Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca
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Archaea, bacteria and termite, nitrogen fixation and sustainable plants production
Get PDFCertain bacteria and archaea are responsible for biological nitrogen fixation. Metabolic pathways usually are common between archaea and bacteria. Diazotrophs are categorized into two main groups namely: root-nodule bacteria and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. Diazotrophs include free living bacteria, such as Azospirillum, Cupriavidus, and some sulfate reducing bacteria, and symbiotic diazotrophs such Rhizobium and Frankia. Three types of nitrogenase are iron and molybdenum (Fe/Mo), iron and vanadium (Fe/V) or iron only (Fe). The Mo-nitrogenase have a higher specific activity which is expressed better when Molybdenum is available. The best hosts for Rhizobium legumiosarum are Pisum, Vicia, Lathyrus and Lens; Trifolium for Rhizobium trifolii; Phaseolus vulgaris, Prunus angustifolia for Rhizobium phaseoli; Medicago, Melilotus and Trigonella for Rhizobium meliloti; Lupinus and Ornithopus for Lupini, and Glycine max for Rhizobium japonicum. Termites have significant key role in soil ecology, transporting and mixing soil. Termite gut microbes supply the enzymes required to degrade plant polymers, synthesize amino acids, recycle nitrogenous waste and fix atmospheric nitrogen. The positive effects of Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi such as growth promotion, increased root length, leaf area, stem diameter, transplant performance and tolerance to stresses have been reported previously
Restorative regeneration of woody ornamental plants in the historical gardens of Peles Royal Castle, Romania
Get PDFHistorical gardens’ restoration is a complex process including not only built features of the layout, but also vegetation. Climate changes, air pollution, new pests and other factors have an important impact on vegetation and make sometimes impossible to restore the garden to the original model. Therefore, vegetation restoration requires investigations, to establish the tendencies, dynamics and resilience of different species in the garden, and decisions to adopt sustainable solutions. Woody plants from Peleș Royal Castle Gardens (Sinaia, Romania) were investigated to reveal the diachronic transformations of the vegetation and to establish an objective starting point in garden restoration. Despite of decades of neglected maintenance, historical events and changes in building function, the garden has a considerable number of old valuable trees and shrubs. Woody plants located on terraces were in a significantly poorer condition compared with those planted on the lawn. Natural forest surrounding the garden and native species cultivated in the garden acted as a source of landscape regeneration. Climate changes, affecting the mountain zone, allow the cultivation of woody species of warmer climates. Results of present study will be essential for all the future decisions about woody vegetation and gardens restoration
Quality attributes during maturation of ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Red Delicious’ apples grown in two geographical regions with different environmental conditions
Get PDFApples have distinctive quality attributes that may be defined by environmental conditions of the geographical regions where fruits are cultivated, such as temperature, solar radiation, photoperiod, and photothermic units. A three-year study was conducted to compare ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Red Delicious’ apples from two different regions, Washington, USA (WA) and Chihuahua, Mexico (CHIH). Apple samples were harvested weekly from early August to late October (~120-180 days after full bloom - DAFB), and analysed for quality parameters. Geographic environmental data were obtained, and photoperiod, solar radiation, degree-days and photothermal units were calculated. Results show quality differences between CHIH and WA apples. WA shows a ~5-week delay in apple bloom, possibly due to the lower temperatures presented in WA. Apples from both regions required the same photoperiod, ~ 2,222 h, to attain the beginning of the ripening stage, which took more days (three weeks) for CHIH apples, most likely attributed to the higher elevation of CHIH orchards (2,062 vs. 763 masl). The main distinctive quality differences found between WA and CHIH apples were firmness and aroma volatile compounds. CHIH apples presented substantially higher amounts of aroma compounds. WA apples showed greater firmness, probably due to lower photothermal units. Using all firmness data (both varieties, both growing zones) a remarkable correlation was found between firmness and photothermal units (R=0.89), which may suggest firmness could be improved by the manipulation of degree days and photoperiod, that is, temperature and light
In-vitro evaluation of antioxidant and antiradical potential of successive extracts, semi-purified fractions and biosynthesized silver nanoparticles of Rumex vesicarius
Get PDFThe aim of the present study was to assess in vitro the antiradical and antioxidant activities of successive extracts and semi-purified fractions from Rumex vesicarius L. In the present work, three extracts (n-Hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol) and 22 column fractions of methanolic extract (as promising extract) were evaluated against 2,2-diphenyl- 1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) and 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline- 6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging methods as antiradical and antioxidant activities compared with Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as synthetic standard and silver nanoparticles of methanolic extract (Ag-NPs-Me), in addition to analysis of chemical constituents of extract and fraction using Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The obtained results revealed that, both methods go parallel showing that the concentration of extract and incubation time are dependent and proportional with phenolic compounds concentration. Absolute methanol extract recorded the highest antioxidant activity when compared with the other