Genome size variation in Deschampsia cespitosa sensu lato (Poaceae) in Eurasia

The grass Deschampsia cespitosa is a variable taxon out of which many varieties, subspecies and endemic species have been separated. In this paper, the variation in genome size (GS) and ploidy of this grass including several of its subspecies and two related species in Eurasia was investigated by flow cytometric (FCM) measurements. GS and ploidy data were also related to specific environments and reproduction mode. Ploidy levels found by FCM were confirmed by chromosome counts of diploid (2n = 28) and tetraploid (2n = 52) samples. Seminiferous (seed bearing) D. cespitosa was mainly diploid (GS between 3.754 and 5.438 pg/1C). GS variation in diploids showed a geographic pattern with a significant difference (H = 41,441, P < 0.001) between European (median = 4.377 pg) and Asian (median = 4.881 pg) accessions. Genome size (1C) in tetraploids ranged from 7.9426 to 9.0399 pg. Tetraploid seminiferous D. cespitosa was found mostly in disturbed habitats in western and southern Europe, while tetraploids in Asia were registered in wet Arctic habitats. Genome size (1C between 8.3278 and 8.8603 pg) of the pseudoviviparous plants (spikelets produce plantlets asexually) of wet habitats in central and northern Europe indicated tetraploidy. A putative triploid (GS 6.6817 pg) was detected in Iceland. Summing up, we found a high variation in GS on the geographic scale with significant regional differences in diploid D. cespitosa. Among the tetraploids, the asexually reproducing plants were bound to specific habitats, while the seminiferous plants showed a habitat preference similar to the diploids.

Communities with Galega orientalis Lam. in Kursk Region

. Plant communities dominated by the invasive species Galega orientalis, common in natural and anthropogenic habitats, have been identified in Kursk Region. On anthropogenic ecotopes (wastelands, roadsides), phytocoenoses of the ass. Galigetum orientalis are formed as a result of introduction of Galega orientalis into communities of the order Agropyretalia intermedio–repentis (class Artemisietea vulgaris). In natural habitats, Galega orientalis spreads in mesophylous meadow communities (order Arrhenatheretalia, class Molinio-Arrhenatheretea), while derivative communities Galega orientalis [Arrhenatheretalia] are formed. Galega orientalis is unevenly present in derivative communities, forming separate loci, as a result, its cover is less intensive than in anthropogenic communities. It may be due to a more intensive distribution of this species in disturbed habitats. Comparison of ranges of values of environmental factors showed that derivative communities are formed in wetter habitats. Phytocoenoses of the association are characterized by wider variation in values of acidity and richness of soils in mineral nitrogen.

The conditionality of the formation of territorial species complexes of weeds by natural and anthropogenic factors

Territorial species complexes of weeds consist of a pool of species of regional flora (formed under the influence of natural factors), confined to secondary habitats with disturbed (natural or anthropogenic) vegetation and soilcover. Each territory is characterized by a certain species complex, the formation of which is due to the correspondence ofthe indicators of heat and moisture supply of this territory to the requirements of each type of weed plant of this complexto the main factors affecting the spread of plants – heat and moisture. This is the basis for the method of ecological andgeographical analysis, which consists in comparing the factors limiting the distribution of each species in the northern (indicators of the isoline of the sum of active temperatures above +5 ° C, describing the northern border of the weed species’range) and southern (indicators of the SCC isoline, describing the southern border of the species’ range) directions withthe indicators of heat and moisture availability of the studied territory. The species complex identified in this way is implemented within the region on a variety of secondary (disturbed) habitats, of which only those formed by anthropogenic means are taken into account in phytosanitary zoning. The equivalence and irreplaceability of the action of natural andanthropogenic factors is the basis for the formation of weed flora, as well as phytosanitary zoning in relation to weeds andlong-term forecast of their distribution.

Possibilities of using leaves cultivated chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) as a medicinal plant material (review)

Common chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is widely known as a food plant. However, in folk medicine in many countries, the roots and leaves of chicory are used as a choleretic, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic agent. In this regard, a promising direction of research is a detailed study of the biological characteristics and chemical composition of this plant in order to substantiate its use for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. The article presents an analysis of the available information on the botanical classification and biological characteristics, agricultural technology, chemical composition and the use of the aerial part of the cultivated common chicory in scientific and folk medicine. Possible resources for collecting chicory leaves are wild-growing populations, as well as varieties of root chicory, which is grown in Russia as an industrial crop. Under natural conditions, chicory occupies disturbed habitats characterized by low soil fertility, pollution with heavy metals, and increased competition with other ruderal plants. While in the conditions of culture, the best agroecological conditions for growing plants are provided, accelerating their development and contributing to accumulation of biologically active substances in greater quantities, compared with wild ones. In this regard, a promising direction of research is to study the influence of various factors (illumination, temperature, weather conditions, agrotechnical measures, varietal characteristics, growth regulators) on the content, qualitative composition and dynamics of the accumulation of biologically active compounds in the leaves of cultivated common chicory.

