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Identifying sustainable resources of natural fibers is essential due to their high demand in industrial applications such as automotive and biomedical materials. Two alternative fibers obtained from canola and sweet clover stalks were characterized for their properties using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), contact angle, and tensile test. Hemp and flax fibers, both in use as industrial fibers, were also characterized as conventional fibers. Results showed that all the fibers had the same chemical elements (carbon, oxygen, magnesium, and potassium) and chemical bonds. The crystallinity index for the alternative fibers ranged from 62 to 71%, which was close but lower than the conventional fibers (82% for hemp and 80% for flax). The thermal stability of the alternative fibers was around 220 °C, close to the conventional fibers (230 °C). The alternative fibers had contact angles of less than 90°, showing high surface energy. Since the alternative fibers had a low Young's modulus and tensile strength (5.57–8.52 GPa and 57.45–71.26 MPa, respectively), they are suitable for some specific applications in the biomedical industry. In contrast, conventional fibers are suitable where a higher stiffness and strength is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Melilotus species are used as green manure and rotation crops worldwide and contain abundant pharmacologically active coumarins. However, there is a paucity of information on its genome and coumarin production and function. Here, we reported a chromosome‐scale assembly of Melilotus albus genome with 1.04 Gb in eight chromosomes, containing 71.42% repetitive elements. Long terminal repeat retrotransposon bursts coincided with declining of population sizes during the Quaternary glaciation. Resequencing of 94 accessions enabled insights into genetic diversity, population structure, and introgression. Melilotus officinalis had relatively larger genetic diversity than that of M. albus. The introgression existed between M. officinalis group and M. albus group, and gene flows was from M. albus to M. officinalis. Selection sweep analysis identified candidate genes associated with flower colour and coumarin biosynthesis. Combining genomics, BSA, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and biochemistry, we identified a β‐glucosidase (BGLU) gene cluster contributing to coumarin biosynthesis. MaBGLU1 function was verified by overexpression in M. albus, heterologous expression in Escherichia coli, and substrate feeding, revealing its role in scopoletin (coumarin derivative) production and showing that nonsynonymous variation drives BGLU enzyme activity divergence in Melilotus. Our work will accelerate the understanding of biologically active coumarins and their biosynthetic pathways, and contribute to genomics‐enabled Melilotus breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Submergence is a severe stress for most plants. Melilotus siculus is a waterlogging- (i.e. root zone hypoxia) tolerant annual forage legume, but data were lacking for the effects of partial and full submergence of the shoots. The aim was to compare the tolerance to partial and full submergence of 15 M. siculus accessions and to assess variation in traits possibly contributing to tolerance. Recovery ability post-submergence was also evaluated. Methods A factorial experiment imposed treatments of water level [aerated root zone with shoots in air as controls, stagnant root zone with shoots in air, stagnant root zone with partial (75 %) or full shoot submergence] on 15 accessions, for 7 d on 4-week-old plants in a 20/15 °C day/night phytotron. Measurements included: shoot and root growth, hyponastic petiole responses, petiole gas-filled spaces, leaflet sugars, leaflet surface hydrophobicity, leaflet gas film thickness and phellem area near the base of the main root. Recovery following full submergence was also assessed. Key Results Accessions differed in shoot and root growth during partial and full shoot submergence. Traits differing among accessions and associated with tolerance were leaflet gas film thickness upon submergence, gas-filled spaces in petioles and phellem tissue area near the base of the main root. All accessions were able to re-orientate petioles towards the vertical under both partial and full submergence. Petiole extension rates were maintained during partial submergence, but decreased during full submergence. Leaflet sugars accumulated during partial submergence, but were depleted during full submergence. Growth resumption after full submergence differed among accessions and was positively correlated with the number of green leaves retained at desubmergence. Conclusions Melilotus siculus is able to tolerate partial and full submergence of at least 7 d. Leaflet surface hydrophobicity and associated gas film retention, petiole gas-filled porosity and root phellem abundance are important traits contributing to tolerance. Post-submergence recovery growth differs among accessions. The ability to retain green leaves is essential to succeed during recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the serious situation of soil degradation in China, tests were carried out to study the improvement effects of Russian Melilotus officinalis on the low base saturation acid soil, the alkaline-saline soil and the heavy metal contaminated soil. The results showed that M. officinalis could improve the low base saturation acid soil, increase the salt, alkali content, mineral nutrition and organic nutrient, which indicated that M. officinalis could be planted in the acid soil, and had a significant ecological eefect on soil improvement. M. officinalis achieved a remarkable eefect on improving the alkaline-saline soil (pH 8.5 - 9.5) that the soil desalted, dealkalized and had more organic nutrient. Moreover, M. ofifcinalis could improve the heavy metal contaminated soil and had the ability to enrich and transform heavy metal elements, especially Cd and Ni, thereby presenting significant repair eefects on soil improvement. Therefore, Russian M. ofifcinalis had multiple--fects on degraded soil improvement, so it is worthy of application and popularization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sensory-chemical profiles of Finnish honeys (labeled as buckwheat, cloudberry-bog, lingonberry, sweet clover, willowherb and multifloral honeys) were investigated using a multi-analytical approach. The sensory test (untrained panel, n  = 62) was based on scaling and check-all-that-apply (CATA) methods accompanied with questions on preference and usage of honey. The results were correlated with corresponding profiles of odor-active compounds, determined using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry/olfactometry (GC–MS/O). Botanical origins and chemical compositions including sugars were evaluated using NMR spectroscopy. A total of 73 odor-active compounds were listed based on GC–O. Sweet and mild honeys with familiar sensory properties were preferred by the panelists (PCA, R 2 X (1) = 0.7) while buckwheat and cloudberry-bog honeys with strong odor, flavor and color were regarded as unfamiliar and unpleasant. The data will give the honey industry novel information on honey properties in relation to the botanical origin, and consumer preference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melilotus is an important genus of legume plants and an herbage with excellent nitrogen fixation; it can tolerate extreme environmental conditions and possesses important medicinal value. However, there is limited genetic information about the genus; thus, we analysed four chloroplast loci (rbcL, matK, psbA-trnH and trnL-F) and one nuclear region (ITS) to determine the genetic diversity of 199 accessions from 18 Melilotus species. The rbcL and matK sequences were highly conserved, whereas the trnL-F and ITS sequences contained variable and parsimony-informative sites. In our analyses of the single and combined regions, we calculated the pairwise distance, haplotype and nucleotide diversity and gaps and then constructed phylogenetic trees to assess the genetic diversity, and our results revealed significant variations among the different accessions. The genetic distance values were between zero and nine, and based on the combined regions, the highest frequency value was approximately four. Melilotus showed high haplotype and nucleotide diversity, particularly in the ITS sequences, with values of 0.86 and 0.0087, respectively. The single ITS sequence, psbA-trnH, and the combined matK+rbcL+trnL-F (MRT) and matK+rbcL+psbA-trnH+trnL-F+ITS (MRPTI) regions showed interspecific variation in the gap analysis. Phylogenetic trees calculated using ITS, psbA-trnH and MRPTI sequences indicated distinct genetic relationship in 18 species, and these species could be divided into two groups. By determining the genetic diversity of plants, we can evaluate the genetic relationships among species and accessions, providing a basis for preserving and utilizing the genetic resources of Melilotus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Soil waterlogging adversely impacts most plants. Melilotus siculus is a waterloggingtolerant annual forage legume, but data were lacking for the effects of root-zone hypoxia on nodulated plants reliant on N2 fixation. The aim was to compare the waterlogging tolerance and physiology of M. siculus reliant on N2 fixation or with access to NO3-. Methods A factorial experiment imposed treatments of water level (drained or waterlogged), rhizobia (nil or inoculated) and mineral N supply (nil or 11 mm NO3-) for 21 d on plants in pots of vermiculite in a glasshouse. Nodulation, shoot and root growth and tissue N were determined. Porosity (gas volume per unit tissue volume) and respiration rates of root tissues and nodules, and O2 microelectrode profiling across nodules, were measured in a second experiment. Key Results Plants inoculated with the appropriate rhizobia, Ensifer (syn. Sinorhizobium) medicae, formed nodules. Nodulated plants grew as well as plants fed NO3-, both in drained and waterlogged conditions. The growth and total N content of nodulated plants (without any NO3- supplied) indicated N2 fixation. Respiration rates (mass basis) were highest in nodules and root tips and lowest in basal root tissues. Secondary aerenchyma (phellem) formed along basal root parts and a thin layer of this porous tissue also covered nodules, which together enhanced gas-phase diffusion of O2 to the nodules; O2 was below detection within the infected zone of the nodule interior. Conclusions Melilotus siculus reliant on N2 fixation grew well both in drained and waterlogged conditions, and had similar tissue N concentrations. In waterlogged conditions the relatively high respiration rates of nodules must rely on O2 movement via the aerenchymatous phellem in hypocotyl, roots and the outer tissue layers of nodules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the salt-tolerance response ofMelilotusspecies, a forage legume, based on tolerance/susceptibility indices, leaf water relations, leaf/root ion concentrations and multivariate (factor and function discriminate) analyses. In a greenhouse experiment, salinity-susceptibility of 12 accessions ofMelilotus(M. albus, M. indicus, M. officinalis) in addition, two controls (alfalfa and Persian clover) were evaluated at 0 mM, 100 mM, 200 mM, and 300 mM of sodium chloride (NaCl). The experiment was conducted in a split plot design with two replications. Stress tolerance score (STS) was calculated based on tolerance/susceptibility indices. Salt-tolerant accessions were identified. An extracted bi-plot based on factor analysis confirmed the results of tolerance/susceptibility indices. There were significant correlations between STS and multivariate statistics. Root potassium cation (K+) concentration was higher inMelilotusspecies than the control species in all the salinity treatments. STS, root K+concentration, leaf turgidity, and leaf succulence characteristics can be used for screening salinity-tolerance inMelilotusaccessions. In all treatments,M. officinalis, M. indicus, andM. albuswere salinity-tolerant species in descending order. Abbreviations: Total biomass yield under control (Yp) and stress (Ys) mediums, geometric mean productivity (GMP), leaf area (LA), leaf tissue density (LTD), linear regression coefficient (b), mean productivity (MP), relative water content (RWC%), Succulence (S), specific leaf area (SLA), stress susceptibility index (SSI), stress tolerance index (STI), tolerance (TOL), water content at saturation (WCS), water saturation deficit (WSD), sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium cation (K+), sodium cation (Na+), analysis of variance (ANOVA), least significant difference (LSD), alfalfa control accession (CHA), Persian clover control accession (CHC), coefficient of variation (CV), statistics of factor (F) and discriminate function (D) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prospects of creating adaptive self-regulating herbage mixtures and their longevity in the context of different methods of use were studied at the sites with cryogenic pale-yellow soil in Yakutia (Sakha Republic). We have used a six-component grass-legume mixture. Research results have showed that grass-legume mixtures intended for grazing provide high yields of feed crops (7.75 tons per year on average) at late sowing dates and the cutting height of 5 cm. The share of alfalfa in herbage mixtures is 61%. In pure batches of alfalfa and sweet clover, the maximum content of crude protein was 23.89% and 23.5%, fat content - 3.86% and 3.38%, respectively. In the pasture coenosis, organic matter content is the highest (up to 4.37%) at the cutting depth of 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm regardless the sowing period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melilotus albus Medik. is a legume species with potential to be used as a forage or conserved fodder in Northwest China. Breeding M. albus as a forage crop is focused on simultaneously improving forage yield and reducing coumarin (Cou) content. The goal of the present study was to estimate genotypic variation for several key agronomic traits and to evaluate the impact of single-trait selection and Smith--Hazel-index-based multitrait selection for herbage dry weight (DW), plant height (PH), stem number (SN), and leaf area (LA). A quantitative genetic analysis was conducted on trait measurements from 25 half-sib (HS) families evaluated at Yuzhong and Linze, in China. Significant (P < 0.05) genotypic variation among the HS families for all traits was observed. There was also significant (P < 0.05) genotype x environment interaction for all traits except for LA. The predicted genetic gain, based on estimated genotypic variance, for single-trait selection varied from 2.3 to 30.3% per selection cycle. Pattern analysis of the HS family ´ multitrait best linear unbiased prediction matrix provided a graphical summary of the association among the traits, as well as the four HS family groups generated from clustering. Some members within Group 1 could be crossed to generate a breeding population to be used in recurrent selection for M. albus cultivar development in Northwest China. The applicability of a Smith--Hazel selection index to increase expression of the traits DW, PH, and SN and reduce LA, indirectly reducing Cou content, was confirmed. This index enabled identification of families for increasing key biomass traits and decreasing Cou production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melilotus, an annual or biennial herb, belongs to the tribe Trifolieae (Leguminosae) and consists of 19 species. As an important green manure crop, diverse Melilotus species have different values as feed and medicine. To identify different Melilotus species, we examined the efficiency of five candidate regions as barcodes, including the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and two chloroplast loci, rbcL and matK, and two non-coding loci, trnH-psbA and trnL-F. In total, 198 individuals from 98 accessions representing 18 Melilotus species were sequenced for these five potential barcodes. Based on inter-specific divergence, we analysed sequences and confirmed that each candidate barcode was able to identify some of the 18 species. The resolution of a single barcode and its combinations ranged from 33.33% to 88.89%. Analysis of pairwise distances showed that matK+rbcL+trnL-F+trnH-psbA+ITS (MRTPI) had the greatest value and rbcL the least. Barcode gap values and similarity value analyses confirmed these trends. The results indicated that an ITS region, successfully identifying 13 of 18 species, was the most appropriate single barcode and that the combination of all five potential barcodes identified 16 of the 18 species. We conclude that MRTPI is the most effective tool for Melilotus species identification. Taking full advantage of the barcode system, a clear taxonomic relationship can be applied to identify Melilotus species and enhance their practical production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to measure the effects of elevated levels of Na + and Cl − on ion concentration, growth, and