Intensive Reclamation of Landfills and Polygons for Solid Waste Disposal

This research proposed the use of one of the most effective complexons – oxyethylidenediphosphonic acid, namely its derivative compound – phenyldiacetic acid,for the active sorption matrices of humus of mineral origin. The application of active components that stimulate plant growth and photosynthesis processes in hybrid preparations during reclamation were also proposed. Keywords: recultivation of landfill, plant growth stimulation, phytoremediation

Prospects of the Application of Garlic Extracts and Selenium and Silicon Compounds for Plant Protection against Herbivorous Pests: A Review

Protection of plants against herbivorous pests is an important aspect that guarantees agricultural efficiency, i.e., food provision to populations. Environmental, water and foodstuff pollution by toxic pesticides, along with climate changes, highlight the necessity to achieve intensive development of ecologically safe methods of herbivory control. This review discusses modern methods of plant protection against insect pests: the biofortification of plants with selenium, treatment of plants with bulk and nano-silicon, and utilization of garlic extracts. The peculiarities of such methods of defense are described in relation to growth stimulation as well as increasing the yield and nutritional value of products. Direct defense methods, i.e., mechanical, hormonal, through secondary metabolites and/or mineral element accumulation, and indirect defense via predator attraction are discussed. Examples of herbivorous pest control during plant growth and grain/seed storage are emphasized. A comparison of sodium selenate, silicon containing fertilizer (Siliplant) and garlic extract efficiency is analyzed on Raphanus sativus var. lobo infested with the cruciferous gall midge Contarinia nasturtii, indicating the quick annihilation of pests as a result of the foliar application of garlic extract or silicon-containing fertilizer, Siliplant.

Isolation of rare Genera of actinomycetes — antibiotic producers from soils using Aloe Arborescens juice

The search for new antibiotics is an urgent problem due to the spread of resistance to existing antibacterial drugs in pathogenic microorganisms. Actinomycetes are producers of a large number of antibiotics used in medicine. Most antibiotics are isolated from actinomycetes of the Streptomyces genus, while rare genera of actinomycetes can be the producers of new antibiotics.The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of the biological substances complex present in aloe juice on the growth stimulation of rare genera of actinomycetes.Material and methods. Objects: samples of sod-podzolic soil and chernozem. The standard method of sowing soil suspensions on oat agar and Gause medium No. 2 was used to isolate actinomycetes. Chemotaxonomic properties were determined using the methods of ascending thin-layer chromatography on a cellulose layer. The generic identity of cultures was determined using Bergey’s manual and materials comparing the composition of cell walls of actinobacteria. DNA PCR with standard 27f and 1492r primers, as well as Sanger sequencing, were performed to study genosystematic features. Antibiotic activity was determined against the test microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus ИНА 00985 (FDA 209P), Staphylococcus aureus ИНА 00761 (MRSA), Staphylococcus aureus ИНА 00762 (УФ- 2), Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9341, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Saccharomyces cerevisiae ИНА 01042.Results. A total of 527 actinomycete cultures were isolated from samples of sod-podzolic soil and chernozem with the addition of aloe juice; their phylogenetic position was determined. The dominant actinomycetes in the studied soil samples are the representatives of the genus Streptomyces. Bacteria of the genus Micromonospora take the second place by the number of isolated cultures. Rare genera of actinomycetes have also been identified: Nonomuraea, Streptosporangium, Nocardia, Actinomadura, Actinocorallia, Pseudonocardia, Amycolatopsis, Saccharomonospora, Saccharopolyspora, Promicromonospora, Kribbella. It was determined that the isolated cultures possess antibiotic activity against test microorganisms.Conclusion. It is advisable to use aloe juice after subjecting the leaves to biostimulation to isolate actinomycetes from the soil and identify their biodiversity.

Mineral Biofortification and Growth Stimulation of Lentil Plants Inoculated with Trichoderma Strains and Metabolites

Biofortification of crops via agricultural interventions represents an excellent way to supply micronutrients in poor rural populations, who highly suffer from these deficiencies. Soil microbes can directly influence plant growth and productivity, e.g., by contrasting plant pathogens or facilitating micronutrient assimilation in harvested crop-food products. Among these microbial communities, Trichoderma fungi are well-known examples of plant symbionts widely used in agriculture as biofertilizers or biocontrol agents. In this work, eleven Trichoderma strains and/or their bioactive metabolites (BAMs) were applied to lentil plants to evaluate their effects on plant growth and mineral content in greenhouse or field experiments. Our results indicated that, depending upon the different combinations of fungal strain and/or BAM, the mode of treatment (seed and/or watering), as well as the supplementary watering with solutions of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), the mineral absorption was differentially affected in treated plants compared with the water controls. In greenhouse conditions, the largest increase in Fe and Zn contents occurred when the compounds were applied to the seeds and the strains (in particular, T. afroharzianum T22, T. harzianum TH1, and T. virens GV41) to the soil. In field experiments, Fe and Zn contents increased in plants treated with T. asperellum strain KV906 or the hydrophobin HYTLO1 compared with controls. Both selected fungal strains and BAMs applications improved seed germination and crop yield. This biotechnology may represent an important challenge for natural biofortification of crops, thus reducing the risk of nutrient deficiencies.