crude extracts with 79.3 and 78.8% against DPPH and ABTS respectively when compared with BHT as synthetic standard (89.4 and 89.9%) against DPPH and ABTS respectively. Calculation of the antiradical activity units showed the highest values of methanolic extract and its promising fraction (No. 12) after 300 seconds (5 minutes) comparing with antioxidant activity (30 min). Also, the antioxidant activity increased with synthetic Ag-NPs-Me when compared with methanolic extract by (IC50= 53.9 and 74.6 µg/ml respectively). Thus, the GC-MS analysis of successive extracts of R. vesicarius L showed a highly complex profile, containing approximately 24 different components. One pure compound was identified from fraction No. 12. The identified compound was l-(+)- ascorbic acid 2, 6-dihexadecanoate. The data also revealed presence of closely similar antioxidant activities in methanolic extract or its pure compounds with BHT when mixed at different proportions. From the obtained results it could be concluded that R. vesicarius methanolic extracts and fractions can be extensively used in the production of potential antioxidant, antiradical and AgNPs-Me for biomedical application on the consumer’s health
Enhancing antioxidant defense system of mung bean with a salicylic acid exogenous application to mitigate cadmium toxicity
Get PDFCadmium (Cd) accumulation is an emerging environmental hazard and has detrimental effects on plant growth and development. Salicylic acid (SA) is a well-known plant growth regulator that can initiate various molecular pathways to ameliorate Cd toxicity. The experiment was executed to scrutinize the mediatory role of SA to accelerate the defensive mechanism of mung bean in response to Cd stress. Mung bean plants were exposed to 0, 5, 10 and 15 mg Cd kg-1 of soil. Exogenous application of SA 0, 10-6 and 10-3 M was added prior flowering. Results exhibited that Cd stress considerably reduced the growth-related attributes i.e. shoot length, root length, fresh and dry biomass, total soluble protein, total amino acids, relative water contents and photosynthetic pigments. Cadmium stress showed a significant increase in antioxidants levels such as peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), ascorbic acid (AsA), and catalase (CAT) and promoted the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. However, exogenously applied SA significantly improved plant biomass and photosynthetic pigments under Cd stress. Moreover, SA improved the defensive system by enhancing antioxidants’ activities under the increasing concentration of Cd stress. Furthermore, SA reduced the Cd uptake, membrane damage and, H2O2 and MDA accumulation. The study's findings concluded that exogenous-applied SA enhanced plant growth, promoted the antioxidant activities, and reduced the oxidative damage in mung bean seedlings under Cd stress
Analysis of some physiological indicators in tomato plants to characterize the effects of additional lighting with blue, red and white LEDs
Get PDFThe use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in vegetable species is one of the technological procedures applied to improve the spectral composition of light in protected areas, as well as to stimulate plant growth, obtaining high values of production and increasing resistance to conditions of culture. The biological material represented by tomato seedlings, from varieties with nutritional value and with high ecological plasticity, was studied in terms of characterizing the effects of applying the treatment using light fields emitted by blue, red and white LEDs, by analysis physiological parameters, such as: photosynthesis intensity (μmols CO2m-2s -1), transpiration intensity (mmoles H2O m-2s -1), stomatal conductance (mols H2O m-2s -1) and intercellular carbon dioxide (mmol CO2 mol-1 air). In this study, the estimation of the amount of total chlorophyll (mg m-2), was also investigated. The determinations of the physiological parameters were performed in 3 series, and the recorded results were statistically analysed, by expressing the significance of the differences between the control and the studied tomato varieties being studied. Thus, after the treatment period, applied in 23 days (Series II), with monochrome LEDs, at the level of the stomatal conductance parameter, statistically assured values were registered for the plants in the ‘L-75’ line exposed to White LED and for those in the ‘L-76’ line exposed to the Blue LED. The analysis of the results from the investigation of the physiological parameters at the level of the leaves from the experimental samples indicated that after 35 days (Series III), from the application of the treatments of 30 minutes/day, with White LED light, they ensured the plants tomatoes from the ‘L-76’ line, distinctly significantly positive values, compared to those of the control plants, at the intensity of photosynthesis and the internal concentration of CO2
The phytochemical constituents and therapeutic uses of genus Aloe: A review
Get PDFAloe, the largest genus in the Asphodelaceae family, comprises 548 species, with A. vera, A. arborescens and A. ferox being among the most widely studied species. Aloe species originated in arid climates and cover various habitats, from sea level up to 2700 m, and from desert to closed-canopy forests. For human health, Aloe species are the richest natural sources. The biological activity of Aloe sp. constituents covers a wide spectrum. Most of the indications come from traditional, folkloric use and several have been verified by in vitro or in vivo studies. Emodin, the main phenolic component, has showed anti-neoplastic, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and toxicological potential for use in pharmacology. Polysaccharides, with acemannan being the most important, are present in high abundance in Aloe gels. Acemannan has been reported to have applications in oral, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, oncology, dentistry and wound healing. The effectiveness of Aloe sp. constituents on colon, liver, duodenum, skin, pancreas, intestine, lungs and kidneys cancers was highly studied with remarkable findings. Regarding the metabolic syndrome, Aloe sp. can be used as an antidiabetic and reduces cholesterol and total body fat. Constituents of Aloe sp. are nontoxic in experimental acute oral studies and are widely used in cosmetology and as bitter agents or consistence modifiers in food and beverages. Traditional Aloe remedies cover most human diseases; however, in order to gain legitimacy, the Aloe-derived drugs must have a well-established composition, with thoroughly investigated adverse effects and conventional drug interactions
