EFFECT OF MATURITY STAGES ON POTENTIAL NUTRITIVE VALUE OF VICIA CRACCA (L.) HAY

The aim of the current experiment was to determine the effect of harvesting stage on the potential nutritive value. Vicia cracca plant was harvested at three maturity stages (before flowering, flowering and seeding). Vicia cracca plants were dried at 70 °C and grinded in a hand-mill with 1 mm sieve for chemical analysis. Crude protein, crude oil, crude ash, condensed tannin, acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) parameters were investigated as the chemical composition. Harvesting stage had a significant (p ≤ 0.01) effect on chemical composition. Dry matter, NDF and ADF contents were increased with advancing maturity whereas crude protein, crude oil, condensed tannin and crude ash contents were decreased. As a conclusion, the nutritive value of Vicia cracca plant decreased with increasing maturity. Vicia cracca hays harvested at three maturity stages were adequate in term of mineral content for ruminant. Therefore, the Vicia cracca plant can be harvested or grazed before flowering and flowering stages due to high crude protein, crude oil and low ADF and NDF.

Comparative assessment of the amino acids content of some legumes species in Southern Ukraine

The data on the composition and amount of amino acids have been analyzed in the raw materials of five legume species. All of them grow in Southern Ukrainian flora (Securigera varia (L.) Lassen, Vicia cracca L., Lupinus luteus L., Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall., Melilotus albus Medic.) and may be used as a source of amino acids, especially essential, whose resource has to be replenished from the outside. Aim. We have studied and compared the amino acid profile of some species of the Ukrainian South Legumes, and used the multidimensional statistical cluster analysis to construction of histograms based on the amino acids content and composition of such plants as: Securigera varia (L.) Lassen, Vicia cracca L., Lupinus luteus L., Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall., Melilotus albus Medic. Materials and methods. The raw materials were harvested at the South of Ukraine and were investigated by gas-liquid chromatography. The amino acid analyzer has been used after hydrochloric acid hydrolysis at elevated temperature. Results. 19 amino acids have been identified, of which nine are essential or partially interchangeable. The non-polar amino acid proline is in the lead in terms of quantity among the essential amino acids. Its amount was 6932 mg/100 g and the ability to accumulate it was noted in Melilotus officinalis (2276 mg/100 g). The smallest proline amount was found in Lupinus luteus (388 mg/100 g). The sulfur-containing non-polar amino acid methionine is in the smallest amount in the selected plants (506 mg/100 g). Our attention was drawn to the absence of the polar amino acid glutamine among the non-essential amino acids in some plants. Securigera varia, Vicia cracca, and Melilotus officinalis did not contain glutamine. In this subgroup, the polar aspartic acid was found in the highest amount (6824 mg/100 g) with the highest content in Vicia cracca and the lowest – in Melilotus albus (2660 mg/100 g and 385 mg/100 g, respectively). Conclusions. The analysis of the presence and number of amino acids was the basis for our multidimensional statistical cluster analysis and histograms of the presentation of the amino acid profile of the studied plant members of the family Fabaceae L. In constructing the dendrogram, three clusters were identified, and representatives of one genus (Melilotus L.) were attributed to different clusters which is significant for further chemosystematic studies.

Recultivated lands are a reserve for livestock feed

The purpose is to establish the possibility of using mined brick clay pits for grazing livestock and preparing animal feed. The paper deals with the investigation of the above ground phytomass field layer (Fh) being formed dusing the natural growth of mined brick clay pits. Methodology. Species composition of the projective cover and aboveground phytomass were established on the counting areas of 0.5 × 0.5 sizes evenly spaced on the bottom and slopes of pit. At each of the quarry elements at least 30 registration sites were laid. In addition a similar number of registration sites were laid next to the quarry where clay was not mined. Researches were carried out in the district of pine-birch pre-forest steppe forests of the Trans Urals plain province, the west Siberian plain forest region. Results. It was found that the soil of mined out pits does not contain heavy metal and other chemical elements hazardous to animals. The total aboveground phetomass of Fh at the bottom and slopes of the quarry is 1101.1 and 812.6 kg/ha in absolutely dry, state, respectively. The total projective cover at the bottom of the quarry 3 years after the technical stage of reclamation is 64.7 % and on the slopes 42.5 %. The presence of meadow species in the composition, in particular of legumes family (Vicia cracca L.; V. hybridum L.; V. sativa L.; V. vernus L.; V. sylvatica L.; Trifolium pretense L.; T. lupinaster L.; T. repens L.; T. hybridum L.; T. medium L.; Lathyrus pratensis L.; Melilotu salbus Medikus; M. officinalis L. Pall.; Medicago lupulina L.) indicates a high feed value of FR. Scientific novelty. The transfer of mined out brick clay pits for temporary agricultural use will contribute at the formation of soil on the bottom and slopes of the quarry and ultimately, increase the productivity of future plantations.

