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Sphaerulina species are plant pathogenic fungi causing leaf spot diseases of various hosts, including arboreous and herbaceous plants. The morphological characteristics of their asexual morphs and leaf spot symptoms are like those of Septoria spp. Due to their similar morphology, species of Sphaerulina have largely been subsumed under Septoria s. lat. A recent revision of the genus Septoria based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic relationships resulted in the separation of Sphaerulina from Septoria. This study reveals the diversity of the genus Sphaerulina in Japan, and the species relationships based on a multigene phylogenetic analysis. Moreover, results of our phylogenetic analysis revealed seven novel species (Sph. farfugii, Sph. hydrangeicola, Sph. idesiae, Sph. lapsanastri, Sph. miurae, Sph. styracis, and Sph. viburnicola) which are described, and two species (Sep. duchesnea and Sep. nambuana) which are transferred to the genus Sphaerulina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity‐oriented urban management and planning require information on the drivers of wildlife composition and ecosystem function within cities. Urban landscapes impose environmental gradients along which species may be filtered away, or respond by showing adaptive variation in functional trait values. Such trait variation may in turn be due to a species' phenotypic plasticity, or a consequence of microevolution leading to local adaptation.This study investigates three possible plant responses to urban environmental gradients, with different evolutionary consequences: extinction, plasticity and adaptation. We assessed whether individual functional traits (LMA—leaf mass per area, plant height and flower length), population performance traits (seed mass and germination rate), as well as species frequency in the plant community, responded to gradients in mowing frequency, soil fertility and structure, temperature and surrounding mean building height, among four herbaceous plant species present in the metropolitan area of Strasbourg. Using a common garden experiment, we tested whether the observed trait variation was hereditary, and may thus constitute evidence for local adaptation.Our results detected the three types of expected responses. Plantago lanceolata is plastic to urban gradients, and Trifolium pratense showed both plastic and hereditary responses. Dactylis glomerata and Medicago lupulina showed all three responses: they both declined under increasing mowing frequency, were plastic to surrounding mean building height, and showed hereditary responses to different urban gradients.Urban management and planning therefore impact on the evolutionary capabilities of plants in cities. In the case of management this is highlighted by the detected trends in species' traits and frequency in response to mowing. The consequences of urban planning are evidenced by mean building height eliciting most often plastic and adaptive responses.Synthesis. Herbaceous plants often change their morphology in response to urban conditions: grass cutting, altered soils, warmer temperatures and being surrounded by tightly packed buildings. These changes are sometimes hereditary, which suggests that city management and planning affect the ability of plants to survive and evolve in urban environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The replacement of grasses by shrubs or bare ground (xerification) is a primary form of landscape change in drylands globally with consequences for ecosystem services. The potential for wild herbivores to trigger or reinforce shrubland states may be underappreciated, however, and comparative analyses across herbivore taxa are sparse. We sought to clarify the relative effects of domestic cattle, native rodents, native lagomorphs, and exotic African oryx (Oryx gazella) on a Chihuahuan Desert grassland undergoing shrub encroachment. We then asked whether drought periods, wet season precipitation, or interspecific grass–shrub competition modified herbivore effects to alter plant cover, species diversity, or community composition. We established a long‐term experiment with hierarchical herbivore exclosure treatments and surveyed plant foliar cover over 25 years. Cover of honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) proliferated, responding primarily to climate, and was unaffected by herbivore treatments. Surprisingly, cattle and African oryx exclusion had only marginal effects on perennial grass cover at their current densities. Native lagomorphs interacted with climate to limit perennial grass cover during wet periods. Native rodents strongly decreased plant diversity, decreased evenness, and altered community composition. Overall, we found no evidence of mammalian herbivores facilitating or inhibiting shrub encroachment, but native small mammals interacting with climate drove dynamics of herbaceous plant communities. Ongoing monitoring will determine whether increased perennial grass cover from exclusion of native lagomorphs and rodents slows the transition to a dense shrubland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Woody plants are encroaching across terrestrial ecosystems globally, and this has dramatic effects on how these systems function and the livelihoods of producers who rely on the land to support livestock production. Consequently, the removal of woody plants is promoted widely in the belief that it will reinstate former grasslands or open savanna. Despite this popular management approach to encroachment, we still have a relatively poor understanding of the effects of removal on society, and of alternative management practices that could balance the competing needs of pastoral production, biodiversity conservation and cultural values. This information is essential for maintaining both ecological and societal benefits in encroached systems under predicted future climate changes. In this review, we provide a comprehensive synthesis of the social–ecological perspectives of woody encroachment based on recent studies and global meta‐analyses by assessing the ecological impacts of encroachment and its effects on sustainable development goals (SDGs) when woody plants are retained and when they are removed. We propose a working definition of woody encroachment based on species‐ and community‐level characteristics; such a definition is needed to evaluate accurately the effects of encroachment. We show that encroachment is a natural process of succession rather than a sign of degradation, with encroachment resulting in an overall 8% increase in ecosystem multifunctionality. Removing woody plants can increase herbaceous plant richness, biomass and cover, but at the expense of biocrust cover. The effectiveness of woody plant removal depends on plant identity, and where, when and how they are removed. Under current management practices, either removal or retention of woody plants can induce trade‐offs among ecosystem services, with no management practice maximising all SDGs [e.g. SDG2 (end hunger), SDG13 (climate change), SDG 15 (combat desertification)]. Given that encroachment of woody plants is likely to increase under future predicted hotter and drier climates, alternative management options such as carbon farming and ecotourism could be effective land uses for areas affected by encroachment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endozoochorous seed dispersal by invertebrates, although infrequently documented, is gaining attention for its feasibility in plants with small seeds. Recent studies have highlighted terrestrial isopods as potential dual agents, acting both as seed dispersers and predators, especially for herbaceous plants with fleshy fruits and tiny seeds. However, the determinants of these contrasting roles are not well understood.The present study explores intraspecific variation in Porcellio scaber, examining its dual role as a seed predator and disperser for Monotropastrum humile (Ericaceae), a plant with fleshy fruits and minute seeds (0.30–0.35 mm in length). We particularly focus on the impact of the sex and body size (5.44–11.99 mm) of the isopod P. scaber on seed dispersal or predation.Our results indicate a significant correlation between seed dispersal effectiveness and isopod body size, with some variation attributed to sex differences. Smaller P. scaber individuals predominantly prey on seeds, whereas larger individuals are more likely to facilitate seed dispersal, maintaining seed viability.Overall, our findings reveal that body size is a crucial factor in defining the ecological role of P. scaber. This challenges the conventional approach of using species‐level average data in seed dispersal studies, emphasising the need to consider intraspecific variations for a comprehensive understanding of seed dispersal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the infiltration characteristics of grassland soil in the super large scale landslides distribution area in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, this study selected the Xiazangtan super large scale distribution area in Jianzha County as the study area. Through experiments and numerical simulations, plant roots characteristics, soil physical properties and infiltration characteristics of naturally grazed grassland and enclosed grassland with different slope directions were compared and analyzed, and the influence of rainfall on seepage field and stability of the two grassland slopes were discussed. The results show that the highest soil moisture infiltration capacity (FIR) is found on the shady slope of the enclosed grassland (2.25), followed by the sunny slope of the enclosed grassland (1.23) and the shady slope of the naturally grazed grassland (-0.87). Correlation analysis show that soil water content, root dry weight density, total soil porosity, number of forks and root length are positively correlated with infiltration rate (P <0.05), whereas soil dry density is negatively correlated with infiltration rate (P<0.05). The results of stepwise regression analyses show that soil water content, total soil porosity, root length and number of forks are the main factors affecting soil infiltration capacity. And the ability of roots to increase soil infiltration by improving soil properties is higher than the effect of roots itself. After 60 min of simulated rainfall, the safety factors of the shady slopes of