Search

Variability in the contents of representative secondary metabolites in Gentiana pneumonanthe individuals was investigated in relation to population origin, plant parts and developmental stage. Chem...

The occurrence of large and recurring forest fires has long been associated with fire-prone environments, but this perception has been shifted rapidly in recent decades as Earths' landscapes have become increasingly threatened by severe and unpredictable fires as a result of climate changes. In this regard, the flammability of trees is a topic of great interest for ecology, management, and the development of sustainable restoration and rehabilitation plans. Tree species differ in regard to flammability, and many plant functional traits contribute to flammability at species, community and vegetation level. The relationship between plant traits and flammability at species level is important for a broader understanding of the vegetation-fire dynamic at the local and landscape scales. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the impact of individual plant traits of tree species on flammability components. By keywords-based searching of academic databases, 85 research papers were collected and analyzed. The literature synthesis shows: i) main issues addressed in studies on plant trait-based tree flammability, ii) general research output and biogeographic regions studied, iii) inventory of tree taxa investigated, iv) relationships between plant traits and flammability components, v) the most relevant plant traits that determine the flammability-related differences between species.

Natural populations of Gentiana asclepiadea L., located at two mountainous sites, were HPLC-analyzed regarding the contents of six representative secondary metabolites. The contents of swertiamarin (SWM), gentiopicrin (GP), sweroside (SWZ), mangiferin (MGF), isoorientin (ISOOR), and isovitexin (ISOV) were determined in six populations (three per study site), and separately for aboveground and belowground plant parts. PCA showed a clear separation of four groups according to the contents of the analyzed secondary metabolites. Out of six analyzed compounds, five were present in all samples and only one (SWZ) was found in Golija populations (belowground parts) but not in Vlasina populations, and its presence can be indicative of the geolocation of populations. Clear separation of groups was mostly affected by the different contents of chemical compounds in plant parts (aboveground versus belowground) and by the differences related to population origin (higher content of SWM and GP in belowground parts of individuals from Vlasina populations and higher content of MGF and ISOOR of individuals from Golija populations). The results of this study contribute to the spatiochemical profiling of G. asclepiadea populations and a better understanding of inter- and intrapopulation variability of pharmacologically important compounds.

Many biological and related disciplines recognize population as a carrier of species-specific characteristics adapted to habitat requirements. Within a species’ area of distribution, a wide range of biotic and abiotic factors synergistically shape different habitats, and plant populations develop a set of specific features to respond to given environmental conditions. Distinct populations with phenotypic differences determine the ecotypes within the taxon. Similarly, the chemotype is defined as a chemically distinct plant population, according to the composition of secondary metabolites. Many secondary metabolites have pronounced biological activities and implications for human health. With respect to searching for new sources of secondary metabolites with potential health effects, natural populations of plant species attract the substantial attention of researchers because their habitats are highly diverse and unpolluted. Many studies on this subject have confirmed the biological and chemical diversity of natural populations and emphasized the need for the conservation of natural resources.

The reliability of diarylheptanoids as chemotaxonomic markers at inter- and intraspecific levels has been investigated. Six diarylheptanoids were quantified in bark ethanol extracts of four Alnus spp. populations by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The populations described here as locus classicus Alnus glutinosa (I) and locus classicus Alnus incana (III) are clearly differentiated. Compared to population I, individuals in population III have higher extract yields and hirsutanonol-5-O-β-D-glucopyranoside content and lower contents of hirsutanonol, rubranoside A and oregonin. Individuals from neighboring populations of A. glutinosa (II) and A. incana (IV) share similar contents of hirsutanonol. All the studied populations exhibit a high intrapopulation variability of the selected diarylheptanoids; they have a heterogeneous chemotype and they partially overlap. The geographical proximity of populations II and IV increases their chemical similarity. Principal component analysis (PCA) clearly shows that the biggest dispersion of individuals lies within population IV. The reason for its heterogeneity might be its physical proximity to population II, i.e. the appearance of hybrids. Also, geometric morphometrics of leaves was performed as a screening criterion for spontaneous hybrids.

The contents of quercetin glycosides and neochlorogenic acid in fresh berries of Cornelian cherry and Common dogwood were assessed through LC-MS/MS analysis to determine chemical differentiation between two distant populations of each species. The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical variability of Cornus mas and Cornus sanguinea on the basis of the content of six selected phenolic compounds in fruit extracts. Fruits were sampled at the time of full ripening, mid-September, from two localities that differed in terms of orographic and environmental conditions. Fresh fruit extracts were analyzed by LC-MS/MS to determine the presence and contents of neochlorogenic acid, quercitrin, isoquercetin, hyperoside, rutoside and querciturone. While all of the tested compounds were detected in both species, their content was several times higher in C. sanguinea. Locality-dependent differences were tested by appropriate statistical tests, which confirmed that the contents of all compounds significantly differed in C. mas, whereas the content of only one compound differed in C. sanguinea. Differences between populations were also revealed by PCA analyses. Both species showed clear separation of populations based on the analyzed phenolic compounds. The results showed that a specific environment can significantly affect the contents of certain secondary metabolites, as in the case of C. mas, and/or that the synthesis of these compounds can be to a lesser extent influenced by external factors, as in the case of C. sanguinea.

