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The role of seed mucilage in the moist environments of monsoonal subtropics is poorly understood. We studied germination of six forb species from subtropical monsoonal China. Mucilage presence had little to no effect on germination percentage (G%), except for a significant decline for the large-seeded Prunella vulgaris. Dark treatments reduced G% for all species, while the combination of mucilage removal and high temperatures delayed the mean germination time (MGT). Seed fresh mass was negatively correlated with G%, but only for intact seeds incubated at 12/12 hours of 25/35 [degrees]C. The MGT of de-mucilaged seeds varied with seed shape index, also under the warmer temperature regime. Temperature and light are fundamental to drive germination processes, and the presence of mucilage influences MGT of subtropical monsoonal species. Presence or absence of mucilage had little to no difference in germination percentage, but can be important to drive germination timing, also promoting water uptake and seed adhesion to soil. Key words: mucilage, germination, photoperiod, seed traits, temperature, forbs Le role du mucilage des graines dans les environnements humides des regions subtropicales de mousson est mal compris. Les auteurs ont etudie la germination de six especes d'herbes non gramineennes de la Chine subtropicale de mousson. La presence de mucilage n'avait que peu ou pas d'effet sur le pourcentage de germination (G%), a l'exception d'une baisse significative chez Prunella vulgaris a grosses graines. Les traitements a l'obscurite reduisaient le G% chez toutes les especes, tandis que la combinaison de l'elimination du mucilage et des temperatures elevees retardait le temps moyen de germination (TMG). La masse fraiche des graines etait negativement correlee avec le G%, mais seulement chez les graines intactes incubees 12/12 heures a 25/35 [degrees]C. Le TMG des graines demucilaginees variait en fonction de l'indice de forme des graines, egalement sous un regime de temperatures plus chaudes. La temperature et la lumiere sont fondamentales pour mener les processus de germination, et la presence de mucilage influence le TMG des especes subtropicales de mousson. Il n'y avait que peu ou pas de differences dans le pourcentage de germination en fonction de la presence ou de l'absence de mucilage, mais celui-ci peut etre important pour determiner le moment de la germination, favorisant egalement l'absorption d'eau et l'adhesion des graines au sol. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : mucilage, germination, photoperiode, caracteristiques des graines, temperature, herbes non gramineennes, Introduction The production of mucilage on a seed/fruit dispersal unit during hydration (myxodiaspory) can serve one of several functions. It may protect the seed from predators and pathogens (Kreitschitz 2012; [...]

As habitats change, species with higher intraspecific variation have more resources to adapt. Medicinal plants in the Himalayas are increasingly threatened by climate change and other anthropogenic influences. The intraspecific variation within and among 17 populations of the high-elevation herb Trillium govanianum Wall. ex D.Don was studied as an indicator of adaptability. The variation in 19 traits of population structure, morphology, and phytochemistry was assessed across habitats that varied in elevation (2452-3432 m a.s.1.), aspect, latitude (30.1-31.7[degrees]N), and arboreal community. The morphology and population structure were conserved among populations but varied among regions. The populations in the lower elevation mixed forests of Tirthan Valley produced smaller rhizomes but larger plant densities, such that plant biomass per square metre was conserved. The phytochemistry varied among regions and populations within regions, indicating significant variation among habitats. The aboveground morphology of the species masks considerable