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Elaeagnus henryi Warb. ex Diels belongs to the Elaeagnaceae. Here, we reveal the complete chloroplast genome of Elaeagnus henryi . The complete chloroplast genome is 152,244 bp in length and contains a large single-copy (LSC) region of 82,235 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,279 bp and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 25,865 bp. There are 126 genes, including 81 protein-coding, 37 transfer RNA (tRNA), and eight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. The total GC content of the chloroplast genome sequence is 37.1%. The maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis indicated that E. henryi was sister to Elaeagnus pungens (MW145133). The result may be because the species are advanced and developed from the same ancestor., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

The aim of this study was to define the oviposition preference of Holcocerus hippophaecolus. Six Sea Buckthorn subspecies (varieties and hybrids) were selected and studied using artificial infection by insects raised in cages. The results showed H. rhamnoides subsp sinensis showing the highest oviposition rate and quantity and Taiyang the lowest. Qiuyisike × H. rhamnoides subsp sinensis, Chuyi, and Taiyang showed high resistance, whereas H. rhamnoides subsp sinensis, Hunjin and Wulangemu × H. rhamnoides subsp sinensis showed low resistance. The oviposition preference of H. hippophaecolus did not correlate with bark water content, lenticel size and lenticel density, but did correlate with bark thickness, bark density, crack ration. These results provide the theoretical basis for the understanding of the outbreak mechanisms of H. hippophaecolus disaster. (© 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leaves ofElaeagnus pungenswere extracted with 70% ethanol and successively purified by column chromatography. Seven constituents were obtained and characterized, all of which belong to the class of flavonol glycosides. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods including 1D/2D NMR and MS analysis techniques. The seven flavonol glycosides were determined as kaempferol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 2)]-β-d-galactopyranoside (1), isorhamnetin 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-galactopyranoside (2), together with five known compounds, respectively. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliu-m bromide assayin vitroshowed that the isolated flavonol glycosides showed no proliferation activity in the asthma airway smooth muscle cells, comparing with solvent as the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The development time, survivorship and reproduction of the Sarucallis kahawaluokalani (Kirkaldy), Eucallipterus tiliae L., Capitophorus elaeagni del Guercio, Aphis nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe, Cinara cedri Mimeur were studied on the Lagerstroemia indica L., Tilia tomentosa Moench, Elaeagnus angustifolia L., Nerium oleander L. and Cedrus libani Loud. at four constant temperatures (20°C, 22.5°C, 25°C and 27.5°C). Total nymphal development time ranged from 7.78 d at 22.5°C to 9.81 d at 25°C of C.elaeagni, 9.32 d at 25°C to 12.5 d at 20°C of E. tiliae, 7.08 d at 27,5°C to 11.14 d at 20°C of S. kahawaluokalani, 15.85 d at 25°C to 12.57 d at 20°C of A. nerii and 13.00 d at 20°C to 10.07 d at 25°C of C. cedri. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) at 22.5°C had the highest value for S. kahawaluokalani and C. elaeagni (0.5703) and (0.2945) among all tested constant temperatures. The calculated rm was higher at 25°C for E. tiliae (1.4124) and C. cedri (0.2975) and at 20°C A. nerii (0.2648). That the optimal temperature for E. tiliae and C.cedri on T. tomentosa and C. libani was 25°C, for C. elaeagni and E. tiliae was 22.5°C on E. angustifolia and T. tomentosa and for A. nerii was 20°C on N. oleander. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its eco-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, ability to be handled safely, and a wide variety of biological activities, the green plant-mediated synthesis of nanoparticles has become increasingly popular. The present work deals with the green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Elaeagnus umbellata (fruit) and the evaluation of its antibacterial, antioxidant, and phytotoxic activities. For the synthesis of AgNPs, fruit extract was treated with a 4 mM AgNO 3 solution at room temperature, and a color change was observed. In UV-Visible spectroscopy, an absorption peak formation at 456 nm was the sign that AgNPs were present in the reaction solution. Scanning electron microscopy and physicochemical X-ray diffraction were used to characterize AgNPs, which revealed that they were crystalline, spherical, and had an average size of 11.94 ± 7.325 nm. The synthesized AgNPs showed excellent antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae (14 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (13.5 mm), Proteus mirabilis (13 mm), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12.5 mm), as well as considerable antioxidant activity against DPPH with 69% inhibition at an IC 50 value of 43.38 µg/mL. AgNPs also exhibited a concentration-dependent effect on rice plants. Root and shoot length were found to be positively impacted at all concentrations, i.e., 12.5 µg/mL, 25 µg/mL, 50 µg/mL, and 100 µg/mL. Among these concentrations, the 50 µg/mL concentration of AgNPs was found to be most effective. The plant biomass decreased at higher AgNP exposure levels (i.e., 100 µg/mL), whereas 50 µg/mL caused a significant increase in plant biomass as compared to the control. This study provides an eco-friendly method for the synthesis of AgNPs which can be used for their antibacterial and antioxidant activities and also as growth promoters of crop plants.

