Search

The paper provides an ecological analysis of rare and endangered lichen species included in the Red Book of the Chuvash Republic. The new edition, published in 2020, includes information on 256 species of plants and fungi. The Red Book of the Chuvash Republic includes 30 species of rare and endangered lichen species, 14 species are included in the list of those which are subject to special attention and need constant monitoring in the natural environment. Biomorphological analysis has shown that rare lichen species belong to 3 types, 4 classes and 7 groups of life forms. The predominant species are bushy (bushy hanging group – 11 species, bushy branching group – 1 species, bushy erect group – 1 species) and foliose (parted-lobed rhizoidal group – 10 species, broad-bladed rhizoidal group – 2 species) lichens. Ecological-substrate analysis has revealed that lichens included in the Red Book of the Chuvash Republic grow on 8 phorophytes ( Tilia cordata , Quercus robur , Betula pendula , Salix cinerea , Pinus sylvestris , Picea abies , Abies sibirica , Populus tremula ), on soil, on dead organic substrate and mosses. The greatest number of rare lichens was found on the bark of Tilia cordata , on the bark of Pinus sylvestris and on soil.

Background Class III peroxidases (POD) proteins are widely present in the plant kingdom that are involved in a broad range of physiological processes including stress responses and lignin polymerization throughout the plant life cycle. At present, POD genes have been studied in Arabidopsis, rice, poplar, maize and Chinese pear, but there are no reports on the identification and function of POD gene family in Betula pendula. Results We identified 90 nonredundant POD genes in Betula pendula. (designated BpPODs). According to phylogenetic relationships, these POD genes were classified into 12 groups. The BpPODs are distributed in different numbers on the 14 chromosomes, and some BpPODs were located sequentially in tandem on chromosomes. In addition, we analyzed the conserved domains of BpPOD proteins and found that they contain highly conserved motifs. We also investigated their expression patterns in different tissues, the results showed that some BpPODs might play an important role in xylem, leaf, root and flower. Furthermore, under low temperature conditions, some BpPODs showed different expression patterns at different times. Conclusions The research on the structure and function of the POD genes in Betula pendula plays a very important role in understanding the growth and development process and the molecular mechanism of stress resistance. These results lay the theoretical foundation for the genetic improvement of Betula pendula.

Birch (Betula pendula) pollen causes inhalant allergy in about 20% of human population in Europe, most of which is sensitive to the main birch allergen, Bet v1. The aim of the study was to find out (i) whether and how the analysed birch individuals differ in regard to composition of individual subunits of pollen proteins and to protein content in these subunits; (ii) whether the level of particulate matter relates to concentration of Bet v1 allergen. Study was performed in Southern Poland, in 2017–2019. Pollen material was collected at 20 sites, of highly or less polluted areas. Protein composition was analysed by SDS-PAGE, while the concentration of Bet v1 was evaluated by ELISA. The obtained results were estimated at the background of the particulate matter (PM10) level and the birch pollen seasons in Kraków. The electrophoregrams of pollen samples collected at different sites showed huge differences in staining intensities of individual protein subunits, also among important birch allergens: Bet v1, Bet v2, Bet v6 and Bet v7. The level of Bet v1 was significantly higher in the pollen samples collected at the more polluted sites. While the birch pollen allergenic potential is determined, the both pollen exposure and the content of the main allergenic components should be considered, as factors causing immunological response and clinical symptoms manifestation in sensitive individuals.

Background In addition to known allergens, other proteins in pollen can aid the development of an immune response in allergic individuals. The contribution of the “unknown” protein allergens is apparent in phylogenetically related species where, despite of high homology of the lead allergens, the degree of allergenic potential can vary greatly. The aim of this study was to identify other potentially allergenic proteins in pollen of three common and highly related allergenic tree species: birch (Betula pendula), hazel (Corylus avellana) and alder (Alnus glutinosa). Methods For that purpose, we carried out a comprehensive, comparative proteomic screening of the pollen from the three species. In order to maximize protein recovery and coverage, different protein extraction and isolation strategies during sample preparation were employed. Results As a result, we report 2500–3000 identified proteins per each of the pollen species. Identified proteins were further used for a number of annotation steps, providing insight into differential distribution of peptidases, peptidase inhibitors and other potential allergenic proteins across the three species. Moreover, we carried out functional enrichment analyses that, interestingly, corroborated high species similarity in spite of their relatively distinct protein profiles. Conclusion We provide to our knowledge first insight into proteomes of two very important allergenic pollen types, hazel and alder, where not even transcriptomics data are available, and compared them to birch. Datasets from this study can be readily used as protein databases and as such serve as basis for further functional studies., This study aims to identify and annotate novel potentially allergenic proteins in the three highly related pollen species: birch, hazel, and alder. Immunoblotting of pollen protein extracts with serum from allergenic patients corroborates differential allergenic potential despite of the high similarity of the three species. Comprehensive proteomics analysis provides the first available protein database of pollens of alder and hazel and enables thorough annotation of proteases and allergens as well as comparative functional analysis of expressed proteins across the three pollens. Abbreviations: LC‐MS, liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry; SDS‐PAGE, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

In this article, the functional group composition of the spruce (Picea abies) and birch (Betula pendula) phloem lignin is described. The features of the chemical structure were studied by analyzing dioxane lignin using the elemental analysis, UV-Vis, FT-IR, and 1D NMR spectroscopy. For comparison, samples of xylem dioxane lignin isolated from the corresponding wood species were also analyzed. FT-IR spectroscopy data suggest that the lignins of birch phloem and xylem are similar in chemical structure. However, there are differences in absorption bands in the spectra of spruce dioxane lignin, which indicate the opposite. Quantitative analysis of the functional group composition was performed using 13C and 31P NMR data. It was found that free phenolic hydroxyl groups of catechol and p-hydroxyphenyl types are dominated in the composition of spruce phloem lignin. Birch phloem lignin has a qualitative and quantitative composition of functional groups characteristic of hardwood lignins. However, the content of G-units is greater than S-units, in contrast to the birch xylem lignin, where S-units predominate. The revealed differences are relevant from the point of view of plant physiology. The practical significance of the study is connected with understanding the reactivity of lignins when considering the chemical processing of tree bark.