photosynthetic performance of Melilotus siculus , Tecticornia pergranulata , and Thinopyrum ponticum in pot trials under controlled glasshouse conditions. Experiments were conducted using Na + and Cl − dominant saline soil treated with constituted saline solutions (0, 2.0 and 4.0 dS m −1 Na + or Cl − ). Maximum Na + and Cl − concentration was in T. pergranulata shoots; maximum Na + concentration was in T. pergranulata roots, whereas maximum Cl − in T. ponticum roots. Maximum quantum yield of PSII [Fv/Fm] values did not change significantly. Net-photosynthetic rate [ P n] and stomatal conductance [g s ] values increased and non-photochemical quenching [NPQ] value decreased significantly in T. pergranulata with increasing Na + dominant treatments and the reverse occurred in Cl − dominant treatments. Pn, g s , and NPQ values did not significantly change in T. ponticum with increasing Na + and Cl − dominant treatments. The shoot and root biomasses of T. pergranulata were the maximum at 4.0 dS m −1 Na + dominant treatment. In T. ponticum , the maximum shoot and root fresh masses and shoot dry mass occurred in the control treatment and the maximum root dry mass occurred in the 2.0 dS m −1 Cl − dominant treatment. In T. pergranulata , strong positive correlations occurred between Na + concentration in shoots and salt tolerance (shoot mass over control) and moderately positive correlation occurred between Cl − concentration in shoots and salt tolerance. However, strong negative correlations were observed between Na + and Cl − concentration in shoots and salt tolerance in T. ponticum as well as between Cl − concentration in shoots and salt tolerance in M. siculus . Our glasshouse experiments indicate that 4.0 dS m −1 Cl − solutions in the soil was more intensely damaging than that of Na + . The greatest concentration of both Na + and Cl − was in T. pergranulata under the tested circumstances indicating it to be the candidate of choice for restoring saline soils, followed in capacity by M. siculus and T. ponticum . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allodynia is a main symptom of the peripheral neuropathy induced by vincristine treatment. Theoesberiven F, a combination of Melilotus extract and proxyphylline, is currently used for the treatment of inflammatory conditions due to its potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The anti-allodynic effect of theoesberiven F on mechanical and cold allodynia in a rat model of vincristine-induced neuropathy was investigated in the present study. Intraperitoneal vincristine injections were administered to male Sprague-Dawley rats at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg/day over 12 days (5 days of injection, a 2-day cessation and 5 days of injection). Rats that were allodynic following the vincristine injections were randomly allocated into four groups. Normal saline was injected into rats in the control group. Theoesberiven F (0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg) was administered to rats in the three experimental groups, respectively. Mechanical and cold allodynia were measured at preadministration and at 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min following the intraperitoneal administration of normal saline or theoesberiven F. The decreased paw withdrawal threshold induced by vincristine injection was increased by theoesberiven F administration. The increased withdrawal frequency to cold stimuli developed by vincristine was reduced by theoesberiven F administration. The results of this study suggest that the administration of theoesberiven F may be beneficial in reducing the mechanical and cold allodynia developed during vincristine treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweet clovers are legumes able to grow on most soils, and two sweet clover species,Melilotus albusandMelilotus officinalishave been introduced and are now cultivated on estuary land. We characterized the composition and morphology of sweet clover stems collected after the seeds had reached maturity. We also carried out histochemical analyses on transverse sections. The two species had similar morphological structures, which two fiber fractions: flexible long fibers and stiff, dense shives, accounting for about 12% and 88% of stem dry matter, respectively. Histological analysis revealed the presence of bundles of highly cellulosic bast fibers (lignocellulosic material: 71–78% of dry matter). The shives are a natural mesoporous material composed of 85–90% lignocellulosic fibers. Both fiber fractions displayed good thermal resistance to temperatures up to 225°C and a moderate affinity for water. These two types of fibers are similar to those of flax and hemp, suggesting their possible use for the same types of applications. Sweet clovers therefore constitute a new source of fibers that can be cultivated on wet and saline soils not otherwise suitable for agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melilotus is one of the most important legume plants, in part due to its production of coumarin, but the genetic diversity among the 18 species remains unclear. In the present study, the analysis of genetic diversity of the Melilotus species was performed with simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. From the PCR amplification, we selected 18 out of 70 primers that were used in previous studies. Three hundred twenty-six sampled individuals were assayed to study the genetic diversity and polymorphisms based on the SSR markers. All analyzed markers were polymorphic, and 287 alleles were identified, with 15.94 alleles per locus detected. The polymorphism information content ( PIC ) values ranged from 0.71 to 0.93, with an average of 0.87, which indicates that the markers were highly informative. Based on the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) cluster analysis, we found that the 18 species were divided into two clusters. M. italicus and M.​ speciosus from cluster A and M. indicus and M. segetalis from cluster B were closely related. Population structure analysis suggested that the optimum number of groups was three. From the analysis of molecular variance, 17.79% of the variance was due to species differences, 31.61% of the variance was due to differences among populations within species and the remaining 50.60% was due to differences within populations. The results of the present study showed that these SSR markers will benefit the Melilotus research community for genetics and breeding. Furthermore, this study also established the foundation for future breeding programs, genetic improvement and coumarin production in the Melilotus species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melilotus comprises 19 species, while the phylogenetic relationships between species remain unclear. In the present work, three chloroplast genes, rbcL, matK, trnL-F, and one nuclear region, ITS (internal transcribed spacer) belonging to 48 populations of 18 species of Melilotus were sequenced and phylogenetic trees were constructed to study their interspecific relationships. Based on the phylogenetic tree generated in this study using rbcL analysis, the Melilotus genus is clearly monophyletic in the legume family. Both Bayesian and maximum-parsimony approaches were used to analyze the data. The nrDNA ITS provided more informative characteristics (9.8%) than cpDNA (3.0%). Melilotus contains two closely related groups, clade I and clade II. M. spicatus, M. indicus and M. segetalis have a close relationship. M. infestus, M. siculus and M. sulcatus are closely related. The comparing between molecular phylogeny and flower color classification in Melilotus showed that the flower color is not much informative for phylogenetics of this genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe and figure the previously unknown male of Hypanthidioides (Ctenanthidium) bifasciata (Urban, 1993) based on specimens reared from a trap nest along with a female. This species, originally known only from the type specimen collected in Colonia, Uruguay, is also newly recorded from Buenos Aires, Argentina. We provide for the first time information on the nest structure and, based on the analysis of pollen grains from brood cells, record five host plant species belonging to the families Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, and Fabaceae. Most pollen grains belong to an undetermined species of the genus Melilotus L. (Fabaceae). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a Traditional Chinese Medicine, Melilotus extracts have been reported to function as an anti-inflammatory agent, antioxidant and inhibitor of capillary permeability. The present study aimed to identify the mechanisms by which Melilotus interferes with inflammation-associated and oxidative stress pathways during sepsis. An animal model of cecal ligation-perforation (CLP)-induced sepsis was established. Two hours prior to surgery, animals in the treatment group were administered 25 mg/kg Melilotus extract tablets and subsequently every 8 h. At 24 h post-administration, pathological modifications in lung tissue and expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α-induced protein-8-like 2 (TIPE2) expression, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), inhibitor of κB kinase (IκB), pro-inflammatory mediators (interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α), myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were examined. The results showed that Melilotus extract had a marked effect on the pathological manifestation of lung tissue and lung inflammatory response, the upregulation of TIPE2, HO-1 and IκB expression, and the inhibition of TLR4 and NF-κB activities. In addition, following treatment with Melilotus extract, the model animals demonstrated decreased levels of MPO and MDA as well as increased levels of SOD. In conclusion, these results indicated that Melilotus extract may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of CLP-induced lung injury, the mechanism of which proceeded via inflammation- and oxidation-associated pathways by increasing TIPE2 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinity and root-zone hypoxia often occur together in saline landscapes. For many plants, this combination of stresses causes greater increases in Na + and Cl − in shoots, and decreases in K + , than from salinity alone. These changes in ion concentrations from combined salinity and hypoxia can have more adverse consequences for growth than from salinity alone. The herbaceous forage legume Melilotus siculus naturally occurs in saline soils prone to waterlogging; however, accessions differ in their tolerances, although all form high levels of aerenchyma. We hypothesised that tolerance to combined salinity and hypoxia would be associated with either greater aerenchyma formation in roots or the innate ability of the accessions to regulate tissue ion concentrations. Fifteen accessions of M. siculus were grown in nutrient solution with two salinities (0 or 200 mM NaCl) and two aeration treatments (aerated or hypoxic) for 21 days. Dry mass (shoot and root), root porosity and ion concentrations (Cl − , Na + , K + ) in shoots and roots were assessed. In the M. siculus accessions variation in the shoot dry mass under saline–hypoxic conditions was negatively correlated with shoot Cl − and Na + , and positively correlated with the shoot K + . Shoot ion concentrations under saline–hypoxic conditions were related to concentrations under saline–aerated conditions, but not to the porosity of the main root, which was relatively high (∼18 to 25%). Differences in the tolerance of M. siculus accessions to combined salinity and root-zone hypoxia were mediated by variation in the plants’ ability to regulate ions, and were not related to variation in root porosity, which was relatively high in all accessions. The interaction between salinity and hypoxia was not detrimental to M. siculus , a waterlogging tolerant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to isolate and characterize nodulating bacteria associated with wild legumes. For this purpose, we recovered twenty isolates from root nodules of five wild legume species: Melilotus alles, Melilotus officinalis, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens and Medicago sp. Most of the isolates were morphologically analogous with only few exceptions in colony shape, appearance and incubation time. All isolates were Gram negative except T.P2-4. Random amplification of polymorphic DNA showed genetic variation among isolates. The 16S rRNA sequence analysis revealed these isolates as Rhizobium, Sinorhizobium and Paenibacillus. Each of these was also screened for nod D and nod F genes with marked variation at these loci; however, the nucleotide sequence analysis confirmed the presence of nod genes. The assignment of strains to their hosts revealed a unique symbiotic association of Paenibacillus sp. nodulating T .pratense which is being reported here for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, agricultural producers and non-governmental organizations and agencies have restored thousands of hectares of cropland to grassland in the Great Plains of the United States. However, little is known about the relationships between richness and seeding density in these restorations and resistance to invasive plant species. We assessed the effects of richness and seeding density on resistance to invasive and other unseeded plant species in experimental tallgrass prairie plots in central Nebraska. In 2006, twenty-four 55 m x 55 m plots were planted with six replicates in each of four treatments: high richness (97 species typically planted by The Nature Conservancy), at low and high seeding densities, and low richness (15 species representing a typical Conservation Reserve Program mix, CP25), at low and high seed ng densities. There was a significant negative relationship between richness and basal cover of unseeded perennial forbsllegumes and unseeded perennial/annual grasses, abundance of bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare), and the number of inflorescences removed from smooth brome (Bromus inermis) transplants. Invasion resistance may have been higher in the high richness treatments because of the characteristics of the dominant species in these plots or because of greater interspecific competition for limiting resources among forbs/legumes with neighboring plants belonging to the same functional group. Seeding density was not important in affecting invasion resistance, except in the cover of unseeded grasses. Increasing seed mix richness may be more effective than increasing the seeding density for decreasing invasion by unseeded perennial species, bull thistle, and smooth brome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physiological mechanisms of adaptation to copper-induced stress in two widespread legume plants, white sweet clover ( Melilotus albus Merik.) and zigzag clover ( Trifolium medium L.), growing in habitats differing in the man-made pollution. An antioxidant plant defense system was activated in response to 10 mM CuSO, which is a stress factor. Specific biochemical features related to adaptation to soil contamination with copper were observed in tested plant species. Superoxide dismutase was activated in response to stress in both species from various habitats. M. albus from the impact zone manifested the better capacity of proline accumulation as compared with plants from less polluted habitats. T. medium plants from the impact zone contained more active peroxidase. It was suggested that plants growing for a long time under stressful conditions manifest the greater tolerance to copper ions than plants, which did not experience stress or were subjected to the milder stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Annual pasture legumes with high tolerance of combined salinity and waterlogging are needed for saline areas in many rain-fed agricultural regions. Melilotus siculus is an annual legume from saline marshy areas of the Mediterranean with potential use in saline pastures and, based on descriptions of its native habitat, was hypothesised to tolerate combined salinity and waterlogging. Experiments compared M. siculus to Trifolium michelianum and Medicago polymorpha, other annual pasture legumes with reported salt or waterlogging tolerances, with 0–450mM NaCl in hydroponics or in sand culture. Tolerance to combined salinity and waterlogging was also evaluated at 150, 400 and 550mM NaCl in a stagnant deoxygenated nutrient solution. M. siculus was substantially more salt tolerant than the other two species. At 450mM NaCl, shoot DM of M. siculus was 30% of control, compared with only 15% for the other species. M. siculus was also the most tolerant species to combined salinity and stagnant treatment, and produced new leaves even after 14d in stagnant nutrient solution with 550mM NaCl (∼ sea water salinity). In comparison, T. michelianum and M. polymorpha only survived up to 5d in stagnant solution with 400mM NaCl. Even at only 150mM NaCl in stagnant solution, shoot DM was just 30% of control for T. michelianum and M. polymorpha, compared to 60% for M. siculus. Tolerance to combined salinity and waterlogging was associated with higher