Elaeagnus pungens is an evergreen shrub with high medicinal values. In this study, the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of E. pungens was characterized. The chloroplast genome of E. pungens is 152,218 bp in length, consisting of two 25,876 bp inverted repeats, 18,231 bp small single copy region, and 82,235 bp large single copy region. The chloroplast genome contains 113 unique genes, including 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that E. pungens and species from Elaeagnus formed a monophyletic clade sister to the clade consisting of species from Hippophae ., Competing Interests: The authors are really grateful to the opened raw genome data from public database. The authors report no conflict of interest and are responsible for the content and writing of the article., (© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

Sexual systems and association with several ecological and life history attributes were examined for 977 native angiosperms of subclass Rosidae in Siberia. The majority of angiosperms in Siberia are hermaphrodites (87.7%, N = 867). The most widespread forms of sexual differentiations are andromonoecy, gynodioecy, and dioecy. The rarest forms of sexual differentiations are monoecy, trioecy, and androdioecy. Seven of 34 families are the richest in species with sexual differentiation: Aceraceae, Elaeagnaceae, Haloragaceae, Rhamnaceae, Dipsacaceae, Apiaceae, and Geraniaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thin-layer drying behavior of Elaeagnus angustifolia in a laboratory scale hot-air dryer was examined. Drying characteristics of Elaeagnus angustifolias were determined using heated ambient air at temperatures of 50, 60 and 70°C and air velocities of 0.5, 1 and 1.5 m/s. To select a suitable drying curve, 6 thin-layer drying models were fitted to the experimental data. All the models were compared according to three statistical parameter; R², standard error of estimate (SSE) and root mean square error (RMSE). Using some of the experimental data, an ANN, trained by standard Back-Propagation algorithm, was developed to predict MR and DR values based on the three input variables (time, velocity and temperature). Different activation functions and several rules were used to assess percentage error between the desired and the predicted values. According to the results, a two-term drying model has better agreement with experiment. The effect of the drying air temperature and air velocity on the drying model constants and coefficients were also determined. Consequently, the estimating power of the new model was evaluated. The ANN model was able to predict the moisture ratio and drying rate quite well with coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.9993, 0.9992 and 0.9996 for training, validation and testing, respectively. The prediction Mean Square Error was obtained as 0.00355, 0.00930 and 0.0016 for training, validation and testing, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Despite many attempts to resolve evolutionary relationships among the major clades of Rosales, some nodes have been extremely problematic and have remained unresolved. In this study, we use two nuclear and 10 plastid loci to infer phylogenetic relationships among all nine families of Rosales. Rosales were strongly supported as monophyletic; within Rosales all family relationships are well-supported with Rosaceae sister to all other members of the order. Remaining Rosales can be divided into two subclades: (1) Ulmaceae are sister to Cannabaceae plus (Urticaceae+Moraceae); (2) Rhamnaceae are sister to Elaeagnaceae plus (Barbeyaceae+Dirachmaceae). One noteworthy result is that we recover the first strong support for a sister relationship between the enigmatic Dirachmaceae and Barbeyaceae. These two small families have distinct morphologies and potential synapomorphies remain unclear. Future studies should try to identify nonDNA synapomorphies uniting Barbeyaceae with Dirachmaceae. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Increasing evidence suggests that geological or climatic events in the past promoted allopatric speciation of alpine plants in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and adjacent region. However, few studies have been undertaken to examine whether such allopatric divergences also occurred within a morphologically uniform species. In the present study, we report the evolutionary history of an alpine shrub species, Hippophae tibetana, based on examining chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) and nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) DNA variations. We sequenced two cpDNA fragments ( trnL-F and trnS-G) and the nuclear ITS region in 183 individuals collected from 21 natural populations. Ten chlorotypes and 17 ITS types were identified. Phylogenetic analyses of both chlorotypes and ITS sequence variations suggested two distinct lineages distributed in the eastern and western region, respectively. On the basis of the fast and low plant substitution rates, these two lineages were estimated to have diverged from each other between 1 and 4 million years ago, during the period of the major glaciations and orogenic processes. In addition, ITS has undergone the accelerated evolution in