The article discusses the morphological changes of birch trees (Betula pendula Roth.) due to bacterial cancer that grow in the artificial forest «Green Belt» surrounding the city of Nur — Sultan. Kernel samples were taken from diseased tree trunks, isolated bacterial cultures were grown in nutrient medium and given cultural and morphological characteristics. Extraction of cores from diseased birch trunks, isolation of pure strains of the pathogen, molecular identification of ribosomal RNA 16S nucleotide chains and comparison of these results with relevant data from the international database Gene Bank are carried out using modern methods in the field of bacteriology and botany. The molecular characteristics of the isolated bacterial strains corresponded to 96.72 % of the typical strain Dickeya dadantii based on the international Gene Bank.

Proportions of 13C/12C and 15N/14N isotopes were identified in different woody compartments of birch (Betula pendula Roth), pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and aspen (Populus tremula L.) trunks in preforest-steppe and pine-birch forests of the Middle Urals using mass spectrometry. The data were analyzed and interpreted from the perspective of the biochemical processes of carbon and nitrogen metabolism in leaves, cambial tissue, trunk wood, branches, roots, and soil. A lighter isotopic composition of carbon is characteristic of the leaves and trunk cambium. The trunk wood is characterized by a basal trend for 13C enrichment. The 13C/12C ratio corresponds to the nitrogen content in the trunk wood tissues, indicating metabolic control of carbon fractionation in woody plants. The isotope composition of nitrogen in the trunk cambium was significantly depleted in 15N (δ15N varies from –1.5 to –3.5‰) and δ13C (δ13C varies from –28.3 to –25.8‰). Meanwhile the sapwood (δ15N varies from –2.6 to 1‰ and δ13C varies from –27.5 to –27.1‰) and heartwood (δ15N varies from –2.5 to –3.5‰ and δ13C varies from –26 to –24.5‰) were more enriched in 15N and 13C. The significant difference between the values of 13C and 15N isotope discrimination consequently in the different woody compartments of trunk should be taken into account when interpreting data of wood organic matter in the context of paleoclimate.

A significant role in the pathogenesis of diseases of woody plants belongs to phytopathogenic bacteria and fungi. It has been scientifically confirmed that the organs and tissues of woody plants have a certain myco- and microbiota, the components of which are systematically interconnected both with each other and with the plant. The species composition and quantitative ratio are constantly changing both in the process of ontogenesis of the tree and with changes in its physiology. The aim of the work was to study the species composition and the formation of diversity and systemic interactions of microbiota associated with bacterial dropsy in the pathology of Betula pendula Roth. Methods. Classical microbiological, phytopathological, biochemical, statistical methods were used in the work. Combined diagnostic methods were also used, in particular careful microscopic examination of the affected parts of plants, isolation and identification of the pathogen. Results. Bacterial origin of wet wood in the trunk of birches was detected. Samples of wood and exudate were taken for laboratory studies from plants that had pronounced signs of pathology (cracks, swellings). It has been experimentally proved that the causative agent of bacterial dropsy of silver birch is the phytopathogenic polybiotrophic bacterium Lelliottia nimipressuralis, which causes dropsy of coniferous and deciduous woody plants and experimentally found pathogenic properties to B. pendula. Xanthomonas campestris, Pantoea agglomerans and Bacillus subtilis are associated with bacterial dropsy pathology of B. pendula. The pathogenic properties of P. agglomerans and X. campestris on B. pendula are variable, which indicates the possibility of the expansion of the circle of plants sensitive for these species of bacteria. It was established that L. nimipressuralis both during spring and autumn inoculation showed high pathogenicity to B. pendula. In only one case, on isolated on the border of healthy and affected wood from young B. pendula (bast part) the results of artificial injury were less pronounced. Other bacteria isolated from bacterial dropsy, in particular X. campestris, were non-pathogenic for B. pendula. At the same time, we noted traces of artificial infection with X. campestris in the samples isolated on the border of healthy and affected wood from middle-age B. pendula (cambial part). This may indicate an expansion of the circle of sensitive plants or the increased sensitivity of certain forms of birch for the mentioned bacteria, which is quite likely, since the bacteria have a significant forms variety. In 10 places of inoculation no pathology caused by B. subtilis was found. Bacteria of the Bacillus genus were non-pathogenic for B. pendula in all experiment. Our studies have shown that they can be a regulatory factor in the development of bacterial dropsy. Conclusions. A certain variability of isolated strains in the assimilation of some carbohydrates and alcohols can be explained by the specific conditions of the existence of bacteria, including the influence of environmental factors on their biochemical properties. It is known that the ecological niche affects even the antigenic composition of bacteria; therefore, such an effect should also be expected on other properties. Our studies confirmed that causative agent of bacterial dropsy is L. nimipressuralis and clarified the information about this bacteria cells size.

Aims Pioneer tree species such as Betula pendula and Pinus sylvestris encroach soils contaminated with heavy metals (HMs). This is facilitated by ectomycorrhizal fungi colonizing tree roots. Thus, we evaluated the ectomycorrhizal fungal (EMF) communities of B. pendula and P. sylvestris growing in HM-contaminated soils compared to non-contaminated soils. We also studied the effect of HMs and soil properties on EMF communities and soil fungal biomass. Methods Roots of B. pendula and P. sylvestris were collected from three HM-contaminated sites and from two non-contaminated sites located in Poland. EMF species were identified using DNA barcoding. Soil fungal biomass was determined by soil ergosterol. Results B. pendula and P. sylvestris growing in HM-contaminated soils had similar EMF communities, where Scleroderma, Rhizopogon and Russula as well as ectomycorrhizae of the long-distance exploration type dominated. Among all of the examined soil factors studied, toxicity index (TITotal) was the most significant factor shaping the composition of EMF communities. Despite significant differences in the structure of the EMF communities of trees growing in HM-contaminated sites compared to control sites, no differences in overall diversity were observed. Conclusions Only well-adapted EMF species can survive toxic conditions and form ectomycorrhizal symbiosis with encroaching trees facilitating the forest succession on contaminated soils.

