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Premise: Reinvestigation of previously described fossil plants using improved techniques can provide insights for additional characters resulting in better family assignments and relationships to modern plants, as in this new study of the fossil fern Acrostichopteris from the mid‐Cretaceous. The discovery of new species within genera provides additional characteristics for comparisons and support for family assignments. Methods: Fossil material was uncovered from the matrix (degagement) for the specimens described here. Material was removed from the matrix and mounted for examination by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Spores were extracted and prepared for examination with light, fluorescence, and SEM. Characters for the previously described material from the Potomac Group in the USA and the new material from Spain were compared with those of other fossils assigned to the genus. Results: The genus, described by Fontaine in 1889, reexamined by Berry in 1911, and assigned to the Schizaeaceae by Reed in 1947, is reassigned to the family Hymenophyllaceae on the basis of characteristics of the pinnules, sori, sporangia, and spores. We describe a new species in the genus from the Lower Cretaceous (Albian) of Spain that most likely belongs in this family, based on characteristics of the pinnules and the sori. A summary of all the species previously assigned to the genus is included. Conclusions: Assignment of this fossil to the family Hymenophyllaceae is based on all characters known and comparison to modern species, provides the time for appearance of characteristics within the family, and indicates diversification of Hymenophyllum species in the mid‐Cretaceous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Growing conditions at different tree canopy positions may significantly vary and lead to foliar changes even within the same tree. An assessment of foliar anatomy, including also epidermal features, can help us understand how plants respond to environmental factors. Working with two model tree species (i.e., Quercus petraea and Fagus sylvatica) grown at their southernmost European distribution area in Central Spain, the influence of irradiation and canopy height was examined by sampling lower canopy leaves and comparing them with fully irradiated, top canopy leaves and shaded top canopy leaves grown for months within a bag made of shade netting fabric before they sprouted. At the end of the summer, samples were collected, and several parameters were analysed. The results indicate that SLA (specific leaf area) differences are significant both between species and groups. Leaf and cuticle thickness differed significantly between groups while stomatal densities only between species. Regarding mineral concentrations, differences between species were significant for K, Mn, N and N: P ratios. It is concluded that leaf responses to environmental conditions may be variable both within the same tree and between species. • Top canopy leaves (25 m high) were covered with bags before sprouting. • Some beech and oak leaf traits responded plastically to artificial shading. • Top canopy oak leaves adapted more efficiently to artificial shading and for many traits resembled low canopy leaves. • Beech leaves are less responsive to limiting irradiance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plant and medicinal herbs are important sources of bioactive compounds and minerals that can play a role in preventing various diseases and they are considered a factor indispensable for the proper functioning of the human body. Methods: We investigated the content of carotenoids and chlorophylls of leaves from Pallenis spinosa (P. spinosa), as well as their antioxidant activity and mineral composition then, we optimized the solvent extraction for the recovery of total carotenoids and chlorophylls using spectrophotometric method. Finally, we tested the antioxidant activity of the optimized extract by three assays (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP) and we determined the mineral composition by Emission Spectrometer Induced Couple Plasma (ICP). Results: Carotenoid (CART), chlorophylls (CHLa + b), chlorophyll a (CHLA), chlorophyll b (CHLB) contents were about 36.337 ± 0.312; 347.769 ± 6.326; 224.286 ± 5.601; 123.483 ± 1.339 mg/100 g dw, respectively. We revealed an interesting antioxidant capacity by the tested extract (DPPH: 127.522 ± 1.406 mmol ET/Kgdw, ABTS: 104.827 ± 1.222 mmol ET/Kgdw and FRAP 71.89 ± 0.495 ± 0.994 mmol ET/Kgdw). Carotenoids and chlorophylls content correlate positively with the antioxidant activity of P. spinosa leaves extract (r=0.646–0.986). Eight minerals have been detected (Mg, Ca, P, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and Cr), Mg and Ca being the predominant ones (6479.32 ± 48.33 and 3851.88 ± 130.63 mg/Kg, respectively). Conclusions: These results have shown that P. spinosa leaves are a good source of carotenoids and chlorophylls with a potent antioxidant potential with high amount of minerals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Non‐native plant species have been hypothesized to experience lower herbivory in novel environments as a function of their phylogenetic distance from native plant species. Although recent work has found support for this prediction, the plant traits responsible for such patterns have been largely overlooked. Methods: In a common garden experiment in northwestern Spain, we tested whether oak species (Quercus spp.) not native to this region that are phylogenetically more distantly related to native species exhibit less insect leaf herbivory. In addition, we also investigated plant traits potentially correlated with any such effect of phylogenetic distance. Results: As expected, phylogenetic distance from native species negatively predicted insect leaf herbivory on non‐native oaks. In addition, we found that the leaf traits, namely phosphorus and condensed tannins, were significantly associated with herbivory, suggesting that they are associated with the effect of phylogenetic distance on leaf herbivory on non‐native oak species. Conclusions: This study contributes to a better understanding of how evolutionary relationships (relatedness) between native and non‐native plant species determine the latter's success in novel environments via locally shared enemies, and encourages more work investigating the plant traits that mediate the effects of phylogenetic distance on enemy escape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phylogenetic analyses imply that monocots were a key group in the early radiation of angiosperms, yet they are much rarer than other major clades in the Early Cretaceous macrofossil record. Here we describe a well-preserved leaf and several inflorescences related to the near-basal monocot family Araceae and abundant monocot leaves of uncertain affinities from two latest Albian localities in north-eastern Spain. Orontiophyllum ferreri sp. nov. has a multistranded midrib, several orders of parallel-pinnate veins, two orders of transverse veins, and paracytic-oblique stomata. This suite of characters (but with both anomocytic and paracytic-oblique stomata) is characteristic today of Orontium in the near-basal araceous subfamily Orontioideae, and later Cretaceous and early Cenozoic leaves assigned to Orontiophyllum have similar architecture. Sedimentology and anatomy suggest a (semi)aquatic ecology. Other monocot leaves at the same locality are linear and parallel-veined but have similar stomata. Although anomocytic stomata have been proposed as ancestral in monocots, O. ferreri, the associated linear leaves, Albian–Cenomanian cuticles from Australia and Portugal, and extant data are consistent with the hypothesis that variable paracytic-oblique stomata are ancestral. Turolospadix bogneri gen. et sp. nov., from the other locality, includes spadices of ebracteate flowers with four tepals, a central gynoecium, and a long stipe (vs a spathe attached just below the fertile zone as in most Araceae). Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the character combinations seen in O. ferreri and T. bogneri are ancestral for Araceae, and they could be either sister to Araceae or nested within a basal grade of the family. Together with fossils from the Aptian–Albian of Brazil and Portugal, the Spanish fossils indicate that Araceae are among the oldest extant monocot families, but they were associated with diverse linear-leaved monocots of uncertain affinities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The architecture of primary and secondary pinnae of the fossil fern Weichselia reticulata (C. Stokes et Webb) Fontaine is studied based on 28 large specimens from the upper Barremian La Huérguina Formation of the fossil locality Las Hoyas, Cuenca, Spain. The study of the specimens is performed through a morphometric analysis consisting in a reformulation of the Branching Algorithms method of shape description including measurements (insertion angle, distance between pinnae, first segment length and rachis width) and ratios (interval ratio, branching ratio and tapering ratio). A protocol to relocate isolated fragments of fossil pinnae is also established using the interval ratio (distance between pinnae/ previous distance between pinnae) and insertion angle of the pinnae. All specimens show a similar architecture, having elliptic primary pinnae with a sinuous apically tapering primary rachis and triangular secondary pinnae with pinnules of different morphologies. The analysis of the architecture allows to propose that the position of the frond was plagiotropic and that the frond growth was basiplastic for the petiole head and acroplastic for the primary pinnae. The metric method is applied to explore the architecture of four living fern species (Angiopteris evecta (Forst.) Hoffm., Matonia pectinata R.Br., Sphaeropteris cooperi (F.Muell.) R.M.Tryon, and Woodwardia unigemmata (Makino) Nakai). Weichselia architecture results extremely ordered and regular in comparison with the primary pinnae variation of the living species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We recently identified unique caterpillar-induced plant volatile compounds emitted from apple leaves infested with the larvae of various leafroller species. In subsequent field tests, binary blends of phenylacetonitrile+acetic acid and 2-phenylethanol+acetic acid were found to be attractive to a range of tortricid leafroller species (Tortricidae: Tortricinae) in both the Southern and Northern Hemispheres. In this work, the caterpillar-induced plant volatiles from the apple-leafroller system were tested in two vineyards in Spain and Hungary for their attractiveness to the grape frugivore Lobesia botrana (Tortricidae: Olethreutinae). As seen for Tortricinae species, a binary blend of phenylacetonitrile+acetic acid attracted significantly more male and female L. botrana to traps than acetic acid or blank lures. Traps baited with other caterpillar-induced plant volatile compounds (benzyl alcohol, 2-phenylethanol, indole, and (E)-nerolidol, each as a binary blend with acetic acid) did not catch significantly more moths than traps containing acetic acid alone. The catches of male and female moths support an optimistic future for new products in female tortricid surveillance and control that are based on combinations of kairomone compounds released from larval-damaged foliage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greasy spot of citrus, caused by Zasmidium citri-griseum (= Mycosphaerella citri), is widely distributed in the Caribbean Basin, inducing leaf spots, premature defoliation, and yield loss. Greasy spot-like symptoms were frequently observed in humid citrus-growing regions in Panama as well as in semi-arid areas in Spain, but disease aetiology was unknown. Citrus-growing areas in Panama and Spain were surveyed and isolates of Mycosphaerellaceae were obtained from citrus greasy spot lesions. A selection of isolates from Panama (n = 22) and Spain (n = 16) was assembled based on their geographical origin, citrus species, and affected tissue. The isolates were characterized based on multi-locus DNA (ITS and EF-1α) sequence analyses, morphology, growth at different temperatures, and independent pathogenicity tests on the citrus species most affected in each country. Reference isolates and sequences were also included in the analysis. Isolates from Panama were identified as Z. citri-griseum complex, and others from Spain attributed to Amycosphaerella africana. Isolates of the Z. citri-griseum complex had a significantly higher optimal growth temperature (26.8°C) than those of A. africana (19.3°C), which corresponded well with their actual biogeographical range. The isolates of the Z. citri-griseum complex from Panama induced typical greasy spot symptoms in ‘Valencia’ sweet orange plants and the inoculated fungi were reisolated. No symptoms were observed in plants of the ‘Ortanique’ tangor inoculated with A. africana. These results demonstrate the presence of citrus greasy spot, caused by Z. citri-griseum complex, in Panama whereas A. africana was associated with greasy spot-like symptoms in Spain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance This paper has two overarching aims: (1) presenting the results of studying the Albacete tariff of medicines of 1526 and (2) broadly analyzing the origin and influences of medicinal traditional knowledge in the region of Albacete, Spain. We use historical and modern literature that may have influenced this knowledge. Our primary goal was to determine the ingredients used in the pharmacy in the 16th century CE in Albacete through the analysis of the tariff, and our secondary goal was to investigate until when ingredients and uses present in pharmacy and herbals persisted in later periods. Methods The identity of medicines and ingredients was determined by analyzing contemporary pharmacopoeias and classical pharmaceutical references. We analyzed further 21 sources (manuscripts, herbals, and books of medicines, pharmacopoeias, pharmacy inventories, and modern ethnobotanical records) for the presence/absence of ingredients and complex formulations of the tariff. Using factorial and cluster analysis and Bayesian inference applied to evolution models (reversible-jump Markov chain Monte Carlo), we compared textual sources. Finally, we analyzed the medicinal uses of the top 10 species in terms of frequency of citation to assess the dependence of modern ethnobotanical records on Renaissance pharmacy and herbals, and, ultimately, on