Direct Phenological Responses but Later Growth Stimulation upon Spring and Summer/Autumn Warming of Prunus spinosa L. in a Common Garden Environment

Future predictions of forest ecosystem responses are a challenge, as global temperatures will further rise in the coming decades at an unprecedented rate. The effect of elevated temperature on growth performance and phenology of three Prunus spinosa L. provenances (originating from Belgium, Spain, and Sweden) in a common garden environment was investigated. One-year-old seedlings were grown in greenhouse conditions and exposed to ambient and elevated temperatures in the spring (on average 5.6 °C difference) and in the late summer/autumn of 2018 (on average 1.9 °C difference), while they were kept hydrated, in a factorial design. In the following years, all plants experienced the same growing conditions. Bud burst, leaf senescence, height, and diameter growth were recorded. Height and radial growth were not affected in the year of the treatments (2018) but were enhanced the year after (2019), whereas phenological responses depended on the temperature treatments in the year of the treatments (2018) with little carry-over effects in the succeeding years. Spring warming enhanced more height growth in the succeeding year, whereas summer/autumn warming stimulated more radial growth. Spring warming advanced bud burst and shortened the leaf opening process whereas summer/autumn warming delayed leaf senescence and enlarged the duration of this phenophase. These results can help predict the putative shifts in species composition of future forests and woody landscape elements.

DETERMINATION OF CHEMICAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WATER QUALITY IN RECREATIONAL AREAS ON THE MATYRA RIVER

В работе приведены и проанализированы данные химических и токсикологических исследований воды р. Матыра Липецкой области. Отмечены превышения допустимых значений по органолептическим показателям, а также по сульфатам, аммоний-иону и нитритам. Кроме того, было проведено определение относительной токсичности с помощью метода, основанного на регистрации изменений оптической плотности культуры водоросли хлорелла ( Chlorella vulgaris ). В результате биотестирования показано, что все пробы воды проявили токсичность, которая проявляется в стимуляции роста культуры хлорелла. Такая стимуляция роста свидетельствует о том, что исследованные пробы содержат легкоусвояемые органические и неорганические соединения. При сравнении полученных значений концентраций с предыдущими исследованиями отмечена отрицательная динамика по всем определяемым загрязняющим веществам, что свидетельствует о снижении качества воды. The paper presents and analyzes the data of chemical and toxicological studies of the water of the Matyra river of the Lipetsk region. Excess of permissible values for organoleptic parameters, as well as for sulfates, ammonium ion and nitrites were noted. In addition, the relative toxicity was determined using a method based on the registration of changes in the optical density of the Chlorella (Chlorella vulgaris) algae culture. The results of the bioassay showed that all water samples demonstrated toxicity, which manifests itself in stimulating the growth of chlorella culture. Such growth stimulation indicates that the samples studied contain easily digestible organic and inorganic compounds. When comparing the obtained concentration values with previous studies, negative dynamics was noted for all identified pollutants, which indicates a decrease in water quality.

From Kolisko to nowadays: progresses and discoveries in agro-homeopathy.

The use of ultra-diluted preparations method in agriculture was introduced with agro-homeopathy, which allows to influence biological processes of plants by either accelerating or delaying growth. Moreover, it can contribute to the control of plagues and diseases, directly promoting an increase of the yield and an improvement of product qualitative traits. Since the pioneering works of Kolisko on wheat germination [1] and Junker on growth of microorganisms (paramecium, yeast, fungi) [2], in the last 30 years work has flourished from independent researchers from worldwide (Americas, Europe and Australasia). The international research works on agro-homeopathy can be conceptually divided in two main groups: effects of ultra-diluted preparations on crop growth and applicability for crop disease control. The first type of investigations usually are carried out on both healthy organisms for determining the growth stimulation of treatments and on abiotically stressed plants (i.e. heavy metal over-exposition, salt excess, water and nutrients deficiency) for determining the re-growth stimulation of ultra-dilutions [3,4]. The second type of investigations are usually performed on artificially diseased organisms (i.e. fungal and viral pathogens or nematode infection), which may react more markedly to homeopathic treatments than healthy ones [5]. Unfortunately, on the basis of the extensive critical review of published papers, there is little firm evidence to support the reliability of the reported results. Except for a limited number of publications, the most common drawbacks of agro-homeopathy researches are the poor experimental methodology and the inadequate statistical analysis. Moreover, since there is no agricultural homeopathic pharmacopoeia, much work is required to find suitable remedies, potencies and dose levels. Considering the criticism on the practical applicability of ultra-diluted preparations, in order to be accepted as a valid part of agricultural practices a well structured research strategy for agro-homeopathy is needed. This is often hampered by methodological problems as well as by the general underinvestment on the academic and nonacademic research structures. Fundamental researches based on collaborative approaches (i.e. ring tests on selected crop models) and on common experimental protocols (i.e. statistical robustness) are the keys for determining the worldwide acceptability of agro-homeopathy as a sustainable agro-technique. Statement of conflict of interest Authors declare there is no conflict of interest. Statement of financial support Authors declare that this study received no funding. Bibliography 1. Kolisko L. Physiologischer und physikalischer Nachweis der Wirksamkeit kleinster Entitäten. 1923; Stuttgart, Verlag Der Kommende Tag AG. 2. Junker H.. Die Wirkung extremer Potenzverdünnungen auf Organismen. Pflugers Arch ges Phys 1928; 219B, 5/6, 647-672. 3. Jäger T, Scherr C, Shah D, Majewsky V, Betti L, Trebbi G, Bonamin L, Simões-Wüst AP, Wolf U, Simon M, Heusser P, Baumgartner S. Use of homeopathic preparations in experimental studies with abiotically stressed plants. Homeopathy 2011; 100: 275-287 4. Majewsky V, Heuwieser, Shah D, Scherr C, Jaeger Tim, Betti L, Trebbi G, Bonamin L, Klocke P, Baumpartner S. Use of homeopathic preparations in experimental studies with healthy plants. Homeopathy 2009; 98: 228-243. 5. Betti L, Trebbi G, Majewsky V, Scherr C, Shah-Rossi D, Jäger T, Baumgartner S. Use of homeopathic preparations in phytopathological models and in field trials: a critical review. Homeopathy 2009; 98: 244-266.

