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Present research work was carried out to clarify the variations among species of genus Paspalum morphologically and palynologically as this genus is taxonomically difficult due to having multiple similar morphologically overlapping characters which make it difficult to identify. Henceforth present research work was carried out to delimit taxa within the same genus by morphological and palynological tools through light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Both these tools are considered as the most useful taxonomic characters for taxonomically problematic genera. The results showed a lot of variations among morphological characters. In Paspalum dilatatum, the upper glume was ovate whereas in the other two species, the upper glume was elliptic. The upper glume apex found in P. dilatatum and Paspalum scrobiculatum was obtuse whereas in Paspalum distichum, upper glume apex was acute. Glume nerves showed variation in all three species. Paspalum distichum was 3 nerved, P. scrobiculatum was 5-7 nerved, and P. dilatatum was 5-9 nerved. All three species showed variation in lemma nerves. Paspalum scrobiculatum had 3 nerved lemma whereas in P. distichum 3-5 nerved and P. dilatatum 5-9 nerved lemma were present. In polar and equatorial view, pollen grains ranged from 25 (20-30) to 37.5 (30-45) μm. Paspalum distichum appeared to be the smallest in size whereas P. dilatatum was the largest. Exine thickness ranged from 0.75 (0.5-1) to 1.35 (1.2-1.5) μm. The higher value of pollen fertility was found in P. scrobiculatum as 87.69% and the lowest value was in P. distichum as 78.08%. Morphological keys were also given for correct identification.

Paspalum distichum L. was tested to evaluate their phytoremediation capacity for Hg contaminated soil through analyzing the dissipation of Hg in soil through a greenhouse study by using self-made rhizos box. Original soil samples were collected at Hg mining site with serious Hg contamination and a control site, respectively. Planting of P. distichum. L last for 60 days. Soil and plant samples were collected from four periods (0 d, 20 d, 40 d and 60 d) and soil samples were collected from five different rhizosphere distance in horizontal direction (0–2 cm, 2-4cm, 4-6cm, 6-8cm,8-10cm). The results showed that the presence of P. distichum. L significantly accelerated the Hg dissipation in soil compared with control. Hg concentration in the rhizospheric soil was affected by the plant growth period and the distance to the plant roots. The closer of soil to the root of P. distichum. L, the lower mercury concentration in soil. During the 60-day growing period, the concentrations of total Hg (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) reduced by 45% and 64%, respectively, in the rhizosphere (0-2cm) of Hg contaminated soil. However, MeHg concentration was increased near the roots (0–4 cm) during the initial growing period (0–20 d), which may be attributed to the influence of root exudates. Root is the major part for Hg accumulation in P. distichum. L. The low ratio between Hg concentrations in underground and aboveground tissues indicated that it seemed difficult for Hg translocation from root to shoot. The highest THg (9.71 ± 3.09 µg·g− 1) and MeHg (26.97 ± 0.98 ng·g− 1) value in root of P. distichum. L were observed at the 20th day when P. distichum. L grown in Hg contaminated soil. The results of chemical fractions analyses showed that elemental Hg and residual Hg were the two major speciations followed by organic bound Hg in the Hg contaminated soil, which indicated the high bioavailability and ecological potential risk of Hg in Hg contaminated soil.

Young rats (Rattus norvegicus) feeding on Paspalum distichum. 11.09.2018, 19:34. District of Lisbon, Portugal. Video footage. Length: 3 min 59 sec. HD.

Young rat (Rattus norvegicus) feeding on Paspalum distichum. 11.09.2018, 19:00. District of Lisbon, Portugal. Video footage. Length: 1 min 10 sec. HD.

Salinity is a growing issue worldwide, with nearly 30% of arable land predicted to be lost due to soil salinity in the next 30 years. Many grass crops that are vital to sustain the world’s caloric intake are salt sensitive. Studying mechanisms of salt tolerance in halophytic grasses, plants that thrive in salt conditions, may be an effective approach to ultimately improve salt-sensitive grass crops. Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) is a halophytic Panicoid grass able to grow in salt concentrations near that of seawater. Despite its widespread cultivation as a sustainable turfgrass, the mechanism underlying its ability to retain high Na(+) concentrations in photosynthetic tissue while maintaining growth remains unknown. We examined the leaf structure and ion content in P. vaginatum ‘HI10’, which shows increased growth under saline conditions, and Paspalum distichum ‘Spence’, which shows reduced growth under salt, to better understand the superior salt tolerance of cv HI10. A striking difference between cv HI10 and cv Spence was the high steady-state level of K(+) in cv HI10. Imaging further showed that the adaxial surface of both cv HI10 and cv Spence contained dense costal ridges of papillae. However, these unicellular extensions of the epidermis were significantly larger in cv HI10 than in cv Spence. The cv HI10 papillae were shown to act as Na(+) sinks when plants were grown under saline conditions. We provide evidence that leaf papillae function as specialized structures for Na(+) sequestration in P. vaginatum, illustrating a possible path for biotechnological improvement of salt-sensitive Panicoid crops with analogous leaf structures.