variations in belowground morphology and phytochemistry. The observed variations can help the species to adapt to the changing environmental conditions by provoking a functional response. Key words: adaptation, anthropogenic pressure, conservation, high-elevation medicinal plant, natural variations. Lorsque les habitats changent, les especes qui presentent une plus grande variation intraspecifique ont davantage de ressources pour s'adapter. Les plantes medicinales de l'Himalaya sont de plus en plus menacees par les changements climatiques et d'autres influences anthropiques. La variation intraspecifique au sein et entre 17 populations de Trillium govanianum Wall. ex D.Don, une herbe de haute altitude, a ete etudiee comme indicateur de l'adaptabilite. La variation de 19 traits de la structure de la population, de la morphologie et de la phytochimie a ete evaluee dans des habitats qui varient en matiere d'altitude (2452-3432 m a.s.1.), d'aspect, de latitude (30, 1 a 31, 7[degrees]N) et de peuplement frodicole. La morphologie et la structure de la population etaient conservees parmi les populations, mais elles variaient selon les regions. Les populations des forets mixtes de basse altitude de la vallee de Tirthan produisaient des rhizomes plus petits, mais des densites de plantes plus importantes, de sorte que la biomasse vegetale par [m.sup.2] etait conservee. La phytochimie variait entre les regions et les populations au sein des regions, indiquant une variation significative entre les habitats. La morphologie aerienne de l'espece masque des variations considerables dans la morphologie souterraine et la phytochimie. Les variations observees peuvent aider les especes a s'adapter aux conditions environnementales changeantes en provoquant une reponse fonctionnelle. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : adaptation, pression anthropique, conservation, plante medicinale de haute altitude, variations naturelles., Introduction The rate at which species adapt to new or changing environments is dependent on their phenotypic plasticity and genetic variation (Fox et al. 2019). Species with a more flexible [...]

Understanding variation of seed germination in wild populations can assist restoration projects through improved seed source selection. Recruitment of artificially distributed seed can be improved by selecting for suitable dormancy and germination characteristics. We investigated seed germination and emergence responses of three Astragalus sieberi DC. (Fabaceae) populations (Abdali, Liya, and Salmi) to in situ storage for five months at depths of 0 and 5 cm, pre-sowing hydration for 12 and 24 hours, and chemical scarification with concentrated sulfuric acid for 5, 10, and 15 min. The germination percentage was low for freshly collected seed ( Key words: arid desert, dormancy, scarification, seedling survival, legumes. La comprehension de la variation de la germination des semences dans les populations sauvages peut aider les projets de restauration grace a une meilleure selection des sources de semences. Le recrutement de semences distribuees artificiellement peut etre ameliore en selectionnant des caracteristiques de dormance et de germination appropriees. Les auteurs ont etudie la germination et la levee des semences de trois populations d' Astragalus sieberi DC. (Fabaceae) (Abdali, Liya, et Salmi) a un stockage in situ de cinq mois a des profondeurs de 0 et 5 cm, a une hydratation de 12 et 24 heures avant ensemencement et a une scarification chimique avec de l'acide sulfurique concentre de 5,10, et 15 min. Le pourcentage de germination etait faible pour les graines fraichement recoltees ( Mots-cles : desert aride, dormance, scarification, survie des semis, legumineuses., Introduction Restoration of native vegetation in arid regions is challenging due to high temperatures, low and erratic rainfall, high soil salinity, and low nutrient availability (Yasseen 2011; Podda et al. [...]