two populations in the southern Himalaya isolated by the high mountains with a surprising accumulation of the private variations. The east-west split was also supported by an analysis of molecular variance, which partitioned around 91% of the total cpDNA variance between these two groups of populations. A single chlorotype was found for most populations in eastern or western region, suggesting a recent postglacial expansion within each region. Star-phylogeny and mismatch analyses of all chlorotypes within the eastern group of populations suggested an earlier regional expansion before the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The local fixture of the different chlorotypes in multiple populations suggested more than one refugia remained for eastern or western region. Coalescent tests rejected the hypothesis that all current populations originated from a single refugium during the LGM. Instead, they supported hypothesis that two lineages diverged before the late Pleistocene. These findings, when taken together, suggested that this species had experienced long allopatric divergence and recent regional range expansions in response to orogenic processes and the climate changes. The evolutionary history of this shrub species highlights importance of geographical isolations to the intraspecific divergence of alpine plants occurring in the world's ruff. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, , 37-50. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The uplift of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) dramatically changed the topography and climate of Asia and affected the biodiversity of the plateau and its adjacent areas. However, the effects of the uplift on the dispersal, differentiation and adaptation of plants remain a puzzle when the date and processes of the uplift cannot be determined with certainty and the impacts of the Quaternary glaciations on plants on the QTP are unknown. To clarify the relationships among plants on the QTP with the plateau uplift and the Quaternary glaciations, the cpDNA trnT- trnF regions of 891 individuals from 37 populations of Hippophae tibetana, endemic to the QTP, were sequenced in the present study. A total of 50 haplotypes were found and a strong phylogeographic structure was revealed ( NST = 0.854, GST = 0.611, NST > GST, P < 0.01). The results show that three main lineages of the present populations of H. tibetana occupy the western, the middle, and the eastern geographical range, respectively, and their divergence time dates back to 3.15 Ma before present. Of 50 haplotypes, 33 (66%) are private haplotypes, which are restricted to single populations. These private haplotypes are scattered throughout the present geographical range of H. tibetana and originated from multiple differentiations in many lineages during more than 1.0 Ma period, strongly suggesting that multiple microrefugia of H. tibetana existed throughout the present geographical range during the last glacial maximum (LGM) and even earlier glaciations. Additionally, the average elevation of present populations is over 4500 m in the west and the equilibrium-line of glaciers in the LGM was 500–300 m lower than present in the major interior part of the plateau suggesting that at most sites in the west, LGM microrefugia of H. tibetana may have been above 4000 m above sea level, the highest of all known refugia. Moreover, the divergence times among and within the three lineages and their distinct distributions as well as dispersal barriers support the theory of the recent and rapid uplift of the QTP. The rapid uplift of the plateau within the last 3.4 Ma and the associated environmental changes may have affected the dispersal and differentiation of H .tibetana and shaped its phylogeographic structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim A regional analysis was used to explore the influence of river regulation on the dominance of non-native, invasive shrubs and trees. We addressed the following questions: (1) How do large dams affect hydrological parameters that influence riparian vegetation? (2) How do flow regimes affect the dominance of non-native woody species? (3) How do changes in flow regimes affect the dominance of non-native woody species? Location South-western USA. Methods We sampled the canopy cover of woody species on 179 point bars along seven non-dammed and thirteen dammed river segments. Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to determine differences between flow parameters in dammed and non-dammed rivers. We used correlation analyses and generalized linear model comparisons to examine associations of flow parameters and canopy cover of native ( Populus and Salix) and non-native ( Tamarix and Elaeagnus) taxa. An index of flow alteration that was created using principal components analysis was regressed with vegetation cover. Results Tamarix cover was positively related to drainage area, flow constancy, August and May median flow and flow recession rate, but Elaeagnus cover was unrelated to flow variables. River segments with peak flows in late summer or high constancy had the highest Tamarix cover. Populus cover was positively influenced by low maximum temperatures and frequent high pulses. Flow alteration was negatively