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Background and Aims: Traditional indigenous system of medicine employed many Chenopodium species to treat a wide range of ailments. Therefore, the current study aims to evaluate the phenolic content, flavonoid content, and antioxidant capacity of the species Chenopodium album and Chenopodium pumilio. Methods: Phenolics and flavonoid content were quantified using spectrophotometric techniques. The antioxidant activity of Chenopodium extracts was evaluated by assaying ferric reducing antioxidant power, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, phosphomolybdenum reducing power, ferrous ion chelating activity, hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, deoxyribose degradation activity, and β-carotene bleaching activity. Results: In C. album and C. pumilio, total phenolic concentration was 17.5–23.8 and 13.3–25.3 mg tannic acid equivalent/g, respectively, and flavonoid content was 0.21–0.85 mg and 0.10–0.89 mg quercetin equivalent/g, respectively. Thus, C. pumilio had a higher content of phenolics and flavonoids than C. album. However, comparison of extracts in different solvents showed that ethanolic and aqueous extracts exhibited higher phenolics and flavonoid content than other solvent systems. The antioxidant capability of the species, determined by antioxidant assays, varied with the species evaluated and the solvents used for extraction. Remarkably, the correlation coefficient of different antioxidant assays with the phenolics and flavonoid content in both species showed discrepancy. Conclusion: Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the Chenopodium species studied had higher phenolics, flavonoids, and free radical scavenging activity than methanolic and acetonic extracts. The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the studied species provide a potential source of antioxidants for drug formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Chenopodium album (exotic) and Ch. hircinum (native) are weeds in different environments in Argentina. They tolerate various stress conditions so may have interesting traits for Ch. quinoa selection. This study aims to investigate the leaf anatomy and physiological photosynthetic behavior of former species to identify desirable traits for the improvement of quinoa. M&M: Leaf morphological and physiological characteristics were evaluated in the targeted species growing spontaneously in a high mountain valley (1,995 m a.s.l., Tucumán, Argentina). Results: Ch. hircinum exhibited higher net photosynthetic assimilation, stomatal conductance, internal CO2 concentration, nocturnal respiration, and light compensation point. Ch. album showed higher concentrations of protective pigments and carotenoids, along with superior carboxylation capacity and intrinsic water use efficiency as well as a leaf blade with smaller isodiametric palisade mesophyll cells, higher percentage of intercellular air spaces and a greater density of bladder cells. These attributes allow Ch. album the capacity to survive in high mountain environments. Conclusions: The attributes observed in both species provide valuable insights for targeted improvements in Ch. quinoa cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species within the genus Chenopodium hold significant research interest due to their nutritional richness and salt tolerance. However, the morphological similarities among closely related species and a dearth of genomic resources have impeded their comprehensive study and utilization. In the present research, we conduct the sequencing and assembly of chloroplast (cp) genomes from six Chenopodium and related species, five of which were sequenced for the first time. These genomes ranged in length from 151,850 to 152,215 base pairs, showcased typical quadripartite structures, and encoded 85 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 1 pseudogene, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Compared with the previously published sequences of related species, these cp genomes are relatively conservative, but there are also some interspecific differences, such as inversion and IR region contraction. We discerned 929 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and a series of highly variable regions across 16 related species, predominantly situated in the intergenic spacer (IGS) region and introns. The phylogenetic evaluations revealed that Chenopodium is more closely related to genera such as Atriplex, Beta, Dysphania, and Oxybase than to other members of the Amaranthaceae family. These lineages shared a common ancestor approximately 60.80 million years ago, after which they diverged into distinct genera. Based on InDels and SNPs between species, we designed 12 pairs of primers for species identification, and experiments confirmed that they could completely distinguish 10 related species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introducción y Objetivo: Chenopodium album (exótica) y Ch. hircinum (nativa) son malezas de distintos ambientes de Argentina tolerando diversos factores de stress y ofreciendo potencial para el mejoramiento de Ch. quinoa a ambientes tropicales. El objetivo de este trabajo es explorar la anatomía foliar y el comportamiento fisiológico fotosintético de ambas especies a fin de identificar características deseables para el mejoramiento de quinoa. M&M: Se evaluaron los rasgos morfológicas y fisiológicas foliares en ambas especies, las cuales crecen espontáneamente en un valle de alta montaña (1.995m s.n.m., Tucumán, Argentina). Resultados: Ch. hircinum exhibió mayor asimilación fotosintética neta, conductancia estomática, concentración interna de CO2, respiración nocturna y punto de compensación lumínica. Ch. album presentó una mayor capacidad de carboxilación, eficiencia intrínseca en el uso del agua, una mayor cantidad de pigmentos protectores y carotenoides y láminas foliares con células del mesófilo en empalizada isodiamétricas más pequeñas, con mayor porcentaje de espacios aéreos intercelulares y mayor densidad de glándulas de sal. Estas características otorgarían a Ch. album la capacidad de sobrevivir en ambientes de alta montaña. Conclusión: Los atributos observados en ambas especies resultan interesantes para el mejoramiento dirigido de la quinoa.

The FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) gene is the essential integrator of flowering regulatory pathways in angiosperms. The paralogs of the FT gene may perform antagonistic functions, as exemplified by BvFT1, that suppresses flowering in Beta vulgaris, unlike the paralogous activator BvFT2. The roles of FT genes in other amaranths were less investigated. Here, we transformed Arabidopsis thaliana with the FLOWERING LOCUS T like (FTL) genes of Chenopodium ficifolium and found that both CfFTL1 and CfFTL2–1 accelerated flowering, despite having been the homologs of the Beta vulgaris floral promoter and suppressor, respectively. The floral promotive effect of CfFTL2–1 was so strong that it caused lethality when overexpressed under the 35S promoter. CfFTL2–1 placed in an inducible cassette accelerated flowering after induction with methoxyphenozide. The spontaneous induction of CfFTL2–1 led to precocious flowering in some primary transformants even without chemical induction. The CqFT2–1 homolog from Chenopodium quinoa had the same impact on viability and flowering as CfFTL2–1 when transferred to A. thaliana. After the FTL gene duplication in Amaranthaceae, the FTL1 copy maintained the role of floral activator. The second copy FTL2 underwent subsequent duplication and functional diversification, which enabled it to control the onset of flowering in amaranths to adapt to variable environments.

Dian Basin in Yunnan province is an important center for both early agricultural production and centralized state formation. Settled agricultural villages are present in the province since at least the third millennium BC, and by the first millennium BC, the Dian Culture, a highly specialized bronze polity, flourished in the Dian Basin and surrounding area, until it was conquered by the Han in 109 BC. The increased deployment of flotation at recent archaeological excavations in Yunnan allowed the reconstruction of agricultural practices from the Neolithic to the early Bronze Age, documented at Baiyangcun, Haimenkou, and Xueshan among others. However, archaeobotanical evidence relating to the pivotal period right before and after the Han conquest have so far been lacking, with only limited written records about agricultural production in the Shiji by Sima Qian. Here we present for the first time direct archaeobotanical evidence relating to this transitional period as revealed by rich Han period deposits found during the 2016 excavation of Hebosuo, the largest Dian settlement investigated in Yunnan so far, dated by direct AMS on charred cereal grains and artefactual evidence as spanning from between 850 BC–220 AD. Following the Han conquest, the main components of the agricultural system did not undergo radical changes, but the weedy flora indicates a heavier reliance of wet-land rice systems, evidencing a higher level of water management or even irrigation practices, and the consequent intensification of the agricultural production. These findings on shifting agricultural regimes in Yunnan also contribute to current debates about the interplay between intensification, food risk, and ecology in times of political instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quinoa displays huge genetic variability and adaptability to distinct climatic conditions. Quinoa seeds are a good source of nutrients; however, the overall nutritional composition and nutrient content is influenced by numerous factors. This study focused on the nutritional and morphologic evaluation of various quinoa genotypes grown in the Czech Republic. Significant differences between years were observed for morphological traits (plant height, inflorescence length, weight of thousand seeds). The weather conditions in the year 2018 were favorable for all the morphological traits. The protein content of quinoa accessions ranged between 13.44 and 20.01% and it was positively correlated to mauritianin. Total phenolic content varied greatly from year to year, while the antioxidant activity remained relatively stable. The most abundant phenolic compounds were the flavonoids miquelianin, rutin, and isoquercetin. Isoquercetin, quercetin, and N-feruoloyl octopamine showed the highest stability under variable weather conditions in the analyzed years. A total of six compounds were detected and quantified in quinoa for the first time. Most varieties performed well under Central European conditions and can be considered a good source of nutrients and bioactive compounds. These data can be used as a source of information for plant breeders aiming to improve the quality traits of quinoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species within the genus Chenopodium hold significant research