The article is focused on microbiological and silvicultural properties of bacterial wetwood of silver birch (Betula pendula), also known as European white birch. During the active phase of the disease, bacterial wetwood (i.e. bacterial dropsy, vascular parenchymatous bacteriosis or flux slime) is characterised by crust and periderm bloating, necrotic wet stains and abundance of exudate. The disease is more likely to occur in older (r = 0.56, p < 0.01) and less-dense (r = −0.29, p < 0.01) stands. The statistical model showed that the chance of bacterial wetwood increases with birch age by 0.36% per year. The stands with birch proportion of over 70% demonstrated 15.3% lower infection rate compared to the stands with lower birch presence. The stands with lower stocking demonstrated a higher proportion of infected tree distribution by 7.5% compared to the stands with higher birch representation. The most vulnerable were larger, older B. pendula trees with longitudinally fissured bark that grow on poorer soils and experience frequent water stress. Birch associations with Pteridium aquilinum and Vaccinium myrtillus were more susceptible to infection (31.6% and 44.3%, respectively), whereas associations with Brachypodium sylvaticum, Sphagnum palustre and Calluna vulgaris were at lower risk. Strong ecological and trophic association of bacterial wetwood was present between silver birch and Tremex spp., particularly Tremex fuscicornis. Mycobiota was represented by Rhizopus microsporus, Mucor mucedo, Penicillium aurantiogriseum, Penicillium purpurogenum and Acremonium strictum. Enterobacter, Xanthomonas, Pantoea and Bacillus spp. associated with bacterial wetwood of silver birch were isolated. Enterobacter nimipressuralis was found to be the primary causative agent through means of artificial infection, while other bacteria were found to be either weak pathogens or concomitant. E. nimipressuralis formed the largest number of colony-forming units (CFU) for bark and cambium (164 and 127 CFU, respectively) and was also found in a small amount as a vital obligate in the automicrobiota in healthy birch trees.

A sequence of changes of three stages over 10 years is reported during the formation of the phytocenosis of the pyrogenic formation of Betula pendula. The change of stages is due to the introduction of new plants of different phytocenotypes, the appearance of consortia and the complexity of its composition and structure. The account of abundance was performed according to O. Drude. The content of readily soluble phosphates and exchange potassium was performed according to Chirikov. After pyrogenic exposure, there was an increase in the content of P2O5 and K2O in the 0-10 cm layer, due to their increased content in the ash formed after the pyrogenic exposure. In 2014, the content of P2O5 in the soil in the territory of Betula pendula formation increased by 9.15% compared to the background. In 2018, the content of P2O5 decreased by 11% compared with the second year of the study after the 2010 forest fire and gradually approached the background value. In 2014, the K2O content in the 0-10 cm layer of sod-eluvial glue clay-illuviated soil increased by 6.86% compared to the background area. From 2014 to 2018, the K2O content decreased by 5.39% in the area of Betula pendula formation. Phyto-diversity decreased in 2015 and amounted to 13 species, compared to 2014 (47 species), 2016 - 18 species, 2018 - 22 species and in 2019 - 23 species. The work describes anthropotolerant groups

The article considers the results of analysis of photosynthetic pigments сcontent (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids) in birch leaves growing along the roads of Barnaul. High level of pollution causes decrease inamount of chlorophyll a and b and a change in chlorophyll a/b ratio. Carotenoids act as a protective mechanism againstthe destruction of chlorophyll a molecules and organic substances. Their number increases during the growing season.

The paper presents the results of research on overgrowth rate in Jurassic clay dumps of the Callovian layer of the Mikhailovsky mining and processing plant of the Kursk magnetic anomaly with herbaceous and woody-shrub vegetation. The authors have revealed some features of dumps overgrowth of different dumping times (5, 15, 25 years) and the nature of various exposures of dumps overgrowth. The study has shown that by the age of 5 a pioneer grouping is formed on the Callovian clay, where the dominant species are the coltsfoot Tussilago farfara L. and the meadow horsetail Eguisetum pratense Ehrh. By the age of 15 a thicket-group community is formed, belonging to the category of simple, since it is represented by single species or has a bed character of overgrowth with a small number of weeds and meadow species. The authors have established that by the age of 25 the predominant types of overgrowth are group-thicket communities, where edificant species (the silver birch Betula pendula Roth and the common pine Pinus sylvestris L.) have a sparse distribution. It was found that the areas occupied by grassy vegetation on 25-year-old dumps in general have a bed character of overgrowth and are represented by monodominant communities of medicinal melon, which has a two-year period of development. At intervals of a year, with a dominance of the coltsfoot and the dandelion medicinal Taraxacum officinale L., the projective coverage reaches one hundred percent. A number of ruderal and meadow species (yarrow Achillea millefolium L., coltsfoot, narrow-leaved cypress Chamerion angustifolium L., forest parsnip Pastinaca sylvestris Mill., dandelion medicinal, sagebrush Artemisia compestris L., meadow bluegrass Poa pratensis L.) have a relatively sparse distribution. Additionally, the distribution of species depending on the exposure of slopes is described. The authors present species composition, projection coating and the number of plants and species per 1 m² for all dumps. The dependence of the coenotic composition of vegetation on the age of dumps is established.

Absolute and relative content and composition of fatty acids, total lipids, and phospholipids, as principal constituents of cell membranes, were examined on vegetative buds of deciduous trees and shrubs throughout the summer and autumn–winter seasons under climatic conditions of the cryolithozone of Yakutia. Lipid metabolism was found to play an essential role in plants' adaptation to low autumnal and winter temperatures in the permafrost zone of Yakutia. The content of phosphatidylcholine in leaf buds of the birch Betula pendula Roth and the shrub Alnus alnobetula subsp. fruticosa (Rupr.) Raus increased throughout the observation period from 9.9 to 23.4 mg/g dry wt. In the autumn–winter period, the composition of fatty acids in the bud lipids of both species was characterized by a high content of unsaturated C18:2 and C18:3 acids. Biosynthesis of fatty acids in buds of deciduous trees and shrubs at a low temperature was apparently controlled by ω3-desaturase, whose activity elevated the content of α-linolenic acid from 2.9 to 5.7 mg/g in B. pendula and from 1.6 to 4.8 mg/g dry wt in A. alnobetula subsp. fruticosa. The seasonal decrease in air temperature was accompanied by an increase in the unsaturation coefficient (k) from 0.9 to 2.3 in B. pendula and from 1.4 to 1.8 in A. alnobetula subsp. fruticosa. It is proposed that the high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the autumn–winter period in vegetative buds of the examined woody plants is determined by a complex of climatic factors of the permafrost zone, such as a sharply contrasting day and night temperatures during plant dormancy, extremely low air temperature in winter (down to –60°С), and a short daylight period at this time of the year.