related to Populus cover and positively related to Tamarix cover. Total non-native, Elaeagnus and Salix covers were not correlated with flow alteration. Main conclusions Rivers with a large drainage area and low flow variability are inherently more vulnerable to invasions. River regulation does not necessarily increase the cover of non-native, invasive species. Instead, changes in flow allow proliferation of species that have life-history traits suited to modified flow regimes. River restoration projects that aim to reinstate natural flow regimes should be designed with knowledge of native and non-native species' life history strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea-buckthorn ( Hyppopha L.) transgenic roots transformed with the lectin gene were obtained using the wild-type strain of Agrobacterium rhizogenes 15834 preliminary transformed with the plasmid pCAMBIA 1305.1, which contained the full-size pea lectin gene. Effects of lectin gene expression on symbiotic responses of sea-buckthorn to inoculation with rhizobia ( Rhizobium leguminosarum, pea symbiont) and actinomycetes of genus Frankia (sea-buckthorn symbiont) were studied. In sea-buckthorn seedlings, whose transgenic roots were inoculated with both microsymbionts simultaneously, atypical nodule-like structures were found along with typical actinorhizal nodules. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of bacteria, isolated from these structures, revealed the presence of R. leguminosarum rhizobia and the absence of Frankia actinomycetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulp and oils (fruit extract) from Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L. spp. Turkestanica) (HRL) seeds and berries have been traditionally used in the treatment of different clinical and psychotic disorders and have significant implication in contemporary medicinal therapy. Schizophrenia is a chronic severe mental illness that affects approximately 1% of the population. Although the first generation of antipsychotic drugs such as chlorpromazine and haloperidol are widely prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia, their beneficial effects are accompanied by extrapyramidal side effects (EPS). The present study was designed to investigate the effects of oral supplementation of HRL fruit extract (HRL-FE) on behavioral deficits and changes in brain serotonin (5- hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) metabolism in rats administered with haloperidol repeatedly (two times a day at 09:00-09:30 A.M. and 05:00-05:30 P.M. at dose of 3.0 mg/kg body weight for two weeks. Results revealed that after two weeks of oral administration of HRL-FE (4.0 mg/kg body weight), rats exhibited significant (p<0.01) increases in locomotor activity in home cages and exploratory activity in open field arena. Repeated haloperidol treatment significantly (p<0.01) decreased brain tryptophan (TRP) and 5-HT and these decreases were reversed by 4.0 mg/kg body weight HRL-FE. These data suggest that HRL-FE plays a modifying role against the haloperidol induced behavioral deficits and could further extend as a nutritive therapy to conventional antipsychotic treatment in schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hippophae rhamnoides L. is a member of the Elaeagnaceae family, different parts of it, especially juice and oil of the fruits, have been used for the treatment of several diseases in traditional medicine in various countries. In the present study we investigated the possible antiradical and antioxidant activities of the hexanoic extract obtained from ripe fruit of H. rhamnoides L. (HRE) in in vitro conditions using different antioxidant tests: ferric thiocyanate method, reducing power, metal chelating activities and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH∙) free radical scavenging. Results of experiment revealed that HRE has a concentration-dependent antioxidant effect. Total antioxidant activity was measured according to ferric thiocyanate method. At the concentration of 10, 20 and 50 μg/mL, the inhibitory effect of HRE on peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion was found to be 36.8, 50.8 and 68.7 %, respectively. On the other hand, percentage inhibition of α-tocopherol was found to be 8.9 %. In addition, HRE was also effective in reducing power, metal chelating activities and DPPH∙ free radical scavenging experiments. These various antioxidant activities were compared to α-tocopherol, EDTA or trolox which references antioxidants. The results obtained from present study clearly showed thad HRE had marked in vitro antioxidant and antiradical activites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the process of separation and purification of isohamnetin from marc of sea buckthorn was obtained. The antioxidant properties of the pure isolated isorhamnetin were evaluated by the scavenging of the diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), iron (III) to iron (II)—reducing, and iron-chelating assays. High purity isorhamnetin (92.1%) was obtained and the results of antioxidant assays showed that isorhamnetin performed significantly compared with ascorbic acid and BHT, and the linear correlations were good in these assays. In conclusion, isorhamnetin may have