Dioscorides. Results In Albacete 1526, we determined 101 medicines (29 simple drugs and 72 compound medicines) comprising 187 ingredients (85% botanical, 7.5% mineral, and 7.5% zoological substances). All composed medicines appear standardized in the pharmacopoeias, notably in the pharmacopoeia of Florence from 1498. However, most were no longer in use by 1750 in the pharmacy, and were completely absent in popular herbal medicine in Albacete 1995 as well as in Alta Valle del Reno (Italy) in 2014. Among the ingredients present in different formulation are the flowers of Rosa gallica , honey ( Apis mellifera ), the roots of Nardostachys jatamansi , and Convolvulus scammonia , pistils of Crocus sativus , grapes and raisins ( Vitis vinifera ), rhizomes of Zingiber officinale , bark of Cinnamomum verum , leaves and fruits of Olea europaea , mastic generally of Pistacia lentiscus , and wood of Santalum album . The statistical analysis of sources produces four well-separated clusters (Renaissance Herbals and Pharmacopoeias, Ethnobotany and Folk Medicine, Old phytotherapy, and Modern phytotherapy including Naturopathy) confirming our a priori classification. The clade of Renaissance Herbals and Pharmacopoeias appears separated from the rest in 97% of bootstrapped trees. Bayesian inference produces a tree determined by an initial set of two well-distinct core groups of ingredients: 64, locally used in Mediterranean Europe during centuries; and 45, imported, used in pharmacy during centuries. Complexity reached its maximum in Albacete 1526 and contemporary pharmacopoeias, gradually decreasing over time. The analysis of medicinal uses of the top 10 ingredients showed low coincidence between Dioscorides and different Renaissance herbals or medical treatises and of all of them with ethnobotany in Albacete. Conclusions Regarding our question: is there something new under the sun? In some aspects, the answer is “No”. The contrast between expensive drugs, highly valued medicines, and unappreciated local wild medicinal plants persists since the Salerno's school of medicine. Old medicine in Mediterranean Europe, as reflected by Albacete 1526 tariff of medicines, involved strict formulations and preferences for certain ingredients despite other ingredients locally available but underappreciated. This confirms the fact that any system of medicine does not get to use all available resources. Ethnobiological records of materia medica, in rural areas of Albacete, describe systems with a high degree of stability and resilience, where the use of local resources, largely wild but also cultivated, is predominant in contrast with the weight of imported exotic products in pharmacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Several plants have been found to have effective against number of ophthalmological problems in Navarra. Material and methods Information was collected using semi-structured ethnobotanical interviews with 686 informants in 267 locations. In order to confirm the pharmacological application of the uses more cited by the informants, a literature review was conducted. Results A total of 57 pharmaceutical uses were reported, for 19 plants and 13 families, mainly represented by Asteraceae . The most frequently used parts were inflorescences, flowers, aerial parts, leaves and flowered aerial parts. The related affections fell into eleven categories: bloodshot eyes, watery eyes and wounds, improve vision, irrited eyelids, rheums and styes, tired eyes, conjunctivitis, eyewash, ocular problems in general. The most cited plants were: Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All., Santolina chamaecyparissus L. ssp. squarrosa (DC.) Nyman, Sambucus nigra L. ssp. nigra , Rosa agrestis Savi and Calendula officinalis L. None of them have been pharmacologically validated by Official International Organisms. From the therapeutic point of view, Allium sativum L., Foeniculum vulgare Mill., C. officinalis , and S. chamaecyparissus ssp. squarrosa deserve special attention, because ethnobotanical and pharmacological studies suggest that these medicinal plants are effective for ophthalmological problems. Conclusions The present study constitutes a good basis for further phytochemical and pharmacological research of these four plants, which could be of interest in the design of new inexpensive, effective and safe drugs. The remaining plants are needed to be screened through standard pharmacological and clinical procedures for their activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance This paper provides important ethnopharmacological information on plants used in neurological and mental disorders in Navarra. Material and methods Information was collected using semi-structured ethnobotanical interviews with 667 informants in 265 locations. In order to confirm the pharmacological validation of the uses claimed by the informants, monographs from Official International Agencies (ESCOP, Commission E, WHO and EMA) were reviewed. A literature review was conducted focusing on the plants that were widely used but had no published monograph. Results A total of 172 pharmaceutical uses were reported, for 46 plants and 26 families, mainly represented by Lamiaceae (15%), Asteraceae (13%), Rosaceae and Rutaceae (7%, each one), and Clusiaceae , Malvaceae , Papaveraceae and Urticaceae (4%, each one). The most frequently used parts were inflorescence (39%), flowered aerial parts (16%), and aerial parts (13%), followed by inflorescence bract (8%) and leaves (7%). Nine out of 46 plants (20%) and 81 of 172 uses (47%), have already been pharmacologically validated. The remaining 37 plants (of total 46, 80%) have been reported for neurological and mental disorders and need to be screened through standard pharmacological and clinical procedures for their activities. The most used species are Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All., Jasonia glutinosa (L.) DC., and Santolina chamaecyparissus L. ssp. squarrosa (DC.) Nyman, in all cases the administration as infusion. Conclusions Data indicate a high degree of plants knowledge in Navarra regarding neurological and mental disorders. The present study constitutes a good basis for further phytochemical and pharmacological research of C. nobile , J. glutinosa and S. chamaecyparissus , which could be of interest in the design of new inexpensive, effective and safe drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance This paper provides important ethnopharmacological information on plants used in musculoskeletal disorders in Navarra. Material and methods Information was collected using semi-structured ethnobotanical interviews. In order to confirm the pharmacological validation of the uses, monographs from Official International Agencies (ESCOP, Commission E, WHO and EMA) were reviewed. A literature review was conducted focusing on the plants that were widely used but had no published monograph. Results A total of 199 pharmaceutical uses were reported, for 38 plants and 24 families, mainly represented by Asteraceae and Lamiaceae (11%, each), Rosaceae (8%) and Boraginaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Equisetaceae, Malvaceae, Oleaceae and Urticaceae (5%, each). The most frequently used parts were the aerial parts, roots, followed by inflorescences and leaves. Nine