The completion of the Three Gorges project altered the water level fluctuations from “summer submersion and winter exposure” to “summer exposure and winter submersion.” The reverse seasonal flooding has dramatically changed both the time and duration of exposure and submergence of reservoir banks. Secondary seed dispersal by water is the primary method of dispersal in hydro‐fluctuation belts. This study conducted field sampling and germination experiments to evaluate the effects of reverse seasonal flooding on species composition, diversity, and density of the secondary seed dispersal system and the soil seed bank, and their changes with elevation, in the Xiangzi River. The results indicate that that the secondary seed dispersal system and soil seed bank were associated with 42 and 50 plant species, respectively, and their average seed densities were 1,876.27 and 7,322.18 seeds/m², respectively. The quantity of seeds from secondary seed dispersal accounted for 20.40% of the soil seed bank. The species life‐form composition of both consisted mainly of annual and perennial grasses. Among these grasses, the dominant species in the secondary seed dispersal system were Cynodon dactylon and Paspalum distichum, whereas the dominant species in the soil seed bank were Solanum nigrum and Rumex dentatus. Due to the effects of reverse seasonal water level fluctuations, the species composition and quantity of the soil seed bank and secondary seed dispersal system largely exhibited similar spatial distribution characteristics, but some differences were observed. The species quantity, species diversity index, and seed density in the soil seed bank were the highest in the middle section of the hydro‐fluctuation belt, followed by the top section and then the bottom section. Conversely, the species quantity, species diversity index, and seed density in the secondary seed dispersal system were highest at the top section, followed by the middle section and then the bottom section.

In this paper, three mathematical models are proposed and analyzed to study the degradation and conservation of a wetland park. The first model describes the interaction of bird populations with the good biomass. The interaction is considered to be Crowley–Martin type. The good biomass is the cumulative densities of floating vegetation, fishes, waterfowl and other useful species. The model is further extended to study the effect of bad biomass such as Paspalum distichum on the dynamics of the previous system. The Paspalum distichum is a wild grass which depletes the level of oxygen in the open water bodies affecting severely the good biomass and consequently the bird populations. The carrying capacity of bad biomass is one of the most vital parameter. Keeping the low value of the carrying capacity, one can maintain the ‘good health’ of the park. At the situation of ‘bad health’ of the park, some efforts are needed to control the bad biomass. Hence the second model is again extended to control the growth of bad biomass and to maintain the good biomass and the bird populations at an appropriate level. In each case, numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the analytical results. These models suggest to control the bad biomass in an efficient manner and to maintain the eco-system of the wetland park.

Rice field was infested with eight weed species. Among the species found in conventionally tilled plots, the five dominant species ranked in order of importance value were Cynodon dactylon (L.), Paspalum distichum (L.), Cyperus rotundus (L.), Azolla pinnata (L.) and Cyanotis axillaris (L.) while in stale seedbed the rank was Paspalum distichum (L.) , Cynodon dactylon (L.) , Cyanotis axillaris (L.) , Leersia hexandra (L.) and Cyperus rotundus (L.). There were 15 weed species found in the soil weed seed bank studied at the net house. Among them five species were common of rice field. Ten new species were found in the seed bank. Azolla pinnata (L.), Cyperus difformis (L.) and Paspalum commersonii (L.) of field rice were not found in net house seed bank. In the field, Cynodon dactylon ( L. ) was the dominant over Paspalum distichum (L.) but at the net house Paspalum distichum (L.) was dominant over Cynodon dactylon ( L. ). In seed bank under conventional tillage, 11 species were found consisting of 3559 heads count and in stale seedbed 12 species consisting 3826 heads were counted. Among the identified species, nine were common in both tillage practice. Parapholis strigose (Dumort.) and Phyllanthus niruri (L.) were present in the soil of conventional tillage but not in stale bed while Echinochloa colonum (L.) , Fimbristylis miliaceae (L.) and Eragrotis gangetica (Roxb.) were found in stale bed but not in conventional tillage. At the rice field grass weeds were dominant over sedges and broad leaf under the both types of tillage. At the seed bank of net house, grass weeds were dominant over sedges and broadleaf under conventional tillage while under stale seedbed, sedges were dominant over broad leaf and grass. Around 7% higher grain was recorded from stale seedbed compared to conventional tillage which attributed from higher number of effective tillers hill -1 , higher number of fertile grains panicle -1 , and lower number of sterile grains panicle -1 . Weed free condition yield the highest grains followed by the combination of pre and post-emergence herbicides and unweeded control yielded the lowest. Stale seedbed kept weed free yielded the highest followed by stale seedbed sprayed the two herbicides. Conventional tillage remained unweeded yielded the lowest grain. Progressive Agriculture 27 (1): 39-47, 2016

Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) populations have declined over much of their global range over the past 30 years and in Australia numbers fell by almost 40% between 1977–1981 and 1998–2002. In Australia, loss of wetland area and quality in relation to river regulation for irrigated agriculture are the main suggested causes. The species' diet has been quantified in many areas, but there have been no detailed studies of its foraging habitat requirements upon which to base conservation measures. This study quantified foraging habitat selection at Fivebough Swamp, New South Wales, an internationally important feeding and roosting site for non-breeding Glossy Ibis. Typical of many floodplain wetlands in southeastern Australia, Fivebough Swamp is temporary, flooding during the wet season and drying during the hot summer. Glossy Ibis showed a strong preference for feeding in areas of water couch grass (Paspalum distichum) less than 10 cm tall interspersed among open water, and avoidance of areas dom...

