Diverse non-crop vegetation assemblages as banker plants for predatory mites in strawberry crop

Non-crop plant diversity plays a fundamental role in the conservation of predatory mite (PM) and can be proposed as a banker plant system (BPS). BPSs provide plants that host natural enemies in greenhouses or field crops and may improve the efficiency of biological control. The aim of this study was to investigate if a diverse plant composition could be a suitable BPS for PMs in strawberry crops. A plant inventory characterized 22 species of non-crop plants harboring PMs. The most abundant PMs, in decreasing order, were Neoseiulus californicus, Neoseiulus anonymus, Euseius citrifolius, and Euseius concordis. PMs were randomly distributed among plants. We also found specific associations of Phytoseiidae species and phytophagous or generalist mites on plants. Due to this, four species were deemed suitable as banker plants: Capsicum sp., Leonurus sibiricus, Solanum americanum, and Urochloa mutica. Moreover, these plants combined a high PMs density and a low occurrence or absence of pest-mites. This study suggests shifting the traditional view that BPSs are composed of a limited number of species to use plant assemblages. This contributes to both conservation and augmentative biological control.

Southern African Soap Plants and Screening of Selected Phytochemicals and Quantitative Analysis of Saponin Content

In southern Africa, several plants are used ethnobotanically as soap substitutes, however, this information resides in different literature sources. The foaming and cleansing properties of such plants are attributed mainly to the presence of saponins, but other compounds such as alkaloids and terpenoids are also implicated. This study aimed to compile a comprehensive list of plants used traditionally as soap substitutes in southern Africa and to assess the chemical properties of selected species. Qualitative phytochemical analysis was done using five solvents (ethanol, methanol, water, chloroform, and acetone) to determine the presence of saponins, alkaloids, and terpenoids in selected soap plants. Quantitative analysis of the saponin content was done employing spectrophotometric tests of methanol extracts. There are thirty-seven (37) known southern African soap plants from twenty-four (24) different families, with the Fabaceae having the highest number of species (eight). Saponin concentrations of nine previously unstudied selected soap plants are reported for the first time in this study, whereby Calodendrum capense had the highest saponin concentrations are at 107.89 ± 4.89 mg/g, followed by Noltea africana (52.65 ± 6.81 mg/g), Crinum bulbispermum (35.43 ± 4.25 mg/g), and Merwilla plumbea (25.59 ± 0.83 mg/g). The knowledge of plant composition gives a better understanding of plant chemistry and possible use of plants medicinally, industrially and as soap substitutes. Furthermore, this allows the verification and the justification of traditional plant use. Soap plants have been used traditionally for many years, the potential to commercialise the use of these plants has been realised with the increase in the use of organic products by conscious consumers hence, the purpose of this investigation can have bearing on future projects and products.

Plant Species Composition and the Perception of the Afforestation in Urban Public Green Spaces in a Municipality in Eastern Brazilian Amazon

The plant composition is a fundamental element in public green spaces, improving the environment and people’s quality of life. The executing of floristic inventories can contribute to better understanding and management of these spaces. Here, we sought to know the plants used in the afforestation of the main public green spaces in the town of Oriximiná, eastern Brazilian Amazon, as well as to perform a brief analysis of the population’s perception regarding the afforestation of these environments. The plants were collected and identified using specific literature and dichotomous keys, in addition to consultations in virtual herbariums. The analysis of the population’s perception took place through interviews, with questionnaires collected in each public green space. We registered 1616 individuals from the flora of the squares, distributed in 16 families, 24 genera, and 28 species. Exotic plants are predominant in number species and of individuals. The interviewees demonstrated that they are aware of the importance of plants in the squares and providing shade stands out as the most cited benefit. The afforestation of the squares shows some irregularities, highlighting the need for better planning which includes the use of native species and the participation of the local community in the management of these green areas. Finally, we provide a list of native species, naturally occurring in the Amazon region, that can be used in urban afforestation.

