Toward an Updated Taxonomy of the South American Chenopodiaceae I: Subfamilies Betoideae, Camphorosmoideae, and Salsoloideae

This paper is the first in a projected series of publications treating the Chenopodiaceae in South America. We present here a taxonomic revision of subfamilies Betoideae, Camphorosmoideae, and Salsoloideae in South America, where all representatives of these subfamilies are introduced. Our research is based on the study of herbarium material, type specimens, digital images, original publications, and field observations. The South American Chenopodiaceae flora includes only Beta vulgaris L. from Betoideae, Bassia hyssopifolia (Pall.) Kuntze, Bassia scoparia (L.) A. J. Scott, and Maireana brevifolia (R. Br.) P. G. Wilson from Camphorosmoideae, and Salsola kali L., Salsola tragus L., and Soda inermis Fourr. from Salsoloideae. Lectotypes for Echinopsilon reuterianus Boiss., Kochia alata Bates, K. parodii Aellen, K. parodii var. elongata Aellen, K. parodii var. densa Aellen, K. parodii var. glabrescens Aellen, and Suaeda sieversiana Pall. are designated here, as well as a second-step lectotype for K. brevifolia R. Br. The distribution of all species is updated based on the revision and proper identification of many herbarium specimens and field observations. The distribution of M. brevifolia in Chile is here expanded. New synonyms for Bassia scoparia are proposed. A preliminary key to the genera of Chenopodiaceae in South America is also presented.

Germination and Seedling Growth Responses of Zygophyllum fabago, Salsola kali L. and Atriplex canescens to PEG-Induced Drought Stress

In arid and semi-arid regions, planting drought-tolerant species is the most useful strategy in the reclamation of degraded soils. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of simulated drought by polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) on seed germination and seedling growth of three desert plants such as Atriplex canescens, Salsola kali and Zygophyllum fabago. Seeds were subjected to water stress to drought stress by PEG at five stress levels (0, −1, −4, −8, −12, −14 bars). Germination of Z. fabago was completely inhibited at an osmotic potential of −8, −10 and −12 bars and the germination of A. canescens was inhibited only at −14 bar. In contrast, S. kali responded positively to high levels of stress and our results showed the highest final germination percent (71.75, 54 and 18.25%) under three-drought stress −8, −12 and −14 bars, respectively. In addition, increasing PEG concentration adversely affected the germination rate and seedling vigor index as well as the root and shoot length of species. Under high stress levels, S. kali achieved a higher germination rate and seedling vigor index compared to Z. fabago and A. canescens. Among species, S. kali was the only one able to develop roots and shoots at −14 bar. Therefore, S. kali could be considered as a promising plant for the rehabilitation of degraded soils at risk of desertification.

Gospodarske mogućnosti samonikle vrste Salsola soda L. (ošmugalj)

Prema sistematici Salsola soda L. ili sodna solnjača spada u porodicu Chenopodiaceae. To je jednogodišnja samonikla vrsta i koristi se kao povrće u Dalmaciji i šire na cijelom Mediteranu. Rasprostranjena je na šljunkovitim i pjeskovitim staništima na otocima i uz obalu Jadranskog mora. Biljka je punog svjetla, pokazatelj ekstremne topline, a uspijeva na staništu visokog saliniteta (halofit). Ugrožena je radi lošeg gospodarenja staništima na kojima se nalazi. Kao hrana Salsola soda L. je niskokalorična i izvor je esencijalnih vitamina. Zelena boja listova pokazuje da posjeduje znatnu količinu vitamina A i K, a kiselkast okus da je bogata vitaminom C. Uvrštena je na popis bilja „Plants for the future“, kao prehrambena namirnica te se koristi i uzgaja diljem Europe, najviše u Italiji, Engleskoj, Grčkoj i sve više u Hrvatskoj duž Jadranske obale. Blisko srodna podvrsta Salsola kali L. ssp. tragus (L.) Nyman, također je zabilježena u Hrvatskoj, a radi velike količine proteina koristi se kao stočna hrana.