Regeneration of native species is the first priority for biodiversity conservation and restoration. To this end, it is key to have seeds properly conserved in seed banks and knowledge of seed longevity and (or) dormancy alleviation at different storage time intervals. In addition, understanding the germination response of the stored seeds to environmental conditions improves the efficiency of restoration and rehabilitation projects. We investigated the influence of storage duration (1-5 years), light (0 or 12 h of illumination), thermoperiod (night/day temperatures of 15/20 and 20/25 [degrees]C), and salinity (0, 100, 200. and 400 mmol/L of NaCl) on seed germination of Rhanterium epapposum, a glycophytic species from the Arabian Peninsula. Seeds maintained viability after five years of storage indoors at room temperature. Three years of storage alleviated seed dormancy. Exposure to 12 h light per day and thermoperiods of 15/20 [degrees]C enhanced seed germination. The seeds were glycophytic; after-ripened seeds exposed to salinity exhibited reduced rates of germination that did not recover after the salinity was alleviated. Key words: after-ripening, desert, glycophyte, restoration. La regeneration des especes indigenes est une priorite pour la conservation et la restauration de la biodiversite. A cette fin, il est essentiel de disposer de semences correctement conservees dans des banques de semences et de connaitre la longevite et (ou) l'attenuation de la dormance des semences a differents intervalles de temps de stockage. En outre, la comprehension de la germination des semences stockees aux conditions environnementales ameliore l'efficacite des projets de restauration et de rehabilitation. Les auteurs ont etudie l'influence de la duree de stockage (1 a 5 ans), de la lumiere (0 ou 12 h de lumiere), de la thermoperiode (temperatures nuit/jour de 15/20 et 20/25 [degrees]C) et de la salinite (0, 100, 200 et 400 mmol/L de NaCl) sur la germination des semences de Rhanterium epapposum, une espece glycophytique de la peninsule arabique. Les graines conservaient leur viabilite apres cinq ans de stockage a l'interieur, a temperature ambiante. Trois annees de stockage permettaient de reduire la dormance des semences. L'exposition a 12 heures de lumiere par jour et a des thermoperiodes de 15/20 [degrees]C favorisait la germination des semences. Les graines etaient glycophytiques ; les graines post-maturees exposees a la salinite presentaient une germination reduite qui ne se retablissait pas apres la diminution de la salinite. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : post-maturation, desert, glycophyte, restauration., Introduction The Arabian desert is one of the most inhospitable ecosystems in the world. Climate change is predicted to exacerbate temperature extremes and reduce the already low rainfall (Ribot et [...]

Knowledge of optimal conditions for germination facilitates more efficient practices, such as fodder production and restoration. We assessed seeds of three grass species harvested in winter and summer 2018. Germination ability was assessed under two night/day temperature regimes (15 [degrees]C/20 [degrees]C, 20 [degrees]C/30 [degrees]C) and two photoperiod regimes (0, 12 h light per day). Winter-maturing seeds had a slightly lower mass and reduced germination. Temperature and light requirements for optimal germination were dependent on species and harvest-time. Summer-maturing seeds of all three species had higher germination rates regardless of germination temperature. Interactions among treatment temperatures and species were 0.7- to 5.4-times higher than the control, as shown by heatmaps. Therefore, attention to these factors will improve the efficiency of seedling establishment for rehabilitation work. Key words: germination speed, grasses, halophyte, mean germination time, synchrony. La connaissance des conditions optimales de germination facilite la mise en oeuvre de pratiques plus efficaces telles que la production et la restauration des fourrages. Les auteurs ont evalue les semences de trois especes de graminees, recoltees a l'hiver et a l'ete 2018. La capacite de germination a ete evaluee sous deux regimes de temperature (15 [degrees]C/20 [degrees]C et 20 [degrees]C/30 [degrees]C) et deux regimes de photoperiode (0 et 12 heures de lumiere par jour). Les graines arrivant a maturite a l'hiver avaient une masse legerement plus faible et une germination reduite. Les exigences de temperature et de lumiere pour une germination optimale etaient dependantes de l'espece et de la periode de recolte. Les graines des trois especes arrivant a maturite a l'ete avaient des taux de germination plus eleves, quelle que soit la temperature de germination. Les interactions entre les temperatures de traitement et les especes etaient de 0,7 a 5,4 fois superieures a celles du temoin, comme le montrent les cartes thermiques. Ainsi, l'attention portee a ces facteurs permettra d'ameliorer l'efficacite d'etablissement des semis pour des travaux de rehabilitation. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: vitesse de germination, graminees, halophyte, temps de germination moyen, synchronie., Introduction Successful reproduction is essential for a plant species population to persist. Germination is under strong genetic control and environmental influence (Chiang et al. 2009; Kendall and Penfield 2012; Huang [...]