Paspalum distichum L. was tested to evaluate its ability to phytoremediate mercury (Hg) contaminated soil over a 60-d period by analysis of the total Hg concentrations in roots and leaves. Hg concentration in Hg-contamination soil decreased by 70.0 μg g−1 after 60 day of grass cultivation and Hg was readily taken up by the roots (4.51 ± 1.90 μg g−1) rather than the leaves (0.35 ± 0.02 μg g−1). In addition, a comparative proteomic study was performed to unravel the protein expression involved in the Hg stress response in P. distichum L. A total of 49 proteins were classified as differentially proteins in the roots by the ‘top three’ proteomic analysis, of which 32 were up-regulated and 17 down-regulated in response to Hg stress. These changed proteins were classified by gene ontology analysis into five complex molecular functions involving photosynthesis and energy metabolism (31%), oxidative stress (14%), protein folding (16%), sulfur compound metabolism (10%), metal binding, and ion transport (29%). Moreover, the protein expression patterns were consistent with the metabolism pathway results. Overall, the results contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the Hg response in P. distichum and we propose a theoretical basis for the phytoremediation of Hg-contaminated soils.

기후변화에 따른 침입외래식물의 잠재적 분포지를 예측하는 것은 하천과 저수지에서 생물다양성 보전과 생태적 관리를 위하여 중요하고 해결해야 할 과제이다. 본 연구에서는 한반도에서 털물참새피 (Paspalum distichum var. indutum)의 잠재적 미래 분포에 미치는 기후변화의 영향을 파악하였다. 털물참새피는 담수생태계...

Biological invasion of alien plants is considered to be one of the most serious threats to biodiversity in riparian zones. The effects of two invasive alien plants, Sicyos angulatus and Paspalum distichum var. indutum, on the flora and community structure of the riparian vegetation were investigated at 22 sites at streams in Korea. Sicyos angulatus has invaded the central Korean Peninsula. This alien plant has caused problems to stream managers because of its aggressive vining growth. It had suppressed native vegetation such as trees, shrubs and tall grasses on bank slope and higher floodplains. Paspalum distichum var. indutum has become more widespread in the southern part of Korea. This invasive plant has shallow rhizomes and creeping, extensively branched stolons. It forms a dense mat over lotic or slowly-flowing water and threatens submerged and short emergent hydrophytes. In order to control the introduction and expansion of alien plants, limitation of artificial disturbances and appropriate alien plant management are needed in riparian areas.

The diet of the Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus was studied at Lake Reghaia (Algeria). A total of 600 faecal samples were collected from February 2010 to January 2012. The results showed that green plant materials (especially Poaceae) were the dominant faecal components (86.7 ± 23.8%), followed by invertebrates (13.2 ± 23.8%) and grit (0.03 ± 0.05%). Seventeen plant species belonging to eight different families were identified in 2010/2012. The major item identified in faecal contents was Poaceae. Paspalum distichum was the most important diet category. Others grasses mostly eaten were Poa annua, Avena sp., Phragmites sp. and Panicum repens. Other plant species recorded in faeces were Carex hispida, Polygonum lapathifolium, Thypha angustifolia, Plantago major, Mentha pulegium, Plantago crassifolia, Panicum repens and Carex hispida. The Common Moorhen diet contained invertebrates, and ephippium of Daphnia sp. were the most dominant. Insects were recorded, but with a negligible proportion.

