Enabling Year-round Cultivation in the Nordics-Agrivoltaics and Adaptive LED Lighting Control of Daily Light Integral

High efficacy LED lamps combined with adaptive lighting control and greenhouse integrated photovoltaics (PV) could enable the concept of year-round cultivation. This concept can be especially useful for increasing the production in the Nordic countries of crops like herbaceous perennials, forest seedlings, and other potted plants not native of the region, which are grown more than one season in this harsh climate. Meteorological satellite data of this region was analyzed in a parametric study to evaluate the potential of these technologies. The generated maps showed monthly average temperatures fluctuating from −20 °C to 20 °C throughout the year. The natural photoperiod and light intensity also changed drastically, resulting in monthly average daily light integral (DLI) levels ranging from 45–50 mol·m−2·d−1 in summer and contrasting with 0–5 mol·m−2·d−1 during winter. To compensate, growth room cultivation that is independent of outdoor conditions could be used in winter. Depending on the efficacy of the lamps, the electricity required for sole-source lighting at an intensity of 300 µmol·m−2·s−1 for 16 h would be between 1.4 and 2.4 kWh·m−2·d−1. Greenhouses with supplementary lighting could help start the cultivation earlier in spring and extend it further into autumn. The energy required for lighting highly depends on several factors such as the natural light transmittance, the light threshold settings, and the lighting control protocol, resulting in electric demands between 0.6 and 2.4 kWh·m−2·d−1. Integrating PV on the roof or wall structures of the greenhouse could offset some of this electricity, with specific energy yields ranging from 400 to 1120 kWh·kW−1·yr−1 depending on the region and system design.

Taxonomic Composition of Iris Subser. Chrysographes (Iridaceae) Inferred from Chloroplast DNA and Morphological Analyses

The species of Iris subser. Chrysographes are herbaceous perennials found mainly in southwestern and central China and also in the Eastern Himalayas. To date, six species have been recognized in this group. In the framework of its taxonomic revision, we have carried out molecular and morphological studies. For this, we have sequenced four chloroplast DNA regions (trnS–trnG, trnL–trnF, rps4–trnSGGA, and psbA–trnH) for 25 samples across the major distribution ranges of the six species. Our phylogenetic analyses evidence that I. subser. Chrysographes is indeed a monophyletic group, which is sister to I. subser. Sibiricae. Within I. subser. Chrysographes, we have recovered four divergent lineages further supported by diagnosable morphological traits and geographical distributions. In this context, our data confirm the recognition of I. clarkei, I. delavayi, and I. wilsonii in their traditional concepts. Furthermore, both molecular and morphological data support the close affinities and similar distribution ranges of I. bulleyana, I. chrysographes, and I. forrestii, which suggests including I. chrysographes and I. forrestii as color forms in I. bulleyana. A revised taxonomic treatment for the group, including the notes on the species distributions and habitats, and also an identification key to the species are provided.

Endemic plants in the flora of Shutman (Sharri Mountain), Kosovo – an analysis of phytogeographical elements and life forms

This paper aims to present the diversity of endemic plants in the Shutman area and an analysis of chorological groups and life forms. The flora of Shutman comprises 31 endemic plant species. Among them, there are 20 Balkan endemics, 1 stenoendemic and 5 sub-endemic species. They belong to 20 genera and 13 families. The richest among the endemics are families Asteraceae and Caryophyllaceae, both with 4 species. All endemics are herbaceous perennials. Hemicryptophytes dominate among life forms, accounting for 58.06%. Most of the species are Balkan floristic elements (20 species or 64.52%), followed by Southeast European and South European floristic elements, both with 3 taxa (9.68%). A total of 27 species have national or international conservation status. Reporting of Ranunculus degenii Kümmerle & Jav. for the first time in Shutman makes this area the second distribution record of this plant in Kosovo.