Characteristics of the microspecies aggregations among Alchemilla L. (Rosaceae) coenopopulations on the territory of Mari El Republic

The genus Alchemilla L. is represented by a significant number of apomictic species. This paper deals with the microspecies aggregations among Alchemilla coenopopulations from 5 nature districts on the territory of Mari El Republic. Alchemilla coenopopulations grow in meadow and forest margin communities, in disturbed habitats, while they have close estimates according to the ecological scales of L.G. Ramensky and D.N. Tsyganov. 25 Alchemilla microspecies have been identified. The number of generative rosette shoots on 1 m area for different microspecies within the coenopopulation varies extremely widely. There are from 3 to 14 microspecies in coenopopulations, one or two from them clearly dominant in number. Dominant microspecies are: A. acutiloba Opiz, A. hirsuticaulis H. Lindb., A. micans Buser, A. monticola Opiz, A. schistophylla Juz., A. subcrenata Buser, A. substrigosa Juz. There is A. micans in all coenopopulations, A. acutiloba , A. glabricaulis H. Lindb., A. monticola , A. sarmatica Juz. and A. subcrenata often occur. Microspecies A. breviloba H. Lindb., A. dasycrater Juz., A. devestiens Juz., A. filicaulis Buser, A. heptagona Juz., A. leiophylla Juz., A. lindbergiana Juz., A. plicata Buser, A. semilunaris Alechin are represented by single generative rosette shoots.

Weeds and weed flora as the basis for phytosanitary zoning (a review)

The concept of “the weed flora” is still associated with weedy plants within agricultural phytocenoses, despite the fact that its association with a wider range of secondary habitat types with disturbed vegetation and soil cover was discussed as early as in the first half of the last century. The study of this characteristic feature of weeds has been continued at the present time, which is reflected in the very concept of “the weed” adopted by the state standards. The structure of the weed flora includes groups of weedy plant species within both naturally and anthropogenically disturbed habitats, so such notions as “the segetal flora” or “synanthropic flora” do not fully reflect the composition of the weed flora. The formation of the weed flora was historically linked with the emergence and development of cultivated plants. A regional weed flora is composed of weed plant species, for which this or that region is suitable in terms of growing conditions. In the context of agriculture and plant protection, the elementary weed flora is the flora of an agricultural landscape or an agricultural ecosystem, as its component. Phytosanitary zoning for a set of weed species confined to a specific territory is carried out at the macro-, meso-, and microlevels. The criterion for identifying the levels of phytosanitary zoning is the weed flora of different territorial levels.

Linepithema humile (Argentine ant).

L. humile is one of the most invasive and problematic ant species in the world according to the Invasive Species Specialist Group (www.issg.org/database). Native to South America, it has spread worldwide in areas with Mediterranean-type climates usually associated with disturbed habitats as a result of human commercial activities. Its capacity to tolerate a wide range of abiotic conditions, its generalist dietary requirements and its unicolonial organization, which lead to the formation of large supercolonies, allow the species to spread easily and occupy a wide range of areas. In these areas, L. humile has impacted native ant faunas leading to changes in arthropod communities, ant-vertebrate interactions and ant-plant relationships. Its presence has also had economic effects, such as damage to infrastructure, and negative effects on crops and plantations due to its mutualistic interactions with hemipterans, which can affect the growth and production of the host plant.

Development and Utilization of Microsatellite Markers to Assess Genetic Variation Coupled with Modelling Range Shifts of Dodonaea Viscosa in Isolated Taita Hills and Mount Kenya Forests

For the protection and maintenance of fragmented and highly disturbed habitats, understanding genetic variation is essential. The Taita Hills of Kenya is the northernmost part of the Eastern Arc Mountains and has been identified as one of the top 10 biodiversity hotspots globally. The current forests in the Taita Hills have been highly fragmented over the past century. In order to appraise the influence of anthropological disturbance and fragmentation on the genetic variation of Dodonaea viscosa (Sapindaceae), we studied its preliminary genetic variability and population structure using newly developed microsatellite (SSR) markers, combined with ecological niche modeling analyses. We utilized the Illumina paired-end technology to sequence the D. viscosa’s genome and developed its microsatellite markers. In total, 646,428 sequences were analyzed and 49,836 SSRs were identified from 42,638 sequences. A total of 18 primer pairs were designed to test polymorphism among 92 individuals across eight populations. The average observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.119 to 0.982 and from 0.227 to 0.691, respectively. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed 78% variance within individuals and only 20% among the eight populations. According to SDM results, D. viscosa’s suitable habitats have been gradually reducing since the last glacial maximum (LGM), and the situation will worsen under the extreme pessimist scenario of RCP 8.5. Moreover, genetic diversity was significantly greater in larger fragments. Therefore, urgent conservation management of smaller fragmented patches is necessary to protect this disturbed region and maintain the genetic resources.