Turkey is one of the richest areas in the middle latitudes in terms of plant diversity. It has approximately 12 000 plant species and a great number of new species are being added each year. However, invasive alien species have not yet been fully considered in Turkey and only two plant species are in Turkey's quarantine list (Arceuthobium spp. and Eichhornia crassipes). EPPO is an intergovernmental organization responsible for cooperation in plant protection in the European and Mediterranean region and maintains the A1 and A2 Lists of pests recommended for regulation (A1 species are absent from the EPPO region, A2 species are present but of limited distribution), the List of Invasive Alien Plants, the Observation List of invasive alien plants and the Alert List. Eichhornia crassipes, Heracleum persicum, Heracleum sosnowskyi, Ludwigia peploides, Polygonum perfoliatum and Solanum elaeagnifolium are among the species which were recorded in Turkey and are included in the EPPO A2 List. Species recorded in the EPPO List of invasive alien plants which are present in Turkey are: Acroptilon repens, Ailanthus altissima, Ambrosia artemisiifolia (= A. elatior), Carpobrotus edulis, Cortaderia selloana, Cyperus esculentus, Paspalum distichum (= P. paspalodes), Oxalis pes-caprae and Sicyos angulatus. Azolla filiculoides and Rhododendron ponticum are listed in the EPPO Observation List of Invasive alien plants and Miscanthus sinensis, listed in the EPPO Alert List, are also recorded in the Turkish flora. Statut des plantes exotiques envahissantes des Listes de l'OEPP en Turquie La Turquie est l'une des regions les plus riches en termes de diversite vegetale aux latitudes moyennes. Elle compte environ 12 000 especes de vegetaux, et un grand nombre d'especes nouvelles sont ajoutees chaque annee. Cependant, la problematique des plantes exotiques envahissantes n'a pas encore ete pleinement prise en compte en Turquie, et seules deux especes vegetales figurent sur la liste de quarantaine turque (Arceuthobium spp. et Eichhornia crassipes). L'OEPP est une organisation intergouvernementale responsable de la cooperation dans le domaine de la protection des vegetaux dans la region europeenne et mediterraneenne, et maintient des listes de plantes exotiques envahissantes: les Listes A1 et A2 d'organismes nuisibles recommandes pour reglementation (les especes de la liste A1 sont absentes de la region OEPP, les especes de la Liste A2 sont presentes, mais leur repartition est limitee), la Liste des plantes exotiques envahissantes, la liste d'observation, et la liste d'alerte. Eichhornia crassipes, Heracleum persicum, Heracleum sosnowskyi, Ludwigia peploides, Polygonum perfoliatum et Solanum elaeagnifolium font partie des especes signalees en Turquie et figurent sur la Liste A2 de l'OEPP. Les especes de la Liste OEPP des plantes exotiques envahissantes qui sont presentes en Turquie sont: Acroptilon repens, Ailanthus altissima, Ambrosia artemisiifolia (= A. elatior), Carpobrotus edulis, Cortaderias elloana, Cyperus esculentus, Paspalum distichum (= P. paspalodes), Oxalis pes-caprae et Sicyos angulatus. Azollafiliculoides et Rhododendron ponticum, sur la liste d'observation de l'OEPP, et Miscanthus sinensis, sur la liste d'alerte de l'OEPP, ont egalement ete signalees dans la flore turque. Статус инвазивных чужеродных вТурции растений, зарегистрированных вперечнях ЕОКЗР B cpeдниx шиpoтax в плaнe paзнooбpaзия pacтeний Typция пpeдcтaвляeт coбoй oднy из бoгaтeйшиx зoн. Здecь пpиcyтcтвyeт oкoлo 12 000 видoв pacтeний, и c кaждым гoдoм пpибaвляeтcя бoльшoe чиcлo нoвыx. Oднaкo в Typции инвaзивныe чyжepoдныe виды дocкoнaльнo eщe нe paccмaтpивaлиcь, и тoлькo двa видa pacтeний нaxoдятcя в кapaнтиннoм пepeчнe этoй cтpaны (Arceuthobium spp.и Eichhornia crassipes). EOКЗP — мeжпpaвитeльcтвeннaя opгaнизaция, oтвeчaющaя зa coтpyдничecтвo в oблacти кapaнтинa и зaщиты pacтeний в peгиoнe Eвpoпы и Cpeдизeмнoмopья, oнa пoддepживaeт пepeчни A1 и A2 вpeдныx opгaнизмoв, peкoмeндyeмыx для peгyлиpoвaния (виды A1 oтcyтcтвyют в peгиoнe EOКЗP, виды A2 пpиcyтcтвyют, нo pacпpocтpaнeны oни oгpaничeннo), пepeчeнь инвaзивныx чyжepoдныx pacтeний, инвaзивныx чyжepoдныx pacтeний для нaблюдeния и cигнaльный пepeчeнь. Eichhornia crassipes, Heracleum persicum, Heracleum sosnowskyi, Ludwigia peploides, Polygonum perfoliatum, a тaкжe Solanum elaeagnifoliumare oтнocятcя к тeм видaм, кoтopыe были зapeгиcтpиpoвaны в Typции и oднoвpeмeннo нaxoдятcя в пepeчнe A2 EOКЗP. К видaм, зapeгиcтpиpoвaнным в пepeчнe инвaзивныx чyжepoдныx pacтeний EOКЗP, кoтopыe пpиcyтcтвyют в Typции, oтнocятcя: Acroptilon repens, Ailantus altissima, Ambrosia artemisiifolia (= A. elatior), Carpobrotusedulis, Cortaderiaselloana, Cyperusesculentus, Paspalumdistichum (= P. paspalodes), Oxalis pes-caprae, a тaкжe Sicyos angulatus. Azolla filiculoides и Rhododendron ponticumare, нaxoдящиecя в пepeчнe инвaзивныx чyжepoдныx pacтeний EOКЗP для нaблюдeния, a тaкжe Miscanthus sinensis, нaxoдящийcя в cигнaльнoм пepeчнe EOКЗP, тaкжe зapeгиcтpиpoвaны в тypeцкoй флope.