A collection of the decorative plants of the Polar Experimental Station Branch VIR

The article presents a taxonomic analysis for the decorative plants collection in the Polar Experimental Station of the VIR branch. The collection fund of floral and ornamental plants of the VIR Polar Experimental Station currently contains 208 species, 90 cultural forms and varieties from 53 families. The collection of annual crops is represented by 21 genera, 22 species, 69 varieties from 14 families. Perennial herbaceous decorative plants on the Polar OS VIR have 101 genera, 140 species from 40 families. The collection of decorative shrubs at the Polar Experimental Station consists of 20 genera, 47 species from 11 families. From the collection of herbaceous floral and decorative crops, the plants from the Asteraceae family are most represented. The Asteraceae occupies a dominant position in the collection of annuals in terms of the number of species and varieties (8 genera, 9 species, 24 varieties). The families Solanaceae and Violaceae each have one species, but the number of cultivars cultivated at the station (9 and 18, respectively) makes it possible to distinguish them from the general composition of the collection of annuals. Among the decorative herbaceous perennials, the largest number of species (≥10) are the families: aster (18 genera, 24 species), buttercup (7 genera, 12 species), carnation (5 genera, 10 species), rosaceae (7 genera, 10 species). The family Rosaceae in the collection of decorative shrub plants is predominant in number and has 10 genera and 29 species. All decorative plants of the VIR Polar Experimental Station nursery of different life forms are introduced. The main work is aimed at attracting modern varieties, new species, and intraspecific forms to the collection. The analysis of the taxonomic structure of plant species, varieties and forms allows us to identify and recommend the most resistant to extreme growing conditions plants that have high decorative qualities, taking into account modern trends in urban floristics.

Plant demographic knowledge is biased towards short-term studies of temperate-region herbaceous perennials

Plant population dynamics research has a long history, and data collection rates have increased through time. The inclusion of this information in databases enables researchers to investigate the drivers of demographic patterns globally and study life history evolution. Studies aiming to generalise demographic patterns rely on data being derived from a representative sample of populations. However, the data are likely to be biased, both in terms of the species and ecoregions investigated and in how the original studies were conducted. Matrix population models (MPMs) are a widely-used tool in plant demography, so an assessment of publications that have used MPMs is a convenient way to assess the distribution of plant demographic knowledge. We assessed bias in this knowledge using data from the COMPADRE Plant Matrix Database, which contains MPMs for almost 800 plant species. We show that tree species and tropical ecoregions are under-represented, while herbaceous perennials and temperate ecoregions are over-represented. In addition, there is a positive association between the number of studies per country and the wealth of the country. Furthermore, we found a strong tendency towards low spatiotemporal replication: More than 50% of the studies were conducted over fewer than 4 years, and only 17% of the studies have replication across >3 sites. This limited spatiotemporal coverage means that the data may not be representative of the environmental conditions experienced by the species. Synthesis: The biases and knowledge gaps we identify are a challenge for the progress of theory and limit the usefulness of current data for determining patterns that would be useful for conservation decisions, such as determining general responses to climate change. We urge researchers to close these knowledge gaps with novel data collection.

Strengthening Structures in the Petiole–Lamina Junction of Peltate Leaves

Peltate- or umbrella- shaped leaves are characterised by a petiole more or less centrally attached to the lamina on the abaxial side. The transition from the petiole to lamina in peltate leaves resembles a significant and abrupt geometrical change from a beam to a plate in a very compact shape. Since these leaves have not been subject of many studies, the distribution of that specific leaf morphology in the plant kingdom was investigated. Furthermore, the connection between the petiole and lamina of several peltate species was studied anatomically and morphologically, focusing on the reinforcing fibre strands. We found peltate leaves in 357 species representing 25 orders, 40 families and 99 genera. The majority are herbaceous perennials growing in shady, humid to wet habitats mainly distributed in the subtropical–tropical zones. Detailed anatomical investigation of 41 species revealed several distinct principles of how the transition zone between the petiole and lamina is organised. In-depth analysis of these different types accompanied by finite element-modelling could serve as inspiration for supporting structures in lightweight construction.

