Plants of the Siberian Flora exposition of the N.V. Tsitsin Main Botanical Garden RAS, listed in the Red Book of Russia

The strategy and key principles of setting up natural flora exhibits were conceptualized by the founder and first manager of the Flora Department, Prof. M. Kultiasov based on the ecological and historical method of plant introduction. The Siberian flora exhibit was among the first created by the Laboratory. Nowadays it comprises 111 species (131 specimens) belonging to 68 genera of 39 families of plants. This collection includes 5 species of plants listed in the Red Data Book of Russia, namely Anemonastrum baicalense (Turcz.) Mosyakin, Cotoneaster acutifolius Turcz., Erythronium sibiricum (Fisch. & C.A. Mey.) Krylov, Paeonia tenuifolia L., Leuzea carthamoides (Willd.) DC. By category of rareness, out of five these species, one (Paeonia tenuifolia) belongs to Category Two (threatened) and four species (Anemonastrum baicalense, Cotoneaster acutifolius, Erythronium sibiricum, Leuzea carthamoides) belong to Category Three (rare). By category of integrated introductory resistance, all the species introduced may be categorized as ‘resistant in a controlled environment’. Keywords: PLANT INTRODUCTION, NATIVE FLORA OF THE SIBERIA, RARE AND ENDANGERED PLANTS, RED DATA BOOK OF RUSSIA, MOSCOW, N. V. TSITSIN MAIN BOTANICAL GARDEN RAS

Collection of rare plants of natural flora of Ukraine of the O. V. Fomin Botanical Garden: current state and prospects of development

Data on the collection of rare plant species of natural flora of Ukraine of the O. V. Fomin Botanical Gar- den of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv are presented. The history of its origin and development and the problematic issues of its further existence are characterized. Data on the inventory of the part of the collection related to perennials, as well as the introduction of new species from the Northern Prychornomor’ya, Pryazov’ya, Middle-Russian Upland are given. 89 species have been marked within the area of rare perennial herbaceous plants. During the last 3 years the collection was enriched with 17 new species, included in the Red Data Book of Ukraine, populations of 13 rare taxa were restored and increased in size.

A review on ecological degradation, its causes and sustainable development in Delhi, India

Degradation of natural resources and loss of biodiversity (wildlife flora and fauna) is a global problem that affects our society and hampers the economic and social progress of a country towards sustainable development. In developing countries like India, degradation of natural resources is a major threat to socio-economic development. In general, destruction of the environment, biodiversity and nature, has been a major concern in metropolitan cities. Delhi being a metropolitan city and the capital of India, has been facing this problem since 1980’s. However, the situation was not that bad then. Over the years, the environmental degradation has not only led to the loss of natural flora and fauna of Delhi city but has also become a cause of great concern because of its impact on the health of the common citizens of Delhi. Modernization, industrialization and overpopulation are key factors responsible for bringing about a drastic change in Delhi’s biodiversity and natural resources. Keeping in view their multifarious impacts, the Government of Delhi took some measures to restore the ecosystem of the city. However, we still have a long way to go to bring back the natural flora and fauna of the city, clean air, and the natural resources that have been depleted beyond imagination. Government alone cannot bring about the lost glory of Delhi. Each citizen of Delhi is responsible, and there is a need to join hands together and think in a positive direction to make Delhi a safe living place not only for human beings but also the wildlife that once existed in this majestic city.

Isolation and identification of probiotic bacteria from Iranian traditional cheese produced by lamb or kid abomasum microorganisms

Different strains of lactic acid bacteria are the most common micro-organisms known as probiotics. Two major kinds of probiotic bacteria are members of the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, that are generally associated with the genus Lactobacillus which play a vital role in the body health, as well as the ability to produce antimicrobials and vitamins in the gastrointestinal tract. The purpose of the study was the isolation of probiotics in traditional cheeses that are produced from the natural flora of the newborn mammalian digestive tract. Bacteria from lamb and kid abomasum are added to milk. The curd is slaughtered from the abomasum of a lamb or kid that is suckling and has now no longer began out to devour forage, after which its belly is dried, that is referred to as curd. In this study, sixteen samples of cheeses local to Markazi province of Iran have been prepared. The isolated bacteria have been examined for morphological, biochemical, probiotic properties, and molecular identity. Out of sixteen traditional cheese samples, five kinds of Lactobacillus have been diagnosed through PCR. L. casei strain J026 strain was identified in the traditional cheese samples as the most genera. Using probiotic starters from local sources is a beneficial strategy for producing traditional cheese, which the native strains are more compatible with the humans’ intestinal flora and therefore may also higher play their probiotic’s characteristic.