This study was carried out to inventory the vascular plant flora in Oenarodo Island, Jeollanam-do, South Korea in 2011. The vascular plants collected from the survey sites consisted of 574 taxa in total; 7 forms, 62 varieties, 2 subspecies, 503 species, 342 genera and 117 families. Among them, 8 taxa of Korean rare plants were found distributed in the sites, including Peucedanum hakuunense Nakai, Cymbidium macrorrhizum Lindl. and Bupleurum falcatum L. 6 taxa of Korean endemic plants such as Hepatica insularis Nakai and Carex okamotoi Ohwi were collected. In addition 101 notable taxa designated by the Ministry of Environment were collected as well. 46 taxa of naturalized plants, such as Paspalum distichum var. indutum Shinners and Veronica hederaefolia L. were recognized widely distributed in the sites.

This study was undertaken to analyze the distribution and ecological characteristics of invasive alien plant species on Jeju Island, and to provide basic data for their management and control. A field research was conducted at 436 locations on Jeju Island. The field research identified nine species of invasive alien species growing on Jeju Island. Based on the distribution pattern, Hypochaeris radicata L., Rumex acetosella, and Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. were found to be distributed horizontally throughout Jeju Island, with vertical growth in two or more vegetation zones, from warm temperate to the subalpine zone. Widely distributed species penetrate various habitats, such as grasslands, ranches, roadsides, farmlands, and empty lots, and have an immensely negative impact on the ecosystem, including declining biodiversity on Jeju Island. Paspalum distichum var. indutum Shinners, Paspalum distichum L., Solanum carolinense L., and Aster pilosus Willd. were distributed in some areas as a biased distribution species, whereas Lactuca scariola L. and Solidago altissima L. were found only in certain areas as centralized distribution species. The centralized distribution species and biased distribution species of the invasive plants in the ecosystem of Jeju Island should be physically eliminated, keeping in mind the short- and mid-term perspectives and monitoring, and by considering expansion of additional distribution areas. Due to limitations of physical/chemical elimination, time, and cost, widely distributed species require to be eliminated and managed, mainly to restore the integrity of the ecosystem, by planting native species to reestablish the habitat.

We report the first observations of feeding behavior by free-ranging New Mexico meadow jumping mice (Zapus hudsonius luteus). We made observations during a radiotelemetry study of Z. h. luteus in the floodplain of the Rio Grande at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro Co., New Mexico, in 2009 and 2010. We observed Z. h. luteus eat the achenes or seeds of the order Cyperales: common threesquare (Schoenoplectus pungens), spikerush (Eleocharis spp.), saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum), Saunder's wildrye (Elymus saundersii), Japanese brome (Bromus japonicus), slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus), and knotgrass (Paspalum distichum). Mice frequently foraged 0.5–1 m above the ground in the canopy of herbaceous vegetation. Seed heads for consumption were harvested in several ways.

Rapid growth in height is an important mechanism used by many emergent wetland macrophytes to withstand water depth increases, particularly in species unable to maintain sufficient rates of photosynthesis and gas exchange for long-term survival underwater. However, increases in salinity can reduce growth rates and above-ground biomass production in non-halophytic macrophytes and this may reduce their inundation tolerance. We tested this hypothesis by comparing growth responses of Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers, Paspalum distichum L., Eleocharis equisetina C.Presl and Bolboschoenus caldwellii (V.J.Cook) Sojak at three depths (5, 20 and 60 cm) across four salinity treatments (200, 2500, 5000 and 10 000 mg L −1 ) . Increases in depth had negative effects on the growth of all four species. The three emergent wetland macrophyte species ( P. distichum , E. equisetina and B. caldwellii ) grew more rapidly, produced more above-ground biomass, and/or maintained positive growth rates at greater depths in the lower salinity treatments than at higher salinities. The terrestrial grass species, C. dactylon , displayed negligible growth when waterlogged and where biomass decreased significantly with depth, there were no significant differences in biomass between the salinity treatments. We conclude that increases in salinity reduced the ability of the three emergent wetland macrophyte species to withstand increases in water depth. The potential depth ranges of these species are therefore likely to change within wetlands if salinisation occurs. Specifically, the habitat ranges of these species are likely to contract and shift towards the shallower, less-frequently flooded limits of their current ranges as salinity levels become limiting to growth.