root porosity and regulation of shoot Na+ and Cl−, with the more tolerant M. siculus having similar shoot Na+ and Cl− concentrations for both aerated-saline and stagnant-saline treatments. In summary, M. siculus is a pasture legume that can grow at high salinity (up to 550mM) even when in combination with waterlogging, as root porosity and associated O2 transport presumably enables continued regulation by the roots of Na+ and Cl− entry under these dual stress conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background and aims: Plant productivity in drylands is frequently co-limited by water and nutrient availability, and thus is expected to be influenced by ongoing changes in rainfall regime and atmospheric nutrient deposition. Roadside grasslands are widespread worldwide, represent ecologically meaningful examples of highly dynamic anthropogenic ecosystems, and are well suited to investigate global change effects on plant performance. We evaluated the effects of changes in water and nutrient availability on the relative dominance and physiological performance of Bromus rubens, Carduus tenuifolius and Melilotus officinalis, which belong to contrasting functional groups (grasses, non-legume forbs and legumes, respectively). Methods: We conducted a factorial field experiment in two semiarid roadside grasslands in central Spain with the following factors: watering (no water addition vs. watering with 50% of the monthly total precipitation median) and fertilization (no fertilization vs. addition of 80 kg N ha year). The cover of the species evaluated, was surveyed over a 2-year period. Plant isotopic composition (leaf δC and δO) and nutrient concentrations (foliar N, P and K) were used to assess plant ecophysiological performance. Results: Carduus was able to cope with lower water availability levels through stomatal adjustments without a significant reduction in its relative dominance. The relative dominance of Bromus was negatively affected by even moderate water stress, although elevated nutrient deposition buffered the adverse impact of drought through a nutrient-mediated enhancement of plant water use efficiency. Increased nutrient availability strongly decreased the relative dominance of Melilotus, irrespective of water availability. Conclusions: Species-specific physiological mechanisms of adjustment to treatments suggest that plant communities in roadside grasslands will not respond as a unit to global environmental change. The characterization of species-specific responses to major global change drivers may improve predictions about the future dynamics of plant communities in novel ecosystems such as roadside slopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In ancient Chinese history, the Western Zhou Dynasty has long been renowned for having expanded its control and territory into many other states. However, historical documents and archaeological records of this period are limited; thus the early history of the Western Zhou Dynasty's operation in eastern China and its establishment of the Qi and Lu states have been unclear. The discovery of the Chenzhuang city site in Gaoqing County, Shandong Province, with chariot-horse pits, an altar and bronze vessels with inscriptions, adds a new line of evidence for studying the history of this period. However, with no direct evidence, the nature of the city site is controversial. Plant remains, especially a large number of sweet clover seeds, recovered from this site by systematic archaeobotanical methods provide an important source of information for research into the site's function. Considering that modern sweet clover is superior fodder for horses and the sweet clover seeds from the Chenzhuang site coexist with chariot-horse pits and horse remains, it is suggested these sweet clover seeds might represent the fodder of battle steeds. This suggestion supports the opinion of those who believe the Chenzhuang city site was once an important military city of the Western Zhou Dynasty in eastern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar el rendimiento de forraje y sus componentes en meliloto azul (Melilotus caerulea (L.) Desr.), cultivado en la región occidental de Turquía. Las semillas de meliloto azul en etapa de madurez se recolectaron durante dos años (2005-2006) y provenían de pastizales (43.0 °N, 26 °E) de la villa de Belovets en Razgrad, al noreste de Bulgaria. Este estudio se realizó durante la estación de crecimiento de 2006 a 2009 (Octubre-Julio) en suelo xeralf con pH 6.8-7.1, en el área experimental del Departamento de Cultivos de Campo (41.0 °N, 27.5 °E) en la Facultad de Agricultura de la Universidad Namik Kemal (Tekirdag), Turquía. El diseño experimental fue bloque completamente al azar con cuatro réplicas. Se determinaron la altura de la planta (cm), el diámetro del tallo principal (mm), el número de hojas por tallo principal, el largo de la hoja (cm), el largo (cm) y el ancho (cm) del foliolo, el rendimiento de forraje verde (t ha-1), el rendimiento de materia seca (t ha-1), la proteína bruta (%) y la fibra bruta (%) en tres etapas de crecimiento: ¼ floración, ½ floración y floración total. Se concluye que el rendimiento de forraje verde (9.79-9.97 t ha-1) y de materia seca (2.49-2.62 t ha-1) en las etapas de ½ floración y floración completa fueron mayores que en el resto de las etapas. La calidad es alta si el cultivo se corta en la etapa de ¼ de floración. Según el rendimiento y otros componentes, el meliloto azul se puede sembrar y cortar en las etapas ¼ floración, ½ floración y floración completa en la región occidental de Turquía, así como probablemente en otras condiciones subtropicales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to determine the forage yield and its components in blue melilot (Melilotus caerulea (L.) Desr.) grown in the western region of Turkey. Blue melilot seeds were collected during two years (2005-2006) at mature stage from grasslands (43.0 °N, 26 °E) of the Belovets village in Razgrad, the north-east of Bulgaria. This study was conducted during the 2006-2009 growing season (October-July) on xeralf soil with pH 6.8-7.1 at Field Crops Department experimental area (41.0 °N, 27.5 °E) in Agricultural Faculty of Namik Kemal University (Tekirdag), Turkey. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replicates. The plant height (cm), main stem diameter (mm), number of leaves per main stem, leaf length (cm), leaflet length (cm) and width (cm), green fodder yield (t ha-1), dry matter yield (t ha-1), crude protein (%) and fiber (%) were determined at the three growing stages such as 1/4 bloom, 1/2 bloom and full-bloom. It is concluded that green fodder yield (9.79-9.97 t ha-1) and dry matter yield (2.49-2.62 t ha-1) in the ½ bloom and full-bloom stages were determined to be higher than in the rest of the stage. Quality is high if the crop is cut in the 1/2 bloom stage. According to yield and other components, the blue melilot can be sown and cutting at 1/4 bloom, 1/2 bloom and full-bloom stages in the western of Turkey as well as in subtropical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Aerenchymatous phellem (secondary aerenchyma) has rarely been studied in roots. Its formation and role in internal aeration were evaluated for Melilotus siculus, an annual legume of wet saline land. • Plants were grown for 21 d in aerated or stagnant (deoxygenated) agar solutions. Root porosity and maximum diameters were measured after 0, 7, 14 and 21 d of treatment. Phellem anatomy was studied and oxygen (O2) transport properties examined using methylene blue dye and root-sleeving O2 electrodes. • Interconnecting aerenchymatous phellem developed in hypocotyl, tap root and older laterals (but not in aerial shoots), with radial intercellular connections to steles. Porosity of main roots containing phellem was c. 25%; cross-sectional areas of this phellem were threefold greater for stagnant than for aerated treatments. Root radial O2 loss was significantly reduced by complete hypocotyl submergence; values approached zero after disruption of hypocotyl phellem below the waterline or, after shoot excision, by covering hypocotyl phellem in nontoxic cream. • Aerenchymatous phellem enables hypocotyl-to-root O2 transport in M. siculus. Phellem increases radially under stagnant conditions, and will contribute to waterlogging tolerance by enhancing root aeration. It seems likely that with hypocotyl submerged, O2 will diffuse via surface gas-films and internally from the shoot system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the orally administered combination of flavonoids desmin and troxerutin with Centella asiatica