Common gardens are experimental plantations for comparing the performance of tree species while eliminating many of the variables that prevail in natural tree stands. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biodiversity of corticolous lichens on Danish tree species (Acer pseudoplatanus, Alnus glutinosa, Betula pendula, Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus robur and Tilia cordata) under common garden conditions and to examine the height distribution of particular lichen species. Observations were recorded through regular sampling of at least 36 lichen species on the main stems (from the base of the stem to the treetops) of 44-year-old trees at four common garden sites. Acer pseudoplatanus and Fraxinus excelsior had the greatest lichen species richness and Shannon diversity values while these measures were significantly lower for Betula pendula and Fagus sylvatica. The distribution of lichen species appeared biased among tree species. The general lichen distribution and relative sample height were weakly related (nonmetric multidimensional scaling). However, single lichen species showed a clear differential distribution along the tree stem (P Lepraria incana, Pseudosagedia aenea and Arthonia atra were mainly found at the stem base while Lecanora carpinea, L. chlarotera, Lecidella elaeochroma, Physcia tenella and Xanthoria parietina, were most abundant at around 70% of the total tree height. The differential distribution of single lichen species presumably reflects different specific requirements during spore germination and thallus growth. By isolating the unique effect of key variables (tree species and height), this study contributes to the knowledge base of corticolous lichen ecology.

The peculiarities of chemical elements accumulation by woody plants under conditions of Bytkiv-Babchynske oil deposit influence are investigated. X-ray fluorescence concentrations of aluminum, zinc, titanium, ferum, strontium, nickel, kuprum, arsenic, bromine, rubidium, molybdenum, palladium, argentum, plumbum, and vanadium in the dry mass of Acer platanoides L., Tilia cordata Mill., Fagus sylvatica L., Populus tremula L., Betula pendula Roth., Corylus avellana L. leaves under oil-contaminated environment are determined. With the help of CorelDRAW and ImageJ programs, the percentage of necrotized tissue of woody plants assimilation organs under the conditions of oil deposit is calculated. A direct proportional relationship between the necrotic lesions of leaf blades and the accumulation of chemical elements by plants is established. Absence of arsenic, bromine, molybdenum, palladium, argentum, plumbum, vanadium in Acer platanoides, Tilia cordata, Fagus sylvatica leaves is recorded. The growing content of chemical elements in the assimilation organs of the experimental trees is revealed in the following range: Mo → Pb → Pd → Ag → Br → As → V → Ni → Rb → Cu → Sr → Ti → Zn → Fe → Al. The percentage of leaf necrotization under conditions of Bytkiv-Babchynske oil deposit is increasing in a following range of experimental plants: Fagus sylvatica → Acer platanoides→ Tilia cordata → Populus tremula → Betula pendula → Corylus avellana. The maximum accumulative capacity of chemical elements is possessed by Corylus avellana L., minimum one – by Fagus sylvatica and Acer platanoides Because of the considerable cumulative resources of Corylus avellana, it is advisable to use the species as a phytoremediant of contaminated environment by chemical elements. Fagus sylvatica and Acer platanoides belong to the eliminator plants that absorb toxicants from the environment selectively and in small quantities due to the presence of powerful protective mechanisms in these species. Tilia cordata, Populus tremula and Betula pendula are marked by valuable bioindicator characteristics and can be used to assess the environmental stress level.

The results of research in 2019, which were performed on the territory of the Ufa industrial centre in contrasting forest conditions, are presented. On the same sample area, the same plant species may have a similar leaf shape, but different sizes (large-leaved trees and small-leaved trees). This paper presents the results of research on large-leaved trees. We determined the integral parameters of asymmetry of birch leaf plates and performed a dispersion analysis based on five characteristics. We determined that July is the most informative month. It was during this period that the Fisher test revealed differences in three features: the 1st feature (width of the leaf halves), the 3rd feature (distance between the bases of the first and second veins of the second order), and the 4th feature (distance between the ends of the first and second veins of the second-order). The obtained results indicate the seasonal dynamics of indicators of fluctuating asymmetry of leaves of hanging birch trees. This results should be taken into account when monitoring the state of the environment.

The results of studies of the peculiarities of the biochemical composition of silver birch, taking into account the exposure of the crown of a tree in the conditions of a large industrial centre of Naberezhnye Chelny (Republic of Tatarstan) are presented. The multivariate variance analysis of the research results showed that the studied parameters in the leaves of silver birch were significantly influenced by a complex of growing conditions, the growing season, exposure of the location of leaves and the interaction of these factors. In the main plantations in the leaves of the northern exposure, a higher concentration of ascorbic acid was noted during the entire period of active vegetation of plants, while the activity of ascorbate oxidase, on the contrary, was higher in the leaves of the southern exposure in June and July. In the plantations of sanitary protection zones of industrial enterprises and main plantations (July, August), a higher content of tannins in the leaves of the northern exposure was noted, compared to the leaves of the southern exposure. The activity of polyphenol oxidase in June in Sanzone plants in the leaves of northern exposure was the highest; in other cases, no significant differences were found. The investigated substances are important elements of the network of metabolic reactions of the antioxidant plant defense system aimed at compensating for the negative impact of the aggregate of air pollutants.