naturally grazed grassland and enclosed grassland are reduced by 29.56% and 19.63%, respectively, comparing to those before rainfall. Therefore, in this study, the roots play a crucial role in regulating soil infiltration and enhance slope stability by increasing soil water content, soil total porosity and shear strength while decreasing soil dry density. The results of this study provide theoretical evidence and practical guidance for the effective prevention and control of secondary geological disasters such as soil erosion and shallow landslide on the slope of river banks in the study area by using plant ecological measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract\nNOVELTY STATEMENTSoil pollution with petroleum products is an urgent public health and environmental problem. Therefore, innovative solutions for cleaning soils contaminated with petroleum products are needed. One such solution is rhizodegradation, which is recognized as a sustainable and effective method of in situ soil remediation. Much of the previous research was done with monocultures, therefore the effects of different combinations of plants on the removal of petroleum products remain ambiguous. These studies evaluated three different herbaceous plant mixtures for the removal of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) from contaminated soil. Promising results were obtained. Selected herbaceous plant species and their mixtures can be successfully grown in contaminated soil at a contamination level of 6,817 mg/kg TPH DW according to the selected cultivation strategy. After applying a complex of biotechnology and agronomic solutions, the morphological and morphometric indicators revealed the good adaptability and tolerance of the selected herbaceous plants to growing in contaminated soil. After two years of pot testing application of different mixtures of herbaceous plants, the TPH (C6–C40) removal potential reached 85–90%.Given the need to expand the existing knowledge about sustainable methods of remediation of TPH-contaminated soil by applying biotechnology, it is important to further develop this area of scientific research. Although studies with single plant species are often available, information on the complex application of different plants for the treatment of THP-contaminated soils is lacking. The purpose of this research was to create the best mix of native herbaceous plants for the remediate of THP-contaminated soils. The compatibility of plants, tolerance to TPH pollutants, and ability to grow in poor soil were taken into account when preparing the mixtures. To reduce the stress of cultivated plants and ensure effective rhizodegradation, organic, mineral and biological additives were additionally utilized. The obtained results provide knowledge about the candidacy of selected plants in mixtures of herbaceous plants, their morphological and morphometric reactions to TPH-contaminated soil and their application to TPH rhizodegradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aim Location Taxon Methods Results Main Conclusions Phylogenetic niche conservatism predicts that species tend to retain the ecological traits of their ancestors. Accordingly, communities developing under more stressful conditions should be more strongly structured by environmental filtering than communities in less stressful conditions, and thus would exhibit lower phylogenetic dispersion and diversity. Elevational gradients offer unique opportunities to studying, among others, phylogenetic structure patterns across climatic gradients because the geographic distance of the same length of a climatic gradient is much shorter along an elevational gradient than along a latitudinal gradient. Here, we examine the relationship of phylogenetic diversity and dispersion of angiosperms in local communities with elevation and climate along a temperate elevational gradient.The Siskiyou Mountains in the western United States.Angiosperms.Phylogenetic diversity and dispersion of angiosperms in 236 local communities distributed along an elevational gradient ranging from 533 to 2103 m were related with elevation, mean annual temperature and annual precipitation using correlation and regression analyses. Variation partitioning analysis was conducted to assess the relative importance of temperature and precipitation in affecting phylogenetic diversity and dispersion.Phylogenetic diversity and dispersion in angiosperm communities generally decrease with increasing elevation but the opposite pattern is observed in the middle segment of the elevational gradient. The patterns are more conspicuous for herbaceous plants than for woody plants. Temperature is more strongly associated with phylogenetic diversity and dispersion of angiosperm communities compared to precipitation.The patterns of phylogenetic diversity and dispersion in angiosperm communities along the elevational gradient in the Siskiyou Mountains are consistent with the tropical niche conservatism hypothesis, which predicts that communities in areas with lower temperature and precipitation would have lower phylogenetic diversity and dispersion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Garden thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) is an annual herbaceous plant of the family Lamiaceae. It can be found both in the wild and as a cultivated plant in Bulgaria. This study is aimed at assessing the garden thyme essential oil composition and antioxidant activities, which were collected from three different areas in Bulgaria. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The main compounds in the garden thyme essential oils (over 2%) were as follows: thymol (42.88–53.55%), p-cymene (14.25–25.51%), γ-terpinene (6.58–15.51%), borneol (2.75–3.57%), carvacrol (2.00–3.02%), β-linalool (2.07–2.31%), cis-sabinene hydrate (4.05%), eucalyptol (1.08–3.65%), α-terpinene (1.01–3.24%), carvacrol methyl ether (1.18–3.02%), and thymol methyl ether (2.26–3.16%). The oils were mainly composed of oxygenated phenyl propanoids, and all the essential oils belonged to the chemotype thymol. Antioxidant activities were measured by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical) and ABTS [2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] assays. All the samples exhibited antioxidant activity relative to the DPPH radical (from 143.20 mM TE/mL to 165.91 mM TE/mL) and by the ABTS method (from 121.67 mM TE/mL to 127.62 mM TE/mL). These garden thyme essential oils could be used as natural antioxidants for food and as nutraceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perilla (Perilla frutescens L.) is an annual herbaceous plant whose seed oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). This oil exhibits various health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering, hypoglycemic, neuroprotective and immunomodulatory activities. In addition, incorporating perilla oil into a diet can effectively increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiota. However, perilla oil is prone to oxidation, which reduces its nutritional value and lowers its bioavailability. To address these issues, encapsulation technologies such as emulsions, oleogels, liposomes and microcapsules have been employed, showing promising results. Nonetheless, further research is needed to fully elucidate the underlying mechanisms of perilla seed oil's health effects, validate its benefits through large-scale human clinical trials and optimize encapsulation techniques. Future investigations should also explore the synergistic effects of combining perilla seed oil with other functional components and its role in modulating gut microbiota to achieve comprehensive health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mentha longifolia (L.) L., also known as wild mint, is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. This study aimed to investigate the effects of essential oil of M. longifolia (MLEO) on oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in the liver and kidneys in the context of drug-induced liver injury caused by the anti-TB drugs rifampicin, isoniazid, and pyrazinamide (INH-RIF-PZA). The chemical composition of MLEO was characterized using GC/MS analysis, which revealed the presence of pulegone, trans-p-menthan-3-one, piperitenone, and β-caryophyllene as its major volatile constituents. An INH/RIF/PZA mixture was administered to Wistar rats for 30 days, and silymarin was administered as a standard drug. MLEO was administered p.o. at doses of 50 mg and 100 mg/kg b.w. Both doses of the MLEO therapy effectively regulated all biochemical indicators of hepatic impairment and reduced the damage caused by the INH/RIF/PZA mixture. It may be deduced that MLEO has the ability to protect organs against INH/RIF/PZA-induced damage and could potentially be a valuable natural remedy for treating anti-TB-induced liver and kidney injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is an herbaceous plant that contains a phytochemical which is bright yellow and is known as curcumin. Turmeric, a member of Zingiberaceae family, has extensive application worldwide due to its beneficial medicinal attributes and is extensively used as a medicinal plant. Most people use turmeric as a spice, and it is a chief source of polyphenol curcumin. Curcuma longa has therapeutic properties, and since the initial extraction of curcumin from this plant, it has gained prodigious consideration from scientists in the medical field. The biological properties of curcumin, also known as 1,7‐bis (4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)‐1,6‐heptadiene‐3,5‐dione, or diferuloylmethane, include anti‐inflammatory, anti‐oxidant, anti‐cancer, anti‐asthmatic, anti‐arthritic, neuroprotective, anti‐diabetic, anti‐obesity, wound‐healing, hepatoprotective, skin curative, reproductive role, etc. This work has reviewed many clinical trials and their findings about these activities. The focus of this review manuscript is concentrated on the presently existing clinical and animal studies, which exposed the possible anti‐retroviral activities of curcumin and its by‐products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biotic interactions are crucial for determining the structure and dynamics of communities; however, direct measurement of these interactions can be challenging in terms of time and resources, especially when numerous species are involved. Inferring species interactions from species