Search

Assessing the effects of vegetation on water and soil conversation is the key basis for research and management of ecological restoration on water-eroded areas. In this study, the runoff depth, soil loss and corresponding precipitation of five plots planted respectively with Pueraria lobata, Lespedeza bicolor Turcz, Manglietia yuyuanensis Law, Paspalum natatu Fliigge, Paspalum wettsteinii Hackel and one control plot were observed monthly from 2003 to 2010 in Hetian town of Changting County, Fujian Province, a typical water-eroded area in southern China. Then the effects of different vegetation on water/soil conversation (RE/SE) were determined using the ratios of runoff depth/soil loss between vegetated plots to the control plot. Meanwhile, the effect of rainfall on the water and soil loss was also analyzed. The results showed that, both the water and soil conservation effects of Pueraria lobata and Manglietia yuyuanensis Law are better than Lespedeza bicolor Turcz and Paspalum natatu, while Paspalum wettsteinii Hackel are the worst. The differences of effects of water conservation are more significantly than those of soil conversation between five kinds of vegetations. The runoff depth is mainly affected by rainfall, the determination coefficients (R2) of linear regression models between rainfall and runoff depth of all planted plots are all greater than 0.9, whereas the determination coefficients of the linear regression models between rainfall and soil loss vary form 0.3 to 0.8 for different vegetated plots. These results provide a reference for vegetation reconstruction in the current and similar areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perennial forage legumes, particularly lucerne ( Medicago sativa L.), play a significant role in crop/livestock mixed farming systems in the semiarid region of the Loess Plateau of China as stock feed and a source of nitrogen for subsequent crops. However, there is evidence that lucerne reduces soil water deep in the soil profile, thereby reducing subsequent crop productivity. From 2004 to 2010, this study evaluated the forage productivity and water use of two locally adapted perennial legume species, milk vetch ( Astragalus adsurgens Pall.) and bush clover ( Lespedeza davurica S.), compared with lucerne. The 7-year total and average annual forage yield of milk vetch were 56 and 8 t ha−1 and bush clover was 42 and 6 t ha−1, respectively, significantly lower than lucerne at 91 and 13 t ha−1. However, despite lower water-use efficiencies (16 and 12 kg ha−1 mm−1 for milk vetch and bush clover, respectively, compared to 22 kg ha−1 mm−1 for lucerne), the total 7-year water use in milk vetch and bush clover was 3500 mm and 3490 mm, respectively, which was 135-140 mm less than lucerne. After 7 years, lucerne had extracted water from the upper 5 m soil, whereas bush clover used water mainly from the upper 2 m of the soil profile and milk vetch still had some water available below 3 m. We conclude that while the locally adapted forage legumes were not as productive as lucerne as a source of fodder in mixed cropping/livestock system in this region, they use less water, which may be advantageous in drier regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The legacy of agricultural land use can have widespread and persistent effects on contemporary landscapes. Although agriculture can lead to persistent changes in soil characteristics and plant communities, it remains unclear whether historic agricultural land use can alter the likelihood of contemporary biological invasions. To understand how agricultural land-use history might interact with well-known drivers of invasion, we conducted factorial manipulations of soil disturbance and resource additions within non-agricultural remnant sites and post-agricultural sites invaded by two non-native Lespedeza species. Our results reveal that variation in invader success can depend on the interplay of historic land use and contemporary processes: for both Lespedeza species, establishment was greater in remnant sites, but soil disturbance enhanced establishment irrespective of land-use history, demonstrating that contemporary processes can help to overcome legacy constraints on invader success. In contrast, additions of resources known to facilitate seedling recruitment (N and water) reduced invader establishment in post-agricultural but not in remnant sites, providing evidence that interactions between historic and contemporary processes can also limit invader success. Our findings thus illustrate that a consideration of historic land use may help to clarify the often contingent responses of invasive plants to known determinants of invasibility. Moreover, in finding significantly greater soil compaction at post-agricultural sites, our study provides a putative mechanism for historic land-use effects on contemporary invasive plant establishment. Our work suggests that an understanding of invasion dynamics requires knowledge