As a result of a field study, carried out in August 2019, 25 species of myxomycetes from 17 genera, 7 families, 6 orders and 2 subclasses of the class Myxomycetes were collected in the area of the Seymskyi Regional Landscape Park (Sumy region, Ukraine). According to the bias-corrected Chao1 estimator, the collection represents 77.6% of the myxomycetes species composition of the park. The biodiversity indexes of the studied biota are as follows: Margalef’s diversity index – 13.7, Shannon’s index – 1.32, Simpson’s index – 0.06, Pielou’s index – 0.28. All identified species are new to the Ukrainian part of the Central Russian Upland forests. One of them, Comatricha anomala, found on the dead wood of Betula pendula, is new to Ukraine. Among the substrate groups of myxomycetes, xylophilic (18 species, 65.4%) and corticolous (8; 31%) species dominate in the park. Arcyria cinerea and Stemonitis pallida demonstrate a mixed substrate strategy. Among the substrate-forming plants, the greatest diversity of myxomycetes was observed on substrates, formed by relatively unabundant plant species: Populus tremula (13 myxomycete species, 50.0%), Quercus robur (11; 42.3%) and Bbetula pendula (8 species; 30.8%), while only 6 species of myxomycetes (23.1%) were found on the dominant plant species of P. sylvestris. Among the orders of myxomycetes, by number of species, Stemonitidales (11 species; 42.3%) and Trichiales (8 species; 30.8%) prevail in the park, among the families the most abundant were Amaurochaetaceae (6; 23.1%) and Trichiaceae (8; 30.8%), among the genera they are Arcyria (4; 15.4%), Lycogala, Stemonitis, Stemonitopsis and Comatricha (2 species each; 7.7%). The taxonomic structure of myxomycete biota differs significantly on the substrates, formed by different plant species. According to the ratio between species Trichiales and Stemonitidales, the substrate-forming plants form the following row: P. sylvestris, B.pendula, P.tremula, R. pseudoacacia and Q. robur (3.0 → 1.5 → 1.5 → 0.5 → 0.25 correspondingly)

In this pilot study, microplastic beads (5–50μm) were tagged withfluorescent dye and introduced to the soil of pottedBetula pendulaRoth. (silver birch) saplings during the growing season. Afterfive months, root samples were examined usingfluorescence- and confocal laser scanning microscopy. This paper presents thefirst documented indication of the incorporation of microplastic into root tissues of woody plants and discusses the phytoremediation potential of birch in soil with microplastic contamination.

Stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios of raw pollen sampled from nine abundant tree species growing in natural habitats of central and northern Europe were investigated to understand the intra- and inter-specific variability of pollen-isotope values. All species yielded specific δ13Cpollen and δ18Opollen values and patterns, which can be ascribed to their physiology and habitat preferences. Broad-leaved trees flowering early in the year before leaf proliferation (Alnus glutinosa and Corylus avellana) exhibited on average 2.6‰ lower δ13Cpollen and 3.1‰ lower δ18Opollen values than broad-leaved and coniferous trees flowering during mid and late spring (Acer pseudoplatanus, Betula pendula, Carpinus betulus, Fagus sylvatica, Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris and Quercus robur). Mean species-specific δ13Cpollen values did not change markedly over time, whereas δ18Opollen values of two consecutive years were often statistically distinct. An intra-annual analysis of B. pendula and P. sylvestris pollen revealed increasing δ18Opollen values during the final weeks of pollen development. However, the δ13Cpollen values remained consistent throughout the pollen-maturation process. Detailed intra-individual analysis yielded circumferential and height-dependent variations within carbon and oxygen pollen-isotopes and the sampling position on a tree accounted for differences of up to 3.5‰ for δ13Cpollen and 2.1‰ for δ18Opollen. A comparison of isotope ranges from different geographic settings revealed gradients between maritime and continental as well as between high and low altitudinal study sites. The results of stepwise regression analysis demonstrated, that carbon and oxygen pollen-isotopes also reflect local non-climate environmental conditions. A detailed understanding of isotope patterns and ranges in modern pollen is necessary to enhance the accuracy of palaeoclimate investigations on δ13C and δ18O of fossil pollen. Furthermore, pollen-isotope values are species-specific and the analysis of species growing during different phenophases may be valuable for palaeoweather reconstructions of different seasons.

Despite active research, antiherbivore activity of specific plant phenolics remains largely unresolved. We constructed silver birch (Betula pendula) lines with modified phenolic metabolism to study the effects of foliar flavonoids and condensed tannins on consumption and growth of larvae of a generalist herbivore, the autumnal moth (Epirrita autumnata). We conducted a feeding experiment using birch lines in which expression of dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR), anthocyanidin synthase (ANS) or anthocyanidin reductase (ANR) had been decreased by RNA interference. Modification-specific effects on plant phenolics, nutrients and phenotype, and on larval consumption and growth were analyzed using uni- and multivariate methods. Inhibiting DFR expression increased the concentration of flavonoids at the expense of condensed tannins, and silencing DFR and ANR decreased leaf and plant size. E. autumnata larvae consumed on average 82% less of DFRi plants than of unmodified controls, suggesting that flavonoids or glandular trichomes deter larval feeding. However, larval growth efficiency was highest on low-tannin DFRi plants, indicating that condensed tannins (or their monomers) are physiologically more harmful than non-tannin flavonoids for E. autumnata larvae. Our results show that genetic manipulation of the flavonoid pathway in plants can effectively be used to produce altered phenolic profiles required for elucidating the roles of low-molecular weight phenolics and condensed tannins in plant–herbivore relationships, and suggest that phenolic secondary metabolites participate in regulation of plant growth.

Taxonomic status of birches (Betula pendula, B. pubescens or their hybrids) is identified by molecular genetics assay of the ploidy level using SSR-markers in moist and peatland forest types. Studies are performed on experimental forest sites of the Institute of Forest Science in the center of the East European plain. B. pendula × B. pubescens hybrids accounted for 11% of the combined dataset. Thus, the birch hybrids are essential components of natural communities. We demonstrate for the first time that B. pendula is predominant, the hybrids are rare, and B. pubescens occurs sporadically on oligotrophic peat bogs. B. pendula grew in the canopy while B. pubescens and the hybrids grew in second story of moist blueberry pine forests. Identification of birch species using keys for the flora species is proven to be confusing due to the occurrence of different combinations of traits. All genetically identified B. pendula trees had twigs growing upwards, without pendulous traits.