Optimization and Transfollicular Delivery of Finasteride-Loaded Proniosomes for Hair Growth Stimulation in C57BL/6Mlac Mice

The study aimed to develop the finasteride-loaded proniosome (FLP) to enhance the transfollicular delivery of finasteride (FN). The response surface methodology (RSM) combined with central composite design (CCD) with three independent variables (FN concentrations, total lipid content, and cholesterol content) was used to optimize the FLP preparation. The particles size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, and drug loading capacity of the FLP were analyzed. The transfollicular delivery of the optimum formulation was investigated in vitro. In vivo hair growth stimulation study was performed on C57BL/6Mlac mice dorsal areas. The Draize primary skin irritation test for erythema and edema was performed in the New Zealand white rabbit skin. The optimum FLP consists of 5.0 mM of FN, 10.1 mM of total lipid content, and 50.0% of the cholesterol in the total lipid. The prepared proniosome delivered the FN significantly (p < 0.05), compared to the naked finasteride solution in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The FLP treatment significantly increases the number and size of hair follicles in a dose-dependent manner. The efficiency of 1% FLP was comparable to the 2% minoxidil solution. The FLP exhibited no skin irritation after 72 h. Therefore, the results demonstrated that the FLP could stimulate hair growth via a transfollicular delivery system.

Synthesis and plant growth activity of 2-(4-oxochromen-3-yl)benzothiazolium and -benzoxazolium bromides

A facile synthesis of novel 2-(4-oxochromen-3-yl) benzothiazolium bromides 4 and benzoxazolium bromide 5 using the one-pot condensation of substituted 4-oxochromene-3-carboxaldehydes 1 with 2-methylbenzothiazole (2a) or 2-methylbenzoxazole (2b) and benzyl bromide is described. The effects of benzothiazolium bromides 4 on the growth stimulation of the cucumber and retardant activity on corn seedlings were investigated. They inhibited growth of cucumber (root and hypocotyl) and shoots of corn at the range of 10 – 100 ppm and stimulated at 0.1 – 1 ppm concentrations.

In vitro co-metabolism of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) by the mucin-degrading bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila

Akkermansia muciniphila is a Gram-negative bacterium that resides within the gut mucus layer, and plays an important role in promoting gut barrier integrity, modulating the immune response and inhibiting gut inflammation. Growth stimulation of A. muciniphila by polyphenols including epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) from difference sources is well-documented. However, no published in vitro culture data on utilization of polyphenols by A. muciniphila are available, and the mechanism of growth-stimulating prebiotic effect of polyphenols on it remains unclear. Here in vitro culture studies have been carried out on the metabolism of EGCG by A. muciniphila in the presence of either mucin or glucose. We found that A. muciniphila did not metabolize EGCG alone but could co-metabolize it together with both these substrates in the presence of mineral salts and amino acids for mucin and protein sources for glucose. Our metabolomic data show that A. muciniphila converts EGCG to gallic acid, epigallocatechin, and (-)-epicatechin through ester hydrolysis. The (-)-epicatechin formed is then further converted to hydroxyhydroquinone. Co-metabolism of A. muciniphila of EGCG together with either mucin or glucose promoted substantially its growth, which serves as a further demonstration of the growth-promoting effect of polyphenols on A. muciniphila and provides an important addition to the currently available proposed mechanisms of polyphenolic prebiotic effects on A. muciniphila.