interest due to their nutritional richness and salt tolerance. However, the morphological similarities among closely related species and a dearth of genomic resources have impeded their comprehensive study and utilization. In the present research, we conduct the sequencing and assembly of chloroplast (cp) genomes from six Chenopodium and related species, five of which were sequenced for the first time. These genomes ranged in length from 151,850 to 152,215 base pairs, showcased typical quadripartite structures, and encoded 85 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 1 pseudogene, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Compared with the previously published sequences of related species, these cp genomes are relatively conservative, but there are also some interspecific differences, such as inversion and IR region contraction. We discerned 929 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and a series of highly variable regions across 16 related species, predominantly situated in the intergenic spacer (IGS) region and introns. The phylogenetic evaluations revealed that Chenopodium is more closely related to genera such as Atriplex, Beta, Dysphania, and Oxybase than to other members of the Amaranthaceae family. These lineages shared a common ancestor approximately 60.80 million years ago, after which they diverged into distinct genera. Based on InDels and SNPs between species, we designed 12 pairs of primers for species identification, and experiments confirmed that they could completely distinguish 10 related species.

Chenopodium quinoa Willd. is an annual facultative halophytic pseudocereal widely studied for its physiology and grain yield owing to its great tolerance to unfavorable growing conditions. However, the morphophysiological and anatomical characteristics of plants' photosynthetic organs under various and combined abiotic stresses during the early stages of development have not been thoroughly studied. Therefore, the current study compared the influence of osmotic, salt, and combined stress at different intensities on the morphology and anatomy of photosynthetic organs in young quinoa plants. The main findings demonstrate that salt stress at an intensity between 100 and 200 mM NaCl is not critical for the growth of young quinoa plants and that the young plants can withstand salt stress at an intensity of 300 mM NaCl. However, it can be concluded that some adaptation mechanisms of the plants were already violated at a salt stress intensity of 200 mM NaCl, while significant changes in the water balance of the plants were observed at an intensity of 300 mM NaCl, possibly caused by damage to the cell structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background CACTA transposable elements (TEs) comprise one of the most abundant superfamilies of Class 2 (cut-and-paste) transposons. Over recent decades, CACTA elements were widely identified in species from the plant, fungi, and animal kingdoms, but sufficiently studied in the genomes of only a few model species although non-model genomes can bring additional and valuable information. It primarily concerned the genomes of species belonging to clades in the base of large taxonomic groups whose genomes, to a certain extent, can preserve relict and/or possesses specific traits. Thus, we sought to investigate the genomes of Chenopodium (Amaranthaceae, Caryophyllales) species to unravel the structural variability of CACTA elements. Caryophyllales is a separate branch of Angiosperms and until recently the diversity of CACTA elements in this clade was unknown. Results Application of the short-read genome assembly algorithm followed by analysis of detected complete CACTA elements allowed for the determination of their structural diversity in the genomes of 22 Chenopodium album aggregate species. This approach yielded knowledge regarding: (i) the coexistence of two CACTA transposons subtypes in single genome; (ii) gaining of additional protein conserved domains within the coding sequence; (iii) the presence of captured gene fragments, including key genes for flower development; and (iv)) identification of captured satDNA arrays. Wide comparative database analysis revealed that identified events are scattered through Angiosperms in different proportions. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that while preserving the basic element structure a wide range of coding and non-coding additions to CACTA transposons occur in the genomes of C. album aggregate species. Ability to relocate additions inside genome in combination with the proposed novel functional features of structural-different CACTA elements can impact evolutionary trajectory of the host genome.

