reproductive hosts in the United States are soybean, kudzu, pigeon pea, black eye pea, lima bean, pinto bean, wisteria, white sweet clover, white clover, red clover, alfalfa, perennial peanut, and American joint vetch. In soybeans, the kudzu bug feeds on vascular fluids at the stem, petiole, and nodes, causing yield losses of up to 60%. The current management recommendation for this pest includes spraying of pyrethroids such as bifenthrin, but this method is not environmentally friendly, as this negatively impacts beneficial insect populations. Sustainable management tactics, including the development of economic thresholds for insecticide sprays, assessing the spatial and temporal distribution of this pest, manipulating cultivation practices, use of biological control, and host plant resistance, are currently being explored. We present an overview of the ecology of the kudzu bug in soybeans and available management tactics to assist with the management of this potentially devastating pest of soybeans as it spreads westward.

PRODUCTIVE AND QUALITATIVE PERFORMANCE OF NATURALIZED AND NATIVE FORAGE LEGUMES IN THE TEMPERATE ZONE OF PUEBLA STATE, MEXICO

<p>The aim of this study was to evaluate seven species of native and naturalized legumes in terms of forage production and nutritive quality. The control species, <em>Vicia sativa</em> was represented by two varieties, which maintained a high dry matter production at two locations, in one of them, matched by <em>Melilotus albus</em>. The latter species also had high yields of dry matter in two locations, but in one of them the varieties of <em>V. sativa</em> were not successful. Less yielding species were those that had lower fiber concentration, a situation that was in part due to a higher leaf:stem ratio. <em>Medicago polymorpha</em> had the lowest digestibility, which coincided with higher concentrations of neutral and acid detergent fiber. The crude protein concentration was different among species (P<0.0001), where <em>M. polymorpha</em> consistently had low (P<0.05) concentration (16.8%) as well as <em>M. albus</em> (17%). Among the species tested in this study, several of them have potential yield and quality to improve the diet of ruminants in the highland region of Puebla State and can replace the vetches. Additionally, even when the climate may be the same, the soil conditions also determine which species can thrive in a region.</p>

Therapeutic Potential of Temperate Forage Legumes: A Review

The discovery of bioactive molecules from botanical sources is an expanding field, preferentially oriented to plants having a tradition of use in medicine and providing high yields and availability. Temperate forage legumes are Fabaceae species that include worldwide-important crops. These plants possess therapeutic virtues that have not only been used in veterinary and folk medicine, but have also attracted the interest of official medicine. We have examined here Medicago sativa (alfalfa), Trifolium pratense and T. repens (clovers), Melilotus albus and M. officinalis (sweet clovers), Lotus corniculatus (birdsfoot trefoil), Onobrychis viciifolia (sainfoin), Lespedeza capitata (roundhead lespedeza), and Galega officinalis (goat's rue). The phytochemical complexes of these species contain secondary metabolites whose pharmacological potentials deserve investigation. Major classes of compounds include alkaloids and amines, cyanogenic glycosides, flavonoids, coumarins, condensed tannins, and saponins. Some of these phytochemicals have been related to antihypercholesterolemia, antidiabetic, antimenopause, anti-inflammatory, antiedema, anthelmintic, and kidney protective effects. Two widely prescribed drugs have been developed starting from temperate forage legumes, namely, the antithrombotic warfarin, inspired from sweet clover's coumarin, and the antidiabetic metformin, a derivative of sainfoin's guanidine. Available evidence suggests that temperate forage legumes are a potentially important resource for the extraction of active principles to be used as nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals.

Mining the phytomicrobiome to understand how bacterial coinoculations enhance plant growth.