Study of native dendroflora of Khabarovsk city

The problem of studying the dendroflora of cities is relevant when conducting modern ecological andbotanical research. The article presents the results of an inventory of native dendroflora of the city of Khabarovsk. Anannotated list of 116 species from 27 families was compiled, which exceeds the corresponding figures for the dendrofloraof Vladivostok and Birobidzhan. At the same time, the dendroflora of Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Blagoveshchensk,Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is much richer in terms of plant composition. Taxonomic, general, and biomorphologicalanalyzes of the flora have been carried out. The leading botanic families have been identified: Rosaceae, Salicaceae,Betulaceae, Caprifoliaceae. Large species are: Salix, Acer, Betula, Lonicera, Ulmus, Picea, Populus, Ribes, Spiraea, Rosa,Euonymus. Among woody plants, East Asian species predominate, which corresponds to the position of the city ofKhabarovsk within the Manchurian region of the East Asian floristic region. The nemoral group is the richest in species,which is typical for broad-leaved and coniferous-broad-leaved forests of the temperate zone. Analysis of life forms andrhythms of annual development show the predominance of summer-green shrubs, evergreen and summer-green trees inthe flora of the city. There is a small number of lianas, dwarf shrubs. Dwarf forms in the dendroflora of the city are rare,they are found on the territory of the Far Eastern Forestry Research Institute‘s Arboretum. There is rare and protectedspices in the flora of the city – Taxus cuspidata.

Ecosystem Services and Disservices of Vegetation in Recreational Urban Blue-Green Spaces—Some Recommendations for Greenery Shaping

Urban water bodies are an important asset in terms of climate change. The accompanying vegetation is an integral part of the waterside space system and a source of ecosystem services and disservices. The composition of greenery in waterside spaces should therefore be preceded by detailed research. This research would be the basis for the development of recommendations for enhancement of the positive impact of vegetation on humans and minimisation of its negative effect. The aim of the study was to identify ecosystem services and disservices of vegetation in the four most important waterside recreation spaces in the city of Rzeszów, Poland, and to develop plant composition guidelines. A detailed inventory of vegetation and aerobiological monitoring of the presence of airborne allergenic pollen grains and fungal spores were carried out. Next, the ecosystem services and disservices of the vegetation were determined based on literature data and on our expert judgement. Additionally, a counting of the number of visitors to waterside areas was conducted. All these steps were used to develop recommendations for shaping the vegetation of study areas. The results of the investigations show that the boulevards along the artificial lake function completely differently than other investigated places as the area resembles an urban park, and the water is not the main attraction in this space. The vegetation of the boulevards and the nearby gravel-pit bathing area has mostly a spontaneous character and offers the widest range of ecosystem services and disservices. The management of the vegetation should focus on its health-enhancing values. The vegetation growing near the outdoor swimming pools has been designed by man. Nevertheless, it requires recomposing and is targeted specifically at the enhancement of the visual attractiveness. Additionally, there is a need for planting compact deciduous trees that will provide shade at the multi-media fountain.

Pollen meta-barcoding reveals foraging preferences of honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) along space-time gradient in Japan

The availability of pollen in urban-rural landscapes is an essential factor that influences the population dynamics of insect pollinators. The amount and diversity of pollen play a pivotal role in the foraging ecology of pollinators for their growth and health, but investigations on the spatio-temporal patterns of foraged plants remain rare, especially in cities as neo-ecosystems. Here, we explored the temporal foraging habits of a highly polylectic pollinator ( Apis mellifera L.) in a study area, including different landscape classes from rural to urban areas. Mixed-pollen in each month and each location (N = 17) were analysed using DNA meta-barcoding to identify plants visited by honeybees. The results showed that the landscape class (rural, suburban and urban areas) explains spatial variations in the plant composition foraged by honeybees, but not in taxa richness. Furthermore, pollen diversity and plant composition showed a strong seasonal dependence. Furthermore, a higher plant richness and foraged woody taxa was found to occur in spring, which was mainly dominated by the genera Prunus and Acer . In summer and autumn, the genera Trifolium and Plantago of the herbaceous stratum were the most visited plants. The Fabaceae, Rosaceae, Brassicaceae, Plantaginaceae, and Onagraceae plant families were the most frequently observed in all combined samples. The present study contributes to a broader understanding of the ecology and floral preferences of honeybees, on which urban planning can rely to promote biodiversity in cities.