Detection of Rhodococcus fascians, the Causative Agent of Lily Fasciation in South Korea

Rhodococcus fascians is an important pathogen that infects various herbaceous perennials and reduces their economic value. In this study, we examined R. fascians isolates carrying a virulence gene from symptomatic lily plants grown in South Korea. Phylogenetic analysis using the nucleotide sequences of 16S rRNA, vicA, and fasD led to the classification of the isolates into four different strains of R. fascians. Inoculation of Nicotiana benthamiana with these isolates slowed root growth and resulted in symptoms of leafy gall. These findings elucidate the diversification of domestic pathogenic R. fascians and may lead to an accurate causal diagnosis to help reduce economic losses in the bulb market.

Red-listed plants in the ornamental herbaceous perennials collection of the Institute Botanic garden UB RAS

The inventory of the current status for the ornamental perennials collection of Institute Botanic garden UB RAS with clarification of composition and conservation status of the samples was carried out. A total of 213 red-book listed species (112 genera from 42 plant families) revealed to document the flora. The most valuable specimens of rare declining in number plants and endangered (under threat of extinction) species are noted

SPECIES AND VARIETIES OF THE GENUS ALLIUM L. IN THE STAVROPOL BOTANICAL GARDEN

Species and cultivars of the genus Allium L., family Alliaceae occupy a significant place is in the collection of floral and ornamental herbaceous perennials of the Stavropol Botanical Garden. The first supplies of plants to the exhibition areas of the garden took place in 1962. Nowadays, 34 taxa grow in the collection of herbaceous perennials. Research work on the study of local species and introduced species has been carried out since 2010. In 2020, the results of an introduction experiment to study the seasonal rhythms of plant growth and development, their ecological growth conditions, biomorphological indicators, decorative qualities, and economically valuable features, resistance to adverse weather conditions, pests, and diseases were summed up. Analyzing the data obtained, the author identifies the most promising species and cultivars for the introduction on the territory of the Stavropol upland in the conditions of a sharply continental climate and the zone of unstable moisture. As a result of the final assessment of the adaptive features of bows and their decorative qualities, the following groups were identified: very promising – 21, promising – 7, and unpromising – 6. The research team suggests using highly decorative and decorative species, resistant to cultivation in Stavropol and other localities in the region, in practical floriculture. Low-promising and low-decorative ones are valuable species and cultivars used in medicine or consumed as food and rare and endangered species of the Russian Federation 28 and neighboring countries. Plants of the genus Allium in the collection of the Stavropol Botanical Garden are a scientific base for holding regional environmental seminars for schoolchildren and students of higher educational institutions. Acquaintance with this group of plants is of great interest for landscape design specialists and amateur flower growers.

Complete chloroplast genome comparisons for Pityopsis (Asteraceae)

Pityopsis includes several regionally and one federally endangered species of herbaceous perennials. Four species are highly localized, including the federally endangered P. ruthii. The genus includes several ploidy levels and interesting ecological traits such as drought tolerance and fire-dependent flowering. Results from previous cladistic analyses of morphology and from initial DNA sequence studies did not agree with one another or with the infrageneric taxonomic classification, with the result that infrageneric relationships remain unresolved. We sequenced, assembled, and compared the chloroplast (cp) genomes of 12 species or varieties of Pityopsis to better understand generic evolution. A reference cp genome 152,569 bp in length was assembled de novo from P. falcata. Reads from other sampled species were then aligned to the P. falcata reference and individual chloroplast genomes were assembled for each, with manual gapfilling and polishing. After removing the duplicated second inverted region, a multiple sequence alignment of the cp genomes was used to construct a maximum likelihood (ML) phylogeny for the twelve cp genomes. Additionally, we constructed a ML phylogeny from the nuclear ribosomal repeat region after mapping reads to the Helianthus annuus region. The chloroplast phylogeny supported two clades. Previously proposed clades and taxonomic sections within the genus were largely unsupported by both nuclear and chloroplast phylogenies. Our results provide tools for exploring hybridity and examining the physiological and genetic basis for drought tolerance and fire-dependent flowering. This study will inform breeding and conservation practices, and general knowledge of evolutionary history, hybridization, and speciation within Pityopsis.