Review of the current state and prospects of studying Kazakh species of the genus Allium L.

Onions Allium L. are promising economically valuable plants of Kazakhstan’s flora which are found almosteverywhere and distinguished by a large species diversity. In the Tien Shan mountains genus Allium is represented by 56Tien Shan endemics and 25 of which grow in Kazakhstan. Five new endemic species are described in 2021 for Kazakhstan’sflora. The results included analysis of the state of studied Kazakhstan’s species of this genus where were determined speciescomposition and status, degree of introduction research, application and prospects of 134 species of onions of Kazakhstan’sflora including 47 endemic and 12 rare species. Almost half of onions have been tested in culture including 15 endemicand 8 rare species. Introduction studies on decorative, food, medicinal and melliferous properties was relatively high. Incurrent time, the collection of Kazakhstan natural flora is represented by 16 species of onions.

Results of the introduction of representatives of the family Ranunculaceae of the Russian Far East in the MBG RAS

The results of long-term introduction of species of the family Ranunculaceae of the Russian Far East in the laboratory of natural flora of MBG are presented. The taxonomic composition, the duration of existence in culture and the stability of the samples in the given agro-climatic conditions are analyzed. The assessment of the feasibility of re-attraction to the collection is given. The analysis showed that for the period 1945-2020 84 species have been tested, which is 47% of the number of species of this family living in nature in the Russian Far East. An analysis of the species composition and resistance showed that one-biennials and perennials with a short life span, which require constant replanting, are unpromising. And also annuals and perennials, which do not reproduce in our conditions. Species that are resistant in our conditions and have lived in the collection for more than 20 years can be recommended for re-cultivation. Keywords: NATURAL FLORA, INTRODUCTION, RUSSIAN FAR EAST

Necessity of creating the collection of wild relatives of fat-oil crops of Kazakhstan, alternative sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids

The necessity of creating the collection of wild relatives of fat and oil crops (WRFOC) of Kazakhstan is presented in the article. To achieve this an overview of international experience in studying the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) contained in plants was compiled. These PUFAs are essential fatty acids (EFA) entering the animals’ and humans’ bodies only with food. It is noted that countries possessing the marine wealth use marine fish for production of dietary supplements containing PUFA, but the plant world wealth should be also taken into account. In sufficient quantities EFAs are present in vegetable oils and in small quantities in animal tissues. The participation of EFAs in transcription regulation of certain genes was highlighted. Their role in development of animal and human organisms was noted. The role of the seed bank of Kazakhstan natural flora in ongoing work for creating the various plant species’ collections with great value for the country’s economy, in particular the WRFOC collection of Kazakhstan natural flora was emphasized. The rationale for financing and maintaining works (collecting and preserving seed material, studying seed behavior before and after storage, seed germinating, studying the chemical composition of different plants’ parts) for creating and research this collection is given.

Potentials of Medicinal Plant Extracts as an Alternative to Synthetic Chemicals in Postharvest Protection and Preservation of Horticultural Crops: A Review

Horticultural crops undergo various physiological and biochemical changes that lead to undesirable physiological disorders, decay and subsequent economic losses during storage. Quality degradation of horticultural crops is mainly caused by postharvest pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium spp., etc. The application of synthetic fungicides remains the most effective method to control postharvest pathogens. However, their use is becoming increasingly restricted internationally due to health concerns and consumers’ requests for safe and natural alternatives. This has led researchers to investigate natural flora as one of the alternatives to be used in crop protection and preservation. Various medicinal plant parts have different phytochemicals and antioxidants that can be used in crop protection and preservation. Extracts from plants such as Ruta chalepensis, Eucalyptus globulus, etc., have proven to be effective in controlling postharvest pathogens of horticultural crops and increased their shelf life when used as a substitute for synthetic chemicals. Furthermore, extracts from neem and other medicinal plants contain a predominant and insecticidal active ingredient. The application of medicinal plant extracts could be a useful alternative to synthetic chemicals in the postharvest protection and preservation of horticultural crops. This review paper details the application of medicinal plant extracts for postharvest protection and preservation of horticultural crops.