Cytonuclear coevolution is a common feature among plants, which coordinates gene expression and protein products between the nucleus and organelles. Consequently, lineage-specific differences may result in incompatibilities between the nucleus and cytoplasm in hybrid taxa. Allopolyploidy is also a common phenomenon in plant evolution. The hybrid nature of allopolyploids may result in cytonuclear incompatibilities, but the massive nuclear redundancy created during polyploidy affords additional avenues for resolving cytonuclear conflict (i.e. cytonuclear accommodation). Here we evaluate expression changes in organelle-targeted nuclear genes for 6 allopolyploid lineages that represent 4 genera (i.e. Arabidopsis, Arachis, Chenopodium, and Gossypium) and encompass a range in polyploid ages. Because incompatibilities between the nucleus and cytoplasm could potentially result in biases toward the maternal homoeolog and/or maternal expression level, we evaluate patterns of homoeolog usage, expression bias, and expression-level dominance in cytonuclear genes relative to the background of noncytonuclear expression changes and to the diploid parents. Although we find subsets of cytonuclear genes in most lineages that match our expectations of maternal preference, these observations are not consistent among either allopolyploids or categories of organelle-targeted genes. Our results indicate that cytonuclear expression evolution may be subtle and variable among genera and genes, likely reflecting a diversity of mechanisms to resolve nuclear-cytoplasmic incompatibilities in allopolyploid species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Chenopodium oahuense is a polymorphic Hawaiian endemic plant inhabiting several xeric habitats. Considerable variability in leaf morphology has made comprehensively describing its diversity difficult. Chenopodium oahuense subsp. ilioense is differentiated from C. oahuense subsp. oahuense by smaller, less‐lobed, succulent leaves, smaller seeds, and prostrate to scandent habit. The lacking quantification of leaf shape, succulence, and previously unknown heteroblastic leaf transition in C. oahuense subsp. ilioense complicates the morphological boundaries separating subspecies. Methods: This study used landmark analyses, elliptical Fourier descriptors (EFDs), and traditional shape descriptors measured from 1585 greenhouse‐grown plant leaves collected over 18 weeks. Principal component analyses visualized correlations in leaf shape, and linear discriminant analyses predicted classifications, either subspecific or heteroblastic. Results: Identity determination and heteroblastic change visualization were limited in landmark analyses. On the basis of EFDs and shape descriptors, C. oahuense subsp. ilioense was determined to be morphologically differentiated from C. oahuense subsp. oahuense with the Pu'u Ka Pele population as intermediate. The EFDs depicted heteroblastic change, predominantly in lobing. All analyses were restricted in correctly attributing a leaf to the week collected. Shape descriptors generally represented significant heteroblastic change over the growth period. Conclusions: These analyses support significant differentiation between the subspecies, particularly from shape descriptors. Furthermore, we quantified the morphological intermediacy of the Pu'u Ka Pele population. Results suggest this population could be the result of incomplete lineage sorting or a recent hybridization of the two subspecies. Hawaiian Chenopodium is a polymorphic lineage notable for future research in adaptive radiations, phenotypic plasticity, and heteroblasty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the comprehensive molecular phylogenetic results presented by Uotila et al. (2021), comments are provided on the infrageneric classification system of the genus Dysphania in its amended circumscription. Amendments and additions to the five-section scheme of Uotila et al. (2021) are proposed. In particular, the morphologically distinct lineage containing Dysphania atriplicifolia (earlier widely recognized in the monospecific genus Cycloloma as C. atriplicifolium) is recognized as a separate section, Dysphania sect. Cycloloma (Moq.) Mosyakin, comb. et stat. nov. Extensive synonymy of the section and its species is provided. The subclades revealed in the Australian clade of Dysphania sect. Dysphania are rather well characterized morphologically and were treated earlier as sections of either Chenopodium (sensu lato) or Dysphania. These subclades are recognized here as three subsections of sect. Dysphania: (1) subsect. Orthospora (R.Br.) Mosyakin, comb. et stat. nov.; (2) subsect. Dysphania; and (3) subsect. Tetrasepalae (Aellen) Mosyakin, comb. et stat. nov. The nomenclature of Dysphania graveolens (≡ Chenopodium graveolens) is discussed. It is confirmed that the name Chenopodium graveolens was first validated not by Willdenow in 1809 but by Lagasca and Rodríguez in 1802. Original specimens associated with that name in both publications belong taxonomically to the same species currently known as D. graveolens (= Chenopodium incisum Poir.). In my opinion, Art. 41.8(a) of the ICN (Shenzhen Code) is directly applicable here. Consequently, the name D. graveolens should be cited with the corrected authorship "(Lag. & Rodr.) Mosyakin & Clemants", and the new combination in Dysphania based on Chenopodium incisum (provisionally cited in POWO as "Dysphania incisa (Poir.) ined.") is unnecessary.