potential as a natural antioxidant to alternate synthetic substances as food additive with its antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elaeagnoside (1), a new steroidal glucoside, has been isolated from the chloroform fraction of Elaeagnus orientalis along with β-sitosterol and 12-hydroxy-8,10-octadecadienoic acid. The structure of 1 has been elucidated with the help of chemical and spectral studies. It showed significant inhibitory activity against the enzyme chymotrypsin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contribution of membrane lipids, particularly the level of unsaturation of fatty acids, to chilling sensitivity of plants, has been intensively discussed. The biosynthesis of phosphatidyl glycerol represents a central pathway in lipid metabolism in all organisms. Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) catalyses the first step of glycerolipid biosynthesis and, therefore, it is a potential site for triacylglycerol synthesis regulation. The cDNA for GPAT gene has been cloned and extensively characterised from several plants excluding Seabuckthorn Hippophae rhamnoides. The isolation of partial cDNA (689 bp, Accession No. EU081817) for GPAT gene from Seabuckthorn plant has been reported for the first time that shows 97 per cent homology with the Lycopersicon esculentum at nucleotide level and 93 per cent homology with the Capsicum annuum at protein level. Full-length cloning and overexpression of GPAT from Seabuckthorn will modify the ability of vegetable crops to tolerate chilling temperature by protecting the photo synthetic machinery from photoinhibition under cold conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACTThis study was designed to determine the cytoprotective activity of flavones of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoidesL.) against tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tert-BOOH), used as an oxidant to induce oxidative damage, with lymphocytes as the model system. Addition of tert-BOOH (250 μM) to the cells resulted in enhanced cytotoxicity and free radical production. The intracellular calcium levels, caspase activity, and apoptosis were significantly increased following tert-BOOH treatment. Seabuckthorn flavones at the concentration of 100 μg/mL significantly inhibited tert-BOOH-induced cytotoxicity and free radical production and also restored the antioxidant status to that of control cells. Seabuckthorn flavones also significantly restricted tert-BOOH-induced apoptosis by decreasing intracellular calcium levels and caspase activity. The extract also decreased tert-BOOH-induced formation of DNA breaks by 30. These observations suggest that the flavones of seabuckthorn have marked cytoprotective properties, which could be attributed to the antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elaeagnus umbellata (Thunb.), commonly known as autumn olive, belongs to the family Elaeagnaceae and is native to the Himalayan regions of Pakistan, China, and India and is also found in Korea and Japan. The seeds of 8 ecotypes from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan, were analyzed at UPM Malaysia for comparisons of their relationship and evolution based on SDS-PAGE of total seed proteins. The results indicated that each autumn olive population can be distinguished by their own specific protein bands with reference to a molecular weight marker included in the gel. The dendrogram based on computer package analysis indicated that populations having the same base of origin fall under 2 simultaneous groups, i.e. P6 and P8 in one group and P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, and P7 in the second group. The distribution of the populations was variable irrespective of their physical location as the seeds of the plant may have been dispersed by birds from distant places. SDS-PAGE thus provided valuable information for the identification of populations and could be utilized for population and varietals discrimination as well as seed quality test in true to type seed producing plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homoploid hybrid plant species are rare, and the mechanisms of their speciation are largely unknown, especially for homoploid hybrid tree species. Two contrasting hypotheses have been proposed to explain the origin of Hippophae goniocarpa: (1) it is a diploid hybrid originating from H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis × H. neurocarpa ssp. neurocarpa, and (2) it originated via marginal differentiation from H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis. Regardless of which of these hypotheses is true (if either), previous studies have suggested that H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis is the only maternal donor for this hybrid species. In this study, we aim to elucidate the maternal composition of H. goniocarpa and to test the two hypotheses. For this purpose, we sequenced the maternal chloroplast DNA trnL-F region of 75 individuals representing H. goniocarpa, H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis, and H. neurocarpa ssp. neurocarpa in two co-occurring sites of the taxa. Seven haplotypes were identified from three taxonomic units, and their phylogenetic relationships were further constructed