and Melilotus for the treatment of diabetic cystoid macular edema (CME) without macular thickening. Methods: In this prospective, interventional, controlled study, 40 consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes and CME without macular thickening at optical coherence tomography were randomized into 2 groups of 20 subjects each (treatment and control groups). The treatment group received an oral combination of desmin (300 mg/day) and troxerutin (300 mg/day) with C. asiatica (30 mg/die) and Melilotus (160 mg/die) for 14 months. Best collected visual acuity, central retinal thickness at optical coherence tomography, retinal sensitivity (RS), and stability of fixation at microperimetry were measured at baseline and monthly for 14 months. Results: In both groups, mean best collected visual acuity, central retinal thickness, and stability of fixation did not show differences during follow-up ( P > 0.05). At month 14, the RS was greater in the treated group ( P = 0.01) and was significantly reduced in the control group only ( P < 0.001). Five eyes in the study group showed disappearance of the intraretinal cysts after a mean time of 3.5 ± 0.3 months, which persisted in the following months. These 5 eyes presented a greater RS at each follow-up visit when compared with the control group ( P < 0.05). Anatomic improvement was never reported in the control group. Conclusions: The orally administered combination of flavonoids, C. asiatica, and Melilotus could be beneficial in preserving RS in diabetic CME without macular thickening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melilotus officinalis, an annual or biennial dicot species of the family Fabaceae, is a common herb that is often found in disturbed habitats and agricultural areas in many parts of the temperate and tropical regions of the world. It is a native of Mediterranean area through central Eurasia east to Tibet. M. officinalis is considered to be an aggressive, highly invasive species, noxious and "cosmopolitan" weed in native prairie community, meadows and several crops of major importance, such as wheat, soybean, onion, olive trees and strawberry. It is adapted to a wide range of climatic conditions and grows on a wide variety of soil types. As opportunistic biennial, M. officinalis possesses characteristics that make it competitive in nature and alter soil characteristics. It colonizes disturbed areas, produces a large number of seeds, grows early in the season to create a tall dense colony, producee extensive root systems and fixes nitrogen for its immediate use. The management of M. officinalis can be achieved by herbicide application, mechanical (hand pulling, mowing, grazing), physical (fire) and biological control methods. The plant is reported to be honey plant as well as for forage and for green manure, edible and is also used for medicinal purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the range in coumarin concentrations at 90% flowering stage in 149 accessions belonging to 15 Melilotus species grown in a genetic resources field characterisation experiment in Adelaide, South Australia, and determines coumarin concentrations in Melilotus species grown at two contrasting field sites in South Australia (Kybybolite and Keith). In the genetic resources characterisation experiment, the mean coumarin content ranged from 0.06 to 0.753% of dry matter. M. segetalis, M. dentatus, M. sulcatus, M. siculus and M. infestus recorded low (0.06 to 0.113%) coumarin levels while moderate levels (0.332-0.753%) were registered in the other species. The coumarin levels at Kybybolite and Keith sites ranged from 0.095 to 0.943% amongst M. indicus accessions compared to M. siculus (0.007-0.100%) and M. sulcatus (0.007-0.810%). No coumarin was detected in a M. segetalis accession at these two sites. Accessions of M. siculus and an accession of M. segetalis (SA 36979) and of M. sulcatus (SA 40019) could be potential candidates as pasture legumes that can combine tolerance of both salinity and waterlogging, and acceptably low concentrations of coumarin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new triterpene oleanane glycosides, melilotosides A, B, and C, and non-glycosylated soyasapogenol B were isolated from Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall. (Fabaceae) roots. The structures of the glycosides were proved using chemical transformations and spectral data. Melilotoside A is soyasapogenol B 3-O-β-Dxylopyranoside; melilotoside B, soyasapogenol B 3-O-[β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-2)-f-D-xylopyranoside]; melilotoside C, soyasapogenol B 3-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-2)-β-D-galactopyranosyl(1-2)-β-Dxylopyranoside]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most research on the ecology of PAH degrading bacteria in the rhizosphere has focused on individual strains that grow on specific PAHs. Thus, there are fundamental questions as to importance of microbial consortia for PAH degradation in the plant rhizosphere. The study reported here characterized cultivable pyrene degrading rhizoplane microbial communities from two different plant species using a root printing technique on agar plates. Colonies were revealed by formation of clearing zones on medium containing a thin film of pyrene on the surface of a mineral nutrient agar. Prints of the rhizoplane colonies were obtained from roots of Melilotus officinalis (sweet yellow clover) and Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem) plants. Phylogenetic characterizations of selected pyrene degrading colonies were assessed by PCR-DGGE and DNA sequencing. Results showed that different populations of cultivable pyrene degraders were obtained from representative consortia that were examined. Many of the PAH degrading consortia consisted of mixtures of bacterial species that were unable to degrade pyrene by themselves. While this study focused on culturable PAH degraders, the results suggest that pyrene degradation in the rhizosphere commonly involves the activity of bacterial consortia in which various species of bacteria interact to achieve PAH degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melilotus suaveolens Ledeb is a traditional medicinal plant for treating inflammation-related disease. This explores the inner anti-inflammatory mechanism of n-butanol extract from M. suaveolens Ledeb. Inflammatory cellular model was established by lipopolysaccharide intervention on RAW264.7 cell line. Levels of secreted cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NO and IL-10 in supernatant, mRNA expression of TNF-α, COX-2, iNOS and HO-1, protein expression of COX-2 and HO-1, activation of NF-κB and ingredients in the extract were assayed by ELISA, real time quantitative PCR, western blot, immunocytochemical test and HPLC fingerprint test, respectively. As a result, the extract could not only markedly reduce the production of pro-inflammatory mediators to different extents by blocking NF-κB activation but also promote the release of anti-inflammatory mediator HO-1 significantly. Each 1 g extract contained 0.023531 mg coumarin and another two high polar ingredients, probably saponins. It can be concluded that the extract has similar effects on antagonizing pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines like Dexamethasone, and has effects on promoting the production of anti-inflammatory mediators. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article presents a study which investigates the phenotypic features and species diversity of Phyllobacterium, Ensifer, and Rhizobium species from root nodules of sweet clover and alfalfa. The study selects and characterizes the bacterial isolates examples of the species from the belonging of phage types (PTs) 13 and 24. Results show that the phenotypes of the three species were uncommonly and highly effective with alfalfa, Medicago polymorpha, and sweet clover.