out of 38 plants (24%) and 123 uses (62%), had already been pharmacologically validated. Conclusions The authors propose to validate four species for their use in musculoskeletal disorders: Verbena officinalis , Symphytum tuberosum , Hypericum perforatum and Equisetum ssp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance This paper provides important ethnopharmacological information on plants used in respiratory affections in Navarra. Material and methods Information was collected using semi-structured ethnobotanical interviews with 667 informants in 265 locations. In order to confirm the pharmacological validation of the uses claimed by the informants, monographs from Official International Agencies (ESCOP, Commission E, WHO and EMA) were reviewed. A literature review was conducted focusing on the plants that were widely used but had no published monograph. Results A total of 456 pharmaceutical uses was reported, for 79 plants and 34 families, mainly represented by Lamiaceae , Asteraceae , Rosaceae , Crassulaceae and Malvaceae . The most frequently used parts were the aerial parts followed by inflorescences and leaves. Twenty-two out of 79 plants (28%) and 270 of 456 uses (42%), had already been pharmacologically validated. Conclusions The authors propose Verbena officinalis for validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance This paper provides significant ethnopharmacological information on plants used to treat cardiovascular diseases in Navarra, Spain. Material and methods Information was collected using semi-structured ethnobotanical interviews with 667 informants (mean age 72; 55.47% women, 44.53% men) in 265 locations. Official sources such as the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP), German Commission E, World Health Organization (WHO), European Medicines Agency (EMA), European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) and Real Farmacopea Española (RFE) monographs were consulted in order to establish the therapeutic efficacy of the reported uses and to obtain further details about quality and safety aspects. A literature review was carried out on the plants that were most frequently cited and were not the subject of a monograph, using a new tool developed by the University of Navarra, UNIKA. Results A total of 460 pharmaceutical uses were reported by the informants, belonging to 90 plant species and 39 families, mainly represented by Urticaceae , Rosaceae , Asteraceae , and Equisetaceae . The most frequently used parts of the plants were the aerial parts followed by leaves and flowers. Seventeen out of 90 plants (19%) and 208 out of 460 popular uses (45%) had already been pharmacologically validated in relation to their therapeutic efficacy and safety aspects. Conclusions The authors propose to validate five species for their use in cardiovascular diseases: Rhamnus alaternus L., Potentilla reptans L., Equisetum telmateia Ehrh., Centaurium erythraea Rafn and Parietaria judaica L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim of the study: This paper provides significant ethnopharmacological information on plant used in dermatological affections in Navarra. Material and methods: Information was collected using semi-structured ethnobotanical interviews with 667 informants (mean age 72; 55.47% women, 44.53% men) in 265 locations. In order to confirm the pharmacological validation of the uses reports, the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP), German Commission E, World Health Organization (WHO), European Medicines Agency (EMA), European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) and Real Farmacopea Española (RFE) monographs have been revised. A literature review has been carried out with the plants without monograph and high frequency citations, using a new tool of the University of Navarra, UNIKA. Results: A total of 982 pharmaceutical uses are reported from the informants, belonging to 91 plants and 42 families, mainly represented by Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Crassulaceae. The most frequently used parts of the plants are aerial parts followed by leaves and inflorescences. Seventeen out of 91 plants (19%) and 148 of 982 popular uses (15%), have already been pharmacologically validated. Conclusions: The authors propose seven species for their validation (Allium cepa, Sambucus nigra, Hylotelephium maximum, Chelidonium majus, Ficus carica, Allium sativum and Anagallis arvensis). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: The Helianthemum genus contains approximately one hundred taxa. Some of them are important medicinal plants used in several countries for many different purposes. However, studies addressing the phytochemistry of many of these species or their biological activities are currently nonexistent. Aim of the study: To perform a comparative analysis of the qualitative composition of secondary metabolites and biological activities of the leaves of the most commonly distributed and used Spanish Helianthemum taxa in order to find a relationship between chemotype, biological activity and uses. Materials and methods: water and 80% methanolic extracts derived from 11 different Helianthemum taxa were analyzed for their phytochemical composition using standard methods. Furthermore, HPLC analysis was performed for the estimation of gallic acid, ellagic acid, tannins and flavonols as marker compounds. The antioxidant activity was measured by employing the scavenging activity on DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2′-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) radicals. The 80% methanolic extracts were evaluated for antibacterial (Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Listeria monocytogenes and Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica) activity using the micro dilution technique. Results: The total polyphenolic content and antioxidant capabilities differed significantly among the Helianthemum leaf extracts. A strong correlation between total phenolic content, antioxidant properties and antimicrobial activity was found. The polyphenolic profile was specific for each taxon. Whereas Helianthemum alypoides, Helianthemum cinereum subsp. rotundifolium, Helianthemum hirtum, Helianthemum asperum, and Helianthemum marifolium subsp. marifolium were characterized by the presence of gallic acid, egallic derivatives and ellagitannins; the polyphenolic profile of Helianthemum apenninum subsp. cavanillesianum, Helianthemum syriacum and Helianthemum polygonoides was mostly based on flavonoids. Helianthemum cinereum, Helianthemum alypoides and Helianthemum marifolium consistently presented the strongest radical scavenging activity (in water extracts EC50 ranges from 29.88 to 38.1 against DPPH and from 8.11 to 20.8 against ABTS, and in 80% MeOH extracts from 25.3 to 31.8 against DPPH and from 6.15 to 8.6 against ABTS), total phenol content (>117mg GAE/l) and antimicrobial activities. Conclusion: The Helianthemum taxa used in folk medicine did not cluster in a unique section, being equally distributed in two out of the four sections analysed. There was not a clear relationship between the chemotype, based on the polyphenolic composition of the taxa, and their taxonomical classification. However, the composition of the methanolic and water extracts from the leaves of plants belonging to the Helianthemum genus was strongly related to their medicinal uses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Plant nutritional diagnosis requires specific reference levels for each grape variety to effectively reflect the nutritional status of the crop. A vine nutritional survey was undertaken in the Rioja A.O.C., northeastern Spain. The survey method was used to establish the preliminary norms in the application of the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) to the nutritional diagnosis of leaf blade and petiole tissues ofVitis viniferaL., cv. Tempranillo, on Richter-110 rootstock. These DRIS norms were generated from data obtained during the course of 11 years (2000–10) from 166 vineyards trained on both Gobelet and Vertical Shoot Position (VSP) pruned Guyot and Double Cordon Royat systems. The database obtained includes information from different altitudes, soil types, cultural practices, and climatic conditions within the Rioja appellation. The majority of the vineyards had no irrigation and soil was tilled mechanically. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium were analyzed in leaf blade and petiole dry tissues sampled at both flowering and veraison. Vineyards with phytosanitary damages or flowering problems were discarded. Ratios among nutrients were established for the blade and petiole at both flowering and veraison by comparing two subpopulations of high and low quality. Both subpopulations were selected from a limited production criteria by a Student's t-test mean comparison. Finally, DRIS norms for leaf blade and petiole at both flowering and veraison are proposed for the nutrition diagnosis of the cv. Tempranillo in the Rioja A.O.C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant nutritional diagnosis requires specific reference levels for each variety to effectively reflect the nutritional status of the crop. A vine nutritional survey was undertaken in the Rioja A.O.C., northeastern Spain. The survey method was used to establish the preliminary reference levels for the nutritional diagnosis of leaf blade and petiole tissues ofVitis viniferaL., cv. Tempranillo on Richter-110 rootstock. These references were generated from data obtained during the course of 11 years (2000–10) from 166 vineyards trained on Gobelet and Vertical Shoot Position (VSP), pruned in Guyot or Double Cordon Royat, systems. The database obtained included information from different altitudes, soil types, cultural practices, and climatic conditions within the Rioja appellation. The majority of the vineyards had no irrigation and soil was tilled mechanically. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and boron (B) were analyzed in leaf blade and petiole dry tissues sampled at both flowering and veraison. Vineyards with phytosanitary damages, flowering problems, and data with extreme nutrient values were discarded. Data were statistically analyzed to obtain the normal average values considering the (μ ± 0.25σ) of the central data as optimal levels and the tails values (μ ± 0.84σ) of the population as excessive or deficient levels. The statistical procedure included the Kolmogorov–Smirnov nonparametric test for normality, data transformations for normality, and the calculation of percentiles when those transformations to normal distributions become unlikely (P20, P40, P60, and P80). Finally, reference levels for leaf blade and petiole at both flowering and veraison are proposed for the nutrition diagnosis of the cv. Tempranillo grapevine in the Rioja A.O.C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taraxacum penyalarense is described and illustrated as a new species. It was found in the Iberian Central Mountains, on the Peñalara mountain, Madrid, Spain. It resembles some species of sect. Naevosa, but differs in its rough leaves, horned exterior phyllaries with a scarious border, and pale green achenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Smilax canariensis is an endemic species of the Canary Islands, popularly known as “Zarzaparrilla sin espinas”. The rhizome, leaves and stem of this species has wide use in folk medicine practice on the islands, where they are habitually employed as diuretic. Aim of the study: In this paper we report on the diuretic activity in experimental animals of several fractions of the methanol extract of this species. Materials and methods: Four fractions of the methanol extract of the rhizomes, leaves and stem of Smilax canariensis (50 and 100mg/kg), Furosemide and Hydrochlorotiazide (10mg/kg), were orally administered to laboratory animals to evaluate their diuretic activity. Water excretion rate, pH, conductivity, and content of Na+, K+ and Cl− were measured in the urine of saline-loaded mice. Results: All the studied extracts showed an interesting increase of the diuresis, although the n-buthanol (27%; p <0.05) and ethyl acetate extract (35%; p <0.01), at 100mg/kg p.o., showed the most interesting diuretic activity, which suggested that this diuretic effect is associated with the compounds contained in the fractions of intermediate polarity (ethyl acetate and n-butanol), decreasing in the most extreme apolar and polar sub-extracts (dichloromethane and methanol: water respectively). The increase in diuresis produced by these two extracts was very close to the values of Hydrochlorothiazide (32%) or Furosemide (39%), used as reference diuretics. Conclusions: These data, together with previous results on the aqueous and methanol extracts, reaffirm assertions made regarding the effectiveness of the extracts of this plant against urinary pathologies in the Canary Islands folk medicine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aims: We assessed the effects of native and exotic tree leaf litter on soil properties in two contrasting scenarios. The native Quercus robur and Pinus pinaster tree species coexist with the aliens Eucalyptus globulus and Acacia dealbata in acid soils of NW Spain. The native trees Fraxinus angustifolia and Ulmus minor coexist with the aliens Ailanthus altissima, Robinia pseudoacacia and Ulmus pumila in eutrophic basic riparian soils in Central Spain. Methods: Four plastic trays per species were filled with homogenized top-soil of the site and covered with leaf litter. Before and after 9 months of incubation, litter mass, soil pH, organic matter, mineral and total N were measured. Available mineral N (NO-N and NH-N) was assessed every 2 months. Results: Soil biological activity was higher in the basic than in the acid soil. Litter of the exotic trees tended to decompose less than litter of native species, probably due to the presence of secondary metabolites in the former. Soil pH, mineral and total N responded differently to different litter types, irrespective of their exotic or native origin (acid soil), or was similar across litter treatments (basic riparian soil). The similar response of the basic soil to the addition of different litter types may be due to the low contrast of litter quality between the species. E. globulus litter inhibitied soil microbial activity much more than the rest of the studied litter types, leading to a drastic impoverishment of N in soils. Conclusion: Litter of exotic N-fixing trees ( A. dealbata and R. pseudoacacia) did not increase soil