by means of maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and network analyses. These seven haplotypes clustered into two distinct, highly divergent lineages. Two haplotypes from one lineage were found in H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis, and five (representing the other lineage) in H. neurocarpa ssp. neurocarpa. Hippophae goniocarpa shared four common haplotypes from both lineages, but the haplotypes detected from the two populations differed to some extent, and in each case were identical to local haplotypes of the putative parental species. Thus, both H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis and H. neurocarpa ssp. neurocarpa appear to have together contributed to the maternal establishment of H. goniocarpa. These results clearly demonstrate that the marginal origin hypothesis should be rejected, and support the hybrid origin hypothesis. Hippophae goniocarpa exhibits a sympatric distribution with its two parent species, without occupying new niches or displaying complete ecological isolation. However, this species has effectively developed reproductive isolation from its sympatric parent species. Our preliminary results suggest that H. goniocarpa may provide a useful model system for studying diploid hybrid speciation in trees. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 156, 111–118. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silverleaf nightshade, Solanum elaeagnifolium, is listed as a noxious weed in its native range (Americas) and as an invasive alien plant in many countries across the world. Its local pattern of distribution in the EPPO region indicates that it is still in an establishment phase. S. elaeagnifolium invasiveness could be related to several biological traits: copious production of sexual and asexual propagules, its facility for long-distance dispersion, its ability to endure considerable drought and to dominate shallow-rooted vegetation, especially during summer dry periods, and its capacity to suppress more valuable species because it is unpalatable and toxic to cattle. Invasion of the Mediterranean semi-arid region by S. elaeagnifolium was mainly facilitated by irrigation and animal production. Low moisture stress may favour this invasive species and sheep are an important pathway for its long-distance dispersal. Once established, it is one of the most difficult weeds to eradicate because of its network of creeping horizontal and deep vertical roots. Its phenotypic plasticity enables it to adopt a rosette-like growth pattern to escape control by repeated slashing. Thus, S. elaeagnifolium monitoring in the EPPO region is vital in order to contain established populations and prevent invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of an epidemiological study on Potato virus Y (PVY) in potato crops, Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. was included in the weeds prospected. Surveys were carried out in four seed potato areas: Cap Bon, Manouba, Jendouba and Kairouan. S. elaeagnifolium was found in all areas, except Cap Bon. Virus-like symptoms were observed on some S. elaeagnifolium plants in the field, i.e. leaf mottling and curling. Aphids were collected on these plants and were identified as Myzus persicae and Aphis fabae, both known to colonize potatoes and to transmit the standard PVYN isolate with transmission efficiencies of 95% and 43%, respectively. Forty-seven plant samples were tested with ELISA for the presence of PVY. Positive reactions were obtained from 2/6, 5/18, 8/23 samples collected in Manouba, Jendouba and Kairouan, respectively. Virus transmission was carried out using M. persicae as vector from two samples of each region onto plantlets of Nicotiana tabacum cv Xanthi. All inoculated plantlets displayed typical symptoms of the PVYN strain group, confirmed by serological testing using specific antibodies. This is the first report of a PVY natural infection on S. elaeagnifolium in Tunisia. The abundance of this weed, its over-wintering status and the high rate of PVY-infected plants (31.9%) allow us to deduce that S. elaeagnifolium must be considered a reservoir species of PVY under natural conditions in Tunisia and probably in other Mediterranean countries. The presence of efficient aphid vectors of PVY on this weed in crops is additional evidence that S. elaeagnifolium may become a problem by acting as a source plant for PVY spread in potato crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RAPD markers were used to assess the genetic diversity and inter- and intra-specific relationships of the genus Hippophae L. and to study the correlation between genetic distances and geographic distances among populations of H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis. The results analyzed by the percentage of polymorphic loci and Shannon information index indicated that a high level of genetic diversity existed both among and within species of the genus Hippophae. In the UPGMA dendrogram, the species or subspecies were clustered into two main groups but not strictly grouped according to sect. Hippophae and sect. Gyantsensis Lian. The multiple regression analysis and Mantel test both indicated a significant correlation between genetic distance and altitude distance