co‐occurrence patterns is increasingly being used; however, recent studies have highlighted some limitations. To our knowledge, no attempt has been made to test the accuracy of the existing methods for detecting mutualistic interactions in terrestrial ecosystems. In this study, we compiled two literature‐based, long‐term datasets of interactions between butterflies and herbaceous plant species in two regions of Germany and compared them with observational abundance and presence/absence data collected within a year in the same regions. We tested how well the species associations generated by three different co‐occurrence analysis methods matched those of empirically measured mutualistic associations using sensitivity and specificity analyses and compared the strength of associations. We also checked whether flower abundance data (instead of plant abundance data) increased the accuracy of the co‐occurrence models and validated our results using empirical flower visitation data. The results revealed that, although all methods exhibited low sensitivity, our implementation of the Relative Interaction Intensity index with pairwise null models performed the best, followed by the probabilistic method and Spearman's rank correlation method. However, empirical data showed a significant number of interactions that were not detected using co‐occurrence methods. Incorporating flower abundance data did not improve sensitivity but enhanced specificity in one region. Further analysis demonstrated incongruence between the predicted co‐occurrence associations and actual interaction strengths, with many pairs exhibiting high interaction strength but low co‐occurrence or vice versa. These findings underscore the complexity of ecological dynamics and highlight the limitations of current co‐occurrence methods for accurately capturing species interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: The ecological conditions that constrain plants to an environmental niche are assumed to be constant through time. While the fossil record has been used previously to test for niche conservatism of woody flowering plants, additional studies are needed in other plant groups especially since they can provide insight with paleoclimatic reconstructions, high biodiversity in modern terrestrial ecosystems, and significant contributions to agriculture. Methods: We tested climatic niche conservatism across time by characterizing the climatic niches of living herbaceous ginger plants (Zingiberaceae) and woody dawn redwood (Metasequoia) against paleoniches reconstructed based on fossil distribution data and paleoclimatic models. Results: Despite few fossil Zingiberaceae occurrences in the latitudinal tropics, unlike living Zingiberaceae, extinct Zingiberaceae likely experienced paratropical conditions in the higher latitudes, especially in the Cretaceous and Paleogene. The living and fossil distributions of Metasequoia largely remain in the upper latitudes of the northern hemisphere. The Zingiberaceae shifted from an initial subtropical climatic paleoniche in the Cretaceous, toward a temperate regime in the late Cenozoic; Metasequoia occupied a more consistent climatic niche over the same time intervals. Conclusions: Because of the inconsistent climatic niches of Zingiberaceae over geologic time, we are less confident of using them for taxonomic‐based paleoclimatic reconstruction methods like nearest living relative, which assume a consistent climatic niche between extant and extinct relatives; we argue that the consistent climatic niche of Metasequoia is more appropriate for these reconstructions. Niche conservatism cannot be assumed between extant and extinct plants and should be tested further in groups used for paleoclimatic reconstructions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Clonal growth is widespread among herbaceous plants, and helps them to cope with environmental heterogeneity through resource integration via connecting clonal organs. Such integration is considered to balance heterogeneity by translocation of resources from rich to poor patches. However, such an 'equalization' strategy is only one of several possible strategies. Under certain conditions, a strategy emphasizing acropetal movement and exploration of new areas or a strategy of accumulating resources in older ramets may be preferred. The optimal strategy may be determined by environmental conditions, such as resource availability and level of light competition. We aimed to summarize possible translocation strategies in a conceptual analysis and to examine translocation in two species from different habitats. Methods Resource translocation was compared between two closely related species from different habitats with contrasting productivity. The study examined the bidirectional translocation of carbon and nitrogen in pairs of mother and daughter ramets grown under light heterogeneity (one ramet shaded) at two developmental stages using stable-isotope labelling. Key Results At the early developmental stage, both species translocated resources towards daughters and the translocation was modified by shading. Later, the species of low-productivity habitats, Fragaria viridis , translocated carbon to shaded ramets (both mother and daughter), according to the 'equalization' strategy. In contrast, the species of high-productivity habitats, Potentilla reptans , did not support shaded mother ramets. Nitrogen translocation remained mainly acropetal in both species. Conclusions The two studied species exhibited different translocation strategies, which may be linked to the habitat conditions experienced by each species. The results indicate that we need to consider different possible strategies. We emphasize the importance of bidirectional tracing in translocation studies and the need for further studies to investigate the translocation patterns in species from contrasting habitats using a comparative approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil microbial mutualists like rhizobia bacteria can promote the establishment of rare, late‐successional legumes. Despite restoration efforts, these mutualists are often absent in the microbiome. Therefore, restoring this mutualism by directly inoculating rare legumes with rhizobia mutualists may increase plant establishment. We inoculated seedlings of Amorpha canescens, Dalea purpurea, and Lespedeza capitata with three strains of species‐specific rhizobia each to investigate how this mutualism would promote growth in the field and in the greenhouse. Because many herbaceous plants are vulnerable to herbivory, we used exclosures for half of our field transplantations to prevent mammalian herbivory. We did not find that rhizobia bacteria directly promoted the growth of our legumes in the field but rather that herbivory and environmental conditions overwhelmed the effects of the rhizobia. Of the plants transplanted, only 17.78% of 180 survived to the end of the growing season, all of which were protected from herbivory. Survival at the end of the growing season was also greater in the northern, drier end of the field site. In the second growing season, plants were more likely to survive in the exclosure treatment, while only four recovered in the open treatment. In the greenhouse, we found increased nodulation with inoculations, supporting the hypothesis that species‐specific mutualists are absent from restoration sites. Though several recent studies have shown that restoring mutualistic interactions has the potential to dramatically improve the outcomes of ecological restoration, our results show that protecting rare species from herbivory after transplantation might achieve greater gains in establishment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a study to characterize the nutritional composition of the main aquatic herbaceous plants in two protected areas within the Central Amazon. Our investigation aimed to evaluate possible nutritional variations in these plant species between two floodplains contrasting in fertility throughout the annual hydrological cycle and to examine if such differences might influence Amazonian manatee migration patterns. Plant samples were collected during high water levels (2007), receding water levels (2013), and low water levels (2008). Bromatological analysis was employed to characterize various nutritional parameters including dry matter, moisture, crude protein, fat, mineral matter, non-nitrogenous extract, and digestible energy. Our findings revealed no significant variations in nutritional contents between herbaceous plants from várzea and igapó environments. However, nutrient compositions varied within each floodplain type across different hydrological periods. High levels of fat and crude fiber observed in both environments during high and receding water periods suggest an energetic contribution to the manatee's reproductive, migratory, and feeding restrictions. Nonetheless, irrespective of hydrological periods and environmental types, Amazonian manatees appear to have assess to aquatic plants with adequate nutritional requirements. Thus, migrations may be more closely associated with physical constraints of the environments rather than solely driven by the animal's feeding demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The broad negative effects of land-use conversion for agriculture on wildlife species are well known, but few studies have evaluated how different land-use types impact spatiotemporal patterns and trophic strategy of large carnivores. We conducted sign surveys for the Asiatic black bear, a critically endangered subspecies in southeastern Iran. We applied Bayesian occupancy modelling and quantified spatiotemporal determinants of black bear occurrence as a function of date palms, distance to agriculture, elevation, precipitation, and protected area (PA) size. We also investigated its diet composition based on scat (n = 150) analyses. Date palm area size (β = 2.07; 95 % Credible Interval = 0.67 to 3.89) and distance to croplands had a strong and significant (β = −1.06, 95 % CrI = −2.10 to −0.20) influence on the occupancy. Elevation, precipitation, village density, and PA size did not substantially influence occupancy. Black bear detection probability became 100 % only above 14 km survey effort, indicating its overall rarity, and bears were much more easily detected during and after rainfall. Bears mainly relied on date palms (41 %) followed by herbaceous