The Ebro Delta (Catalonia, Spain) is one of the most valuable coastal zones within the Mediterranean Sea, supporting a highly productive rice agricultural system, as well as a myriad of coastal marsh habitats. However, chronic reductions of fluvial sediments coupled with accelerated relative sea-level rise have created an environment where approximately half of the Ebro Delta is now vulnerable to flooding impacts. To assess relative sea-level rise (RSLR) mitigation options through marsh restoration within abandoned deltaic rice fields, we established the experimentally restored marshes spanning three years. We used two freshwater input type treatments (riverine irrigation and rice field drainage water) and three water level treatments (10, 20 and 30 cm deep). Our hypotheses were that: (1) vertical accretion and elevation change in oligohaline restored marshes would be primarily controlled by organic contributions under sediment-deficit conditions, and (2) both vertical accretion and elevation change would demonstrate higher rates compared with predicted RSLR in the Ebro Delta (5–8 mm yr−1). Vertical accretion had higher mean values in both water type treatments (11.5 and 15.5 mm yr−1) than elevation change (9.1 and 8.8 mm yr−1). Vertical accretion (but not elevation change) was significantly higher in drainage water treatment receiving greater sediment mineral input, which caused higher surface soil mineral content. Conversely, experimentally restored marshes closer to rice fields in both water type treatments had greater elevation change (11.3 and 17.8 mm yr−1) than vertical accretion (8.3 and 15.1 mm yr−1) due to higher belowground biomass because of high weed colonization by Paspalum distichum L. These results showed that vertical accretion and elevation change were generally controlled by mineral contribution, although fast growing, ruderal plant species such as P. distichum can play a significant role in marsh elevation via root growth. The results supported the hypothesis that restored marshes using either water type promote marsh elevation gains higher than predicted RSLR at least during the initial marsh development (3 years). This study indicates that the use of agricultural runoff as a primary source of sediment, nutrient, and freshwater is beneficial for marsh restoration projects focused primarily on mitigating RSLR. This research also highlights how nuisance species such as P. distichum can play a key role in mitigating RSLR impacts when inexpensive and effective measures are needed to promote marsh elevation as the primary restoration goal.

Field studies to access seed rate, seeding dates, and weed infestation in direct dry sseded rice (Khumal -4) were carried out under rice-wheat rotation system at Khumaltar during 2005/06 -2007/08. The broadleaf weeds: Ageratum conyzoides, Commelina diffusa, Eclipta prostrata, Amaranthus veridis , Coronopus didymus, Lactuca sp. the grassy weeds: Echinochloa colona, Cynodon dactylon , and Paspalum distichum and the sedges: Cyperus difformis and C iria were recorded. E colona was the dominant weed in the second year, however A conyzoides was pronounced in the first year. A conyzoides showed an increasing trend over years and became a dominant species ranging from 2-13/0.25m 2 in the 1st year and 53 -144/0.25m 2 in the 3rd year. Significant interaction effect on total weed number/0.25 m 2 was recorded in the 2nd seeding date in all seed rates. Significantly higher weed numbers were recorded in 2nd seeding date and 20 kg/ha seed rate in the 3rd year. There was no significant interaction between different seed rate and seeding date on the gall formation due to Meloidogyne graminicola . Plant height, tillers/m 2 , number of seeds/panicle, and grain yield were not significantly affected due to seeding dates except plant height in 2005/06. Number of tillers/m 2 was significantly different among seed rates and showed slightly increasing trend with higher seed rates. But there was no significant different in grain yield among seed rates except in the year 2005/06. Dry straw weight did not show consistent results among seeding dates. The present study showed that rice seeding can be done in mid May with the seed rates 30–50 kg/ha. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajn.v1i0.7538 Agronomy Journal of Nepal (Agron JN) Vol. 1: 2010 pp.16-22

The efficacy of the herbicide fenoxaprop for control of yellow bristle grass (Setaria pumila) in pasture was evaluated in two field trials Additionally glasshouse experiments investigated its phytotoxicity on seven annual and four perennial C4 grass species Results of the field trials showed good control of yellow bristle grass and consequently a very high (up to 98) reduction in seed head production Fenoxaprop had no measurable effect on clover yield but the removal of yellow bristle grass resulted in higher production of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) Fenoxaprop killed all the annual C4 species tested viz yellow bristle grass summer grass (Digitaria sanguinalis) witchgrass (Panicum capillare) smooth witchgrass (Panicum dichotomiflorum) barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli) broom corn millet (Panicum miliaceum) and crowfoot grass (Eleusine indica) but was less effective on the perennial C4 grass species viz Indian doab (Cynodon dactylon) Kikuyu grass (Cenchrus clandestinus) Mercer grass (Paspalum distichum) and paspalum (Paspalum dilatatum)