We investigated drug-induced acute neuronal electrophysiological changes using Micro-Electrode arrays (MEA) to rat primary neuronal cell cultures. Data based on 6-key MEA parameters were analyzed for plate-to-plate vehicle variability, effects of positive and negative controls, as well as data from over 100 reference drugs, mostly known to have pharmacological phenotypic and clinical outcomes. A Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression, coupled with expert evaluation helped to identify the 6-key parameters from many other MEA parameters to evaluate the drug-induced acute neuronal changes. Calculating the statistical tolerance intervals for negative-positive control effects on those 4-key parameters helped us to develop a new weighted hazard scoring system on drug-induced potential central nervous system (CNS) adverse effects (AEs). The weighted total score, integrating the effects of a drug candidate on the identified six-pivotal parameters, simply determines if the testing compound/concentration induces potential CNS AEs. Hereto, it uses four different categories of hazard scores: nonneuroactive, neuroactive, hazard, or high hazard categories. This new scoring system was successfully applied to differentiate the new compounds with or without CNS AEs, and the results were correlated with the outcome of in vivo studies in mice for one internal program. Furthermore, the Random Forest classification method was used to obtain the probability that the effect of a compound is either inhibitory or excitatory. In conclusion, this new neuronal scoring system on the cell assay is actively applied in the early de-risking of drug development and reduces the use of animals and associated costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintaining a viable seed bank throughout the germination season is considered very important for plant recruitment in desert environments, where environmental conditions are unpredictable. Seeds from fully matured Seidlitzia rosmarinus Bunge ex Boiss and Halothamnus iraqensis Botsch. were collected in December 2016, then April, June, and September 2017 from both soil-surface and aerial seed banks. Both of the species were selected mainly by their capacity to rehabilitate saline coastal sites. Germination was analyzed under two photo-periods (0 or 12 h light per day), with winged or dewinged perianths. Seidlitzia rosmarinus had a shorter seasonal range in comparison with H. iraqensis (6 and 9 months, respectively), and the presence of a winged perianth reduced the germination rate of both species. A permanent winged perianth significantly inhibited the germination rate in both species. In the absence of perianth, the germination registered in December 2016 was mostly 100%, but declined to around 20% in September 2017. Seeds are thus more likely to germinate after scarification from wind mobilization, and do not require burial. Our results show that seeds of both the aerial and soil banks are transitory, and viable only during the winter months. Taken together, the combination of aerial and soil seed banks has greatly facilitated germination asynchrony in their environmentally unpredictable desert habitat. Key words: desert, arid, recruitment, synchrony, perianth. Le maintien d'une banque de graines viables jusqu'a la germination est considere comme tres important dans le recrutement de vegetaux dans des environnements desertiques, où les conditions environnementales sont imprevisibles. Des graines pleinement matures de Seidlitzia rosmarinus Bunge ex Boiss et Halothamnus iraqensis Botsch. ont ete recoltees en decembre 2016 puis en avril, juin et septembre 2017 a partir de banques de graines a la surface du sol et aeriennes. Les deux especes ont ete selectionnees principalement a cause de leur capacite de rehabilitation de sites cotiers salins. La germination a ete analysee sous deux regimes de photoperiode (0 ou 12 heures de lumiere par jour), en presence ou en absence de perianthe aile. S. rosmarinus montrait une distribution saisonniere plus courte comparativement a H. iraqensis (6 et 9 mois, respectivement) et la presence d'un perianthe aile reduisait le taux de germination chez les deux especes. Un perianthe aile permanent inhibait significativement la germination des deux especes. En absence de perianthe, la germination consignee en decembre 2016 etait de presque 100%, mais elle declinait 20% en septembre 2017. Les graines sont donc plus susceptibles de germer apres une scarification provoquee par le vent, et ne necessitent pas d'etre enfouies. Les resultats montraient que les graines des banques aeriennes ou du sol sont transitoires et qu'elles sont viables seulement durant les mois d'hiver. Globalement, la combinaison de banques de graines aeriennes et du sol a facilite grandement l'asynchronisme de la germination dans leur habitat desertique imprevisible d'un point de vue environnemental. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : desert, aride, recrutement, synchronisme, perianthe., Introduction Populations that are adapted to unpredictable environmental conditions commonly rely on seed banks to improve the likelihood of successful recruitment within a season. Weather unpredictability means that seeds must [...]