Noteworthy records of 11 alien plant species in Kyiv City and Kyiv Region made mainly in 2020 are discussed. In particular, new localities of the following taxa are reported: Amaranthus spinosus, Artemisia tournefortiana, Chenopodium ucrainicum, Celastrus orbiculatus, Datura innoxia, Dysphania ambrosioides, Erechtites hieraciifolius, Mesembryanthemum ×vascosilvae (M. cordifolium × M. haeckelianum; recently described as Aptenia ×vascosilvae and reported here for the first time for Ukraine; earlier this ornamental hybrid was misidentified as Aptenia cordifolia), Parietaria officinalis, Phytolacca americana, Thladiantha dubia. The presence in Ukraine of several additional species, such as Datura wrightii and Phytolacca acinosa s.l. (incl. P. esculenta), that may occur as escaped near places of their cultivation, is reported; these species may be confused with D. innoxia and P. americana, respectively. The growing role of alien plants escaped from cultivation (ergasiophytes) in the present-day processes of formation of the alien flora of Ukraine is emphasized.

Quinoa displays huge genetic variability and adaptability to distinct climatic conditions. Quinoa seeds are a good source of nutrients; however, the overall nutritional composition and nutrient content is influenced by numerous factors. This study focused on the nutritional and morphologic evaluation of various quinoa genotypes grown in the Czech Republic. Significant differences between years were observed for morphological traits (plant height, inflorescence length, weight of thousand seeds). The weather conditions in the year 2018 were favorable for all the morphological traits. The protein content of quinoa accessions ranged between 13.44 and 20.01% and it was positively correlated to mauritianin. Total phenolic content varied greatly from year to year, while the antioxidant activity remained relatively stable. The most abundant phenolic compounds were the flavonoids miquelianin, rutin, and isoquercetin. Isoquercetin, quercetin, and N-feruoloyl octopamine showed the highest stability under variable weather conditions in the analyzed years. A total of six compounds were detected and quantified in quinoa for the first time. Most varieties performed well under Central European conditions and can be considered a good source of nutrients and bioactive compounds. These data can be used as a source of information for plant breeders aiming to improve the quality traits of quinoa.

Background: CACTA transposable elements (TEs) comprise one of the most abundant superfamilies of Class 2 (cut-and-paste) transposons. Over recent decades, CACTA elements were widely identified in species from the plant, fungi, and animal kingdoms, but sufficiently studied in the genomes of only a few model species although non-model genomes can bring additional and valuable information. It primarily concerned the genomes of species belonging to clades in the base of large taxonomic groups whose genomes, to a certain extent, can preserve relict and/or possesses specific traits. Thus, we sought to investigate the genomes of Chenopodium (Amaranthaceae, Caryophyllales) species to unravel the structural variability of CACTA elements. Caryophyllales is a separate branch of Angiosperms and until recently the diversity of CACTA elements in this clade was unknown. Results: Application of the short-read genome assembly algorithm followed by analysis of detected complete CACTA elements allowed for the determination of their structural diversity in the genomes of 22 Chenopodium album aggregate species. This approach yielded knowledge regarding: (i) the coexistence of two CACTA transposons subtypes in single genome; (ii) gaining of additional protein conserved domains within the coding sequence; (iii) the presence of captured gene fragments, including key genes for flower development; and (iv)) identification of captured satDNA arrays. Wide comparative database analysis revealed that identified events are scattered through Angiosperms in different proportions. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that while preserving the basic element structure a wide range of coding and non-coding additions to CACTA transposons occur in the genomes of C. album aggregate species. Ability to relocate additions inside genome in combination with the proposed novel functional features of structural-different CACTA elements can impact evolutionary trajectory of the host genome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nomenclatural corrections and comments are provided on several taxa of Chenopodiaceae occurring in the Himalayas and Xizang/Tibet and adjacent areas, following the recent monographic revision of the family in that region and earlier publications. In particular, the original identity of the name Atriplex