Ecological Analysis of Some Azerbaijan Phanerophytes in ex situ Conditions

Analyzes of the relationship of 115 species of phanerophytes used in cultural conditions (Azerbaijan) against some abiotic factors (light, temperature, water, wind, etc.) have been presented in the paper. 2 species of these taxa are hygrophytes, 56 species are mesophytes, 23 species are xerophytes, 9 species are mesoskerophytes and 25 species are xeromesophytes have been determined depending from the relationship with water according to the results of analyzes. 100 light-loving species, 15 shade-loving species, 97 wind-resistant species and 18 wind-resistant species were found as a result of the study.

Aspergillus sibiricus (Aspergillaceae, Eurotiales), a novel acid-tolerant species in Aspergillus section Fumigati

A novel species in Aspergillus section Fumigati is described as Aspergillus sibiricus. The new species was isolated from an open coal mine in Altai, Siberia, Russia and is represented by ex-type strain CBS 143307. We used a polyphasic taxonomic approach to characterise the species. A description based on morphological features is provided and shows that the new species differs morphologically from closely related species (A. assulatus, A. nishimurae and A. waksmanii). Partial sequences of the loci encoding β-tubulin (BenA), calmodulin (CaM), ribosomal polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) and internal transcribed spacer rDNA region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) were analyzed as well. Sequences data, macro- and micromorphological and physiological characteristics distinguish A. sibiricus from all known species in section Fumigati, series Unilaterales. A. sibiricus, isolated from an acidic habitat (pH 3.2–3.4), is able to grow at pH 2 and is considered an acid-resistant species.

Relationship of Resistance-Related Enzyme activity and Salicylic Acid content in Phalaenopsis Species with different levels of resistance to DIckeya Dadantii

ABSTRACT Orchids (Phalaenopsis) are ornamental plants that are cultivated commercially and in great demand in the market. Soft-rot disease (SRD) caused by the necrotrophic pathogen Dickeya dadantii is a cause of considerable economic loss to cultivators of many orchid species. Our previous experiment identified a limited number of species that were resistant to D. dadantii. This study aimed to validate the resistance level of four Phalaenopsis species in a detached leaf inoculation protocol to identify the resistance mechanism(s) involved. Soft-rot symptom diameter was measured from 6 to 18 hours post-inoculation (HPI) with D. dadantii. Disease assessment confirmed that P. amboinensis is a resistant species, P. pantherina is a susceptible species, and P. amabilis and P. schilleriana are very susceptible species. There was no difference in the lignin content between the resistant and very susceptible species. Detailed observation of resistant and very susceptible species, P. amboinensis vs. P. amabilis, revealed higher phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and peroxidase (POD) in P. amabilis than in P. amboinensis. In contrast, there was higher salicylic acid (SA) content in P. amboinensis than in P. amabilis. These results suggest that POD and PAL activities may not be effective in defense against soft-rot disease, while SA plays an important role in the resistance of P. amboinensis to D. dadantii. Low PAL activity in P. amboinensis implies that the SA contents from the isochorismate pathway may be involved in the mechanism of P. amboinensis resistance to D. dadantii. Therefore, endogenous SA content may be a good indicator for screening resistant species in Phalaenopsis.

Cultured flora of the Dendrological Park “Askania Nova”: a current state and main factors of influence

The paper describes the composition of introduced species that form the collection fund of the Dendrological Park «Askania Nova», groups of arboreal plants are identified in connection with their ecological resistance. Information about the influence of abiotic and biotic factors on plant life is given, pest-resistant species are proposed for use. The tendencies of transformation of phytocenotic structure of the old park' s stands are noted. The directions of work on preservation of collection plantations and rare plants of different protection levels are described.

High Redox Status as the Basis for Heavy Metal Tolerance of Sesuvium portulacastrum L. Inhabiting Contaminated Soil in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Because sewage sludge is contaminated with heavy metals, its disposal in the soil may pose risks to the ecosystem. Thus, heavy metal remediation is necessary to reduce the associated risks. The goal of this research is to introduce a heavy metal resistant species and to assess its phytoremediation, oxidative damage markers and stress tolerance mechanisms. To this end, field research was done to compare the vegetation of polluted sites to that of a healthy site. We found 42 plant species identified in the study, Sesuvium portulacastrum L. was chosen because of its high relative density (10.3) and maximum frequency (100 percent) in the most contaminated areas. In particular, S. portulacastrum plants were characterized by strong Cu, Ni, and As uptake. At the organ level, to control growth reduction and oxidase damage, particularly in roots, increased detoxification (e.g., metallothionein, phytochelatins) and antioxidants mechanisms (e.g., tocopherols, glutathione, peroxidases). On the other hand, flavonoids content and the activity of glutathione-S transferase, glutathione reductase and dehydroascorbate reductase were increased manly in the shoots. These biochemical markers can be applied to select tolerance plant species grown under complex heavy metal contamination. Our findings also introduced S. portulacastrum to reduce soil contamination0associated risks, making the land resource available for agricultural production.