of anthropogenic events that often occur decades before the introduction of invasive propagules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Japan, invasions of alien herb Coreopsis lanceolata are often observed in riparian endemic vegetation, but the invasion influences on light environments and endemic species are insufficiently evaluated. In this study, we investigated the influences of C. lanceolata and native dominant turf Zoysia japonica on the densities of riparian plants (two endemics Artemisia capillaris and Potentilla chinensis and one alien Lespedeza inschanica) in relation to the understory light availability using 594 0.2 m × 0.2 m plots. Available understory light was influenced negatively by C. lanceolata, not Z. japonica, due probably to the tall stature and dense foliar canopy of C. lanceolata. Understory light availability positively affected densities of riparian endemics, although the relation with L. inschanica was unclear. A. capillaris and P. chinensis densities were negatively related with C. lanceolata, not Z. japonica, implying that C. lanceolata reduces endemic populations. Shading by C. lanceolata would be one of prime factors reducing the endemics. L. inschanica density was not correlated with C. lanceolata cover. C. lanceolata could not shade L. inschanica effectively due to the taller stature of L. inschanica. We considered that C. lanceolata reduces endemic riparian species but coexists with L. inschanica. Preventing invasion and dominance of C. lanceolata is desirable to conserve endemic riparian vegetation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple and rapid microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) technique was developed for the extraction of rutin from Lespedeza virgata (Thunb.) DC. The influence of four extraction variables on extraction of rutin was discussed. The optimum extraction conditions found were 75% aqueous ethanol, solvent volume to sample weight ratio at 90 : 1, extracting temperature at 75°C, and extraction time for 15 min. A comparison was made among MAE, classical maceration, and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE). Yields were determined by high-performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE). The whole analysis process was completed in ten minutes. The needful volumes of sample and buffer are very little. Compared with maceration and ultrasonic extraction, MAE is a rapid method with higher yield and less solvent consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes Lespdeza jiangxiensis, a species of Lespedeza (Fabaceae) from Jiangxi Province, China. The species is considered morphologically similar to L. inschanica, but differs on the obovate leaflets with densely adpressed-pubescence adaxially and abaxially, with white to yellowish-white keel-petal apices. It also considers the similarity of the pollen grains of L. jiangxiensis to those of L. chinensis, L. inschanica, and L. pilosa in size, shape, and germination organ type.

The Berry College Longleaf Pine Management Area consists of old-growth fire-suppressed mountain Pinus palustris (Longleaf Pine) stands embedded within an encroaching matrix of mixed pines and hardwoods. Since 2001, portions of this area have been subjected to restoration efforts involving logging followed by burning, foliar herbicide application, and planting, as well as burning and hardwood control using herbicides in unlogged old-growth stands. To document the herbaceous plants and grasses of this site and to begin to address questions concerning the short-term impacts of management practices on these species, flowering specimens were systematically collected in managed and unmanaged stands in 2008 and 2009. We recorded 201 species in 35 families, including 70 species of Asteraceae, 35 species of Poaceae, 17 species of Fabaceae, and 10 grass-like species other than Poaceae (Cyperaceae, Iridaceae, and Juncaceae). Native herbaceous plants most commonly found included: Houstonia caerulea, Hypoxis hirsuta, Solidago odora, Oxalis stricta, Coreopsis major, Hypericum hypericoides, Lespedeza procumbens, Hieracium venosum, and Packera paupercula. While only 14 species were found in unmanaged old growth, 127 were found in managed old growth, and 167 in logged areas. Fire suppressed old-growth mountain Longleaf Pine forests are generally virtually devoid of understory plant diversity; these results suggest that reduction in canopy density and leaf litter can substantially recover herbaceous and grass species diversity. However, the extent to which understory diversity can be fully recovered in any specific site remains ill question, particularly if local propagule sources have vanished during the period of fire suppression. A comparison with historical species lists at our site, and with other mountain Longleaf Pine forests in various stages of fire maintenance, is presented to help define characteristic understory species for mountain Longleaf Pine forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, 39 specimens belonging to Lespedeza species ( Lespedeza cyrtobotrya, L. bicolor, L. maximowiczii, and Lespedeza cuneata) (Leguminosae) were classified phenotypically and genotypically. We constructed a phylogenetic tree based on the combined nrDNA (internal transcribed spacer; ITS) and cpDNA ( trnL- trnF) sequences with the aim of classifying the genotypes. Samples were mainly divided into three genotypes. Samples of L. cyrtobotrya and L. bicolor were mixed in a single branch, whereas samples of L. maximowiczii and L. cuneata were clustered within species, respectively. We performed a liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiling analysis to classify the phenotypes. Multivariate statistical analyses such as principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) were used for the clustering pattern analysis and distance analysis between species, respectively. According to the PCA and HCA results, leaves were classified into four phenotypes according to species. In both the genetic and chemotaxonomic classification methods, the distance between L. cyrtobotrya and L. bicolor was the closest between species, and L. cuneata was the farthest away from the other three species. Additionally, orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis was employed to identify significantly different phytochemicals between species. We classified L. cyrtobotrya and L. bicolor by identifying significantly different phytochemicals. Interestingly, leaves and stems showed different phenotypic classifications based on the chemotaxonomic classification. Stem samples of the other three species were mixed regardless of species, whereas L. cyrtobotrya stem samples were clustered within species. The phenotypic classification of leaves coincided more with the genotypic classification than that of stems. Key message We classified four wild-type Lespedeza sp. by analyzing the combined nrDNA ( ITS) and cpDNA ( trnL- trnF) sequences. We also classified leaves and stems of Lespedeza sp. by applying liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy-based metabolite profiling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbal medicines are being used with greater frequency by practitioners of natural medicine in the United States. Many categories of herbs are used, primarily angiotensin antagonists, nonspecific nephroprotective, and immunomodulating/adaptogenic herbs. The most common herbs in each category are discussed both from a historical and scientific perspective. For the first time, a case series of the use of the proposed herbal angiotensin antagonist herb indigenous to the United States, Lespedeza capitata, is reported based on the author's clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects on both cellulose conversion rate and lactic acid yield were studied by adding inhibitors, including formic acid, acetic acid, furfural, and vanillin into the hydrolysate of steam-pretreated Lespedeza stalks. The results suggest that formic acid has a significant influence on the enzyme activity and poisoned bacterial cells, resulting in the reduction of cellulose conversion rate and lactic acid yield by 21% and 16.4%, respectively. Acetic acid showed a strong inhibition on simultaneous saccharification fermentation (SSF) process, but little effect on enzymatic hydrolysis. Hydrolysis and SSF were less affected by furfural and vanillin compared with weak acids. The lactic acid yield of Lespedeza stalks rinsed with water increased from 64.0% to 89.4%, and the time to reach the maximum concentration was shortened from 96 hours to 48 hours when compared with the unwashed materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive plant species can potentially exert competitive or facilitative effects on insect pollination services of native species. Factors that influence these effects include the degree of shared pollinator species, synchronous flowering phenology, similar flower morphology and color, relatedness of invasive and natives, and showiness and densities of flowers. We investigated such plant-pollinator dynamics by comparing the invasive Lespedeza cuneata and three native congeners, all sympatric with synchronous flowering, using in situ populations over 2 years during peak floral displays. Insect visitation rates of the invasive were significantly higher per plant in both years than on the native species. The invasive exerted a competitive effect on visitation of the two native species with fewer shared pollinators, and a facilitative effect on visitation of the native species with the highest degree of shared insect visitors. Positive correlations were found between floral density and visitation rate per plant in all the native species. Although no such correlation was found for the invasive, floral density in L. cuneata was at least twenty times higher than in the native species and likely saturated the response of the pollinator community. Analyses of insect