Biometry in plant systematic of European and Mediterranean Gymnosperms, a review

The morphological features of plants, which were the basis of taxonomic solutions in the past, are now sometimes less appreciated due to the intensive development of genetic methods. The present review looks at the results of the research on the taxonomy of plants carried out by the team led by A. Boratyński. The team characterized the taxonomic and geographical differentiation of some species of the genera Abies, Juniperus, Pinus, Cupressus, Cedrus, as well as several others. Many of these studies were carried out in the Mediterranean area due to its importance for biodiversity. The results allowed unravelling taxonomic ambiguities, emphasizing the importance of geographic barriers in shaping variability, e.g., the Strait of Gibraltar or the Aegean Sea, and highlighting the role of mountain ranges as refuges, e.g., the Taurus and Anti-Taurus Mountains. All of the results obtained with biometrics were confirmed by genetic methods by different authors. Detailed research allowed the publication of a new name, Juniperus thurifera subsp. africana (Maire) Romo & Boratyński, stat. nov., and restoration of species status for the dubious taxon Juniperus canariensis. The review shows that relying on the research of a large number of correctly sampled populations and correctly selected differentiated characteristics of plants allows the generation of reliable results.

Using herbarium samples for NGS methods – a methodological comparison

Herbaria harbor a tremendous amount of plant specimens that are rarely used for plant systematic studies. The main reason is the difficulty to extract a decent quantity of good quality DNA from the preserved plant material. While the extraction of ancient DNA in animals is well established, studies including old plant material are still underrepresented. In our study we compared the standard Qiagen DNeasy Plant Mini Kit and a specific PTB-DTT protocol on to two different plant genera (Xanthium L. and Salix L.). The included herbarium material covered about two centuries of plant collections. A selected subset of samples was used for a standard library preparation as well as a target enrichment approach. The results revealed that PTB-PTT resulted in higher quantity and quality regarding DNA yield. Despite the lower overall yield of DNA, the Qiagen Kit resulted in better sequencing results regarding the number of filtered and mapped reads. We were able to successfully sequence a sample from 1820 and conclude that it is possible to include old herbarium specimens in NGS approaches. This opens a treasure box in phylogenomic research.

Pharmacognostical Standardization, Chromatograhic and Spectral Analysis of Methanolic Extract of Echinops echinatus Linn. Roots and Fractions

Echinops echinatus Linn. (Fam. Asteraceae) possesses medicinal value a good deal. The plant is a nerve tonic that stimulates liver and increases appetite, and is effective as anti-inflammatory and in jaundice. Objective of the current study was to standardize Echinops echinatus (E. echinatus), both macroscopically and microscopically. Pharmacognostic standardization with the help of different physicochemical parameters and fluorescence analysis was performed according to the WHO guidelines. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of crude methanolic extract (EME) and various fractions was done. TLC and column chromatographic techniques were employed for presence of various phytoconstituents. Five compounds were isolated from EME using column chromatography, which were characterized by techniques like FTIR and UV. The isolated purified compounds showed different hRf values ranging from 67 to 94. Results of this study may serve as biochemical markers for this medicinally important plant in the pharma industry and plant systematic studies. The current work will help in identification of the species pharmacognostically and anatomically; and phytochemical analysis may help in screening of active constituents responsible for the activity. The study will serve as a reference for correct identification and in checking any type of adulteration. This may also help in differentiating this species from closely related species of the same genus and family.

Species Diversity and Potential Utilization of Moraceae in Nglanggeran Ancient Volcano, Gunungkidul Regency, Yogyakarta

Nglanggeran Ancient Volcano is one of the ecotourism areas in Gunungkidul Regency, Yogyakarta. This ancient volcano is one of the geological sites in Pegunungan Sewu. Pegunungan Sewu is a National Geopark in Indonesia and has been designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark since 2015. The determination of an area into a National Geopark and Global Geopark makes the biodiversity in the area must be protected and preserved, including the plant diversity, one of which is Moraceae. The ecological and economic importance of Moraceae in Nglanggeran Ancient Volcano has not been documented properly. This fact encourages the need to do this research. The aim of this research was to record species diversity of Moraceae and its potential uses. The research was conducted in August-November 2019 at Nglanggeran Ancient Volcano and followed by data analysis in Plant Systematic Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The samples were collected at two different tracks, covering the track to the peak and the pathway down. There were six species found, namely Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg, Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam., Ficus benjamina L., Ficus septica Burm. f., Maclura cochinchinensis (Lour.) Corner, and Streblus taxoides (Roth) Kurz. The potential uses of Moraceae by local people were identified from the interview and enriched by data from literature studies indicated that Moraceae plants were used as a food, medicine, for construction, soil protection plants, and houseplant.