N pools because of the inhibition of microbial activity by secondary compounds. Therefore, secondary metabolites of the litter played a major role explaining exotic litter impact on soil properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetranychus urticae is one of the most damaging tetranychid mites affecting clementine orchards in Spain, where natural control is insufficient. Furthermore, in clementine nurseries, tender foliage is highly susceptible to attack and natural enemies are almost always absent. Therefore, acaricides are often used indiscriminately. Alternative control measures are necessary, both in commercial orchards and clementine nurseries. In order to assess the efficacy of inoculative releases of N. californicus and P. persimilis to reduce T. urticae populations in young Spanish clementine plants, a semi-field experiment was conducted and repeated in three seasons (spring, summer and autumn). Phytoseiulus persimilis was highly effective in reducing both T. urticae infestations and the damage level inflicted on plants at both release rates evaluated (40 and 80 phytoseiids/plant) and all three periods considered. By contrast, N. californicus demonstrated low performance under certain conditions. The results of this study could be adapted and transferred to nurseries and young citrus plantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fire blight, caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora, is among the three most important diseases of apple. A major effective method for its integrated management is the reduction of the susceptibility of the host. Cider apple production in Spain is based on local apple cultivars with minimum crop management and phytusanitary control. After the entry of fire blight in Spain, the selection and planting of cultivars with low susceptibility to this disease has thus become of paramount importance. In consequence, and as part of a wider characterization effort, we undertook the evaluation of an apple germplasm collection of local apple cultivars from Spain for susceptibility to fire blight. Because of the quarantine status of E. amylovora in Europe, we evaluated the use of a detached leaf inoculation assay in combination with a traditional shoot inoculation assay to reduce the amount of plant material to evaluate and to minimize pathogen manipulation. Comparison of the susceptibility values for 78 apple cultivars indicated a low but significant correlation (r = 0.56; α = 0.01 ) between the leaf and shoot inoculation methods. Although the detached leaf assay was not reliable for the direct selection of cultivars with low susceptibility, it was useful to optimize resources and limit the potential dispersal of the pathogen by allowing the exclusion of medium and highly susceptible cultivars from farther evaluation. Shoot inoculation of 103 apple cultivars allowed the identification of 48 cultivars with high levels of resistance to fire blight, which could serve as starting material both for apple production and for breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing natural variability of leaf water use efficiency in plants adapted to extreme conditions of the Mediterranean climate represents an important step in the evaluation of the usefulness of some plant ecophysiological traits under water stress. Eleven Mediterranean species naturally inhabiting the Balearic Islands and corresponding to different growth forms (herbs, semi-deciduous shrubs, woody evergreen shrubs and woody evergreen semi-shrubs) were subject to progressive soil water depletion. Leaf intrinsic water use efficiency was measured by gas exchange at four different degrees of water stress. Under well watered conditions, differences in leaf intrinsic water use efficiency ( AN/ gs) among growth forms were limited to woody evergreen semi-shrubs, which presented the highest values. Under water stress conditions, differences became more evident, with a trend for an increase in AN/ gs from woody evergreen shrubs, through semi-deciduous shrubs and herbaceous to woody evergreen semi-shrubs. The observed variation in AN/ gs correlated with several physiological (leaf water potential, soil to leaf hydraulic conductance and stomatal conductance) and morphological (stomatal density) parameters, displaying a general relationship for all growth forms. This suggests that the capacity for withstanding water limitation is adaptive for all Mediterranean species. However, when AN/ gs was related to leaf mass area, this relationship was not generally applicable, and depended on growth forms, suggesting that different growth forms display specific morphological adjustments in response to water shortage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the waste from 10 forest species of Cantabria have been characterized from the point of view of energy. The studied species were the waste of: Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus nitens, the hybrid E. globulus × E. nitens, Eucalyptus viminalis, Eucalyptus smithii, Eucalyptus regnans, Eucalyptus gunni, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur and Pinus radiata. The leaves were the tree part with the greatest NCV (net calorific value) in all the species. The best results were obtained for the leaves of E. smithii (24.5MJ/kg), F. sylvatica (22.8MJ/kg) and E. nitens (22.5MJ/kg), at minimum moisture. Values around 65,000MJ per hectare and year were obtained for the Eucalyptus spp., and 47,000MJ per hectare and year for the P. radiata. The economic-environmental analysis revealed that the use of the forest waste for energy production would mean an approximate annual income of 8M€ and would fix the annual CO2 emitted by the Cantabrian industries at 78%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Samples of bitter orange (Citrus aurantium L.) fruits (epicarp and mesocarp), leaves and its fruit marmalade from sites in Seville (Andalucia, Spain) with different levels of traffic were analysed for Ba, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations by ICP/AES. Comparative values are given from a background area. The effect of washing on metal content in epicarp and leaves was investigated. Results revealed that Ba, Fe and Mn accumulated in leaves>epicarp>mesocarp, Cu and Ni in leaves>epicarp≅mesocarp and Zn leaves>mesocarp>epicarp. Washing had no significant effect on epicarp metal content while it removes part of Cu, Fe and Zn deposited on leaves. Bitter orange fruits are used mainly to make marmalade; artificial contamination effects on fruit composition were investigated and the dietary intake of the elements was determined. The citrus fruits sprayed with metal solution showed a significant increase in the studied elements compared to untreated fruits. The levels of all elements studied were lower than provisional tolerable daily intake values indicating that bitter orange marmalade consumption is safe for alimentary use. Capsule: Bitter orange tree exhibit differences in metal content between fruits and leaves and fruits are safe for consumption. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Magnetic phases are a common component of atmospheric particles and as such are being increasingly exploited in air quality studies. In this context the magnetic properties of Platanus x hispanica leaves were determined during the spring and summer months of 2001 and 2004 in Madrid, Spain. The leaves exhibited a stable magnetic signal carried by partially oxidized magnetite grains. Most or all of the material resided on the leaf surfaces as a net result of accumulation with time and removal through precipitation. Concentration and grain-size trends indicated that roads act as the source of the magnetic signal. The relationships between IRM1T (magnetic concentration) and the concentration of NO x and PM10 showed that the magnetic signal is specific to traffic-related emissions and not to total particle mass. City-wide maps of magnetic concentration were produced which describe the medium-term net accumulation of traffic-related particles. They showed the same pattern of concentration lows and highs in both years, with lower concentrations in 2004. Consistently high values were observed in south-central Madrid, in an area of high traffic activity. The effects of precipitation make establishing quantitative relationships between magnetic concentration and air quality parameters difficult when using tree leaves as a passive sampling system. However, a qualitative relationship is maintained which permits the mapping and identification of persistent features of particle accumulation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Morphology, elemental content and isotopic composition of leaves of the seagrasses Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa were highly variable across the Illes Balears, a Spanish archipelago in the western Mediterranean, and varied seasonally at one site in the study area. The data presented in this paper generally expand the reported ranges of nitrogen, phosphorus, iron and arsenic content and δ13C and δ15N for these species. Nitrogen and phosphorus content of P. oceanica leaves also showed significant seasonal variability; on an annual basis, P. oceanica leaves averaged 1.55% N and 0.14% P at this monitoring site. Both N and P were more concentrated in the leaves in winter than in summer, with winter maxima of 1.76% N and 0.17% P and summer minima of 1.34% N and 0.11% P. There was no significant annual pattern observed in the δ13C of P. oceanica leaves, but there was a repeated 0.6‰ seasonal fluctuation in δ15N. Mean annual δ15N was 4.0‰; δ15N was lowest in May and it increased through the summer and autumn to a maximum in November. Over the geographic range of our study area, there were interspecific differences in the carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus content of the two species. Posidonia oceanica N:P ratios were distributed around the critical value of 30:1 while the ratios for C. nodosa were lower than this value, suggesting P. oceanica we collected was not consistently limited by N or P while C. nodosa tended toward nitrogen limitation. Nutrient content was significantly correlated to morphological indicators of plant vigor. Fe content of P. oceanica leaves varied by a factor of 5×, with a minimum of 31.1 μg g−1 and a maximum of 167.7 μg g−1. Arsenic was present in much lower tissue concentrations than Fe, but the As concentrations were more variable; the maximum concentration of 1.60 μg g−1 was eight times as high as the minimum of 0.20 μg g−1. There were interspecific differences in δ13C of the two species; C. nodosa was consistently more enriched (δ13C = −7.8 ± 1.7‰) than P. oceanica (−13.2 ± 1.2‰). The δ13C of both species decreased significantly with increasing water depth. Depth related and regional variability in the δ13C and δ15N of both species were marked, suggesting that caution needs to be exercised when applying stable isotopes in food web analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mature leaves of two minority grapevine varieties of the Somontano de Barbastro have been characterized by ampelometry. Fifteen basic foliar characteristics (Primer descriptor priority list) and seven additional characteristics derived from relationships among the first 15 have been quantified. From these data, a theoretical leaf has been reconstructed graphically. The leaves of the two studied varieties have a common structure. five-lobbing leaves with a palm venation pattern. Climate significantly influenced characteristics relating to leaf lobes, sinuses or major veins. Leaves of the 'Parraleta' variety showed relatively little change in characteristics such as angles between major veins. Stronger variations were observed in leaves of the 'Moristel' variety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree leaves accumulate atmospheric particles on their surface, and a fraction of these particles exhibits magnetic properties that can be used to determine the spatial distribution of atmospheric dust in an urban area. This observation is exploited here to map sources of atmospheric pollutants in the coastal city of Vigo. The magnetic carriers on the leaves were iron oxide spherules (5–10 μm) and larger iron-bearing particles (typically 10–50 μm). The maximum values of magnetic remanence were very restricted in space and could be directly related to nearby polluting activities, such as road and railway traffic and shipyard and harbor activities; hence, our data represent main sources of urban dust in the city and not sinks. The concentrations of Fe, Zn, Ni, Pb, and Cu on the leaves showed a strong positive inter-correlation and also with the magnetic remanence of the leaves, suggesting common sources for these heavy metals and for the magnetic carriers. Mn and Cr did not show any significant correlation and their presence was linked to natural accumulations as micronutrients by the trees. The iron spherules and the heavy metal species identified here coincide with materials commonly found in sediments of the adjacent Ria de Vigo. The identification of the main sources of urban dust and heavy metals in the industrial and urban areas can, therefore, help in controlling these emissions to the Ria de Vigo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many plant species, herbivory is a major determinant of leaf mortality and it can cause a strong reduction in productive potential. Most predation occurs on young, expanding leaves. Thus, a rapid growth of the leaves can reduce the impact of predation. Furthermore, in cold Mediterranean climates the length of the growing season is constrained to a short period in spring and early summer owing both to low winter temperatures and drought stress in early summer. Therefore, a rapid deployment of leaf area and a high photosynthetic capacity during the spring and early summer might have important positive effects on the final carbon balance of the leaf population. Relative growth rates (RGR) of leaf biomass were measured in 19 woody species typical of Central Western Spain with deciduous and evergreen habits. Highly significant differences were detected in the leaf growth rate of the different species. The differences between species, however, did not correlate either with the mean leaf life-span of each of the species or with other leaf traits such as photosynthetic capacity, specific leaf area or nitrogen content. Leaf growth rate was positively correlated with time elapsed between leaf initiation and fruit maturation, so that species with fruit dispersal in spring and early summer in