visitor taxonomic data indicated the insect communities visiting each of the Lespedeza species were generally similar though with species-specific differences. The main exception was that the common honeybee, Apis mellifera, was a primary visitor to the invasive plant species, yet was never observed on the native Lespedeza species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aboveground and belowground processes in plants are intimately linked because the resources that must be divided among growth, maintenance, and development of essential structures are finite. To determine how aboveground insect herbivory affects root-system size, morphology, interactions with soil biota, and temporal patterns in the development of root systems, we grew the legume Lespedeza capitata in sunken pots in a restored prairie in south-central Kansas. The plants were manipulated in a factorial experiment that involved reduction of natural herbivory with insecticide and age of plant at harvest (2, 4, or 6 months). Herbivory reduced the aboveground sizes of plants throughout the growing season but did not affect their belowground size or root-system branching ratio. Further, the failure of aboveground insect herbivory to affect density of nitrogen-fixing nodules on L. capitata roots suggests that plants did not shift allocation of carbon to compensate for naturally occurring levels of folivory. We suggest that conservation of root-system structure or low rates of change in root-system structure in response to aboveground insect herbivory may be an adaptive strategy in environments with scarce soil resources, for example near species' xeric range limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) coupled electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) was conducted in the present study, in order to explore mechanisms involved in Pb tolerance and detoxification in two species of Lespedeza (Fabaceae). Both Lespedeza chinensis and Lespedeza davidii have been recently shown to be suitable for chelate-assisted Pb phytoremediation. Ultrastructural alterations, Pb localization and speciation in leaf and root cells of both species were investigated after Pb exposure. Additionally, the influence of EDTA which facilitates Pb translocation in plants was investigated. In general, deleterious effects were more pronounced in root cells of both species than in leaf cells. Similar ultrastructural alterations such as vacuolization and dilation of the nuclear envelopes were induced in leaf and root cells of both species by Pb treatment. The effects were intensified with the addition of EDTA. Autophagy occurred only in leaf cells of L. davidii after Pb and Pb plus EDTA treatment, and in root cells of both species after Pb treatment. Moreover, electron-dense deposits with variable shapes such as acicular, granulated, punctuated and amorphous, were present in cell walls, intercellular spaces, cytoplasm and vacuoles of root cells of both species after Pb and Pb plus EDTA treatment. These deposits contained Pb as identified via the Pb-M4,5 edge by EELS in a 120kV TEM. As phosphorus was always measured at the sites of Pb deposition, it is likely that Pb in Lespedeza is stored as lead phosphate particularly in cell walls and vacuoles. The occasional presence of S and Ca in Pb depositions may point to additional other Pb compounds. Our studies suggest that Pb is transported both in apoplastic and symplastic pathways, independent of the presence or absence of EDTA. Different possible detoxification strategies such as sequestration in cell walls or compartmentalization in vacuoles exist both in L. chinensis and L. davidii. Only minor differences in ultrastructural alterations and Pb localization were observed between two species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The steam pre-treatment with low severity preserves valuable biomass components, and further delignification with alkaline peroxide could improve hydrolysis. A combination of low severity steam pretreatment and alkaline peroxide post-treatment of Lespedeza stalks was investigated. The post-treatment of steam-pretreated Lespedeza stalks with alkaline peroxide significantly increased the cellulose content and changed the structure of the cellulose-rich fractions. A glucose yield of 503.5mgg−1 raw material from enzyme hydrolysis was obtained when the steam-pretreated material (184°C for 4min) was post-treated with 2% hydrogen peroxide at 60°C for 24h with a substrate concentration of 3.3%. Its hydrolysis yield is 88.8%, which is higher than that of samples processed by steam pretreatment alone (63.7%). The samples obtained by post-treatment with alkaline peroxide were found to have a smoother surface and looser structure in scanning electron microscopy images. The isolated lignin preparations had a yield range from 10.9 to 14.7 (% dry matter). The lignin was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography. Alkaline peroxide treatment increased the thermal