among populations of H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis, and the cluster analysis suggested that the genetic variation among populations of H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis was linked to their monophyletic origin. Moreover, some degree of genetic differentiation was found among samples collected at different times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. sinensis is endemic to China, and it is a dioecious, outcrossing plant. Although many studies have been undertaken mainly on its agricultural, nutritional, medical, and ornamental value, little is known about its population genetics. This study uses random amplified polymorphic DNA to investigate the genetic diversity and population genetic structure of 13 natural populations of the subspecies sinensis. Fifteen primers amplified 107 reproducible bands, with 95 (88.79%) being polymorphic. The gene diversity within population was 0.168, considerably lower than that of tree species and most perennial, outcrossing species, but higher than that of annual or short-lived, selfing species. The Gst value showed that 18.3% of the total genetic variation resided among populations, a little lower than that of outcrossing species. The present results are quite similar to those previously reported in another subspecies, H ssp. . rhamnoides rhamnoides. The low genetic differentiation among populations in ssp. sinensis may be attributed to the long-distance dispersal of seeds facilitated by birds, in addition to its characteristics of outcrossing, wind pollination, and widespread distribution. No association between genetic distance and geographical distribution was found. The population relationships revealed by the UPGMA dendrogram parallel this result, in that genetic distance did not increase with geographic separation. This pattern of population differentiation may imply the adaptation of ssp. s populations to the local environment, given that its habitats vary greatly across its distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure of unusual fatty acid (FA) components of triacylglycerols (TAGs) of mature sea buckthorn ( Hippophae rhamnoides L.) mesocarp oil was determined by GLC and MS, and the positional-species composition (PSC) of these TAGs was estimated using the methods of TAG chemical deacylation, TLC, GLC, and computer calculation. It was shown that the unusual FAs comprised n-cis-Δ9-hexadecenoic, n-cis-Δ9,12-hexadecadienoic (palmitolinoleic), and n-cis-Δ11-octadecenoic ( cis-vaccenic) acids. The hexadecenoic acid predominated in the oil, and in its distribution in TAGs, it was similar to the total FAs differing from them only in some prevalence in the triunsaturated TAGs and in the TAGs with a shorter acyl chain, as well as in the sn-2 position of TAGs. Palmitolinoleic (16:2) acid comprised only 5% of total FAs, and it was exclusively concentrated in the sn-2 position of TAGs. As regards its distribution between various positional types and forms of TAGs, the 16:2 acid was similar to oleate and total FAs. As compared to the total TAGs, the TAGs with 16:2 acid were characterized by a lower FA chain length as well as by a highest unsaturation. The TAGs with vaccenic acid (V-TAGs) considerably exceeded O-TAGs, i.e., the TAGs containing oleic acid, another 18:1 positional isomer, both in their content in the total TAGs and in their unsaturation. In the composition of positional types and fractions of various unsaturation, O-TAGs were similar to the total TAGs, while V-TAGs were characterized by a very unusual structure, viz., a very high triunsaturated TAG level and an extremely low concentration of 1,3-disaturated-2-monounsaturated TAGs. In addition, oleic acid, like most other unsaturated FAs, was incorporated predominantly in the sn-2 position of TAGs, while vaccenic acid, being also unsaturated, was nevertheless by 90% concentrated in the sn-1,3 positions of V-TAGs. Unusual FAs were related to each other in the mechanism of their biosynthesis. In fact, hexadecenoic acid biosynthesis produced by palmitic acid desaturation, was, on the one hand, further desaturated forming palmitolinoleic acid, and, on the other hand, converted to vaccenic acid via C2 elongation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L. ssp. turkestanica) is a very important multipurpose plant in areas of northern Pakistan. The berry of sea buckthorn is rich in nutrients and medicinal compounds such as vitamins, carotenoids, flavonoids, oil, carbohydrates, organic acids, amino acids and minerals. The chemical composition and nutritive value of sea buckthorn berries from eight populations from different areas of northern Pakistan were compared. The concentration of vitamin C in the berries was 250-333 mg/100 g; the seed oil was 7.69-13.7%, oil in dried pulp was 19.2-29.1% and the pytosterol content of the seed oil was 3.3-5.5%; there were 0.5-25 mg/L anthocyanins in the fruit juice. The potassium (2.8-7.2 g/kg), sodium (0.065-0.8 g/kg), calcium (0.7-1.25 g/ kg), magnesium (139-240 mg/kg), iron (40-225 mg/kg) and phosphorus (110-133 mg/kg) contents were high in dried berries. Sea buckthorn berries from Pakistan are a good source of phytonutrients and minerals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]