Abstract: Previously unexploited legume species may offer utilization potential where environmental stresses constrain the use of more conventional forage crops. Melilotus indicus (L.) All., Yellow sweet clover, occurs as a weed in different habitats in Egypt. It grows in moderately saline areas, where traditional forage legumes cannot be cultivated. Our extensive field studies have recorded the species in many different habitats ranging from healthy agricultural lands to abandoned saline areas. The studied plants maintained high nodulation capacity (68 – 95%) and nitrogenase activities (about 1.81μmolC2H4 plant−1 h−1) in different habitats. Greenhouse experiments demonstrated that seed germination was maintained at 80% when growing on substrats containing 200mM NaCl and that 25% of the germination capability was preserved when 300mM NaCl was added to the growth medium. The growth rate of seedlings was not significantly affected by 200mM NaCl but was reduced by 30% under 300mM NaCl. It is supposed that M. indicus uses a salt inclusion mechanism for maintaining growth under saline conditions, as it accumulated high amounts of Na+ and Cl− ions. Leaf succulence and indices of leaf water status did not differ among the salt treatments, whereas relative water content was reduced by only 3% and water content at saturation increased by about 14% at high salt concentrations in the growing medium. Our results suggest recommending the cultivation of M. indicus in salt-affected soils, which are widespread and pose a problem for the farmers of Egypt and other countries in the world''s arid belt. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Certain plant species promote biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), but few studies have examined the microbial populations that are associated with the rhizoplane of these plants. In this study, the bacterial composition of the rhizoplane were characterized for four plant species during in soils with different histories of exposure to PAH and in the presence or absence of a pyrene spike at 100 mg kg-1 pyrene. Three of the plant species including Andropogon gerrardii, Panicum coloratum and Melilotus officinalis were known to stimulate PAH degradation. Wheat (Triticum aestivum) was used as a reference species. Results showed that after 90 days, approximately 45% of the pyrene spike disappeared from soil without plants. In contrast, cultivation of plants resulted in 95% disappearance of pyrene. There were no significant differences in the extent of pyrene disappearance for different plants. In all cases, 16S rRNA gene profiles of the rhizoplane were less complex in the pyrene-spiked soils, suggesting that richness and evenness of the predominant bacteria were reduced. Our results show that pyrene contamination results in significant shifts in the composition of rhizosphere bacterial communities that are still further influenced by the plant species and prior exposure history to PAH contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim of the study: This paper aimed to elucidate the anti-inflammatory effects of EtOAc fraction prepared from Melilotus suaveolens Ledeb ethanol extract with a cellular model of LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cell. Materials and methods: Some key pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators including IL-1β, IL-6, NO, iNOS, COX-2 and TNF-α, two important anti-inflammatory cytokines and mediators IL-10 and HO-1, I-κB and NF-κB were studied by sandwich ELISA, real-time PCR, western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry. At last a HPLC fingerprint was taken to evaluate the fraction. Results: The EtOAc fraction could significantly inhibit the production of IL-1β, IL-6, NO, TNF-α, COX-2 in LPS-stimulated cell than that of single LPS-stimulated cell (p <0.01 or p <0.05), and the extract could increase the production of IL-10 and HO-1 than that of single LPS intervention cell (p <0.01 or p <0.05). Meanwhile, the extract also could inhibit the production of NF-κB compared to single LPS-stimulated cell. All the results showed that the extract had a good anti-inflammatory effect on LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cell. Conclusions: Taken together, the anti-inflammatory actions of M. suaveolens Ledeb EtOAc fraction might be due to the down-regulation of IL-1β, IL-6, NO, TNF-α and COX-2 via the suppression of NF-κB activation, and another pathway was up regulating the production of IL-10 and HO-1. Meanwhile, the EtOAc fraction might be further studied to isolate the active anti-inflammatory ingredients besides coumarin. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In the montane grasslands of Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, non-native plant species are affecting the distribution and cover of native plant species. Two exotic nitrogen-fixing Eurasian sweetclover species (Melilotus officinalis and M. alba) occur in patches that have less available nitrogen (N) and a species composition different from surrounding grassland patches. I tested whether burning sweetclover-invaded patches would increase native grass and perennial diversity and available soil nitrogen at this elevation. I burned 24 sweetclover-invaded and noninvaded field plots with a propane torch in May 1999. Burning increased species richness and ground cover. Specifically, one year later native, grass, and perennial species increased in previously invaded patches and sweetclover or other exotic species associated with sweetclover did not increase. Soil ammonium (NH4+) levels increased immediately after the burn in May, and nitrate (NO3-) levels increased later in July and August. New species appeared only in burned plots. While other methods to reduce sweetclover might remove resources, fire increases light, space, and nutrient availability for native species that, in turn, suppress the exotic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is focused on the allelopathic interference of Melilotus neapolitana, an annual stenomediterranean species frequently occurring in the herbaceous plant community of the Mediterranean macchia, on three coexisting species of the Mediterranean herbaceous plant community. The ethereal and methanol extracts of the plant led to the isolation of 11 allelochemicals: coumarin, cis- and trans-melilotoside, the dihydromelilotoside, seven flavone glycosides, as well as the inactive β-sitosterol, a C13-norterpene glucoside and a polyphenol. All the structures have been elucidated on the basis of their spectroscopic features. The organic extracts and all the pure compounds have been assayed for their allelopathic activity on three coexisting species, Petrorhagia velutina, Dactylis hispanica, and Phleum subulatum. The cluster analysis has shown a clear structure-activity relationship, by evidencing four main groups of compounds with a specific effect patterns. Coumarin, the most abundant compound both in the plant extracts and soil, is found to be highly phytotoxic on all the tested species. As for the flavone glycosides, it is shown that aglycones play an important role due to their bioactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four different low molecular weight (LMW) RNA profiles, designated I–IV, among 179 isolates from Medicago, Melilotus and Trigonella species growing in a field site in Northern Spain were identified. From sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA, atpD and recA genes as well as DNA–DNA hybridization analysis with representatives of each LMW RNA profile it was evident that isolates with LMW RNA profiles I and II belonged to Sinorhizobium meliloti and those displaying profiles III and IV to Sinorhizobium medicae. Therefore, two distinct LMW RNA electrophoretic mobility profiles were found within each of these two species. Collectively, LMW RNA profiles I and II (identified as S. meliloti) were predominant in Melilotus alba, Melilotus officinalis and Medicago sativa. Profiles III and IV (identified as S. medicae) were predominant in Melilotus parviflora, Medicago sphaerocarpa, Medicago lupulina and Trigonella foenum-graecum. All the four LMW RNA profiles were identified among isolates from Trigonella monspelliaca nodules. These results revealed a different specificity by the hosts of the alfalfa cross-inoculation group towards the two bacterial species found in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying forage species that are productive in saline environments is an important research priority in many areas of the world affected by salinity. The salt and waterlogging tolerances of 19 species of Melilotus were evaluated in a series of glasshouse experiments. Measurements taken on each species included: dry matter (DM) production, root growth and development, shoot ion (Na+, K+ and Cl−) concentrations, root porosity, and in vitro estimates of nutritive value. Research on several species was restricted because of their potential as weed risks. Of the remaining species, M. siculus (syn. M. messanensis), an annual species, showed high relative salt and waterlogging tolerances, good DM production under non-stressed and stressed (saline and hypoxic) conditions, a high level of root porosity under stagnant conditions, low tissue ion (Na+, Cl−) concentrations, and a reasonable dry matter digestibility content (range 66–69%) under