stability of lignin, and decreased the amounts of all functional groups. Depolymerization and repolymerization occurred during the alkaline peroxide treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A two-stage process based on steam explosion pretreatmentand alkaline solution post-treatment was applied to fractionate Lespedeza cyrtobotryastalks into cellulose, hemicelluloses,and lignin. The characteristics of the lignin fractions permit thedetermination of the influence of incubation time (2–10 min)on the clean fractionation of lignocelluloses. The results indicatedthat steam explosion at 2.25 MPa for 2–5 min significantlyenhanced the lignin fractionation in alkaline solution from 0.47%(raw material) to 16.36–17.13%. However, the repolymerizationreactions were extensively conducted at oversevere conditions (6 and10 min) and partially led to the lower yield of lignin fractions.The cleavage of β-O-4 linkages was determinedby 1H NMR as increasing incubation time from 2 (11.1%)to 10 min (7.3%). However, the molecular weight of the lignin fractionswas gradually increased from 1185 g/mol to 1816 g/mol. These phenomenademonstrated that depolymerization reactions were accompanied withcomprehensive repolymerization reactions with the severity in thesteam explosion process. It was also found that steam explosion pretreatmentat low severities increased the surface area of the isolated ligninfraction. Consequently, this simple and effective process is usefulfor the further utilization of lignin to produce high-value chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The genus Lespedeza (Fabaceae) consists of 40 species disjunctively distributed in East Asia and eastern North America. Phylogenetic relationships of all Lespedeza species and closely related genera were reconstructed using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian analyses of sequence data from five chloroplast (rpl16, rpl32-trnL, rps16-trnQ, trnL-F, and trnK/matK) and one nuclear (ITS) DNA regions. All analyses yielded consistent relationships among major lineages. Our results suggested that Campylotropis, Kummerowia, and Lespedeza are monophyletic, respectively. Lespedeza is resolved as sister to Kummerowia and these two together are further sister to Campylotropis. Neither of the two subgenera, subgen. Lespedeza and subgen. Macrolespedeza, in Lespedeza based on morphological characters, is recovered as monophyletic. Within Lespedeza, the North American clade is retrieved as sister to the Asian clade. The nuclear and chloroplast markers showed incongruent phylogenetic signals at shallow-level phylogeny, which may point to either introgression or incomplete lineage sorting in Lespedeza. The divergence times within Lespedeza and among related genera were estimated using Bayesian approach with BEAST. It is assumed that following the divergence between Kummerowia and Lespedeza in Asia in the late Miocene, the ancestor of Lespedeza diverged into the North American and the Asian lineages. The North American ancestor quickly migrated to North America through the Bering land bridge in the late Miocene. The North American and Asian lineages started to diversify almost simultaneously in the late Miocene but resulted in biased numbers of species in two continents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Bacterial neuraminidase has been highlighted as a key enzyme for pathogenic infection and sepsis. Six pterocarpans displaying significant levels of neuraminidase inhibitory activity were isolated from the root bark of Lespedeza bicolor. The isolated compounds were identified as three new pterocarpans (1−3) together with known compounds erythrabyssin II (4), lespebuergine G4 (5), and 1-methoxyerythrabyssin II (6). The new compounds were characterized as bicolosin A (1), bicolosin B (2), and bicolosin C (3). All compounds inhibited bacterial neuraminidase in a dose-dependent manner with significant inhibition (IC50 =0.09–3.25μM). All neuraminidase inhibitors screened were found to exhibit noncompetitive kinetics. The three most potent neuraminidase inhibitors (1, 3 and 6) feature a methoxy substitution on C-1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The ability of Lespedeza chinensis G. Don and Lespedeza davidii France of the family Fabaceae for Pb tolerance and accumulation in the presence and absence of the chelating agent EDTA was studied. Plants were cultured in soils containing different concentrations of Pb and Pb plus EDTA for 75 days. In the absence of EDTA, Pb supplement had no negative influence on plant growth of both species, however, stimulated the increase of shoot and root biomass of L. chinensis and L. davidii. Correspondingly, Pb accumulation in plants was low, and most of Pb was accumulated in roots, even though high doses of Pb had been supplied in soils. In the presence of EDTA, the Pb accumulation in all parts of both species was promoted, especially the translocation from roots to leaves. Regarding the influences