Chromosome numbers of invasive and potentially invasive species in the flora of the Republic of Altai. Post V

Chromosome numbers (2n) of 15 invasive and potentially invasive plant species from the families Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Malvaceae, Onagraceae, Papaveraceae, Plantaginaceae, Poaceae, Polygonaceae, Portulacaceae, and Rosaceae are reported on the samples collected in the Republic of Altai. To determine the chromosome number (ploidy level), the method of direct counting was used. Among studied species, chromosome complements for Persicaria orientalis (2n = 22), Potentilla norvegica (2n = 42), Veronica persica (2n = 28) were first examined from Russia; for Papaver rhoeas (2n = 14) and Rumex obtusifolius (2n = 20) – from Asian part of Russia; for Bromus squarrosus (2n = 14), Cosmos bipinnatus (2n = 24), and Eriochloa villosa (2n = 54) – from Siberia. Abutilon theophrasti (2n = 42) and Lepidium densiflorum (2n = 32) were first studied from Western Siberia; Epilobium ciliatum subsp. adenocaulon (2n = 36), Portulaca oleracea (2n = 36), Spergularia rubra (2n = 36), and Xanthium strumarium (2n = 36) – from the Republic of Altai. Common distribution and the history of floristic findings of these species in the Republic of Altai are given. Previously published data on chromosome numbers from Russia are cited.

Screening of Xanthium strumarium (IAPS) Growing on Abandoned Habitats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan: Perspectives for Phytoremediation

The ecological impacts of invasive alien plant species (IAPS) are well-documented, but a dearth of studies exist concerning its economic, livelihood, biotechnological, and health risk assessment perspectives. IAPS management is currently expanding to ecological indicator and biotechnological aspects. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the phytoremediation potential, biomedical, and bio-safety applications of X. strumarium growing in different abandoned habitats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. In this study, 45 plants and soil samples were gathered from 15 abandoned sites and analyzed for Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn concentrations; bioaccumulation (BA); and translocation factor (TF). The assayed Pb and Cd concentration was higher and above threshold in both soil–plant samples. BAF was found higher in roots than intact plants despite having a significant accumulation of Cd, Pb, and Zn, which shows high metals tolerance of this IAPS. PCA-ordination explained a high cumulative variance (98.9%) and separated roads and densely populated sites with comparatively high metals concentration, indicating the pseudometallophyte nature of X. strumarium. Soil, sand, and plant biomass were shown to be the major determinants affecting the heavy metals concentration and its phytoremediation significantly, which may be due to the soil’s metalliferous nature in the study area. This IAPS exhibited strong translocation and hyperaccumulation capacity in different functional traits with comparatively high Pb, Cd, and Zn (≥1 TF) mobility and, hence, can effectively be used for Pb phytoextraction and phytostabilization of Cd, Cu, and Zn, respectively. Likewise, several other non-spontaneous IAPS growing on such abandoned habitats might be promising for developing a reasonable strategic framework for heavy metals mitigation and health risk implications in this region.

Morphological and Phytochemical Studies on Xanthium strumarium L.

Xanthium strumarium L. belonging to family Asteraceae is an annual herb with abundance occurring in India. This plant has been used in the indigenous system of medicine for a long time in India as well as other countries. The morphological studies reveal that there is notable difference in the plant habit, leaves, stem, root and flowers among this plant. Morphological study also helps for correct identification and nomenclature of plant. The chemicals present in root, stem and leaves drugs are analyzed physically as well as chemically by qualitative and quantitative parameters. In present study reveals morphology, medicinal properties and phytochemical studies of plants for correct identification authenticity of drugs. The details are presented in the present paper.

The Potency of Six Medicinal Plant Extracts Against the Stored Grain Insect Pest Sitophilus granarius L.