Trans-Siberian railway’s flora and its correlation with the characteristics of natural biomes in Baikal Siberia

Проведена инвентаризация чужеродных и аборигенных видов растений вдоль Транссибирской магистрали на участке Тайшет - Улан-Удэ, длина которого составляет 1126 км (12% Транссиба). Выявлена корреляция между характеристиками биомов и основными флористическими показателями. Исследованы 13 железнодорожных станций и участки полотна железной дороги, расположенные в трех естественных биомах. На каждом участке заложены площадки размером 100 м² в трех различных экотопах: на железнодорожном полотне, на откосах и на подошве железнодорожной насыпи в начале полосы отчуждения. Всего составлено 51 геоботаническое описание. Выявлено 266 видов сосудистых растений: 36 древесных, 169 травянистых поликарпиков и 61 травянистый монокарпик. Самое высокое число видов (175) произрастают в наиболее влагообеспеченном Таежном Южносибирском Восточносаянском биоме. 30 видов встречаются во всех трех изученных биомах, более половины из них отмечены нами ранее и на европейском участке Транссибирской магистрали: Acer negundo, Amaranthus retroflexus, Artemisia sieversiana, A. vulgaris, Bromopsis inermis, Convolvolus arvensis, Elytrigia repens, Equisetum arvense, Euphrasia stricta, Kochia scoparia, Medicago falcata, M. lupulina, Odontites vulgaris, Polygonum aviculare, Poa pratensis, Raphanus raphanistrum, Sonchus arvensis, Vicia cracca. Во всех биомах минимальное число видов растет непосредственно на железнодорожном полотне. При этом в обоих Таежных биомах (Восточносаянском и Сохондинском) больше всего видов обнаружено на откосах, а в Бореальном Ангарском подтаежном биоме - в полосе отчуждения. Высокое сходство набора видов (Ks > 50%) наблюдается в Бореальном Ангарском подтаежном биоме и Таежном Южносибирском Восточносаянском биоме для откосов железной дороги и для полосы отчуждения, что отражает наличие «коридора», позволяющего видам, в том числе и инвазионным, расселяться вдоль железной дороги. Значимая положительная корреляция отмечена между численностью «железнодорожных» видов и среднегодовым количеством осадков, и в меньшей степени, среднегодовой температурой биома. Всего треть из выявленных «железнодорожных» видов встречаются как в Байкальской Сибири, так и в европейской части России, и почти половину из них составляют чужеродные таксоны. Число инвазионных видов на Транссибе существенно снижается по направлению с запада (17 видов) на восток (4 вида). Флора Транссибирской магистрали в Байкальской Сибири более обособлена от природной флоры региона, чем в европейской части России, поскольку, а) отсутствует корреляция между численностью «железнодорожных» видов и общей численностью видов сосудистых растений, зарегистрированных в биоме; б) сходство флор трех сибирских биомов отмечено не только по откосам дорог, но и в полосе отчуждения. An inventory of alien and aboriginal plant species was carried out along the Trans-Siberian Railway in the Taishet-Ulan-Ude section, the length of which is 1126 km (12% of the Transsib). A correlation was revealed between the characteristics of biomes and the main floristic indicators. Thirteen railway stations and sections of the railway track located in three natural biomes were investigated. Each site has 100 m² plots in three different ecotopes: on the railway track, on the slopes, and at the foot of the railway embankment at the beginning of the right of way. A total of 51 geobotanical descriptions were compiled. 266 species of vascular plants were identified: 36 arboreal, 169 herbaceous polycarpics, and 61 herbaceous monocarpics. The highest number of species (175) grow in the most moisture-rich Taiga South Siberian East Sayan biome. 30 species are found in all three studied biomes, more than half of them were noted by us earlier and in the European section of the Trans-Siberian Railway: Acer negundo, Amaranthus retroflexus, Artemisia sieversiana, A. vulgaris, Bromopsis inermis, Convolvolus arvensis, Elytrigia repens, Equisetrasum arvense, Euphrasia arvense , Kochia scoparia, Medicago falcata, M. lupulina, Odontites vulgaris, Polygonum aviculare, Poa pratensis, Raphanus raphanistrum, Sonchus arvensis, Vicia cracca. In all biomes, the minimum number of species grows directly on the railroad tracks. At the same time, in both Taiga biomes (East Sayan and Sokhondinsky), most species were found on the slopes, and in the Boreal Angarsk subtaiga biome - in the alienation zone. A high similarity of the set of species (Ks> 50%) is observed in the Boreal Angarsk subtaiga biome and the Taiga South Siberian East Sayan biome for the slopes of the railway, which reflects the presence of a “corridor” that allows species, including invasive ones, to settle along the railway. A significant positive correlation was noted between the abundance of "railroad" species and the average annual rainfall, and to a lesser extent, the average annual temperature of the biome. Only one third of the identified "railroad" species are found both in Baikal Siberia and in the European part of Russia, and almost half of them are alien taxa. The number of invasive species on the Transsib decreases significantly from the west (17 species) to the east (4 species). The flora of the Trans-Siberian Railway in Baikal Siberia is more isolated from the natural flora of the Region than in the European part of Russia, since a) there is no correlation between the number of “railroad” species and the total number of vascular plant species registered in the biome; b) the similarity of the floras of three Siberian biomes was noted not only along the slopes of the roads, but also in the exclusion zone.