of Pb and Pb plus EDTA treatment on the mineral nutrients, such as Mg, K, Ca, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn in plants, Pb supplement resulted in both increase and decrease of mineral nutrients in L. chinensis and L. davidii in the absence of EDTA. In the presence of EDTA, the accumulation of mineral nutrients in plants was facilitated with the exception of Mn. The present results indicate that L. chinensis and L. davidii are Pb tolerant. Both plants can be used as potential species for chelate-assisted Pb phytoremediation. L. davidii has greater potential for phytoremediation of Pb than L. chinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrolytic potential of cellulases produced by Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma pseudokoningii, Trichoderma koningii, and Trichoderma reesei with addition of exogenous β-glucosidase was evaluated on cellulose of steam-pretreated Lespedeza. The T. viride enzyme achieved the highest glucose conversion (90.09%), while T. pseudokoningii cellulase achieved the highest ratio of cellobiose to glucose (4.94%) at the end of hydrolysis. Enzymatic adsorption on the substrate was evaluated on filter paper activity and β-glucosidase activity in the corresponding digest with the obtained T. cellulases. T. viride cellulase possessed an efficient adsorption-desorption on the substrate and reached the highest FPA difference (0.72 U/mL) among enzyme activities, indicating to its excellent hydrolysis capability. However, β- glucosidase in T. viride cellulase system showed close bonding on the substrate, suggesting that efficiencies of adsorption-desorption on the cellulose are different between the entire cellulase system and β- glucosidase. T. viride cellulase, with active endogenous β-glucosidase (1.60 U/mL), has compatible synergism with the additional exogenous β- glucosidase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat corridors, a common management strategy for increasing connectivity in fragmented landscapes, have experimentally validated positive influences on species movement and diversity. However, long-standing concerns that corridors could negatively impact native species by spreading antagonists, such as disease, remain largely untested. Using a large-scale, replicated experiment, we evaluated whether corridors increase the incidence of plant parasites. We found that corridor impacts varied with parasite dispersal mode. Connectivity provided by corridors increased incidence of biotically dispersed parasites (galls on Solidago odora) but not of abiotically dispersed parasites (foliar fungi on S. odora and three Lespedeza spp.). Both biotically and abiotically dispersed parasites responded to edge effects, but the direction of responses varied across species. Although our results require additional tests for generality to other species and landscapes, they suggest that, when establishing conservation corridors, managers should focus on mitigating two potential negative effects: the indirect effects of narrow corridors in creating edges and direct effects of corridors in enhancing connectivity of biotically dispersed parasites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which analyzed the pollen diversity of 39 species of Lespedeza and three species of closely related genera from China, Japan and America. Lespedeza have either type II or type III germination organs and its pollen morphology is stable at the intraspecific level. Results of the pollen morphology analyses support the division of Lespedeza into two subgenera and provides insight into the systematics of some taxonomically difficult species complexes such as Lespedeza caraganae, Lespedeza juncea and Lespedeza inschanica.

Natural hybridization is common in the genus Lespedeza. No hybrids between Lespedeza leptostachya Englem. and Lespedeza capitata Michx. are formally recognized in any of the current floras, however observations in the field suggest that hybridization might occur in many of their shared habitats. Putative hybrids were compared to L. leptostachya and L. capitata using morphological measurements and screened for the presence of species-specific trnL-F gene region (cpDNA) and the ITS gene region (nrDNA). A discriminate analysis of 10 morphological measurements identified the hybrids as intermediate to both parents with two PCA axes explaining 99% of the variation between taxa. The presence of hybrids was confirmed by genetic markers with individuals morphologically identified as hybrids having cpDNA trnL-F genotypes identical to L. leptostachya and the ITS (nrDNA) phenotypes in most cases contain the ITS genotype of both parents, however, some putative hybrid individuals contained the ITS genotype of only one parents. Those individuals with L. leptostachya ITS and trnL-F could be a case of misclassification, but the presence of both L. capitata ITS genotypes and L. leptostachya trnL-F genotypes suggest segregation has occurred, which may result