Propolis is a resinous mixture, made by the honeybees from substances collected from tree or other plant buds, plant exudates, or resins found in the stem, branches, or leaves of different plants. The geographical origin of propolis is given by plant sources from respective areas. Different studies have classified this bee product according to the vegetal material from the same areas. Poplar-type propolis has the widest spread in the world, in the temperate zones from Europe, Asia, or North America. The name is given by the main plant source from where the bees are collecting the resins, although other vegetal sources are present in the mentioned areas. Different Pinus spp., Prunus spp., Acacia spp. and also Betula pendula, Aesculus hippocastanum, and Salix alba are important sources of resins for “poplar-type” propolis. The aim of this review is to identify the vegetal material’s chemical composition and activities of plant resins and balms used by the bees to produce poplar-type propolis and to compare it with the final product from similar geographical regions. The relevance of this review is to find the similarities between the chemical composition and properties of plant sources and propolis. The latest determination methods of bioactive compounds from plants and propolis are also reviewed.

Plant secondary metabolites have many important functions; they also determine the productivity and resilience of trees under climate change. The effects of environmental factors on secondary metabolites are much better understood in above-ground than in below-ground part of the tree. Competition is a crucial biotic stress factor, but little is known about the interaction effect of climate and competition on the secondary chemistry of trees. Moreover, competition effect is usually overlooked when analyzing the sources of variation in the secondary chemistry. Our aim was to clarify the effects of competitive status, within-crown light environment, and climate on the secondary chemistry of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth). We sampled leaves (from upper and lower crown) and fine roots from competitively dominant and suppressed B. pendula trees in plantations along a latitudinal gradient (56–67° N) in Fennoscandia, with mean annual temperature (MAT) range: −1 to 8°C. Secondary metabolites in leaves (SML) and fine roots (SMFR) were determined with an HPLC-qTOF mass spectrometer. We found that SML content increased significantly with MAT. The effect of competitive stress on SML strengthened in colder climates (MATL. SMFR varied less with MAT. Suppressed trees allocated relatively more resources to SML in warmer climates and to SMFR in colder ones. Our study revealed that the content and profile of secondary metabolites (mostly phenolic defense compounds and growth regulators) in leaves of B. pendula varied with climate and reflected the trees’ defense requirements against herbivory, exposure to irradiance, and competitive status (resource supply). The metabolic profile of fine roots reflected, besides defense requirements, also different below-ground competition strategies in warmer and colder climates. An increase in carbon assimilation to secondary compounds can be expected at northern latitudes due to climate change.

Betula aetnensis is an endemic tree of high conservation value, which thrives on the nutrient-poor volcanic soils of Mount Etna. Since plant–microbe interactions could play a crucial role in plant growth, resource uptake, and resistance to abiotic stresses, we aimed to characterize the root and rhizosphere microbial communities. Individuals from natural habitat (NAT) and forest nursery (NURS) were surveyed through microscopy observations and molecular tools: bacterial and fungal automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA), fungal denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). B. aetnensis was found to be simultaneously colonized by arbuscular (AM), ectomycorrhizal (ECM), ericoid (ERM) fungi, and dark septate endophytes (DSE). A high diversity of the bacterial community was observed whilst the root fungal assemblage of NAT plants was richer than that of NURS. Root and rhizosphere fungal communities from NAT plants were characterized by Illumina MiSeq sequencing. Most of the identified sequences were affiliated to Helotiales, Pezizales, and Malasseziales. Ascomycota and Basidiomycota dominated roots and rhizosphere but differed in community structure and composition. ECM in the roots mainly belonged to Tylospora and Leccinum, while Rhizopogon was abundant in the rhizosphere. The Helotiales, including ERM (mostly Oidiodendron) and DSE (mostly Phialocephala), appeared the dominant component of the fungal community. B. aetnensis harbors an extraordinarily wide array of root-associated soil microorganisms, which are likely to be involved in the adaptation and resistance mechanisms to the extreme environmental conditions in volcano Etna. We argue that nursery-produced seedlings could lack the necessary microbiota for growth and development in natural conditions.

The main goal of this study is to analyse and interpret interspecific differences in foliage biomass/area and woody parts biomass as well as the ratio between quantities of foliage and woody components (i.e., branches, stem and roots). The study was principally aimed at determining basic biomass allocation patterns and growth efficiency (GE) of four broadleaved species, specifically common aspen (Populus tremula L.), European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.), silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) in young growth stages. We performed whole-tree sampling at 32 sites located in central and northern parts of Slovakia. We sampled over 700 trees and nearly 4900 leaves to quantify biomass of woody parts and foliage traits at leaf and tree levels. Moreover, we estimated specific leaf area in three parts of the crown, i.e., the upper, middle and lower thirds. We found that hornbeam had the largest foliage biomass and the lowest foliage area of all investigated species, while its biomass of woody parts did not differ from aspen and sycamore. Birch had the lowest biomass of woody parts, although its foliage properties were similar to those of aspen. Intraspecific differences of foliage were related to tree size and to leaf position along the vertical crown profile. Growth efficiency (GE), expressed as woody biomass production per foliage area unit, was evidently larger in hornbeam than in the other three broadleaves. We suggest that future GE modelling should utilize real values of stem diameter increment measured in a current year, bio–sociological position of trees and competition indicators as inputs. Such an approach would elucidate the role of stand structure and tree species mixture for ecological and production properties of forest stands.

The phylloplane is an important microbial habitat and a reservoir of organisms that affect plant health, both positively and negatively. Taphrina betulina is the causative agent of birch witches’ broom disease. Taphrina are dimorphic, invading theirs hosts in a filamentous form and residing in the host phyllosphere in their non-infectious yeast form. As such, they are widely accepted to be found a resident yeasts on their hosts, even on healthy tissues; however, there is little experimental data to support this. With the aim of exploring the local infection ecology of T. betulina, we had isolated yeasts from the phylloplane of birch, using three classes of samples; from infected symptom bearing leaves inside brooms, healthy leaves from branches away from brooms on broom bearing trees, and symptom-free leaves from symptom-free trees. Isolations yielded 224 yeast strains, representing 11 taxa, including T. betulina, which was the most common isolate and was found in all sample classes, including asymptomatic leaves. Genotyping with two genetic markers revealed genetic diversity among these T. betulina isolates, with seven distinct genotype differentiated by the markers used. Of the 57 T. betulina strains, 22 representative strains were selected for further studies and preliminarily characterized, revealing differences in size and the ability to produced compounds with activity to activate the signalling pathway for the plant hormone auxin.