plants (24.6 %), insects (15 %), wild mammals (6.4 %), wild fruits (5.6 %), livestock (4.9 %) and other vertebrates (2.5 %, e.g., birds). Most of the predicted bear occupancy was outside PAs and thus suggests a high likelihood of human-bear conflicts. Presumably, resource density is insufficient to support bears inside PAs, but information concerning resource density is currently lacking. Our results showed that the agricultural landscape provided an important feeding (46 %) area for bears. Consequently, effective conservation programs such as the protection of abandoned date palm groves as a conflict-free food source are necessary. Practical training such as protective measures against crop-raiding behavior of bears would be essential to foster the tolerance of people toward bears and thus can help facilitate coexistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocimum basilicum L. is a multipurpose plant species used in the horticultural sector as a medicinal, herbaceous and ornamental plant. In our experiment, the Hungarian cultivar O. basilicum Rokokó was treated with algae (Ecklonia maxima (Osbeck) Papenf.), horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.) extracts and humic extracts. The effect of the biostimulants on the groups was assessed by morphological (leaf number, leaf area, fresh green mass, fresh root mass), histological (number of volatile oil glands) and physiological (chlorophyll content, peroxidase enzyme activity, proline levels) measurements. Obtained results were evaluated and it was concluded that the plants treated with algae and E. arvense extracts showed remarkable results for all the parameters measured. It was concluded that these extracts can be used as biostimulants in the cultivation of basil seedlings as ornamental plants, as they have a beneficial effect on the development of the plant. The humic extracts were less effective during the time period studied, probably due to their high molecular weight, which would have resulted in a longer absorption time. For the humic extracts, foliar application was less effective than irrigation, probably due to rapid damping-off, which reduced the penetration of humic extracts into the leaves. Though morphological characteristics are especially important for basil used as an ornamental plant, the plant's essential oil content can also be important in attracting attention in urban plantings. It was found that humic extracts applied (22.8 pcs/sampling area) with irrigation had a strong effect on essential oil glands, in contrast when used as a spray (13.1 pcs/sampling area). The lowest stress levels were obtained in the group treated with irrigated humus extracts (274.96 µg/mg), which may be related to the continuous supply of nutrients, and in the group treated with E. arvense extract, silicon (219.05 µg/mg) may be the result of hermetic effects. In conclusion, E. arvense and algae extracts can be effective biostimulants in the horticultural sector for the seedling production of ornamental basil, and after a longer growing period, humic extracts can be used effectively by irrigation after planting. The use of natural extracts can also give a green light to this segment for sustainable and environmentally friendly cultivation, which can also better resist the effects of climate change and urbanisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Native garden plants significantly contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem functions in urban environments. This study aimed to identify the physiochemical differences among native herbaceous plants subjected to drought or salinity stress and to assess their potential as garden plants adaptable to outdoor conditions and global climate change. Physiological parameters, such as chlorophyll (SD; −86.7% and −61.5%, SS: −85% and −76.5%) and carotenoid (SD; −84.5% and −58.3%, SS; −80.5% and −76%), decreased in Melica grandiflora and Carex forficula in severe drought or salinity treatment. In contrast, Carex boottiana maintained high water-use efficiency (SD: +97.5%, SS: +262.9%) under severe drought or salinity conditions, with no significant changes observed in chlorophyll (SD: +9.5%, SS: −3.7%) or carotenoid levels (SD: +35.2%, SS: +0.3%) compared to the WW or UT conditions. Biochemical analyses indicated that C. boottiana exhibited lower or slightly higher levels of malondialdehyde in SS (−22.5%) and reactive oxygen species such as O2− (SD: +9.9%; SS: −9.4%) than those observed in the other species under severe stress conditions. Principal component analysis revealed clear differences in tolerance levels among the native species. C. boottiana demonstrated high adaptability to both drought and salinity stress, indicating its potential as a sustainable and resilient garden material for urban landscapes facing severe climatic challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both annual (cotton, flax, hemp, etc.) and perennial (trees and grasses) plants can serve as a source of cellulose for fiber production. In recent years, the perennial herbaceous plant miscanthus has attracted particular interest as a popular industrial plant with enormous potential. This industrial crop, which contains up to 57% cellulose, serves as a raw material in the chemical and biotechnology sectors. This study proposes for the first time the utilization of miscanthus, namely Miscanthus Giganteus "KAMIS", to generate spinning solutions in N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide. Miscanthus cellulose's properties were identified using standard methods for determining the constituent composition, including also IR and atomic emission spectroscopy. The dry-jet wet method was used to make fibers from cellulose solutions with an appropriate viscosity/elasticity ratio. The structural characteristics of the fibers were studied using IR and scanning electron microscopy, as well as via X-ray structural analysis. The mechanical and thermal properties of the novel type of hydrated cellulose fibers demonstrated the possibility of producing high-quality fibers from miscanthus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lakeshore buffer zones serve as transitional areas between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, playing a crucial role in intercepting non-point source pollutants, purifying river and lake water, and maintaining ecological system dynamics. This study focuses on the vegetation of the lakeshore buffer zone in Songhua Lake, the largest artificial lake in Northeast China. The nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) pollutant contents and accumulation characteristics of herbaceous plants were investigated and analyzed in different regions and with different species. The study results indicate that there were no significant differences in N and P content, N: P ratio, and average accumulation among vegetation in the near-water, middle, and far lakeshores of the buffer area. The herbaceous plants with the highest N and P content and N: P ratios were Artemisia sieversiana, Sium suave, and Artemisia sieversiana, respectively. Purus frumentum planted in the middle lakeshore accumulated the highest amounts of N and P, reaching 87.97 g plant−1 and 3.86 g plant−1, respectively. The aboveground parts of plants showed significantly higher accumulation of N and P compared to the underground parts. The average enrichment coefficient for aboveground parts and underground parts for N were 4.83 and 4.35, respectively, all exceeding 1. However, their capability to enrich P was relatively weak, with only the aboveground parts of F − 3 showing some enrichment ability. Among herbaceous plants, Artemisia sieversiana and Sium suave exhibited the strongest capability for transporting N and P from underground to aboveground. Overall, harvesting aboveground biomass for the ecological removal of N and P in the study area appears feasible. Biomass is a critical factor influencing the nutrient interception capacity of vegetation, with Purus frumentum identified as an optimal restoration plant for sustainable management practices, and Artemisia sieversiana and Sium suave have the potential for rapid remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The most bothersome weed in rice fields in the Indonesian province of West Java is Monochoria vaginalis (Burm. F.) C. Presl, an aquatic herbaceous plant. Metsulfuron-methyl has long been used in wetland rice in West Java with a high enough intensity. However, the case of Monochoria vaginalis resistance to metsulfuron-methyl herbicides in Indonesia has not been widely reported and investigated. The study aims to (1) classify the resistance level of M. vaginalis toward metsulfuron-methyl, (2) identify Target Site Resistance (TSR) mechanism mutations in the MvALS1 gene of the resistant biotype of M. vaginalis. The Whole Plant Pot Test method was utilized to assess the resistance level of Monochoria vaginalis. Following that, all samples were subjected to DNA sequencing using the PCR method to identify mutations in the MvALS1 gene from the resistant biotype. After then, this study used DUET, a server with an integrated computational methodology, to anticipate the effect of mutations on protein stability. The result showed that Monochoria vaginalis from Rawamerta, Karawang showed a moderate level of resistance to metsulfuron-methyl with a resistance ratio of 6.00, Patokbeusi, Subang showed a low level of resistance to metsulfuron-methyl with a resistance ratio of 3.89, compared to susceptible Monochoria vaginalis. Nucleotide base alignment in the MvALS1 gene revealed that base substitutions occurred in the Monochoria vaginalis biotype from Rawamerta and Patokbeusi, resulting in 5 amino acid substitutions: Ser-64-Ala, Asp-66-Glu, Asn-240-Asp, Glu-426-Asn, and Ser-469-Asn and Sukra: Ser-64-Ala, Asp-66-Glu, and Asn-240-Asp. The analysis showed that S64A, D66E, and N240D stabilize the protein, whereas E426N and S469N destabilize it. This study confirms for the first time that Ser-64-Ala, Asn-240-Asp, and Glu-426-Asn amino acid mutations were found in cases of M. vaginalis resistance to metsulfuron-methyl (ALS inhibitor). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apodemus agrarius is a typical harmful rat in agriculture and forestry. This study focuses on the characteristics of plant food resource utilization of A. agrarius. The rat samples were captured by snap traps in broad-leaved mixed forest of Sandaoguan Forestry Farm in the eastern part of Zhangguangcailing in summer (June-August 2020) and autumn (September-November 2020), respectively. The diet composition of A. agrarius was analyzed by DNA metabarcoding method. The results showed that A. agrarius mainly fed on herbaceous plants in summer. The food resources consisted of 21 species belong to 19 genera of 14 families, and the main components included Echinochloa crus-galli (87. 0%) and Phedimus kamtschaticus (7. 0%). Moreover, the rats mainly fed on arbor fruit in autumn. The food resources consisted of 44 species belong to 40 genera of 15 families, and the main components included Quercus mongolica (48. 3%), Saussurea umbrosa (17. 0%), Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica (7. 9%), and Humulus scandens (6. 2%). A. agrarius fed on 14 plant species in both summer and autumn, mainly Saussurea umbrosa. The results of several biodiversity indices, such as the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H'summer = 0. 50; H'autumn = 0. 83), the Simpson's diversity index (Dsummer = 0. 77; Dautumn = 0. 62) and the Chao1 index (Chao1summer = 12. 29; Chao1autumn = 13. 50), indicated the food composition of A. agrarius was more abundant and higher diverse in autumn than that in summer. This study reveals the characteristics of food resource utilization of A. agrarius in Sandaoguan Forest Farm of Zhangguangcailing in summer and autumn, and provided basic data for scientific rodent control and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lepidium peruvianum—an edible herbaceous biennial plant distributed in the Andes—has been used for centuries as food and as a natural medicine in treating hormonal disorders, as an antidepressant, and as an anti-osteoporotic agent. The presented study aims to prove its beneficial cosmetic and chemopreventive properties by testing the antiradical, whitening, cytotoxic, and anticancer properties of differently colored phenotypes that were extracted using three solvents: methanol, water, and chloroform, with the help of the chemometric approach to provide evidence on the impact of single glucosinolanes (seven identified compounds in the HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS analysis) on the biological activity of the total extracts. The tested extracts exhibited moderate antiradical activity, with the methanolic extract from yellow and grey maca phenotypes scavenging 49.9 ± 8.96% and 48.8% ± 0.44% of DPPH radical solution at a concentration of 1 mg/mL, respectively. Grey maca was the most active tyrosinase inhibitor, with 72.86 ± 3.42% of the enzyme activity calculated for the water extract and 75.66 ± 6.21% for the chloroform extract. The studies in cells showed no cytotoxicity towards the human keratinocyte line HaCaT in all studied extracts and a marked inhibition of cell viability towards the G361 melanoma cell line, which the presence of pent-4-enylglucosinolate, glucotropaeolin, and glucoalyssin in the samples could have caused. Given all biological activity tests combined, the three mentioned compounds were shown to be the most significant positive contributors to the results obtained, and the grey maca water extract was found to be the best source of the former compound among the tested samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates for the first time whether 33 species of annual and perennial herbaceous plants originating from a moderate climate continue to be capable of air filtration of particulate matter (PM) at the end of the growing season. Research was undertaken in November in two urban meadows located in trafficked areas of Białystok (Poland). The study reveals that despite the lateness in the season, tested species remained capable of PM accumulation. Deposition of total PM exceeding 100 μg·cm−2 was found on S. vulgaris, S. latifolia, T. pratense, E. vulgare, and A. officinalis. The finest and most toxic fraction was accumulated most effectively by S. latifolia, E. vulgare, and L. vulgare (>12 μg·cm−2). Taraxacum officinale and M. sylvestris retained c. 60% of PM in their epicuticular wax. A slight significant correlation was found between rosette growth pattern and deposition of total PM on foliage, while the accumulation of the finest fraction was correlated with a simple leaf shape. These results support the usefulness of urban meadows as long-lasting air bio-filters provided that their composition includes species that have a confirmed, prolonged PM accumulation capacity and that the meadow is not mown in autumn. NOVELTY STATEMENT: This is the first time that the PM accumulation capacity of urban meadow species at the end of the vegetative season has been evaluated in real-life conditions. Evidence of prolonged PM deposition on herbaceous plants was obtained. To enhance PM mitigation in cities located in moderate climate zones, it is proposed that a selection of species be sown in urban meadows. HIGHLIGHTS: Evaluation of the PM accumulation capacity of 33 plant species at the end of the vegetative season. Herbaceous plants filtered the air effectively despite the lateness in the season. Unmown urban meadows provide long-lasting protection from PM in cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on assessing the phyto-diversity of forest sites in the Nawada district of Bihar, India, documenting 204 species from 171 genera and 63 families. It identifies the most diverse sites across different vegetation layers, with Pichali Upparisar showing the highest diversity in the tree layer, and Tulsiahari Forest and Pachbahni Forest being the most diverse in the shrubby and herbaceous layers, respectively.

Herbaceous plants influence soil hydraulic conductivity by changing soil macropore structure through their root systems, but the effects of different root types on macropore structure have yet to be clarified. In this study, soil column experiments were conducted to investigate temporal variations in soil macropores and saturated hydraulic conductivity, as influenced by herbaceous plants with fibrous roots (Cynodon dactylon) and taproots (Medicago sativa L.). Computed tomography (CT) scanning was used to quantify soil macropore indices, and the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) was measured from April to November after 3, 5, and 7 months of sowing. The results showed that both soil macropore indices and Ks increased with grass growth. The taproots had macroporosity (MP), macropore diameter (MD), and global connectivity (Γ) values that were 1.94, 2.76, and 2.45 times higher than fibrous roots, which are more efficient at increasing the number of soil macropores (PN). This resulted in higher Ks values for the fibrous roots during the experimental period than for the taproot herbs. For both plants, the top 5 cm of soil had a higher macropore index and Ks values than the bottom layer. The Ks for fibrous roots was most closely related to PN. On the other hand, Ks for the taproot soil column was most closely related to MP and MD. Based on a combination of soil macropore indices, functions were established to predict Ks values for fibrous root and taproot herbaceous plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erodium cicutarium is an annual herbaceous plant valued for its applications in traditional medicine. However, the chloroplast genome of E. cicutarium has yet to be reported. In this study, we assembled chloroplast genomes of Erodium cicutarium using Illumina sequencing reads. The chloroplast genome was 114,652 bp long, harbored 111 complete genes, and its overall GC content was 39.1%. In Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) trees, the 13 Erodium species divided into three main clades, with E. cicutarium and E. carvifolium forming a monophyletic group, suggesting a close relationship between the two species. The E. cicutarium cp genome presented in this study lays a good foundation for the Erodium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silvopastoral systems may provide important production and environmental benefits. The loss of cool-season (C3) grasses from temperate grazed native grasslands is associated with selective grazing and excessive solar radiation that limit their survival. Silvopastoral systems integrate trees with grasslands that provide shade to both cattle and herbaceous plants, potentially favoring C3 species. There is limited information about the effect of trees on the species and functional composition of native grasslands in the Campos biome in South America. The objective of this study was to detect gradients in the botanical composition of grasslands as affected by changes in the shade associated with distance to the trees and cardinal orientation in three situations defined by the combination of soil and tree species (Prosopis on Solonetz, Acacia on Brunisols, and Eucalyptus on Brunisols). Soil cover of the herbaceous species under trees was recorded in double transects located in the four cardinal directions. In all situations there were changes in pasture composition in the different shaded regions (total shade, partial shade, or full sun). Under the canopy, there was an increase of cool-season grasses such as Bromus catharticus Vahl, Lolium multiflorum Lam., Stipa hyalina (Nees) Barkworth, and S. setigera J.Presl. At greater distances from trees, cover of warm-season grasses, such as Axonopus affinis Chase and Paspalum notatum Flueggé increased. These gradients suggest that trees in silvopastoral systems can increase the abundance of cool-season species and potentially improve the forage nutritive value of the native pasture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mentha arvensis is an herbaceous plant commonly known as peppermint or Japanese mint. This study investigated the toxic potential and repellent efficacy of M. arvensis essential oil (MaEO) at varying concentrations (15.625–250 mg/mL) in Nauphoeta cinerea, along with its impact on biochemical parameters in N. cinerea. The potential of the major compounds as a new analgesic target was investigated using molecular docking. The essential oil was analyzed by gas Chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and the toxic potential, repellent property, and changes in lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels were evaluated as markers of oxidative stress. GC–MS results revealed that the main components were oxygenated monoterpenes such as menthol (71.31%), mentone (13.34%) and isomentone (5.35%). MaEO