from either selfing or backcrossing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lespedeza (tribe Desmodieae, Fabaceae) follows a disjunct distribution in eastern Asia and eastern North America. Phylogenetic relationships among its species and related taxa were inferred from nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and plastid sequences ( trnH-psbA, psbK-psbI, trnK-matK and rpoC1). We examined 35 species of Lespedeza, two of Kummerowia and one of Campylotropis, the sole constituents of the Lespedeza group. An analysis of these data revealed that the genus Campylotropis is sister to the other two genera. However, we were unable to resolve the relationships between Kummerowia and Lespedeza in the strict consensus trees of parsimony analyses based on plastid and combined DNA data. In the genus Lespedeza, the Old World subgenus Macrolespedeza is monophyletic, whereas the transcontinental subgenus Lespedeza is paraphyletic. Monophyly of eastern Asian species and of North American species is strongly supported. Although inconsistent with the traditional classification, this phylogenetic finding is consistent with seedling morphology. Three subgroups recognized in subgenus Macrolespedeza were unresolved in our phylogenetic trees. An incongruence length difference (ILD) test indicated that the two partitions (nuclear ITS and plastid sequences) were significantly incongruent, perhaps because of hybridization between species in Lespedeza. Most of the primary clades of tribe Desmodieae are Asian, implying that the relatively few New World ones, such as those in Lespedeza, are more recently derived from Asia. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, , 221-235. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty-nine endophytic bacterial strains were isolated from the nodule of Lespedeza sp. grown in two different locations of South Korea. All strains were checked for their plant growth promoting (PGP) abilities under in vitro conditions. Most of the isolates showed multiple PGP activity, i.e., indole acetic acid production, ACC deaminase activity, siderophore production, and phosphate solubilization. The strains were identified by using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis as belonging to Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes phylum with nine different genera Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Bradyrhizobium, Burkholderia, Dyella, Methylobacterium, Microbacterium, Rhizobium, and Staphylococcus. Gene nodA amplification showed positive results only for strains from Bradyrhizobium and Rhizobium genera. The strains from Bradyrhizobium and Rhizobium genera enhanced plant growth, nodulation, and acetylene reduction activity when inoculated on Vigna unguiculata L. (cowpea), whereas other strains did not induce nodule formation but enhanced plant growth. Herbaceous legume Lespedeza sp. formed root nodules with diverse bacterial group, and probably, these bacteria can be used for stimulating plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancement of root development helps to improve soil physical properties, carbon sequestration, and water quality of streams. The objective of this study was to evaluate differences in root length density (RLD) and root and soil carbon content within grass buffer (GB), agroforestry buffer (AgB), rotationally grazed pasture (RG) and continuously grazed pasture (CG) treatments. Pasture and GB areas included red clover ( Trifolium pretense L.) and lespedeza ( Kummerowia stipulacea Maxim.) planted into fescue ( Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) while AgB included Eastern cottonwood trees ( Populus deltoids Bortr. ex Marsh.) planted into fescue. One-meter deep soil cores were collected from each treatment in August 2007 and 2008 with a soil probe. Three soil cores were sampled at six replicate sampling positions. Soil cores were collected in plastic tubes inserted inside the metal soil probe. Soils were segregated by horizons, and roots were separated into three diameter classes (0–1, 1–2, >2 mm) by soil horizon. Root length was determined using a flatbed scanner assisted with computer software. Buffer treatments (167 cm/100 cm3) had 4.5 times higher RLD as compared to pasture treatments (37.3 cm/100 cm3). The AgB treatment had the highest (173.5 cm/100 cm3) RLD and CG pasture had the lowest (10.8 cm/100 cm3) value. Root carbon was about 3% higher for the buffers compared to RG treatment. Soil carbon was about 115% higher for the buffers compared to pasture treatments. Results from this study imply that establishment of agroforestry and GB on grazed pasture watersheds improve soil carbon accumulation and root parameters which enhance soil physical and chemical properties thus improving the environmental quality of the landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steam explosion pretreatment was used to release hemicelluloses from the stalks of Lespedeza crytobotrya, a potential woody