A faunistic study of the family Elateridae was carried out in Backa, the north-western district of Vojvodina Province in Serbia, focusing on their preferred habitats and soil types. The survey included four locations with a total of 1059 ha, in which 35 species, belonging to 15 genera of Elateridae, were observed. The frequency of larval and adult forms was 58.94% and 67.40%, respectively, proving that wireworms are regular residents of the area. Regarding habitat preferences, it was shown that a majority of Elateridae species prefer open biotopes and wheat crop, while marsh soil, chernozem and alluvium were the preferred soil types of wireworms.

The composition and variability of the terpenes and their derivatives isolated from the needles of a representative pool of 114 adult trees originating from four natural populations of dwarf mountain pine (Pinus mugoTurra) from the Julian Alps were investigated by GC-FID and GC/MS analyses. In total, 54 of the 57 detected essential-oil components were identified. Among the different compound classes present in the essential oils, the chief constituents belonged to the monoterpenes, comprising an average content of 79.67\% of the total oil composition (74.80\% of monoterpene hydrocarbons and 4.87\% of oxygenated monoterpenes). Sesquiterpenes were present in smaller amounts (average content of 19.02\%), out of which 16.39\% were sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and 2.62\% oxygenated sesquiterpenes. The most abundant components in the needle essential oils were the monoterpenes -car-3-ene, -phellandrene, -pinene, -myrcene, and -pinene and the sesquiterpene -caryophyllene. From the total data set of 57 detected compounds, 40 were selected for principal-component analysis (PCA), discriminant analysis (DA), and cluster analysis (CA). The overlap tendency of the four populations suggested by PCA, was as well observed by DA. CA also demonstrated similarity among the populations, which was the highest between Populations I and II. Ministry of Education and Science of Republic of Serbia {[}173011, 173021]; Slovenian Research Agency {[}P4-0107, P4-0059]

Aim:L. is a widespread European shrubby species. It is a potential source of biologically active compounds, especially antioxidants, as indicated by the dogberries’ black color. The aim of the present study was to determine the content of several quercetin derivatives in the dogberries and to evaluate phytogeographical variability of these compounds.Materials and methods:The dogberries were collected in the middle of September at two natural habitats of this species: Mt. Avala and Lake Zlatar, Serbia. The extract obtained from fresh fruits was subjected to LC-MS/MS analysis to identify and quantify the content of five quercetin derivatives: quercetin-3-Results:All of examined quercetin derivatives were detected in extract of fresh dogberries and their contents were in the following order: Q-3-O-GlcA>Q-3-O-Gal>Q-3-O-Rut>Q-3-O-Glc>Q-3-O-Rha. The average amount of Q-3-O- Rut varied significantly and depended on the geographic origin of the fruit sample.Conclusions:These results indicate that dogberries could be a potential source of natural antioxidants, and encourage further investigation of this species considering that it has not yet been exploited in either nutrition or as a source of important pharmacological compounds.

Ethanol solutions of essential oils obtained from Athmanta haynaldii and Myristica fragrans were tested for their toxicity and antifeedant activity against the second instar gypsy moth larvae in the laboratory bioassay. Both isolated oils were subjected to gas chromatography analysis in order to determine their chemical constitutions. Tested oils showed low to moderate larvicidal effect in both residual toxicity test and in chronic larval mortality bioassay. However, antifeedant index achieved by application of tested solutions in feeding choice assay was significantly higher in comparison to control, and almost same as one provided with botanical standard. Low toxic and high antifeedant properties (AF index 85–90%) make these essential oils suitable for integrated pest management programs. Special attention should be paid to further investigation of endemic and rare A. haynalidii in the terms its cultivation and usage of its unique set of biologically active compounds.