As the primary producers in the wetland,one of the most important ecological landscapes with high biodiversity,wetland plants have an important influence on the survival and development of the wetland ecosystem.The plant diversity in the beach wetland was researched extensively in previous studies.However,the diversity of vegetation in the beach wetlands along the Xin′anjiang River in Anhui province was still unclear.For protection and rational utilization of the vegetation in this area,the flora of herbaceous plants in the beach wetlands was analyzed and the species diversity of them was investigated in this paper.The results showed that:(1) The herbaceous plant composition was relatively rich and the total 194 species belonged to 48 families and 131 genera,with Gramineae,Cyperaceae,Compositae and Polygonaceae being dominant families.For all the detective plants,37 families,88 genera,129 species belonged to Dicotyledoneae and 11 families,43 genera,65 species belonged to Monocotyledoneae.The preponderant genera were Polygonum,Cyperu,Euphorbia and Artemisia.The percentage of the genera including only 1 species or 2—5 species was accounted for 97.7%.(2) At family level,the proportion of the cosmopolitan type was bigger than others and reached 43.8%.At genus level,the pantropic type was 30.5% and the cosmopolitan type was 26.0%.The tropic elements were more than the temperate ones(57/40).The floristic geographical components including the tropic,subtropic and temperate characteristics were multiform and the areal-type was various.(3) There were visible changes in the community composite,including the constructive species and dominant species,companion species and their dominance.The dominant species were Cynodon dactylon,Paspalum distichum,Eremochloa ophiuroides,Zoysia japonica,Polygonum hydropiper,Cyperus iria,Leersia japonica,and Alternanthera philoxeroides in the wetlands.Especially Cynodon dactylon and Paspalum distichum were the constructive species and played a very important role in the herb community.However,their important values changed among different sampled plots.Alpha diversity had a similar fashion compared with species richness with the order being upstream midstream downstream.In contrast,β diversity gradually increased with the order being upstream midstream downstream.The specific reasons should deserve deep researches.We put forward some strategies of protection and restoration towards the main problems in biodiversity conservation in the wetlands along the Xin′anjiang River.

The influence of diet on different parameters of the life cycle in a pest grasshopper is evaluated. The effect of crowding and temperature on growth of larval stages under the classical model of Dyar is also tested. Brassica oleracea var. botrytis was most preferred by both sexes, with minimum hopper developmental period of 44.00 days in males and 53.60 days in females, while it was prolonged on Andropogon odoratus with the maximum development of 70.90 days in males and 87.90 days in females. Similarly, maximum development of hoppers was 2.31%/day in males, feeding on Brassica oleracea var. botrytis and Paspalum distichum, while it was 1.89%/day in females, feeding on Brassica oleracea var. botrytis. Minimum development of hoppers was observed to be 1.44%/day in males, feeding on Andropogon odoratus, and 1.16%/day in females feeding on Saccharum officinarum and Andropogon odoratus. Dyar's law, applied in lepidopterous larvae, assumes a geometric progression of size measures, and it is significant...

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T16:39:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2016-01-01 Eleusine indica L. Gaertn. and Paspalum distichum L. are annual and perennial grasses, respectively that are widely distributed in turf and perennial cropping systems throughout Spain. Often, glyphosate is used between rows of perennial crops for control of these grasses, but variable responses have been observed. Sensitivity to glyphosate in each species was examined under greenhouse, laboratory and field conditions. In vitro tests on whole plants of both P. distichum and E. indica revealed no differences in sensitivity to glyphosate for areas with long-term use (treated; T) and no history of use (not treated; NT). The NT population of P. distichum (ED50 73.1 g ae ha-1) was 11.6% more sensitive to glyphosate than NT E. indica (ED50 81.6 g ae ha-1). No differences between T and NT populations of both species were observed for foliar retention of glyphosate as well as accumulation of shikimate. However, glyphosate retention and shikimate accumulation were up to 64 and 24.4% greater, respectively in P. distichum compared to E. indica. Within 96 h after treatment (HAT), foliar absorption of 14C-glyphosate was similar among T and NT populations, but 8.8% higher for P. distichum compared to E. indica. Retention of 14C-glyphosate in treated leaves of P. distichum was approximately 55% lower compared to E. indica. Translocation from the treated leaf into other shoot tissue (2.8-fold) and roots (8.5-fold) was higher for P. distichum versus E. indica. This would suggest that differences in E. indica versus P. distichum response to glyphosate are based upon differential retention in treated leaves and reduced movement out of treated tissue in other shoot and root tissue. In separate field experiments in citrus orchards, glyphosate and other herbicides were applied to assess control of E. indica and P. distichum over two years. Flazasulfuron and cycloxidim resulted in 90% or greater control of both species by 60 days after treatment (DAT). Only glufosinate, oxyfluorfen, paraquat and iodosulfuron resulted in >85% control of E. indica. These corresponding treatments ranged in effectiveness from 73 to 92% on P. distichum. Integration of effective herbicides with modes of action different than glyphosate should be used for management of E. indica and P. distichum and may delay the selection for resistance to glyphosate. Department of Agricultural Chemistry University of Cordoba Division of Plant Sciences University of Missouri Department of Biology FCAV - UNESP Department of Biology FCAV - UNESP