highly saline conditions. M. sulcatus ssp. segetalis and M. indicus were also identified as species with good DM production and tolerance to salinity and waterlogging stresses. Further weed risk assessments and field trials on these species are required before they can be promoted for use as pasture forages on saline areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semelil (ANGIPARS™), a novel herbal-based compound containing extract of Melilotus officinalis, was formulated for treatment of chronic wounds, especially diabetic foot ulcer. The purpose of this study was to investigate safety and toxicity effects of intramuscular administration of Semelil in dogs. Preliminary one-month study with Semelil was performed on 8 male and female dogs divided into 2 groups, test and control four animals each. Semelil was administered intramuscularlyat a dose of 0.07 ml/kg body wt. once a day to the animals of the test group, while the control group received sterile saline. During experiments, general state of the animals including the dynamics of body weight changes, appetite, motor activity and behavior, hair condition, ECG parameters, rectal temperature of animals and data of hematological and biochemical tests were monitored for signs of toxicity and side-effects. Finally, morphology and histology analyses were performed using standard methods. No adverse health or toxicity effects were observed through the course of the study. No damaging consequences of Semelil injections on the functional state of main organs of the experimental animals were found. This observation gave a good evidence of a favorable safety profile compatible with potential therapeutic use of Semelil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semelil (ANGIPARS™), an herbal formulation containing Melilotus officinalis extract, is a novel compound being developed for treatment of chronic wounds, particularly diabetic foot ulcers. The purpose of this study was to investigate toxicological, pharmacological, and pathomorphological effects of I.M. and I.P. administration of Semelil in animals. The acute toxicity parameters of Semelil diluted in normal saline (l:10 or 1:5) were determined after a single injection into BALB/c mice and Wistar rats in two steps. First, the LD50 was approximately assessed and then the precise lethal dose indices were estimated by the probit-analysis method. Specific single-dose effects of Semelil were monitored for clinical signs of toxicity, including general state of the animals, changes in their behavior, hematological and biochemical parameters for 14 days after drug administration. Then, subacute-chronic toxicity was evaluated in rats treated with Semelil for 3 months. In acute toxicity study, the calculated LD50 for drug diluted at 1:5 was in the range of 44-52 ml/kg. The adverse effects at drug doses close to the LD50 included depressed mood, narcosis, and sleep. No adverse pharmacological or toxicological effects of the drug diluted at I:10 and administered in the single-dose (25-50 ml/kg body wt.) or chronically (daily doses of 0.07 and 0.21 ml/kg body wt.) were noted. Thus, the animal studies demonstrated a favorable safety profile for the phytotherapeutic Semelil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical soil-test boron (B) levels and consequent fertilizer recommendations for lentils have been traditionally based on values (0.5 µg/g) developed for alfalfa, sweet clover, and other legumes commonly grown in the inland Pacific Northwest. The purpose of this study was to define the relationship between soil-test B values and lentil yields. Fifty-nine field studies using B were conducted between 1980 and 2003 on Mollisols and Alfisols in northern Idaho and eastern Washington. Based on the results of these studies, the critical soil B value for optimum lentil yields is 0.4 µg/g. These studies found that the traditionally used critical soil-test B values were higher (0.5 µg/g) than needed to achieve optimum yield. Even though this newly established critical B value is lower, about 50% of the soils in the region are too low in B to produce optimum lentil yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a view to optimizing of the quality control of sweetclover herbs and related preparations containing coumarins among the active substances, methods for the isolation and analysis of compounds of this class — in particular, coumarin and furocoumarin — are reviewed. The group of possible analytical methods includes gravimetric, titrimetric, photocolorimetric, and polarographic analysis, and the more recently developed spectroscopic (UV and IR), fluorimetric, and chromatographic (GC and HPLC) techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melilotus indica All. [Chopra, R.N., Nayar, S.L. and Chopra, I.C. (1956) Glossary Indian Med. Plants , 164 C.S.I.R. Publication New-Delhi; Kirtikar, K.R. and Basu, B.D. (1935) Indian Medicinal Plants , 2nd Ed., Vol. I , pp. 703–704 Lalit Mohan Basuan Co. Allahabad. The Wealth of India (1962) A Dictionary of Raw Materials and Industrial Products , Vol. VI , pp. 329–331 (C.S.I.R. Publication: New-Delhi)] belongs to family Leguminosae, which is commonly known as ‘Banmethi’ in Hindi. It is found in North India, extending into S. Persia, S. Europe and the Tropical zone of India. The seeds are used as an anthelmintic, an antipyretic, for curing heart diseases, bronchitis, leprosy, bowel complaints and infantile diarrhea. The plant has also been used as a discutient, emollient, and as a fomentation. It is also useful in a plaster for swelling. It is considered astringent and narcotic. Earlier workers have reported the presence of C-glycosides [Sayed, E.L., Ishak, M.S. and Mabry, T.J. (1997) Asian J. Chem. , 9 , 551], methylene-dioxypterocarpan (MIS6) [Saxena, V.K. and Nigam, S. (1997) Fitoterapia , 68 , 343–345], pterocarpane (MIS2) [Saxena, V.K. and Nigam, S. (1996) J. Institution Chem. 68 , 122–125] and prenylated pterocarpan [Saxena, V.K. and Nigam, S. (1997) Fitoterapia , 68 , 403–407] from this plant. Here, we report the isolation of the new flavone glycoside 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6,3'-dimethoxyflavone-7- O -a-l-arabinopyranosyl(1?6)- O -ß-d-galactopyranoside ( 1 ) from the seeds of this plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the registration of N30-N56, N741, N743, N745, N747, U362, U363, U367, U369-U374, U389.U394, U396-U398, and U500 sweetclover genetic stocks. Forty-nine white-flowered sweetclover (Melilotus alba Medik.) genetic stocks, a yellow-flowered sweetclover genetic stock, were developed jointly by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service and the Agricultural Research Division, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska and were jointly released in May 2004. The genetic stocks, which contain unique combinations of genes and traits, were developed over more than three decades of cooperative sweet- clover genetic research. The development of 16 lines involved both annual and biennial forms of M. alba, and the greenhouse conditions under which seed of these lines were produced did not permit distinguishing between these forms. U389 is an annual line that was derived from a single plant of the introduction, P1165554, mentioned above. All of the other U-numbered lines were developed following treatment of U389 seed with ethyl methanesulfonate. Seed should be scarified before planting. It is requested that appropriate recognition be made if these genetic stocks contribute to research or the development of a new breeding line or cultivar.

Abstract: In Ethiopian traditional medicine, Melilotus elegans Salzm. ex Ser. (Leguminosae) is used for the treatment of haemorrhoids and lacerated wounds. In view of its wide spread use and proven anti-inflammatory activity, 80% methanolic extract of the leaves was formulated into creams. HPLC/UV and MS studies revealed the presence of flavonoids, of which kaempferol was the major aglycone. Quantitative estimation of kaempferol in the hydrolyzed extract as determined by HPLC/UV was found to be 16.3±0.93μg/mg (n=6, range) of extract. The in vitro release profiles of kaempferol glycosides (quantified as kaempferol equivalent) from the cream formulations in a multilayer membrane system indicated that a lipophilic cream of the extract provides higher release of kaempferol glycosides than hydrophilic and amphiphilic ones. Over a study period of 4h, the lipophilic cream released 66±5.70% of kaempferol glycosides, while the hydrophilic and amphiphilic creams resulted in 55±2.77 and 38±2.30% release, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]