general had lower leaf growth rates than species with autumn fruit shedding. This relationship shows the effects of the concurrence between vegetative and reproductive organs for nutrients and other resources. Nitrogen concentration in the leaves was very high at the time of bud break, and declined during leaf expansion owing to the dilution associated with the increase in structural components. The rate of nitrogen dilution was, thus, positively related to the leaf growth rate. Relative growth rates calculated for nitrogen mass in leaves were very low compared to the growth in total mass. This suggests that most leaf nitrogen is translocated from the plant stores to the leaf biomass before the start of leaf expansion and that the contribution of root uptake during leaf expansion is comparatively low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the bioaccumulation of marine phenograms and Alga Caulerpa prolifera Lamourouz from the East Coast of Spain. Distribution of metal among parts of the plant; Concentration of metals on the leaves; Variation of species on bioaccumulation capacities.

The competitive ability of a tetraploid, and its morphologically indistinguishable progenitor diploid Dactylis glomerata L., from Galicia (Spain), was tested in a two-year study, using isolated plants and the same individuals grown at two densities (16 and 36 plants per pot, respectively). Inverse linear regression equations were used to quantify the response of the different ploidy levels (hereafter cytotypes) to density. For the diploids, inter-cytotype competition coefficients were significantly higher than intra-cytotype coefficients. The substitution rate increased from 18 in the first year to 19 in the second year, when most of the diploids failed to flower and some died. The competitive superiority of the tetraploids was associated with higher mean tiller weight, particularly in the mixed cultures. The tetraploids also had heavier seeds and faster leaf production in early spring, and they flowered earlier than the diploids. Several of these differences between cytotypes appear to be due to differences in ploidy level and may play a major role in the establishment of the tetraploids in Galician pastures, where competition is high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we characterize the changes induced by iron deficiency in the pigment composition of pear (Pyrus communis L.) leaves grown under high light intensities in field conditions in Spain. Iron deficiency induced decreases in neoxanthin and β-carotene concomitantly with decreases in chlorophyll a, whereas lutein and carotenoids within the xanthophyll cycle were less affected. Iron deficiency caused major increases in the lutein/chlorophyll a and xanthophyll cycle pigments/chlorophyll a molar ratios. The chlorophyll a/chlorophyll b ratio increased in response to iron deficiency. The carotenoids within the xanthophyll cycle in iron-deficient and in iron-sufficient (control) leaves underwent epoxidations and de-epoxidations in response to ambient light conditions. In control leaves dark-adapted for several hours, most of the xanthophyll cycle pigment pool was in the epoxidated form violaxanthin, whereas iron-deficient leaves had significant amounts of zeaxanthin. Iron-deficient leaves also exhibited an increased non-photochemical quenching, supporting the possibility of a role for pigments within the xanthophyll cycle in photoprotection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seventy three populations of maize (Zea mays L.) were grown for two years at two locations in Spain in order to study the heritability and constancy of the non-ear traits days to silking, days to anthesis, plant height. ear height, and leaf number. The differences among populations were highly significant in the individual analyses, as well as in the combined analyses for all the traits. The interaction components of variance were in general small. Broad-sense heritabilities ranged from 0.844 to 0.869. Constancies were high. in all cases above 1.0. It is concluded that the non-ear traits studied can be confidently used in a numerical classification of populations of maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed (endocarp) morphology is useful for genotype discrimination and cultivar classification. Over a 20-year period, 504 olive trees (Olea europaea subsp. europaea) previously assigned to different cultivars originating from Greece (n = 37), Spain (n = 2), and Italy (n = 2) as well as one accession of Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata were evaluated employing 11 endocarp morphological markers and 9 SSR markers. A matrix of 42 morphotypes in total was subjected to classification binary tree (CBT) analysis. In addition, cultivars were fingerprinted employing 9 microsatellite (SSR) markers and placed on a similarity dendrogram. All 41 olive cultivars and one accession of Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata employed in the present study yielded different morphological profiles produced by the 11 endocarp traits. In the resulting CBT, the total reduction in error, that is, the total information in the set of all 42 morphotypes, was 100%. This meant that the set of 11 morphological characters—having 28 different states in all—was sufficient to remove all data noise and to correctly classify all examined olive cultivars. In addition, all olive cultivars were successfully discriminated by the 9 SSR markers employed. It is suggested that cultivars with large seeds—and concomitantly large fruits—are more distant from the wild forms and probably more evolved compared to cultivars with small seeds. In corroboration to the above, based on seed shape, some of the olive cultivars showed high resemblance to wild olives leading thus to the hypothesis that they were produced or selected during the early ages of olive domestication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the breeding line UMH 1200 acquired by crossing a Muchamiel line with the commercial cultivar Anastasia F1 followed by five generations of backcrossing to the Muchamiel cultivar. It refers to Anastasia as a popular tomato cultivar in Spain with an indeterminate and vigorous plant growth and good foliage cover. It has a genetic tolerance to the three important viruses in tomato in southeastern Spain and the breeding line can be used in breeding programs to allow the introgression of the resistance genes in other landraces.

The article presents information on a study regarding the laminar root rot on Juniperus communis caused by Phellinus ferruginosus. Due to a 2-year drought, a disease spread over a piece of land in Spain. The trees in the vicinity had chlorotic foliage and even the death of entire stands. On the examination, it was found that it was caused due to fungal fruitbodies characterized as Phellinus ferruginosus and ferruginosa.

Discusses the finding that the vegetable crop borage or Borago officinalis is a host of Pseudomonas cichorii in the Ebro Valley of Spain. Occurrence of black necrotic lesions in leaf petioles of white-flowered borage plants in greenhouses and seedbeds in Zaragosa since 1994; Development of lesions from the soil line; Identification of bacteria as Pseudomonas cichorii by comparison of 49 carbohydrate utilization profiles.