The purpose of this study is to offer the raw data for conserving the biodiversity of urban ecosystem by objective surveying and analysing the vascular plants distributed in major sites of Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do. The results are as follows. The numbers of vascular plants were summarized as 522 taxa including 110 families, 314 genera, 459 species, 4 subspecies, 46 varieties and 13 forms. The rare plants were 5 taxa including Aristolochia contorta, Drosera rotundifolia, Potentilla discolor, Viola albida and Hydrocharis dubia. The endemic plants were 13 taxa including Salix koriyanagi, Carpinus laxiflora, Stewartia pseudocamellia, Weigela subsessilis and so forth. The specific plants by floristic region were 30 taxa including Caltha palustris, Caryopteris incana, Ilex macropoda, Monochoria korsakowii and so forth. The naturalized plants were 44 taxa including Phytolacca americana, Lepidium virginicum, Solanum americanum, Aster subulatus var. sandwicensis, Panicum dichotomiflorum and so forth. The invasive alien plants were 5 taxa including Sicyos angulatus, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Ambrosia trifida, Aster pilosus and Paspalum distichum.

Southern rice black-streaked dwarf disease is a new rice disease that severely affects rice production in South China. To understand transmission capacity of the vector Sogatella furcifera to Southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV) among different host plant species, potential host plants of SRBSDV collected from the diseased rice field and/or adjacent to the field in Hunan Province, China, were determined by RT-PCR, and the transmission rates of SRBSDV by S. furcifera among different host plant species were investigated. The results showed that host plants of SRBSDV in the rice fields were five of family Gramineae (Oryza sativa, Echinochloa crusgalli, Zea mays, Paspalum distichum, Alopecurus aequali) and two of family Cyperaceae (Juncellus serotinus and Cyperus difformis). S. furcifera could not transmit SRBSDV between gramineous plants and cyperaceous plants, and could not transmit SRBSDV between the gramineous plants, J. serotinus and C. difformis as well. However, SRBSDV could be transmitted by S. furcifera within gramineous plants. S. furcifera could transmit SRBSDV between interspecies among three species plants (O. sativa, E. crusgalli and Z. mays), and between P. distichum and A. aequali. At 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35°C, both macropterous and brachypterous adult of S. furcifera could transmit SRBSDV from the plants (e.g., E. crusgalli, Z. mays and O. sativa) infected with SRBSDV to rice seedlings. The transmission rates were first increased and then decreased with the increase of temperature. Macropterous adults transmitted SRBSDV from the viruliferous E. crusgalli, Z. may and rice plants to the healthy rice seedlings, and the infected rates of rice seedlings were 26.2, 18.8 and 23.7% at 15°C, 56.6, 64.6 and 53.6% at 25°C, and was 11.2, 10.2 and 7.3% at 35°C, respectively. Transmission capacity of brachypterous adults was significantly higher than that of macropterous adults at 15, 20 and 25°C (P

Widden Brook in the Hunter Valley, Australia, was first settled by Europeans in 1831 and had widened substantially by the 1870s due to frequent floods during a flood-dominated regime impacting on highly disturbed banks whose riparian trees had been either ringbarked or cleared, and whose understorey had been grazed. Catastrophic floods in 1950 (many), two in August 1952 and one in February 1955 effected the final phase of channel widening at the onset of a second flood-dominated regime more than half a century after the initial widening. Contraction has been active since 1963 by a combination of five biogeomorphic processes. Firstly, rapid channel widening, migration and cutoffs totally reworked the pre-European floodplain and were followed by active floodplain formation. Initial bar formation was replaced by sand splay and overbank deposition which constructed a new floodplain and narrower channel. Secondly, overwidened channel segments that were produced by the catastrophic 1955 flood have contracted since 1963 by the formation of up to four bank-attached, discontinuous benches below the floodplain. Each bench has a bar nucleus of pebbly coarse sand overlain by stratified fine-medium sand and mud. Colonisation by River Sheoaks (Casuarina cunninghamiana subsp. cunninghamiana) or grasses (Cynodon dactylon, Paspalum distichum, Pennisetum clandestinum) is important in converting bars to benches. Thirdly, narrower segments which developed since 1963 have contracted by small-scale accretion on both banks. These deposits are steeply dipping, interbedded sand and mud trapped by stoloniferous and rhizomatous grasses (C. dactylon, P. distichum, P. clandestinum) which also rapidly stabilise the deposits. Fourthly, rare laterally migrating, small radius bends have contracted by recent point bar formation greatly exceeding cutbank recession rates. Point bar formation is controlled by secondary currents producing inclined stratified coarse sands without the influence of vegetation. Lastly, rare, overwidened, non-migrating, large radius bends have greatly contracted by the infilling of dissecting chutes across the convex bank. Establishment of stoloniferous and rhizomatous clonal grasses (Phragmites australis, C. dactylon, P. distichum, P. clandestinum) is important in inducing sedimentation of the chutes. Contraction has produced a much narrower channel than the design width between river training fences which were installed progressively between the 1960s and 1990s. The recent flood history of Widden Brook has not included any catastrophic floods of a size similar to February 1955. Our work demonstrates that both trees and grasses can be associated with narrower channel widths and that the causal link between width and vegetation type is more complex than usually acknowledged.