PCR-RAPD markers revealed individual variation in F. ornus. A total of 122 fragments were amplified using 7 primers and of these 97 fragments were polymorphic. The percentage of polymorphic loci was between 53.3% and 74.6% with an average of 63.1%. The mean gene diversity for all populations was 0.30 and the mean Shannon’s index was 0.44. Of the total genetic variation 87% was intra-population whilst 13% was inter-population. The Mantel test revealed significant correlation between genetic and geographical distance matrice. Results herein represent the first use of molecular genetic (DNA) markers to characterize genetic variation in F. ornus populations. The partition of total genetic variance indicates a relatively restricted population differentiation as expected in outcrossing species. Present and future information on genetic structure and variability in F. ornus needs to be incorporated into strategies for the preservation of genetic resources of tree species. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 173011]

The composition of the essential oil of the twigs and needles of Taxus baccata L. from three natural populations in Serbia has been determined by GC/MS analysis. Of the 91 detected compounds, 87 were identified. The most abundant compound classes were aliphatic alcohols, terpenes, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and aliphatic aldehydes, which together comprised ca. 86.92% of the total oil composition. The dominant constituents were oct-1-en-3-ol (23.48%), (3Z)-hex-3-en-1-ol (11.46%; aliphatic alcohols), and myrtenol (11.38%; oxygenated monoterpene). The PCA of 22 selected compounds revealed differentiations of populations based on geographic distribution. The CA showed that Populations I and II from the Dinaric Alps were similar, and that Population III from the Balkan mountain system was distinct. This was the first investigation of interpopulation variability of T. baccata populations based on essential oil composition. The results of this study were compared with those of previous studies concerning volatile compounds produced by Taxus species. The results indicate that the essential oil content of T. baccata populations from this study is unique, mostly resembling the population from southeast Serbia.

Totally, 26 xerohalophytic species belonging to the associations Cakilo-Xanthietum italici and Echinophoro-Elymetum farcti were registered at the Velika plaža beach (Montenegro); they were distributed following the spatial succession common in this type of habitat. Three transects of different terrain morphology (positioned perpendicularly to the shoreline) were surveyed to establish if there were any differences in the floristic composition and species distribution due to the configuration discrepancy. Moreover, each transect was divided into zones: The first zone from 0 to 30 m inland, the second zone from 30 m to 60 m inland, and the third zone from 60 m to the end of beach (75–115 m, depending on transect length). The floristic composition was relatively uniform in the different transects. However, the number of individuals per species differed significantly among these transects. An analysis of the qualitative composition of transects/zones showed high differences between zones within transe...

A 5-year field survey examined western corn rootworm (WCR) (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) beetle density in Serbia from 2002 to 2006. First-, second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-year maize fields were sampled; they represented 64.61%, 21.66%, 9.45%, 3.53% and 0.75% of all sampled fields respectively. Results showed that the mean WCR beetle population density from 794 maize fields differed depending on cropping history. Minimum mean WCR/trap/day was 0.0 in the first-year maize fields in 2002 and 2006. Maximum mean WCR/trap/day was registered in the fourth-year and the fifth-year maize fields (27.8 and 21.2 respectively). Mean population density of WCR adults increased with the number of years of continuous maize from 1.17, 4.61, 6.41, 10.30 up to 13.53 WCR/trap/day for first-fifth-year maize fields respectively. Mean WCR/trap/day ± SE exceeded the economic population threshold of >6 WCR/trap/day in third-year continuous maize fields. Out of 794 maize fields, 697 (87.78%) registered a mean population density below the 6 beetles/trap/day, a finding that predicts a risk of economic damage to a subsequent maize planting. These data are representative of the Serbian situation from 2002 to 2006; they indicate that WCR are well dispersed across commercial maize fields in Serbia. These results provide new insight into the current low WCR population densities in maize fields managed by crop rotation, a finding that can help in creating long-term management strategy.

In this article, the dynamics of phenolics in the soil originated from dominant trees and the photosynthetic performance and growth of the forest floor species Arum maculatum is firstly reported. Assimilation of CO2, Chlorophyll fluorescence and chlorophyll concentration in the leaf tissue of A. maculatum as well as natural concentrations of total bioavailable phenolics and phenolic acids in the rhizosphere of this herb were estimated simultaneously during the growing season. Additionally, growth dynamics of A. maculatum were assessed by determination of instantaneous growth rate and leaf area index. The dominant species Fagus moesiaca and Tilia tomentosa were the main sources Of the total phenolics and phenolic acids in plant fitter and soil. The amounts of bioavailable phenolics and phenolic acids in rhizosphere soil were several times lower than in the litter or in freshly fallen leaves of lime and beech. In the rhizosphere soil of A. maculatum, the amount of total phenolics decreased rapidly from March to May. All of five phenolic acids present in leaves of dominant trees were identified in the A. maculatum rhizosphere soil, with characteristic turnover dynamics shown by ferulic and vanillic acid. Dynamics of the photosynthetic performance of A. maculatum was assessed as net photosynthetic rates and chlorophyll fluorescence, which had opposite courses. P-N decreased continuously during the growing season (from 9.91 +/- 1.41 mu mol m(-2) s(-1) at the beginning of March to 4.36 +/- 0.86 mu mol m(-2) s(-1) at the end of May). Photosynthetic rate, growth rate and chlorophyll a:b ratio were positively correlated with total soil phenolics, and also with the available derivatives of cinnamic and benzoic acids (p < 0.05). Photosynthetic efficiency, total chlorophyll content and leaf area index were negatively correlated with total soil phenolics and derivatives of benzoic acid, and positively correlated with the derivatives of cinammic acid (p < 0.05). These results indicate that there was a high correlation between total bioavailable rhizosphere soil phenolics and phenolic acids originated from dominant trees on one side, and the photosynthetic performance and growth parameters of A. maculatum on the other side. (c) 2008 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved. Ministry or Science of Serbia [143025]