Trillium has fascinated the botanical world with its peculiar biology and high medicinal value. The genus appears in North America and Asia, and is widely used for traditional medicine on both continents. Medicinal value has been validated recently through the isolation and ex situ testing of constituent compounds. This study reviews biology, medicinal value, ecological threats and knowledge gaps, and offers suggestions for conservation and sustainable utilization. Findings indicate that the biology of the genus is well explored and the reproductive constraints are well recognized. Steroidal compounds and pharmaceutical potential of the genus are reported, but controlled clinical trials on humans are yet to be conducted. High medicinal value and the peculiar biology have made the genus susceptible to several threats. Keywords Trillium * Biology * Over-exploitation * Steroidal compounds * Conservation * Sustainable utilization, Introduction Trillium (Family-Melanthiaceae) is a genus of polycarpic perennial herbaceous plants, comprised of 38 North American and 11 Asian species (Roskov et al., 2018). The name is believed to be [...]

Calligonum comosum L'Her is a perennial evergreen shrub that produces dimorphic fruits of distinctly yellow or red colour. The species is found on sand dunes of the Middle East, is valued as a highly palatable livestock feed that survives extreme drought, and is suitable for desert restoration of non-saline sandy soils. The association of fruit colour with germination was assessed in laboratory conditions under two temperature (15/20 and 20/30 [degrees]C) and two light (0 and 12 h per day) treatments. Additionally, the association of fruit colour with emergence and seedling growth up to 90 days from sowing was assessed in shade house conditions. Germination percentage in the laboratory was the only variable that exhibited significant variation by seed colour. Germination was highest for red seeds grown in the dark at the higher temperature but the influence of seed colour on germination was not repeated in the shade house study. The dimorphic fruit colour of C. comosum is thus associated with differing germination rates, but further study is needed to determine whether morphs employ differing recruitment strategies. Key words: germination, arid desert, heteromorphism, seedling survival, Polygonaceae. Calligonum comosum L'Her est un arbuste vivace sempervirent qui produit des fruits dimorphes d'un jaune ou d'un rouge distinctifs. L'espece se trouve dans les dunes de sable du Moyen-Orient, elle est appreciee pour son appetence dans l'alimentation animale, elle survit a une extreme secheresse et elle convient a la restauration des sols sablonneux desertiques non salins. L'association de la couleur du fruit avec la germination a ete evaluee dans en laboratoire sous deux conditions de temperature (15/20 et 20/30 [degrees]C) et de luminosite (0 et 12 heures par jour). De plus, l'association de la couleur du fruit avec l'emergence et la croissance de semis jusqu'a 90 jours apres l'ensemencement a ete evaluee dans des conditions de serre froide. Le pourcentage de germination en laboratoire constituait la seule variable qui presentait une variation significative en fonction de la couleur de la semence. La germination etait plus elevee chez les semences rouges, a la noirceur a des temperatures plus elevees, mais l'influence de la couleur de la semence sur la germination ne se repetait pas lors de l'etude en serre froide. La couleur dimorphe du fruit de C. comosum est ainsi associee a des taux de germination differentiels, mais des etudes supplementaires sont necessaires pour determiner si les morphes utilisent des strategies de recrutement differentes. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : germination, desert aride, heteromorphisme, survie des pousses, Polygonaceae., Introduction Seed heteromorphism is common among plant species adapted to challenging environmental conditions (Imbert 2002) and is found in 87% of species adapted to arid and semi-arid conditions (Wang et [...]