Evaluation of the antibacterial and modulatory activities of ethanolic excract of Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton against multiresistant bacterial strains

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial and modulatory activities of ethanolic extract of Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton against resistant species. By microdilution method, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract and modulation of the subinhibitory concentration MIC/8 to norfloxacine, gentamicin and imipenem against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. There was obtained 512 μg/mL to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. To Staphylococcus aureus, modulation showed synergism to norfloxacin and gentamicin, with imipenem against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and gentamicin against Escherichia coli. Based on these results, more studies are needed to test the antibacterial activity of the extract. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la actividad antibacteriana y moduladora del extracto etanólico de Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton contra cepas multirresistentes de bacterias. Por el método de microdilución, fueron definidas la concentración inhibidora mínima (MIC) del extracto y la modulación con la concentración inhibidora CIM / 8 del extracto con norfloxacina, gentamicina e imipenem contra Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli y Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Se obtuvo 512 μg/mL para Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Se descubrió sinergismo en el caso de Staphylococcus aureus, en la modulación con norfloxacina y gentamicina, mientras que con imipenem frente a Pseudomonas aeruginosa y con gentamicina para Escherichia coli. Con base en estos resultados, se necesitan más estudios para probar la actividad antibacteriana del extracto.

Nanocarrier-Based Approaches for the Efficient Delivery of Anti-Tubercular Drugs and Vaccines for Management of Tuberculosis

Drug-resistant species of tuberculosis (TB), which spread faster than traditiona TB, is a severely infectious disease. The conventional drug therapy used in the management of tuberculosis has several challenges linked with adverse effects. Hence, nanotherapeutics served as an emerging technique to overcome problems associated with current treatment. Nanotherapeutics helps to overcome toxicity and poor solubility issues of several drugs used in the management of tuberculosis. Due to their diameter and surface chemistry, nanocarriers encapsulated with antimicrobial drugs are readily taken up by macrophages. Macrophages play a crucial role as they serve as target sites for active and passive targeting for nanocarriers. The surface of the nanocarriers is coated with ligand-specific receptors, which further enhances drug concentration locally and indicates the therapeutic potential of nanocarriers. This review highlights tuberculosis’s current facts, figures, challenges associated with conventional treatment, different nanocarrier-based systems, and its application in vaccine development.

Climate change and the activities of botanical gardens

Problems and prospects of botanical gardens in a changing climate are discussed in the article. An increase in the average annual surface air temperature, changes in seasonal indicators and the length of the growing season require action from botanical gardens. Decisions on the management of natural and man-made ecosystems, with the aim of their conservation and sustainable development, must be taken taking into account the ecological situation. The knowledge and experience concentrated in botanical gardens makes it possible to assess the threats and opportunities for climate change and develop adaptation measures to them. All activities of botanical gardens should be aimed at counteracting climate change, include preventive measures based on the expected plant responses and compensatory measures. Research work in all areas should take into account the situation with changing climatic parameters. Special attention should be paid to endemic rare and endangered species, historical landscapes, and changes in the assortment of resistant species, cultivation technologies, and biological invasions. Botanical gardens must be proactive by providing information, plant materials and technologies for national and global climate change adaptation programs.

D6 protein kinase in root xylem benefiting resistance to Fusarium reveals infection and defense mechanisms in tung trees

Fusarium oxysporum, a global soil-borne pathogen, causes severe disease in various cultivated plants. The mechanism underlying infection and resistance remains largely elusive. Vernicia fordii, known as the tung tree, suffers from disease caused by F. oxysporum f. sp. fordiis (Fof-1), while its sister species V. montana displays high resistance to Fof-1. To investigate the process of infection and resistance ability, we demonstrated that Fof-1 can penetrate the epidermis of root hairs and then centripetally invade the cortex and phloem in both species. Furthermore, Fof-1 spread upwards through the root xylem in susceptible V. fordii trees, whereas it failed to infect the root xylem in resistant V. montana trees. We found that D6 PROTEIN KINASE LIKE 2 (VmD6PKL2) was specifically expressed in the lateral root xylem and was induced after Fof-1 infection in resistant trees. Transgenic analysis in Arabidopsis and tomato revealed that VmD6PKL2 significantly enhanced resistance in both species, whereas the d6pkl2 mutant displayed reduced resistance against Fof-1. Additionally, VmD6PKL2 was identified to interact directly with synaptotagmin (VmSYT3), which is specifically expressed in the root xylem and mediates the negative regulation responding to Fof-1. Our data suggested that VmD6PKL2 could act as a resistance gene against Fof-1 through suppression of VmSYT3-mediated negative regulation in the lateral root xylem of the resistant species. These findings provide novel insight into Fusarium wilt resistance in plants.

Shedding light on the bacterial resistance to toxic UV filters: a comparative genomic study

UV filters are toxic to marine bacteria that dominate the marine biomass. Ecotoxicology often studies the organism response but rarely integrates the toxicity mechanisms at the molecular level. In this study, in silico comparative genomics between UV filters sensitive and resistant bacteria were conducted in order to unravel the genes responsible for a resistance phenotype. The genomes of two environmentally relevant Bacteroidetes and three Firmicutes species were compared through pairwise comparison. Larger genomes were carried by bacteria exhibiting a resistant phenotype, favoring their ability to adapt to environmental stresses. While the antitoxin and CRISPR systems were the only distinctive features in resistant Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes displayed multiple unique genes that could support the difference between sensitive and resistant phenotypes. Several genes involved in ROS response, vitamin biosynthesis, xenobiotic degradation, multidrug resistance, and lipophilic compound permeability were shown to be exclusive to resistant species. Our investigation contributes to a better understanding of UV filters resistance phenotypes, by identifying pivotal genes involved in key pathways.