Identification of Vicia Species Native to South Korea Using Molecular and Morphological Characteristics

Recently, within the Fabaceae family, the Vicia genus has been recognized for its vital role in sustainable agriculture. Vicia species are economically important grain and forage crops. However, the presence of complex morphological characteristics makes identification and recognition of native species difficult. In this study, the possibility of using DNA barcoding regions (ITS2, matK, and rbcL) to distinguish among 19 Vicia taxa (59 accessions) found in South Korea was evaluated. The sequence alignment analysis revealed considerable nucleotide diversity (π) between the loci, in which ITS2 showed the highest mean interspecific distance, whereas there was no intraspecific variability among the barcode regions in 12 of the 19 taxa. Phylogenetic analysis of combined barcoding regions revealed well-resolved phylogeny with the highest species level discrimination. Combinations of barcode loci were also used in classification at the subgenera and section levels. The results revealed that the combined barcoding regions can be used effectively to differentiate the following species: Vicia angustifolia var. segetilis, Vicia bungei, Vicia villosa, Vicia cracca, Vicia dasycarpa, Vicia hirsuta, Vicia tetrasperma, Vicia amurensis, Vicia hirticalycina, and Vicia chosenensis. However, it is difficult to differentiate the species of Vicia unijuga, Vicia unijuga var. kaussanensis, Vicia linearifolia, Vicia unijuga f. angustifolia, Vicia nipponica, Vicia amoena, Vicia venosa var. cuspidata, Vicia pseudo-orobus, and Vicia japonica with the tested barcode regions. These species come under sect. Vicilla and are found to be closely related or species that have recently undergone speciation; thus, it has limitation to distinguish with recommended barcodes. Hence, to differentiate the unclassified species, 39 morphological characteristics were investigated, in which 16 useful characteristics were selected for efficient classification. Finally, the 16 selected morphological useful traits efficiently differentiated all the Vicia species. In conclusion, a combination of barcoding loci together with morphological characteristics of this study efficiently discriminated all the Korean Vicia species.

Evaluation of the grassland sward floristic composition of the Wadowice commune

The quality of the botanical composition of meadows and pastures is decisive in the profitability of livestock farming. The aim of this study was to examine the floristic composition of meadows and pastures of the Wadowice commune and to assess their feed value. Field explorations were carried out in June 2016 throughout the commune. Floristic lists were made on 51 designated plots using the estimated Klapp method. Four groups of similar plots with the following dominant species were distinguished in the analysed area: I – plots with Phleum pratense and Vicia cracca, II – plots with Dactylis glomerata and Trifolium repens, III – plots with Holcus lanatus, and IV – plots with Arrhenatherum elatius. The results of the research showed that, in the area of this commune, meadows and pastures were characterised by average and good pasture values, which favours their use for agricultural purposes. Improving the quality of the botanical composition of plots of medium fodder value could be achieved through proper care and sustainable use.

Conservation Conundrum: At-risk Bumble Bees (Bombus spp.) Show Preference for Invasive Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca) While Foraging in Protected Areas

In recent decades, some bumble bee species have declined, including in North America. Declines have been reported in species of bumble bees historically present in Ontario, including: yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus) (Fabricus, 1798), American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus) (DeGeer, 1773), and yellow-banded bumble bee (Bombus terricola) (Kirby, 1837). Threats contributing to bumble bee population declines include: land-use changes, habitat loss, climate change, pathogen spillover, and pesticide use. A response to the need for action on pollinator preservation in North America has been to encourage ‘bee-friendly’ plantings. Previous studies show differences in common and at-risk bumble bee foraging; however, similar data are unavailable for Ontario. Our research question is whether there is a difference in co-occurring at-risk and common bumble bee (Bombus spp.) floral use (including nectar and pollen collection) in protected areas in southern Ontario. We hypothesize that common and at-risk species forage differently, predicting that at-risk species forage on a limited selection of host plants. We conducted a field survey of sites in southern Ontario, using observational methods to determine bumble bee foraging by species. The results of a redundancy analysis show a difference in foraging between common and at-risk bumblebee species. At-risk bumble bee species show a preference for foraging on invasive, naturalized Vicia cracca (tufted vetch). This finding raises the question of how to preserve or provide forage for at-risk bumble bees, when they show an association with an invasive species often subject to control in protected areas.