Witches' broom of birch (Betula spp.) caused by Taphrina betulina is an understudied disease that causes the formation of woody tumours, from which ectopic axillary buds and branches grow to form a broom-like structure. We have addressed two aspects of this disease using naturally infected mature trees in the field. Broom symptoms offer a convenient means of scoring susceptibility in the field. Variation in broom symptom presentation suggests possible variation in resistance against witches' broom disease. We tracked the local distribution of susceptible individuals among 721 trees at 159 independent sites. The analysis supports the hypothesis that there was genetic resistance segregating in these birch populations. Anatomical changes in broom symptom bearing branches of European silver birch (Betula pendula) were also addressed by comparing sections of tissues from three locations in the same branch, which were normal, swollen in infected tissue adjacent to a tumour, and inside a tumour. Examination of tumours revealed disorganized and swollen xylem, expanded secondary phloem and expanded periderm. Swollen tissues newly infected from spreading disease adjacent to tumours exhibited enhanced growth only in secondary phloem and the periderm, which also exhibited distortions. This finding suggests that tumour formation and possibly pathogen colonization may initiate in these tissues.

Floras and identification guides typically do not list the full range of identification features that discriminate between Betula pendula Roth and B. pubescens Ehrh., and some accounts contain errors. Discriminatory identification features are described and illustrated. Introgression from the diploid, B. pendula into B. pubescens is widespread. It also occurs from B. nana L. into B. pubescens, but obviously introgressed examples of the latter are probably rare. Betula pubescens presents the greatest unresolved identification difficulties. Trees identified as B. pubescens subsp. celtiberica (Rothm. & Vasc.) Rivas Mart., particularly in Wales, may be part of the variation within British B. pubescens, due to introgression from B. pendula. The most widespread of the small-leaved forms of B. pubescens is correctly named var. fragrans Ashburner & McAll. Several misapplied names have been given to this taxon, most recently subsp. tortuosa (Ledeb.) Nyman, which does not occur in Europe. Not all small-leaved B. pubescens are var. fragrans; some examples show clear signs of introgression from B. nana, and may be referable to the northern var. pumila (L.) Govaerts.

The peculiarities of the influence of LED-lighting of different spectral composition with varying ratios of physiologically significant spectral ranges on biometric parameters and the pigment composition of the leaf plate of microclonally propagated aspen (Populus tremula L.) and birch (Betula pendula Roth.) plants were identified during the adaptation ex vitro, which indicate the species specificity of plants response to the illumination spectrum.

The assessment of the state of atmospheric air quality is presented with the use of indicators of fluctuating asymmetry of Betula pendula, Padus avium and Crataegus sanduinea sheet plastics. The study was carried out at the junction of the Western spurs of the Eastern Sayan and Minusinsk basin between the rivers Sissim, Syda and their tributaries. Leaf samples were taken from four sites. Leaf collection was carried out at the end of the growing season in 2017, during the stop of leaf growth by the method of V. M. Zakharov (2000). The sample of leaves from one site is 30 pieces, a total of 120 leaves are processed. The results were processed according to the method of S. I. Marchenko (2008). The indicator "width of the left and right halves of the leaf" is variable according to the results of the study. The size of the left and right halves of the leaves varies in Crataegus sanguinea within 0.65 mm, for Betula pendula the width of the leaf blades varies in the range of 0.45 mm, for Padus avium the width of the leaf blades varies by 0.15 mm. the Sample from the forest is characterized by low integral indices of asymmetry. The nature of environmental quality is characterized as an initial deviation from the norm. Pesticides and carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles are likely to be stress factors for the environment in the study area. The ecological condition of the natural area is characterized on average as satisfactory.

The response of a plant organism to the effects of negative environmental factors, including the effects of multicomponent pollution, can be determined using a morphometric approach, setting the range of variability of biometric indicators of assimilation organs. The obtained data allow us to identify the directions of evolution of leaf shape and parameters under conditions of anthropogenic environment. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the variability of morphometric characteristics of lamina of Вetula pendula Roth. under technogenic conditions of the city of Dnipro. Leaf samples were collected in September – October 2018 at five test areas in the city of Dnipro (100 sheets each), which differed in the level of environmental pollution. For each leaf according to the method, five dimensions were measured on the left and right sides: width of the left and right halves of the leaf; the length of the vein of the second order, the second from the base of the leaf; the distance between the bases of the first and second veins of the second order; the distance between the ends of the first and second veins of the second order; the angle between the main vein and the second vein from the base of the leaf of the second order. It is shown that by the degree of increase of variation in the conditions of influence on the plants of B. pendula under conditions of multicomponent contamination of the environment the investigated signs of the lamina can be arranged as follows: 5 < 2 < 1 < 4 < 3. It is established that the most stable feature of the B. pendula lamina in the conditions of technogenesis is the angle between the main vein and the second vein from the base of the leaf of the second order, and the most variable one is the distance between the bases of the first and second veins of the second order. A tendency was found for the differences in the reactions of plants from the relatively clean area and contaminated territories: the control trees had a coefficient of variation higher for the right half of the leaf (right-sided asymmetry), whereas plants of the technogenic zones had left-sided asymmetry.