significantly reduced lipid peroxidation (LPO), the levels of non-protein thiols and iron(II) at the concentration of 125 mg/mL in N. cinerea. Furthermore, the major components, l-(−)-Menthol and menthone demonstrated high gastrointestinal absorption and high affinity with the target protein, suggesting possible links that contribute to the analgesic effect of MaEO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lycoris aurea is a perennial herbaceous plant with important medicinal and ornamental values in the genus Lycoris Herb, the family Amaryllidaceae. The flower has a spider shape with highly exserted stigmas and anthers, which may represent a unique pollination type. In order to explore this type of pollination, we studied its floral characteristics, breeding system, and floral visitors and their behaviors. The results were as follows: (1) The single flower lasted (5.9±0.1) d and the pollen-ovule ratio (P/O) reached about 23 000. The flowers showed reverse herkogamy. On the beginning of flowering, the style and filaments were separated and the angle between them was about 30°. The style gradually moved towards the filaments in the middle and later stages and were finally on the same line with the stigma 2-3 cm higher than the anthers. The stigmas were receptive throughout the flowering period. (2) The breeding system test was self-compatible and bagged flowers cannot set fruit, indicating that pollinators were necessary for pollen transfer. Supplemental hand pollination significantly increased fruit production, indicating the existence of pollen limitation. (3) Four species of swallowtail butterfly were the effective pollinators. Due to the existence of herkogamy in L. aurea, on the beginning of flowering, their hindwings were likely to come into contact with the flattened anthers. Their hindwings might touch the stigma in the middle and later stages and thus the process of pollen transfer was accomplished. In conclusion, this study shows that the uqique floral characteristics of L. aurea are adapted for butterfly wing pollination and also will lay the foundation for its conservation and sustainable utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt stress imposes significant plant limitations, altering their molecular, physiological, and biochemical functions. Pepper, a valuable herbaceous plant species of the Solanaceae family, is particularly susceptible to salt stress. This study aimed to elucidate the physiological and molecular mechanisms that contribute to the development of salt tolerance in two pepper species (Capsicum baccatum (moderate salt tolerant) and Capsicum chinense (salt sensitive)) through a transcriptome and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) approach to provide detailed insights. A continuous increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels in C. chinense and higher activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) in C. baccatum indicated more tissue damage in C. chinense than in C. baccatum. In transcriptome analysis, we identified 39 DEGs related to salt stress. Meanwhile, KEGG pathway analysis revealed enrichment of MAPK and hormone signaling pathways, with six DEGs each. Through WGCNA, the ME.red module was identified as positively correlated. Moreover, 10 genes, A-ARR (CQW23_24856), CHIb (CQW23_04881), ERF1b (CQW23_08898), PP2C (CQW23_15893), ABI5 (CQW23_29948), P450 (CQW23_16085), Aldedh1 (CQW23_06433), GDA (CQW23_12764), Aldedh2 (CQW23_14182), and Aldedh3 (CQW23_11481), were validated by qRT-PCR. This study provides valuable insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying salt stress tolerance in pepper. It offers potential targets for future breeding efforts to enhance salt stress resilience in this crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of the Linear Pottery Culture (LBK) during the Neolithic period within Polish territory 5400–4900 BC, introduced plant cultivation, yet the definitive list of cultivated species remains debated. This study examines plant assemblages (fruits, seeds, pollen, and spores) from the LBK settlement in Biskupice, southern Poland, aiming to identify cultivated and wild species used during the development of the first stable settlements in the Carpathian Foothills. Due to extensive sampling, Biskupice yielded over 11,000 macroscopic plant specimens, enabling detailed analysis of plant diversity, distribution, and implications for agrarian and dietary practices. The analysis revealed a focus on emmer and einkorn wheat cultivation, with barley playing a minor role, alongside evidence of flax and pulses. Radiocarbon dating supported the settlement's existence in the 6th millennium BCE, and confirmed the use of barley. However, a younger date excluded bread wheat cultivation at this site. The plant assemblage included a diverse array of herbaceous wild plants like black bindweed, fat hen and brome species, suggesting their economic use. Additionally, the presence of cockspur grass, linked with Southeast Asia, indicates alternative migration routes of weeds in Europe, as supported by radiocarbon dating. Palynological analysis suggests existence of nearby cereal plots or the processing of cereals at the settlement, supporting archaeological evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct seeding is a reforestation technique that allows introducing a great variety of tree species in degraded areas with less logistics, but tree establishment rates are usually low because developing plants do not tolerate the high sun exposure, extreme temperatures, and low soil moisture that prevail in these habitats. This leads to the proposal that seeds should be planted beneath shrubs or herbaceous plants that ameliorate harsh abiotic conditions, although this can also trigger interspecific competition and impair the performance of developing trees. This study aimed to test these proposals in dry forests in northwest Argentina. For this, seeds of two shade‐tolerant trees and a heliophilous tree, native to this region, were sowed beneath the canopy of pioneer shrubs and in open spaces with and without herbaceous plants. After 2 years, our findings indicated that shade‐tolerant trees performed better beneath shrub canopies, while the heliophilous tree achieved higher establishment rates in the open spaces. Nevertheless, it seems that herbaceous plants compete with the tree seedlings and, therefore, they should be removed before conducting reforestation programs. Thus, we propose that direct seeding could be an efficient reforestation strategy, but the regeneration autecology of the tree species selected for this task, as well as their competitive ability in the face of the pioneer vegetation, must be carefully evaluated before seeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chrysanthemum morifolium is a perennial herbaceous plant in the Asteraceae family that is used as a medicine and food owing to its superior pharmacological properties. Irrespective of its application, C. morifolium must be dried before use. Shade drying (YG) and heat drying (HG) are the two drying methods used in most origins. Given the abundance of flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids, the primary medicinal active constituents of C. morifolium, it is important to determine whether the composition and content of these compounds are altered during the drying processes. To test this, the changes in the chemical composition of C. morifolium flowers after YG and HG using full-spectrum, non-targeted LC/GC–MS−based metabolomics and, subsequently, the three indicator components of C. morifolium—chlorogenic acid, 3,5−dicaffeoylquinic acid, and luteolin−7−O−glucoside—were accurately quantified by HPLC. The results of the non-targeted metabolomics analysis revealed that YG- and HG-processed C. morifolium differed significantly with respect to chemical contents, especially flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids. The levels of the indicator components and their precursors also differed significantly between the YG and HG treatments. The contents of most of the flavonoids and key phenolic acids, terpenoids, and carbohydrates were higher with YG than with HG pre-treatment. These results revealed the changes in the chemical composition of C. morifolium during the YG and HG processes, thus providing a reference for the further optimization of the production and processing of chrysanthemums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil aggregation, an important indicator of soil restoration in degraded ecosystems, is a fundamental unit of soil structure. However, research on the influence of grass–shrub composites on the distribution of >0.25 mm soil water-stable aggregates (macroaggregates) is scarce. Therefore, this study focuses on the hill and gully region of the Loess Plateau, where vegetation has been well restored since the return of farmland to forests and grasslands. The study investigated the root and macroaggregate distribution characteristics and interrelationships of three widely distributed mixed vegetation types of Caragana korshinskii and Agropyron cristatum (C-AC), C. korshinskii and Bothriochloa ischaemum (C-BI), and C. korshinskii and Artemisia gmelinii (C-AG) in this area. The results indicate that soil macroaggregates decrease with increasing depth. Due to the spatial differences in the distribution of shrub root, the content of macroaggregates at 50 cm from the shrub base was higher than that at the shrub base, with an increase of 25.98%–34.27% in different vegetation associations. In this study, the root length density and root diameter better reflected the influence of roots on the distribution of macroaggregates, and the product of the two had a good power function relationship with the content of macroaggregates (R2 ≥ 0.82, p < 0.01). Grey correlation analysis showed that the influence of root length density on the distribution of large aggregates was greater than that of root diameter. The content of macroaggregates in the vegetation association of taproot herbaceous plants and shrubs was higher than that of fibrous root herbaceous plants. The average soil macroaggregate content in the C-AG was 15.79%–248.6% higher than that in the C-BI and C-AC. In this study, the spatial distribution differences in root caused by shrub growth were the main reason for the spatial heterogeneity of soil macroaggregate content distribution. The improvement ability of