Physiological variation of irradiated red radish plants and their phylogenic relationship using SCoT and CDDP markers
Get PDFGreenhouse experiment is carried out to explore the outcome of γ-radiation on physiological and genetic variation in red radish (Raphanus sativus) for two generations. Gamma rays from 60Co were used to penetrate red radish seeds with different dose levels (0.0, 10, 20, 40 and 80 Gy). Plants generated from irradiated seeds and from self-pollination of these plants, called M1 and M2 generations, respectively. Some morphological and physiological traits were then determined, and the genetic diversity of both generations was studied using Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) and Conserved DNA-Derived Polymorphism (CDDP) molecular markers. All studied morphological traits (number of leaves/plants, leave height, root diameter, and root weight) were steadily improved by raising irradiation dose rate, reaching a cumulative raise at the irradiation doe level 40 Gy and decreased at dose level 80 Gy. Photosynthetic pigments of red radish plants released a notable increase by increasing gamma rays dose level for chlorophyll (a), chlorophyll (b) and carotenoids for 40 Gy dose rate. Proline content was elevated proportionally to the irradiation dose level, with the greatest increase seen at dose level of 80 Gy. Moreover, phytochemical screening was detected for the both two generations. Fourteen SCoT primers generated a total number of banding patterns of 194 with average 13.86 and the primer SCoT-33 released the highest number banding patterns (21). The percentage mean of polymorphism for all the SCoT primers was 74.66% and was 66.49 and 63.74% for M1 and M2 respectively. Furthermore, fifteen CDDP primers generated a total number of banding patterns of 186 and the primer CDDP-5 relieved the highest number of banding patterns (20). The percentage mean of polymorphism for all the CDDP primers was 73.41% and was 64.38 and 65.91% for M1 and M2 respectively. It could be concluded that gamma irradiation exhibited an appropriate variation in red radish M1 and M2 which was detected by SCoT and CDDP molecular markers
Influence of environmental and nutritional factors on the development of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) microgreens grown in a hydroponic system: A review
Get PDFLettuce microgreens are one of the most popular vegetables due to them being perceived as a “healthy food”, with high concentrations of nutrients, beneficial vitamins, and minerals. With a short vegetation period, they can be cultivated with minimum investment, and they are increasingly accepted by consumers, as they are healthy and easy to prepare. Lettuce has high ecological plasticity, but, despite this, its phenotypic expression, morphology, physiology, and anatomy are significantly influenced by environmental conditions. Lettuce microgreens contain higher quantities of phytonutrients and minerals and lower quantities of nitrates at the early stage of development than at the completely developed stage. The environmental conditions that influence the development of lettuce microgreens (and their quality) in a hydroponic system are as follows (average ideal values): light (400 W), photoperiodicity (12 h), light intensity (400 µmol m−2 s−1), colour spectrum (440-460 nm), temperature (20 ± 2 °C), and humidity (80 ± 5 %). The nutritional solution in a hydroponic system must be carefully monitored, by checking certain essential parameters such as the following (average ideal values): pH (6.3 ± 0.4), electrical conductivity (1.8 ± 0.2 mS), dissolved oxygen (6 mg L−1), and temperature (18 ± 2 °C). The analysis of expert literature reveals that there is a need to establish certain protocols for cultivating microgreens in hydroponic systems, to minimize the factors that can negatively influence the plants, in order to obtain higher concentrations of active substances
Phytotoxicity and allelopathic potential of extracts from rhizomes and leaves of Arundo donax, an invasive grass in neotropical savannas
Get PDFThe perennial rhizomatous grass Arundo donax L. (Poaceae), the giant reed, is an exotic invasive species in several countries of Europe that is rapidly spreading in the savannas of Central Brazil, locally known as Cerrado. Allelopathy could facilitate the successful invasion of this species by hampering or suppressing the regeneration of the native vegetation. However, information on the phytotoxicity of A. donax extracts is limited. We investigated the allelopathic potential of A. donax leaf and rhizome extracts, screened them for phytochemicals by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), and tested the extracts for antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, and cytotoxicity against Artemia salina. Aqueous and methanolic extracts were initially tested in germination and seedling growth bioassays using Lactuca sativa L. (Asteraceae). The aqueous extracts were then tested on five Cerrado tree species and on Megathyrsus maximus, an invasive, alien grass in the Cerrado. Extracts negatively affected germination and seedling growth of the target species. Leaf extracts were more inhibitory. Extracts did not show antioxidant and cytotoxic activity and had very low antimicrobial activity. Flavonoids, and other phenolics were detected mostly in leaves. Terpenes, which were also present in the leaves, were the main secondary metabolites in rhizomes. Alkaloids were detected by TLC in leaf methanolic extracts. However, 1H-NMR revealed the presence of indole alkaloids in methanolic extracts from rhizomes and leaves. We confirmed the allelopathic potential of this species and caution against weed control methods relying on cutting the plant back to soil level for favouring release of allelochemicals