bengalensis (Chenopodium bengalense) is discussed and it is confirmed, based on additional evidence, that the name was originally (before its epitypification in 2014) applicable to a robust diploid of the Chenopodium ficifolium aggregate, not to the robust hexaploid currently known as C. giganteum. It is thus also concluded that the recent proposal by Mosyakin and Mandák (2018) to conserve the name C. giganteum with a conserved type corresponding to the current understanding and application of that name will best serve nomenclatural stability. A nomenclatural solution alternative to the proposal to reject the name A. bengalensis might be the following: (1) to conserve the name Atriplex bengalensis with a conserved C. ficifolium against C. bengalense. The nomenclaturally paradoxical situation with the names Chenopodium pallidum, C. harae, and Atriplex pallida (all now considered homotypic, as justified by Mosyakin and McNeill in 2018), which emerged from the conflicting lectotypification and epitypification of the name C. pallidum, is revisited and reconsidered. Possible options for dealing with that nomenclatural problem are outlined: (1) keeping the status quo, (2) proposing to conserve the name C. pallidum with a conserved type other than the standing lectotype, and (3) proposing to reject the name C. pallidum. The last option is considered preferable. Additional considerations are presented on a possible taxonomic identity of Chenopodium strictum as originally described by Roth; it is confirmed that that name was misapplied to a widespread Eurasian tetraploid species now properly known as C. betaceum. The identity of the name Bassia fiedleri is discussed; being a replacement name for Echinopsilon divaricatum, it is homotypic with Bassia divaricata (Kar. & Kir.) Kuntze (nom. illeg., non F. Muell.) and is a taxonomic synonym of Grubovia dasiphylla (as correctly stated by Kadereit and Freitag in 2011), but not a synonym of Bassia scoparia. Several comments on type designations of selected taxa of Chenopodiaceae from the Sino-Himalayan region are provided as well; e.g., for Acroglochin persicarioides and associated names, Chenopodium karoi, and Salsola monoptera.

Andean grains, widely distributed in the high areas of the Andean Highlands, can help to reduce malnutrition owing to their high content of protein and balance of essential amino acids. Recently, their consumption has changed as they are increasingly used for instant food mixtures. However, a better design and formulation are necessary to maintain Andean grains’ nutritional value and characteristics. In this study, we evaluated the physicochemical properties and acceptability of three formulations containing extruded corn (Zea mays L.), fava bean (Vicia faba L.), and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) flours. Grain samples were collected from Choclococha, Acobamba, Huancavelica, Peru, and extruded at 95°C. Subsequently, three flour formulations were prepared. The formulation comprising 30% fava bean flour, 58% quinoa flour, and 12% corn flour consisted of 18.64% protein, 4.87% fat, 8.4% humidity, 2.99% ash, and 62.44% carbohydrates. This formulation with the highest quinoa flour content presented the highest acceptability in terms of color odor and flavor, and the highest protein content and digestibility (72.6%) of all analyzed formulations. Thermal analysis and pasting testing indicated that the formulation with the highest acceptability did not contain native starch; moreover, the proteins in this formulation were denatured.

Weeds are one of the major threats to the natural environment. They are destroying native habitats, threatening native plants and animals, and choking our natural systems including rivers and forests. Aiming to explore the existing situation of weed infestation and assessing its impact, present research work was conducted in south Punjab region, focusing on District Layyah and Muzaffargarh. Weed flora of wheat crop at 3 sites i.e. Nawan Kot, Fethpur, and Karor Lal-e-son in district Layyah; and three sites (Kot Addu, Chowk Sarwar Shaheed, and Sultan Nagar) in district Muzaffargarh was observed using quadrat method. Ten quadrats measuring 1.0 m2 were randomly selected to record the data. From each quadrat soil samples (from top 3 cm) were also taken. Different ecological parameters (i. e. Frequency (%) density (%), (%), relative density (%), relative frequency (%) and important value (%) were worked out using proper formulae. Weed species related to 9 families were classified into different frequency classes. Two most important families of these sites were found Poaceae and Papilionaceae each one represented by four species. Chenopodium album, Cynodon dactylon and Anagallis arvensis were observed the most frequent species at these sites.