soil macroaggregates was higher in the combination of taproot herbaceous plants and shrubs than in the combination of fibrous root herbaceous plants and shrubs. The results of this study can, to some extent, reveal the influence and mechanisms of plant roots on soil aggregates in grass–shrub vegetation association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grasslands are one of the most widespread biomes on Earth. The interaction of UAV LiDAR with grasses and herbaceous plants is an infrequently covered area of research, apart from its utilisation for the estimation of above ground biomass. To evaluate the applicability of LiDAR for monitoring grassland vegetation, two model plots in the arctic-alpine tundra (Krkonoše Mountains, Czech Republic) were selected. Throughout the growing season, UAV LiDAR point clouds (800 points/m2) and multispectral imagery (9 cm) were acquired in monthly intervals, along with reference botanical and terrestrial LiDAR data. The study provides insight into the analysis of compact low-lying vegetation at the species level. A set of experiments was conducted focusing on the analysis of LiDAR information loss, vertical strata, and structural metrics computed over the grass species/communities. Random forest was used to determine the importance of metrics by out-of-bag permutation of predictors and to classify vegetation species using UAV LiDAR-based metrics, as well as image-based digital surface models alone and in fusion with multispectral data. The vertical distribution of the UAV LiDAR points varied significantly between species and throughout the growing season. Loss at the canopy bottoms was apparent, with the lowest points corresponding to dry grass matter rather than relief. Grasslands had the highest penetration capability at the start of the growing season. In terms of metrics, maximum canopy height was the most important. The multitemporal LiDAR-derived structural metrics were able to differentiate (F-1 score above 90%) all the shrubs/trees and dominant grass Calamagrostis villosa. Mixed and low-abundance species were indistinguishable. The overall accuracy scores in a 9 (27) cm grid reached 75.1% (78.1) and 63.5% (66.4) for Bílá louka meadow and Úpské rašeliniště bog, respectively. Fusing the LiDAR-derived features with multispectral imagery did not enhance the classification results apart from the delineation of shrubs and trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Cuscuta sp. (Dodder), known as “Ikşut”, is a parasitic herbaceous plant that negatively affects the yield and quality of cultivated crops; however, it has been used as an ancient medicinal plant for curing liver problems for centuries in the southeastern part of Turkey. The aim of this study was to investigate the total phenolic and flavonoid contents and mineral compositions of Cuscuta monogyna Vahl. subsp. monogyna Vahl. (CMM) grown on different host plants, along with their antioxidant activity, and to compare the host plant parts and their collected dodders. Methods: In this study, dodders were collected from host plants, including vineyardolive, pomegranate, green pepper, and liquorice in Turkey. The dodders were removed from their hosts before the drying process. Mineral contents were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Optical Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and phytochemical contents were identified by chromatography. The total polyphenolic compositions and antioxidant activities were determined spectrophotometrically. Results: Because of the phenolic contents in the host plants and dodders, a significant variation was observed, with values ranging from 5.175% to 35.238%.. Different plant extracts and their varied dilutions had radical scavenging activity on 2.2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl in the ranges of 57.78 - 95.87%. Variations in mineral compositions were also determined in the dodders and their host plants. Conclusion: Mutualist or semi-parasitic plant communities share many phytochemical compounds and thus have the potential to exhibit similar activities. With regard to the obtained results, the chemical composition and pharmacological activities of dodder plants are closely related to their host plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detecting changes in the phenological responses of herbaceous species as a function of predicted climate change is important for forecasting future scenarios for the functioning of dry tropical forests, especially when predicting an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme droughts. Because of the sensitivity of plants to water availability, our study hypothesizes that if years become drier or wetter, herbaceous plants will synchronously change the onset, duration, and intensity of their vegetative phenophases.We used a historical series of 60 years of precipitation observations for the Caatinga vegetation to define daily average of precipitation for rainy (Twet), median (Tcontrol), and dry (Tdry) years. We simulated past average daily rainfall (Twet, Tcontrol, and Tdry) while growing two herbaceous perennials and two herbaceous annuals. We monitored plant growth and measured the activity (absence or presence) and intensity of vegetative phenophases. We used circular statistical analysis to assess differences between treatments.Our results revealed that leaf production was seasonal but relatively uniform for perennial species and highly seasonal (wet season) for annual species. Simulated dry years induced lower leaf emergence concentrated over a few months in annual species, but this effect was more strongly significant in one of the two perennial species. Both annual and perennial species can experience delayed and less intense leaf abscission during the rainy season in years with below‐average precipitation. In contrast, large voluminous rains in years with above‐average precipitation can accelerate and intensify the process of leaf renewal.If future precipitation reductions occur, the changes in phenological response indicate that the cover of annual and perennial herbaceous species in this study will likely decrease, altering the landscape and functioning of dry tropical forests. However, the potential trade‐offs observed may help populations of these species to persist during years of severe drought in the Caatinga. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea L.), which is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, is extensively cultivated because of its medicinal applications. However, in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China, purple coneflowers in the field exhibited symptoms such as mottle, mosaic, and crinkle. This study aimed to explore the biological and molecular characteristics of the cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) infecting the purple coneflowers in China. We observed isometric particles approximately 30 nm in diameter in the symptomatic leaf specimens. Infection with the CMV was confirmed via high-throughput sequencing and RT-PCR validation. Mechanical inoculation assays demonstrated that the CMV-SGJ isolate could infect both Nicotiana benthamiana and Nicotiana tabacum. Three viral genomic components were identified: RNA1 with 3321 nucleotides, RNA2 with 3048 nucleotides, and RNA3 with 2209 nucleotides. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the CMV-SGJ isolate clustered into phylogenetic subgroup IA, exhibiting a nucleotide identity of 92.2–95% with subgroup IA CMV isolates in GenBank. This report is the first documentation of the complete genome of the CMV infecting purple flowers in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stems of some herbaceous species can undergo basal secondary growth, leading to a continuum in the degree of woodiness along the stem. Whether the formation of secondary growth in the stem base results in differences in embolism resistance between the base and the upper portions of stems is unknown. We assessed the embolism resistance of leaves and the basal and upper portions of stems simultaneously within the same individuals of two divergent herbaceous species that undergo secondary growth in the mature stem bases. The species were Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) and Senecio minimus (fireweed). Basal stem in mature plants of both species displayed advanced secondary growth and greater resistance to embolism than the upper stem. This also resulted in significant vulnerability segmentation between the basal stem and the leaves in both species. Greater embolism resistance in the woodier stem base was found alongside decreases in the pith‐to‐xylem ratio, increases in the proportion of secondary xylem, and increases in lignin content. We show that there can be considerable variation in embolism resistance across the stem in herbs and that this variation is linked to the degree of secondary growth present. A gradient in embolism resistance across the stem in herbaceous plants could be an adaptation to ensure reproduction or basal resprouting during episodes of drought late in the lifecycle. Summary statement: The basal stems of some herbs undergo secondary growth as plants get older, leading to a continuum in woodiness and embolism resistance along the stem. Greater embolism resistance occurs alongside decreases in the pith‐to‐xylem ratio and increases in secondary xylem and lignin content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] The aims of this study are to reveal the effects of different herb roots on soil permeability in local dump sites, to clarify the optimal index for predicting the improvement of soil permeability by herbaceous plant roots, to obtain the optimal diameter grade of herbaceous plant roots to improve soil permeability, so as to provide an important basis for the selection of ecological restoration plants in the dump. [Methods] Haizhou open pit dump was taken as the study site. The axial root type of Viola philippica, the tiller root type of Izeris polycephala and the rhizome root type of Triglochin palustris were the objects of the study. The root distribution characteristics of three kinds of roots in different soil depths were quantified by image pixel conversion method. Combined with the penetration test, the permeability parameters of the undisturbed root-soil complex of three herbaceous plants were obtained. The relationship between root distribution parameters and permeability parameters of the root-soil complex was explored. [Results] All three herbs can improve soil permeability. Compared with plain soil the initial infiltration rate, steady infiltration rate. average infiltration rate and total infiltration rate of axial, rhizoid and tillering root soil composites increase by 82.23%~254.99%, 85.59%~307.63%, 72.02%~325.91% and 62.93%~ 246.98%, respectively. The root length density and root surface area density of the three herbaceous roots are linearly correlated with the permeability parameters of the root soil complex, and the correlation of root surface area density is stronger than that of root length density. The enhancement effect of three kinds of roots on soil permeability is mainly attributed to the diameter class of 0.5 mm