In previous work, we showed that coinoculating Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae 128C53 and Bacillus simplex 30N-5 onto Pisum sativum L. roots resulted in better nodulation and increased plant growth. We now expand this research to include another alpha-rhizobial species as well as a beta-rhizobium, Burkholderia tuberum STM678. We first determined whether the rhizobia were compatible with B. simplex 30N-5 by cross-streaking experiments, and then Medicago truncatula and Melilotus alba were coinoculated with B. simplex 30N-5 and Sinorhizobium (Ensifer) meliloti to determine the effects on plant growth. Similarly, B. simplex 30N-5 and Bu. tuberum STM678 were coinoculated onto Macroptilium atropurpureum. The exact mechanisms whereby coinoculation results in increased plant growth are incompletely understood, but the synthesis of phytohormones and siderophores, the improved solubilization of inorganic nutrients, and the production of antimicrobial compounds are likely possibilities. Because B. simplex 30N-5 is not widely recognized as a Plant Growth Promoting Bacterial (PGPB) species, after sequencing its genome, we searched for genes proposed to promote plant growth, and then compared these sequences with those from several well studied PGPB species. In addition to genes involved in phytohormone synthesis, we detected genes important for the production of volatiles, polyamines, and antimicrobial peptides as well as genes for such plant growth-promoting traits as phosphate solubilization and siderophore production. Experimental evidence is presented to show that some of these traits, such as polyamine synthesis, are functional in B. simplex 30N-5, whereas others, e.g., auxin production, are not.

Proline auxotrophy in Sinorhizobium meliloti results in a plant-specific symbiotic phenotype.

In order to effectively manipulate rhizobium-legume symbioses for our benefit, it is crucial to first gain a complete understanding of the underlying genetics and metabolism. Studies with rhizobium auxotrophs have provided insight into the requirement for amino acid biosynthesis during the symbiosis; however, a paucity of available L-proline auxotrophs has limited our understanding of the role of L-proline biosynthesis. Here, we examined the symbiotic phenotypes of a recently described Sinorhizobium meliloti L-proline auxotroph. Proline auxotrophy was observed to result in a host-plant-specific phenotype. The S. meliloti auxotroph displayed reduced symbiotic capability with alfalfa (Medicago sativa) due to a decrease in nodule mass formed and therefore a reduction in nitrogen fixed per plant. However, the proline auxotroph formed nodules on white sweet clover (Melilotus alba) that failed to fix nitrogen. The rate of white sweet clover nodulation by the auxotroph was slightly delayed, but the final number of nodules per plant was not impacted. Examination of white sweet clover nodules by confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of the S. meliloti proline auxotroph cells within the host legume cells, but few differentiated bacteroids were identified compared with the bacteroid-filled plant cells of WT nodules. Overall, these results indicated that L-proline biosynthesis is a general requirement for a fully effective nitrogen-fixing symbiosis, likely due to a transient requirement during bacteroid differentiation.

Botanical and geographical characterisation of honeys in Diamante, Entre Ríos, Argentina

Seventy-five samples of honey produced by honeybees from the Department Diamante (Entre Rios, Argentina) were analysed for pollen content. One hundred and forty-two morphological types were identified, belonging to 62 botanical families. Unifloral honeys were predominant (59%). The main type of honey produced was from Glycine max (21%), Lotus corniculatus (15%), ‘clovers’ (11%), Ammi spp. (5%), Melilotus albus, Salix humboldtiana (3%) and Medicago sativa (1%). By means of quantitative analysis, 85% of the honeys were classified as Classes I and II. Foraging behaviour and pollen diversity were analysed in honey samples. Geographical markers are proposed for these honeys. The expected differentiation of samples attributable to sub-environments and harvest dates is discussed.

Ecophysiological characteristics of five weeds and a wheat crop in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, India.

The objective of this research was to compare selected ecophysiological parameters for a wheat crop found in the Indo‐Gangetic Plains of India and its five dominant weeds. The dominant and regionally ubiquitous weeds in the wheat field that was selected for the study were Anagallis arvensis, Chenopodium album, Melilotus albus, Phalaris minor and Rumex dentatus. Taller weeds, such as C. album and P. minor, constituted one group along with the crop, with a low photosynthetic rate, specific leaf area, leaf nitrogen mass basis, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic nitrogen‐use efficiency and leaf area ratio, in comparison to shorter weeds, such as A. arvensis, M. albus and R. dentatus, which formed another group with a high photosynthetic rate, specific leaf area, leaf nitrogen mass basis, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic nitrogen‐use efficiency and leaf area ratio. Interspecific variations in the photosynthetic rate were driven mainly by variability in the specific leaf area and leaf nitrogen content. The taller weeds and the crop had a low specific leaf area later in the season, whereas the smaller weeds had a relatively high specific leaf area, which might be an adaptation to the shaded environment below the canopy. The result indicates that any weed management in the wheat fields of the Indo‐Gangetic Plains will need two different approaches because of the different strategies followed by the two weed groups that were identified in the present study.