Morphological Study of Pollen Grains of Angiosperms

Pollen morphology of twelve species of angiosperms from Central Nepal was cytologically carried out in present investigation. In this investigation pollen morphology of Bignonia venusta Ker Gawl. and Jacranda mimisifolia D.Don from the family Bignoniaceae; Brassica compestris L. from Brassicaceae; Cuphea hyssopifolia Kunth. from Lythraceae; Coriandrum sativum L. from Apiaceae; Crepis japonica L. and Dichrocephala integrifolia (L f.) kunzte. from Asteraceae; Delphinium ajacis L. from Ranunculaceae; Dianthus barbetus L. from Caryophyllaceae; Euphorbia Milii Des Moul. and Euphorbia pulcherima L. from Euphorbiaceae and Magnolia fuscata from Magnoliaceae were studied. Shape of the pollen grains found to be mostly spheroidal, few circular, one elliptical, one triangular and one elongated in this study. Sculpture of exine wall found to be smooth, echidnae, tected, reticulated and perforated type. Aperture of the pollen grains found to be triporate to pentaporate. The large, medium and small sized pollen grains were observed in present research. The high diversty of sculpture type in pollen grains of angiosperms has been associated to diversity in pollination systems. Smooth pollen grains are linked with wind or water pollination while sculptured pollen grains associated with biotic pollination. The morphology of pollen grain is one of the significant tools in solving some taxonomic problems such as identification, tracing phylogenetic relationship on the family, generic or specific level and in plant systematic and evolution. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 7(3): 354-358

HPTLC Fingerprinting and Antifungal Efficacy of Ethyl Acetate Extract Couroupita guianensis on Selected Fungal Pathogens

The HPTLC fingerprints will help the manufacturer for quality control and standardization of herbal formulations. Such finger printing is useful in differentiating the species from the adulterant and act as a biochemical marker for this medicinally important plant in the pharmaceutical industry and plant systematic studies. Resistance to antibiotics in pathogenic fungi is a problem of special importance in the control of infections caused by these organisms.Therefore, it is of importance to investigate the HPTLC fingerprint and antifungal analysis of ethyl acetate extract of the aerial part of couroupita guianensis. Couroupita guianensis (Aubl) Family Lecythidaceae commonly known as Cannon ball tree, locally known as “Kailashpati,” is found throughout India. The leaves, flowers, fruits and bark of this medicinal plant is used to treat skin infections, antimicrobial, cancer and various traditional medicinal preparations. Our results clearly show that the antifungal efficacy of couroupita guianensis.

Reproductive Development in Pink Tickseed, Coreopsis rosea, Nutt.

Landscape and garden use of Coreopsisrosea has been growing recently. With the introduction of the new varieties of Coreopsisrosea `Sweet Dreams' and `Limerock Ruby', there are increased opportunities for commercial sales. While plants can be propagated by vegetative means, seed production is generally less expensive, seed can be stored, and hybrid development depends on seed production. As a result, it is beneficial to understand the reproductive process of the plant. The purpose of this research was to investigate the reproductive development of Coreopsisrosea. This research also seeks to identify, describe and record inflorescence morphological characters, which could be useful in plant systematic and phylogeny studies. To this end, the anthesis process of pink tickseed, Coreopsisrosea Nutt., was studied in 100 inflorescences from 10 plants. Inflorescences were tagged when they were first visible and measured daily for a month. The following measurements were taken: number of ray flowers, inflorescence diameter, diameter of the disc floret cluster (head), timing of anthesis, presence of pollen, and the longevity of opened flowers. The inflorescence anthesis process was 19.8 (±1.6) days long and was subdivided into 13 stages of development. During the 20 days of inflorescence anthesis, the flower was open 27.5% of the time (5.4 days). When the disc florets started to open, they did so from the outer layer of the cluster to the center of the cluster; therefore, florets in the head did not mature at the same time. Micrographs were taken using a dissecting microscope (Cobra dynascope) to illustrate the entire process.