biomass crop. Hemicelluloses from Lespedeza crytobotrya subjected to five different pretreatment severities were extracted with 60% aqueous ethanol solution containing 1% NaOH, characterized by component analysis, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), FT-IR, NMR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis, and compared with hemicelluloses obtained from untreated stalks. It was found that the hemicellulosic fractions mainly consisted of arabinoxylans and β-glucans or xyloglucans. Steam explosion pretreatment yielded noticeable degradation and debranching reactions, illustrated by a linear decrease of molecular weight and Ara/Xyl ratio with increasing severity. For further high-value utilization of the hemicellulosic polymers, steam explosion at 20 or 22.5 kg/m2 for 4 min is promising because of improved extraction efficiency and avoidance of over-drastic degradation of the polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata (Dumont) G. Don) is used for forage or as a soil conservation plant that has shown potential for the production of ligno-cellulosic biomass in the Southeastern USA. Four genotypes of sericea lespedeza were grown at Tallassee, Alabama. Plant canopy of those genotypes was divided into three 10-cm strata. Year of harvest affected NDF, protein and hemicellulose content of leaves and stems. Cut affected NDF, cellulose and hemicellulose content and protein of leaves. No differences were measured among the four genotypes except for protein content in the stems. Leaves had a much higher protein content than stems which makes them undesirable for biofuel use. Large strata effects on stem composition were measured on all traits except lignin which had the same value across the strata. Values of NDF, ADF, cellulose, and hemicellulose increased from the top of the stem to the base whereas protein content was reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study related to total synthesis and cytotoxicity of naturally occurring Lespedezol E. It discusses origination of the species along with an analysis of its isolation from current state. It further mentions medicinal properties of the species and how it is used as medical treatment in various places. It also presents chemical bonding of the process.

Abstract: The synergistic effect of steam explosion pretreatment and sodium hydroxide post-treatment of Lespedeza stalks (Lespedeza crytobotrya) has been investigated in this study. In this case, Lespedeza stalks were firstly exploded at a fixed steam pressure (22.5kg/m2) for 2–10min. Then the steam-exploded Lespedeza stalks was extracted with 1M NaOH at 50°C for 3h with a shrub to water ratio of 1:20 (g/ml), which yielded 57.3%, 53.1%, 55.4%, 52.8%, 53.2%, and 56.4% (% dry weight) cellulose rich fractions, comparing to 68.0% from non-steam-exploded material. The content of glucose in cellulose rich residues increased with increment of the steaming time and reached to 94.10% at the most severity. The similar increasing trend occurred during the dissolution of hemicelluloses. It is evident that at shorter steam explosion time, autohydrolysis mainly occurred on the hemicelluloses and the amorphous area of cellulose. The crystalline region of cellulose was depolymerized under a prolonged incubation time. The characteristics of the cellulose rich fractions in terms of FT-IR and CP/MAS 13C NMR spectroscopy and thermal analysis were discussed, and the surface structure was also investigated by SEM. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A two-step process based on steam explosion pretreatment followed by alkaline ethanol solution post-treatment was used to fractionate Lespedeza stalks (Lespedeza cyrtobotrya). Steam explosion pretreatment, under at 15 kg/m2 to 25 kg/m2 for 4 min, followed by post-treatment with 60% aqueous ethanol containing 1% NaOH yielded 49.6–65.5% (% dry matter) cellulose rich fractions, compared to 68.6% from non-pretreated material. It was found that the content of glucose was gradually increased from 73.7 to 86.9% as the result of elevating steaming pressure, but the solubilisation of lignin maintained the same level (about 10–11%) regardless of the severity. The average degree of polymerization increased first and then decreased, revealing that autohydrolysis reactions were dominant in different regions during the steam explosion. Scanning electron microscopy images of the cellulosic residues show that steam explosion mainly resulted in breakage of the fibres, and extraction post-treatment led to solution of lignin (and hemicelluloses) and significant defibrillation. The increase of onset degradation temperature, together with the higher pyrolysis residues suggest that the thermal stability of cellulose rich fractions was increased by steam explosion and elevated steaming pressure. All the rich-in-cellulose fractions were further characterized by FT-IR, XRD, and CP/MAS 13C NMR spectroscopy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]