An ethnobotanical survey was carried out on the territory of the highest mountain in Central Serbia, Kopaonik, which is characterized by great plant diversity. In total, 83 wild species from 41 families and 96 preparations for use in human therapy were recorded. Among those wild plants which are most commonly used for medicinal purposes, Hypericum perforatum L., Urtica dioica L., Achillea millefolium L., Matricaria chamomilla L., Sambucus nigra L., and Thymus serpyllum L. were particularly highly recommended by the majority of informants as being 'beneficial for all ailments'. The most frequently reported medicinal uses were for treating gastrointestinal ailments (50%), skin injuries and problems (25.6%), followed by respiratory, urinary-genital and cardiovascular problems (20.5%, 20.5%, 19.2%, respectively). Plants with unusual phytotherapeutic uses are Galium verum L. (sedative properties) and Eupatorium cannabinum L. (influenza-like illnesses), while plants with interesting but lesser-known properties include Daphne laureola L. (rheumatism and skin ailments) and Ficaria verna Huds. (tubers for treating haemorrhoids). In addition, 10 wild species used in veterinary medicine, as well as 25 herbs used for human nourishment were noted. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. null

The patterns of tree-related stress research depended on their cultivation status and were statistically highly significant in all analyses. Non-cultivated tree species were studied more, cited more often, by authors from differing countries, with emphasis on different tree processes, stress types and research areas, and published in different journals. From 2001---2014, 4128 articles in 586 different academic journals dealt with tree stress. A majority of journals published stress-related research either on cultivated or on non-cultivated tree species. The articles were averagely cited 17 times, the five dominant journals being Acta Horticulturae, Tree Physiology, Trees--Structure and Function, Forest Ecology and Management and PLoS ONE. Research was published by authors from 109 countries, authors from China, USA, Spain, Brazil and Italy being the most productive. International collaboration was present in 21 % of the articles. A total of 1141 tree species were studied from 366 genera. The dominant species studied were Olea europaea, Malus x domestica, Pinus sylvestris, Prunus persica, Picea abies. Around ¾ of the articles were single species studies. Water stress, followed by drought stress, salt stress, abiotic stress, and environmental stress were the most studied types with over 90 % articles dealing with a single stress type. Physiological and ecophysiological research of trees exposed to stress dominated, followed by molecular biology and biochemistry, genetics, ecology. Tree growth was the most studied process/activity, followed by photosynthesis, gene expression, stomatal conductance and water status. An increase in "-omics" type research was observed in recent years in cultivated tree research.

Ethanol solutions of five fractions obtained from essential oil of sweet basil Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiales: Lamiaceae) (F1-F5) were tested for their antifeedant properties against 2(nd) instar gypsy moth larvae, Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), in laboratory non-choice and feeding-choice experiments. Prior to bioassays, the chemical composition of each fraction was determined by gas chromatography analyses. Significant larval deterrence from feeding was achieved by application of tested solutions to fresh leaves of the host plant. The most effective were were F1 (0.5%), F4 (0.05, 0.1, and 0.5%), and F5 (0.1 and 0.5%), which provided an antifeedant index80% after five days. A low rate of larval mortality was observed in no-choice bioassay. In situ screening of chlorophyll fluorescence as an indicator of plant stress level (assessed by the induced fluorometry) confirmed that the tested compounds did not cause alternations in the photosynthetic efficiency of treated leaves.

Ethanol solutions of essential oil of Ocimum basilicum and its main component, linalool (both isomer forms), all in three concentrations, as well as botanical standard Bioneem (0.5%), were tested for their toxicity and antifeedant activity against the second instar gypsy moth larvae in the laboratory bioassay. The essential oil of O. basilicum was subjected to gas chromatography analysis, and totally 37 compounds were detected, of which linalool was predominantly present. All tested solutions showed low to moderate larvicidal effect in both residual toxicity test and in chronic larval mortality bioassay. Chronic mortality tests showed that obtained mortality was a consequence of starving rather than ingestion of treated leaves. However, antifeedant index achieved by application of tested solutions in feeding choice assay was remarkable. Foliar application of all tested compounds deterred feeding by L2 in the same percent as Bioneem. Antifeedant index was relatively high at all tested treatments (85-94%); moreover, the larval desensitization to repelling volatiles has not occurred after five days of observation. Low toxic and high antifeedant properties make these plant-derived compounds suitable for incorporation in integrated pest management programs, especially in urban environments.