Lignin is part of the lignocellulosic biomass found in hardwoods, softwoods, and herbaceous plants. It is isolated by fractionation and pulping processes, where it is considered a waste product and is mainly burned to generate electricity and heat. However, lignin is a biopolymer that can be a source of many chemicals of significant value after treatments of functionalisation or depolymerisation. The main processes for its valorisation require solubilisation in organic solvents, which may affect the process's mass balance and the biopolymer's chemical structure, as lignins are rarely completely soluble in organic solvents. In this research, two industrial Kraft lignins derived from softwood and hardwood were treated using different green organic solvents (2-methyl tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydrofuran, 1-methoxy-2-propanol, and acetone), measuring the soluble and insoluble content to determine the mass balance, and the solubility was evaluated using Hansen parameters and FTIR. The results showed that both lignins were more soluble in tetrahydrofuran and 1-methoxy-2-propanol. Also, tetrahydrofuran performed better than the 2-methyl tetrahydrofuran, which is considered the green alternative. The reason can be explained using the Hansen solubility parameters. Moreover, the solubilised fractions showed similar FTIR spectra. The same is the case for the insoluble parts. In conclusion, the two lignins studied showed different solubilities in absolute values in organic solvents, but the trends were similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achillea cucullata is a perennial herbaceous plant that has a long history of medical use in many cultures. The present research focuses on the biological activity and therapeutic potential of A. cucullata, namely its antibacterial and anticancer properties. While previous studies have shed light on the cytotoxic and antibacterial capabilities of Achillea cucullata aerial parts, there is still a considerable gap in knowledge concerning the anticancer potential of leaf and flower extracts. A. cucullata's leaves and flowers were extracted using methanol. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were evaluated. The antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antibacterial properties were evaluated against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis of A. cucullata leaf and flower extracts showed numerous amounts of bioactive components, including carvacrol, a TBDMS derivative; 2-Myristynoyl-glycinamide, acetylaminobenzothiazol-2-yl)-2-(adamantan-1-yl); Isolongifolol; (3E,10Z)-Oxacyclotrideca-3,10-diene-2,7-dione; and 3-Heptanone, 5-hydroxy-1,7-diphenyl. The extract has a high level of phenols and flavonoids. Cytotoxicity studies found that A. cucullata leaves and flowers had dose-dependent toxicity against MCF-7 and HepG2 cancer cell lines, with flowers being more effective. Apoptotic genes (caspase-3, 8, 9, and Bax) were upregulated in treated MCF-7 and HepG2 cells, whereas anti-apoptotic genes (Bcl-xL and Bcl-2) were reduced. Antibacterial screening revealed significant activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. Overall, the research highlights the varied therapeutic potentials of A. cucullata, adding to the knowledge of plant-derived extracts in lowering disease risks. Future research should concentrate on in vivo studies to assess the effectiveness and safety of these substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hibiscus sabdariffa L. is a widely cultivated herbaceous plant with diverse applications in food, tea, fiber, and medicine. In this study, we present a high-quality genome assembly of H. sabdariffa using more than 33 Gb of high-fidelity (HiFi) long-read sequencing data, corresponding to ∼20× depth of the genome. We obtained 3 genome assemblies of H. sabdariffa : 1 primary and 2 partially haplotype-resolved genome assemblies. These genome assemblies exhibit N50 contig lengths of 26.25, 11.96, and 14.50 Mb, with genome coverage of 141.3, 86.0, and 88.6%, respectively. We also utilized 26 Gb of total RNA sequencing data to predict 154k, 79k, and 87k genes in the respective assemblies. The completeness of the primary genome assembly and its predicted genes was confirmed by the benchmarking universal single-copy ortholog analysis with a completeness rate of 99.3%. Based on our high-quality genomic resources, we constructed genetic networks for phenylpropanoid and flavonoid metabolism and identified candidate biosynthetic genes, which are responsible for producing key intermediates of roselle-specific medicinal natural products. Our comprehensive genomic and functional analysis opens avenues for further exploration and application of valuable natural products in H. sabdariffa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic‐auxin herbicides are often used to control woody plants and aid in grassland restoration. Seed‐based restoration is common alongside herbicide applications and there may be unintended effects of these herbicides on dryland plants at the seed and seedling stages. Additionally, abiotic conditions at the time of herbicide application may influence herbicide–soil–plant interactions. We conducted a greenhouse study to examine the effects of a common shrub‐control herbicide mix and its interaction with soil type and a post‐herbicide water pulse on common desert plant seeds and seedlings. In this greenhouse study, we found that a subset of species responded negatively to soil residual herbicide activity of a mixture of aminopyralid, clopyralid, and triclopyr at the seed and seedling stages. Species sensitive to soil herbicide residues were primarily shrub and forb species that are often the target species of herbicide applications for woody plant control, such as honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and creosote bush (Larrea tridentata). However, two shrub species (four‐wing saltbush [Atriplex canescens], soaptree yucca [Yucca elata]) and one perennial grass species (Arizona cottontop [Digitaria californica]), which are used in dryland restoration projects, were found to be particularly sensitive to soil residual herbicide activity. Thus, if using these herbicides to control woody plants and restore herbaceous vegetation via active seeding or relying on the in situ seed bank, considerations should be given to what species are used in the seed mix, what species are already present in the soil seed bank, and other details of the circumstances of herbicide application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhodiola, belonging to the Crassulaceae family, is a perennial herbaceous plant genus. There are about 90 Rhodiola species worldwide, some of which have been reported to have medicinal properties. Rhodiola sachalinensis is a perennial medicinal herb within this genus and, in the present study, its chloroplast genome was sequenced, assembled, annotated and compared with 24 other Rhodiola species. The results obtained show that the chloroplast genome of R. sachalinensis is 151 595 bp long and has a CG content of 37.7%. The inverted repeats (IR) region of the Rhodiola chloroplast genome is the most conserved region, with the main differences being observed in the ycf1 and ndhF genes at the IRb‐small single copy boundary, and rps19 and trnH genes at the IRa‐large single copy boundary. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Rhodiola species form two major clades, and species with recorded medicinal properties, clustered together in one branch except for R. dumulosa. Within the genus, R. sachalinensis is most closely related to Rhodiola rosea, although comparative analyses showed that only R. sachalinensis and Rhodiola subopposita contained the psbZ gene, which encodes a highly conserved protein subunit of the Photosystem II core complex. Overall, the present study contributes to the understanding of the chloroplast genome of Rhodiola species, and provides a theoretical basis for the study of their genetic diversity and possible use as medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bakong (Hanguana malayana (Jack) Merr.) is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows abundantly in certain parts of the Philippines. This study investigates Bakong fibers' potential as a pulp source for papermaking. Furthermore, microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) produced from the fibers was used as an additive in the Bakong fiber-based hand sheets at 2%, 6%, and 10% w/w, and their effects on their strength properties were observed. The soda pulping method produced Bakong pulp with a total yield of 47.36%. Proximate chemical analysis showed that the method reduced the lignin content from 13.19% to 8.76%, and the resulting pulp was successfully formed into paper hand sheets. The strength properties of the hand sheets were tested, and the resulting burst index, tear index, tensile index, and folding endurance values were 5.98 kPa/m2·g, 6.41 mN·m2/g, 105.97 N·m/g, and 626 double folds, respectively. Aside from the tear index, the Bakong hand sheets' strength properties were much higher than that of locally produced commercial printing paper. The addition of MFC on the hand sheets negatively affected the burst and tensile index values of the Bakong hand sheets but significantly improved the tear index up to 6% w/w. These results show that the pulp produced from the Bakong fibers can potentially be used as an alternative source of pulp for papermaking, but further optimization of the pulping process is recommended to increase the yield, lower lignin content, and improve compatibility with the MFC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]