The morphological and anatomical features of the assimilation apparatus Taraxacum officinale Wigg., growing under the conditions of a rock dump of the Kedrovsky coal mine in the Kemerovo Region, were studied. It was experimentally established that the specific environmental conditions of the rock dump cause morphological and anatomical changes in the leaves of the dandelion. At the level of leaf morphology, there is a decrease in the average leaf area, thickening of leaf blades, the formation of a trend towards a decrease in the number of leaves in the outlet. At the level of the anatomical structure, there is a significant increase in the thickness of mesophyll, a tendency to a decrease in the thickness of the tissues of the upper and lower epidermis, a decrease in the number of cells of the upper and lower epidermis by 1 mm2 and an increase in the size of stomata in the tissues of the lower and upper epidermis, a decrease in the number of stomata by 1 mm2 and stomatal index on the upper epidermis. Under the conditions of the rock dump, an increase in the number of reliable correlations between the anatomical parameters of the leaf of Taraxacum officinale Wigg., as well as anatomical signs with indicators of atmospheric pollution, was established, to a greater extent due to the formation of positive correlations that are known to control the development of biosystems and are critical for body periods. Keywords: Morphology; Anatomy; Leaf; Dandelion officinalis; Environmental Conditions; Rock Dumps; Opencast coal mine References Akateva, T.G. (2014). The use of bioindication method in assessing the quality of atmospheric air. Modern science agro industrial production: Materials of the International scientific-practical conference dedicated to the 135th anniversary of the first secondary educational institution of the Trans-Urals - the Alexander Real School and the 55th anniversary of the GAU of Northern Zauralie (October 23-24, 2014). Tyumen: GAU of Northern Trans-Urals, 1, 3-6. (in Russian) Bissing, D.R. (1982). Evolution of leaf architecture in the chaparal species Fremontodendron californicum ssp. californicum (Sterculiaceae). Amer J Bot, 6 (69), 957-972. Bykov, A.A., Schastlivtsev, Ye.L., Pushkin, S.G., Klimovich, M.Y.U. (2002). Development and testing of a local model for the deposition of pollutants of industrial origin from the atmosphere onto the underlying surface. Chemistry for Sustainable Development, 5(10), 563-573. Bykov, A.A., Schastlivtsev, Ye.L., Pushkin, S.G., Smirnova, O.V. (2006). Modeling of soil pollution by atmospheric emissions from industrial facilities in a coal-mining region. Polzunovsky Bulletin, 2, 209-217. Ceulemans, R., Jmpens, J., Lemeur, R., Moermans, R., Samsuddin, Z. (1978). Water movements in the soil-poplar atmosphere system. Oecol Plant, 13(1), 1-12. Frolov, A.K. (1998). The environment of a big city and the life of plants in it. SPb: Nauka, 328. Ivanova, L.A. (2014). Adaptive features of leaf structure in plants of different ecological groups. Russian Journal of Ecology, 45(2), 107-115. Krokhmal, I.I. (2015). Functional anatomy and morphology of leaf Campanula sibirica L. Ecology and noospherology, 26(1–2), 54-65. Lauri P.E., Marceron, A., Normand, F., Anaelle Dambreville., Jean-Luc Regnard. (2014). Soil water deficit decreases xylem conductance efficiency relative to leaf area and mass in the apple. The Journal of Plant Hydraulics, 1(e 0003), 12. Manakov, Y.U.A. (2012). Restoration of vegetation in technogenic landscapes of Kuzbass, CandSci. Dissertation, Biology. Kemerovo, 374p. ( in Rassian) Menshakova, M.Y.U., Zhirov, V.K., Khaitbayev, A.KH., Gaynanova, R.I., Kislykh, Ye.Ye. (2008). Variability of the photosynthetic apparatus: boreal and subarctic ecosystems. M Nauka, 117p. Neverova, �?.А., Legoshchina, O.M., Bykov, A.A. (2013). Anatomy of leaves of Betula pendula (Roth) affected by air emissions in Industrial area of kemerovo city. Middle East Journal of Scientific Research, 17(3), 354-358. Order of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia of 06.06.2017 No. 273 On approval of methods for calculating the dispersion of emissions of harmful (polluting) substances in the atmospheric air. Polovnikova, M.G. (2007). Ecological and physiological features of lawn plants at different stages of ontogenesis in urban environments. CandSci. Dissertation Abstract, Biology. Nizhny Novgorod, 23. Programs for ecology and environmental activities [Electronic resource]. Available at: http: //www.lpp.ru (accessed 20.08.2019) (in Russian) Scheepens, J.F., Frey, E.S., Stocklin, J. (2010). Genotypic and environmental variation in specific leaf area in a widespread Alpine plant after transplantation to different altitudes. Oecologia, 164, 141-150. Zhongqiang, L., Dan, Y. (2009). Factors affecting leaf morphology: A case study of Ranunculus natans C.A. Mey. (Ranunculaceae) in the arid zone of northwest China. Ecol Res, 24, 1323-1333.

Betulin (B) and betulinic acid (BA) are two triterpenoids with a wide range of biological and medicinal activities in different organs of Betula pendula. This research aimed to increase the...

This paper studies variability of pollen grains of the silver birch in relation to the quality of urban environment. The material was collected in 12 sites. A total of 1,190 leaves and 24,000 pollen grains were examined and measured. The pollen fertility varied within 6992%. Statistically significant decrease in fertility was observed in conditions of high-intensity traffic load, in the central area of the city, and where the road surface was in poor condition. Under the same conditions a statistically significant increase in percentage of relatively fertile pollen grains is observed. We found significant correlation between the level of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and the share of fertile and half-fertile pollen grains. For fertility Spearmans rho was 0,71; and for half-fertility, r = 0,66, p 0,05. A similarly significant correlation (r = 0,7, p 0,05) was found between the diameter of pollen grains and traffic load, which indicates a consistent organism response to environment deterioration. From the above, it follows that for assessment of environmental condition such characteristics of pollen grains as fertility, half-fertility, and pollen grain size can be used.

Distribution, taxonomy, nomenclature and molecular genetic data are presented for two closely related pairs of birch taxa: (1) dark-barked Betula pubescens var. sibakademica (Baran.) Kuzeneva (basionym B. sibakademica Baranov) and white-barked B. pubescens var. pubescens, and (2) dark-barked B. kotulae Zaverucha = B. pendula var. obscura (Kotula ex Fiek) Olšavská (basionym B. obscura Kotula ex Fiek, heterotypic synonym B. kotulae) and white-barked B. pendula, respectively. Using published data and sequences obtained in this study, it was found that, although these pairs can be distinguished not only by morphological characters but also by two diagnostic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the internal transcribed spacers ITS1 and ITS2, no sequence differences within each pair were detected. These results suggest that the colour of the bark cannot be used as a taxonomic trait at the species level, and the dark-barked birches within each pair should not be treated as separate species or varieties, but as forms, respectively. Therefore, we reassessed the taxonomic status of B. sibakademica and B. kotulae using morphological traits and molecular genetic markers and suggest that B. pubescens f. sibakademica (Baranov) Tarieiev comb. nov. and B. pendula f. obscura (Kotula ex Fiek) Tarieiev comb. nov. should be used for them, respectively. Betula pubescens f. sibakademica was described in Ukraine for the first time.