Effects of non-native Melilotus albus on pollination and reproduction in two boreal shrubs.

The establishment of abundantly flowered, highly rewarding non-native plant species is expected to have strong consequences for native plants through altered pollination services, particularly in boreal forest where the flowering season is short and the pollinator pool is small. In 18 boreal forest sites, we added flowering Melilotus albus to some sites and left some sites as controls in 2 different years to test if the invasive plant influences the pollination and reproductive success of two co-flowering ericaceous species: Vaccinium vitis-idaea and Rhododendron groenlandicum. We found that M. albus increased the pollinator diversity and tended to increase visitation rates to the focal native plant species compared to control sites. Melilotus albus facilitated greater seed production per berry in V. vitis-idaea when we added 120 plants compared to when we added 40 plants or in control sites. In R. groenlandicum, increasing numbers of M. albus inflorescences lowered conspecific pollen loads and percentage of flowers pollinated; however, no differences in fruit set were detected. The number of M. albus inflorescences had greater importance in explaining R. groenlandicum pollination compared to other environmental variables such as weather and number of native flowers, and had greater importance in lower quality black spruce sites than in mixed deciduous and white spruce sites for explaining the percentage of V. vitis-idaea flowers pollinated. Our data suggest that the identity of new pollinators attracted to the invaded sites, degree of shared pollinators between invasive and native species, and variation in resource limitation among sites are likely determining factors in the reproductive responses of boreal native plants in the presence of an invasive.

A comparative study of alkaloids of root extract of Melilotus alba (l) and Psoralea corylifolia

The present communication deals with a comparative study of alkaloids of root extract in two species i.e Melilotus alba L. and Psoralea corylifolia L . Alkaloids are basic nitrogenous secondary plant products possessing heterocyclic compounds as their structural units with a pronounced physiological action. Alkaloids of Melilotus alba L. and Psoralea corylifolia L. may be useful for various diseases like piles, syphilis, gonorrhea, urine flow, menstruation trouble and kidney disorder. Descending paper chromatography on whatman’s paper­­-1 and three solvent system were used, viz. n-butyl acetate, acetic acid –n-butanol–water (85:40:15:22, solvent-1), n-butanol-acetic acid water (4:1:2 solvent-2) and ethanol–ammonia (4:1 solvent-3). Result revealed that six alkaloids viz N-dimethyle, tryptamine, Nb-oxide, hordenine, candicine, β-phenyle thylamine and hypaphorine were detected in both Melilotus alba L. and Psoralea corylifolia L .

Whitening Efficacy of Melilotus alba Medicus Ethanol Extract and Black Garlic Water Extract in Melan-a Cells

Whitening Efficacy of Melilotus alba Medicus Ethanol Extract and Black Garlic Water Extract in Melan-a Cells

Melilotus albus and Dorycnium herbaceum extracts as source of phenolic compounds and their antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and antioxidant potentials

Melilotus albus Medic. and Dorycnium herbaceum Vill. (Fabaceae) acetone, ethyl acetate, and ethanol extracts were investigated for their in vitro antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and antioxidant activity with quantification of phenolic compound contents. In general, D. herbaceum extracts showed better antibacterial and antioxidant activity than M. albus extracts. Bacteria Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus mirabilis were the most susceptible with the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), determined by microdilution method, between 1.25–10 mg/mL. Antifungal activity was lower with the detectable MICs at 10 mg/mL and 20 mg/mL. The plant extracts, using the crystal violet assay, inhibit P. aeruginosa biofilm formation in concentration range from 5 mg/mL to 20 mg/mL whereas the effect on mature bacterial biofilm was lower. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals scavenging and reducing power model systems. The intensity of DPPH radicals scavenging activity, expressed as half maximal effective concentration (EC50) values, was from 84.33 μg/mL to >1000 μg/mL. The extracts demonstrated reduced power in a concentration-dependent manner, with ethanol extract as the most active. The total phenols, flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins were determined spectrophotometrically while total extractable tannins were obtained by precipitation method. The phenolic compounds showed differences in their total contents depending on solvents polarities and plant species. Although the plants M. albus and D. herbaceum have not yet been fully explored, these results contribute better understanding of their biotic properties and potential application as antimicrobial and antioxidant agents.