Jawalkar, N.B., S.P. Zambare and M.I. Al Ghannoum. 2021. The Potency of Six Medicinal Plant Extracts Against the Stored Grain Insect Pest Sitophilus granarius L. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 39(4): 323-328. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-039.4.323328 This study was conducted on six medicinal plants viz., Vitex negundo (leaves), Xanthium strumarium, Caesalpinia bonduc, Mucuna pruriens, Moringa oleifera (seed kernels), Tagetes erecta (petals) for their bio-insecticidal activity. The powders of various parts of plants were extracted using the MARS6 microwave acid digestion system. Three different concentrations (20, 30, and 40%) of plant extracts were tested against granary weevil, Sitophilus granarius L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) for their bio-insecticidal activities under laboratory conditions. The results of statistical analysis showed a good performance of all plant extracts, especially at the high concentrations of the extracts, where they showed different levels of insect mortality and their developmental rate was also reduced leading to significant reduction in insect numbers. The mortality rate ranged was 0-100% with S. granarius adults (p < 0.01). There was significant correlation (R=1) between mortality rate and the concentration of plant extracts. However, the extract of Mucuna pruriens with solvents (Acetone + Petroleum Ether) showed the highest mortality rate of 100% at the three concentrations used (p < 0.01), whereas, the lowest average mortality of 43.3% (p < 0.01) was observed with Xanthium strumarium and Vitex negundo extracts with solvents (Methanol + n-Hexane) compared with 0% mortality in the control. All plant extracts have revealed insecticidal as well as propitious protective effect on grains, and it can be selected as effective control treatment after proper dose formulation to prevent weevil infestation in stored grains. Keywords: Bioinsecticide, stored grains, Sitophilus granarius, mortality, medicinal plants, MARS 6.

A herbicide resistance risk assessment for weeds in maize in New Zealand

Despite an extensive history of research into herbicide resistance in New Zealand maize, some aspects remain understudied. Herbicide resistance was first detected in New Zealand in the 1980s in maize crops, with atrazine resistance in Chenopodium album L. and Persicaria maculosa Gray. Since then, Chenopodium album has also developed resistance to dicamba, and in the last five years Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. populations have been reported to be resistant to nicosulfuron. Here we estimate the risk of herbicide resistance arising in 39 common maize weeds. A list of weeds associated with maize was generated, omitting uncommon weeds and those that grow outside of the maize growing season. Weeds were ranked for their risk of evolving herbicide resistance with a scoring protocol that accounts for the specific herbicides used in New Zealand maize. Seven weed species were classified as having a high risk of developing herbicide resistance: Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P.Beauv., Chenopodium album, Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn., Xanthium strumarium L., Amaranthus powellii S.Watson, Solanum nigrum L. and Digitaria sanguinalis. Seventeen species were classed as moderate risk, and 15 were low risk. Herbicide classes associated with more resistant species were classed as high risk,these included acetohydroxy acid synthase inhibitors and photosystem-II inhibitors. Synthetic auxins had a moderate risk but only two herbicides in this class (dicamba and clopyralid) are registered for maize in New Zealand. Other herbicide mode-of-action groups used in maize were low risk. We recommend outreach to farmers regarding weed-control strategies that prevent high-risk species from developing resistance. High-risk herbicide groups should be monitored for losses of efficacy. Resistance surveys should focus on these species and herbicides.

Metabolic Profile and Mycoherbicidal Activity of Three Alternaria alternata Isolates for the Control of Convolvulus arvensis, Sonchus oleraceus, and Xanthium strumarium

Alternaria alternata isolates C1, S1, and X3 were isolated respectively from the weeds Convolvulus arvensis, Sonchus oleraceus, and Xanthium strumarium in Algiers during 2016 and identified by morphological and molecular analyses. The aim of this investigation was to chemically characterize the exometabolome of these fungi and to evaluate the myco-herbicidal potential of their culture filtrates, crude extracts, or fractions towards target weeds. Results revealed a great heterogeneity in the biochemical profiles of the exometabolome with the remarkable presence of two compounds: tenuazonic acid (TeA) and triprenyl phenol-7 (SMTP-7). To the best of our knowledge, SMTP-7—found in all the isolates—as well as 12-methoxycitromycin detected in the culture filtrate of isolate C1, have never been reported to be produced by A. alternata. Some fractions of isolates C1 and S1 showed symptoms (necrosis and chlorosis) on the detached leaves of C. arvensis and S. oleraceus, respectively with up to 100% phytotoxic effect at low concentration. In conclusion, biochemical characterization revealed great difference of C1, S1, and X3 exometabolomethat is likely to explain the difference in their phytotoxic activity. Some fractions (d1, e1, h1, i1, a2, and f2) of isolates C1 and S1 of A. alternata caused severe necrosis and chlorosis on the injured detached leaves of C. arvensis and S. oleraceus, respectively.