Disc electrophoretic study of seed proteins of various Medicago species, Melilotus albus, Trifolium pratense, and T. repens

Disc electrophoretic study covered albumins, globulins and urea-treated globulins of seeds of 12 <i>Medicago</i> species, <i>Melilotus albus, Trifolium pratense</i> and <i>T. repens</i>. The electrophoretic data differentiated most of the examined <i>Medicago</i> species and indicated <i>M. lupulina</i> to be especially distinct. Some similarities of <i>M. lupulina</i> to <i>Melilotus</i> and <i>Trifolium</i> have been pointed out.

Ocena tolerancji wybranych gatunków traw i roślin motylkowatych na zasolenie środowiska [Salt tolerance of grasses and leguminous plants

11 species of grasses and 10 species of leguminous plants were tested for salt tolerance. The biotest of germination viability and capacity in soline water was performed. The results proved usefulness of using seeds as bioin-dicators and allowed to show the significant interspecific differences. The following species – <i>Lolium perenne, L. multiflorum, Festuca pratensis, Arrhenetherum elatius, Trifolium resupinatum, T. incarnatum</i> and <i>Melilotus albus</i> show high level of tolerance. The less tolerant species were: <i>Festuca ovina, Agrostis alba, Trifolium repens, Lotus corniculatus, Medicago lupulina and Medicago sativa</i>.

First records of Melilotus albus Medik. (Fabaceae, Faboideae) in Santa Catarina, southern Brazil

Melilotus albus Medik. is a cosmopolite and invasive species, native to the Old World, which in Brazil had its occurrence hitherto recorded only in the states of São Paulo, Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul. This study extends its distribution to Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil, due to the recent discovery of populations in the municipalities of Florianópolis and Xanxerê. These new records are ca. 250 km distant from the nearest records, in Paraná state, also in southern Brazil.

Phosphorus and potassium release during decomposition of roots and shoots of green manure crops

Decomposition rates of above- and underground biomass and the dynamics of the remaining phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) were studied in trials at the Estonian University of Life Sciences (58°23′N, 26°44′E) in Nordic conditions. The research focused on the decomposition of roots and leaves/shoots of green manure plants. In shoot residues of bird's-foot trefoil and white melilot, after 6 months 19% and 20%, respectively, of P remained. Red clover shoots decomposed the slowest, remaining 44% of P in the residue. In a year, legumes remained 20–22% of initial organic P and 11% in 2 years. Rapid release of K from legume shoot residue occurred in 6 months. The roots released K in a period lasting from 6 to 12 months. The roots retained 15–32% K over a year. White clover roots were the slowest in K release. Residue decomposition and P, K release were all influenced by weather conditions.

Cross-Scale Assessment of Potential Habitat Shifts in a Rapidly Changing Climate

AbstractWe assessed the ability of climatic, environmental, and anthropogenic variables to predict areas of high-risk for plant invasion and consider the relative importance and contribution of these predictor variables by considering two spatial scales in a region of rapidly changing climate. We created predictive distribution models, using Maxent, for three highly invasive plant species (Canada thistle, white sweetclover, and reed canarygrass) in Alaska at both a regional scale and a local scale. Regional scale models encompassed southern coastal Alaska and were developed from topographic and climatic data at a 2 km (1.2 mi) spatial resolution. Models were applied to future climate (2030). Local scale models were spatially nested within the regional area; these models incorporated physiographic and anthropogenic variables at a 30 m (98.4 ft) resolution. Regional and local models performed well (AUC values > 0.7), with the exception of one species at each spatial scale. Regional models predict an increase in area of suitable habitat for all species by 2030 with a general shift to higher elevation areas; however, the distribution of each species was driven by different climate and topographical variables. In contrast local models indicate that distance to right-of-ways and elevation are associated with habitat suitability for all three species at this spatial level. Combining results from regional models, capturing long-term distribution, and local models, capturing near-term establishment and distribution, offers a new and effective tool for highlighting at-risk areas and provides insight on how variables acting at different scales contribute to suitability predictions. The combinations also provides easy comparison, highlighting agreement between the two scales, where long-term distribution factors predict suitability while near-term do not and vice versa.