In order to develop a strategy for the safe management of insect pests in stored agricultural commodities, Anserine (Chenopodium ambrosioïdes (L.)) essential oil was tested against Cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus) raised on seeds of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) at 20–30°C and 65 ± 5% relative humidity in storage conditions. The essential oil extracted from Chenopodium ambrosioïdes (L.) was analysed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The chromatogram of the essential oil of Chenopodium ambrosioïdes (L.) contains 13 compounds of which α-Terpinene is the majority constituent with a percentage of 61.04%. The results obtained have shown that the essential oil of Chenopodium ambrosioïdes (L.) has repellent and toxic effects on Callosobruchus maculatus. It causes a high mortality rate in adults and affects its fecundity, fertility and success rate in a very significant way compared to controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A morphological description is provided for Chenopodium ucrainicum Mosyakin & Mandák (Chenopodiaceae / Amaranthaceae sensu APG), a new species allied to C. suecicum and C. ficifolium. At present this new species is reliably known from several localities in Ukraine (three areas in Kyiv city, one in Kyiv Region, one in Rivne Region), but it is probably more widespread, or could be even alien in Eastern Europe. Comparison of our plants with other taxa [such as C. suecicum (incl. C. neumanii, etc.), C. ficifolium, several morphotypes of C. album, as well as plants known as C. borbasii, C. missouriense (sensu stricto and sensu auct. europ.), C. lobodontum, etc.], demonstrated that C. ucrainicum is morphologically different from all these known and named taxa. It is also a late-flowering and late-fruiting species: in Kyiv fruits/seeds normally develop during late September – early November. This significantly reduces the possibility of gene flow and therefore hybridization with closely related diploid species, like C. ficifolium or C. suecicum, which usually flower and produce fruits earlier, mainly in July–August to early September. It also suggests that the new taxon is well isolated from its congeners and indeed represents a good species, not just one of weakly differentiated morphotypes that are so numerous in the C. album aggregate. To help researchers in identifying C. ucrainicum in the field and in herbaria, original illustrations are provided in the article and the Electronic Supplement. These illustrations include scanned images of the holotype (one specimen representing parts of one plant mounted on four herbarium sheets), field photographs showing plants and their parts at different stages of their development, and photomicrographs of fruits/seeds. Cytological and molecular data of the research team of B. Mandák (research in progress, detailed results to be published separately) demonstrated that C. ucrainicum is a B-genome diploid indeed related to C. suecicum and C. ficifolium. Supplementary Material. Electronic Supplement (Figures E1–E20, e1–e10) is available in the online version of this article at: https://ukrbotj.co.ua/archive/77/4/237.

Abstract Extensive and complex links exist between transposable elements (TEs) and satellite DNA (satDNA), which are the two largest fractions of eukaryotic genome. These relationships have a crucial effect on genome structure, function and evolution. Here, we report a novel case of mutual relationships between TEs and satDNA. In the genomes of Chenopodium s. str. species, the deletion derivatives of tnp2 conserved domain of the newly discovered CACTA-like TE Jozin are involved in generating monomers of the most abundant satDNA family of the Chenopodium satellitome. The analysis of the relative positions of satDNA and different TEs utilizing assembled Illumina reads revealed several associations between satDNA arrays and the transposases of putative CACTA-like elements when an ~ 40 bp fragment of tnp2 served as the start monomer of the satDNA array. The high degree of identity of the consensus satDNA monomers of the investigated species and the tnp2 fragment (from 82.1 to 94.9%) provides evidence of the genesis of CficCl-61-40 satDNA family monomers from analogous regions of their respective parental elements. The results were confirmed via molecular genetic methods and Oxford Nanopore sequencing. The discovered phenomenon leads to the continuous replenishment of species genomes with new identical satDNA monomers, which in turn may increase species satellitomes similarity.

Chenopodium quinoa Willd. is an annual facultative halophytic pseudocereal widely studied for its physiology and grain yield owing to its great tolerance to unfavorable growing conditions. However, the morphophysiological and anatomical characteristics of plants’ photosynthetic organs under various and combined abiotic stresses during the early stages of development have not been thoroughly studied. Therefore, the current study compared the influence of osmotic, salt, and combined stress at different intensities on the morphology and anatomy of photosynthetic organs in young quinoa plants. The main findings demonstrate that salt stress at an intensity between 100 and 200 mM NaCl is not critical for the growth of young quinoa plants and that the young plants can withstand salt stress at an intensity of 300 mM NaCl. However, it can be concluded that some adaptation mechanisms of the plants were already violated at a salt stress intensity of 200 mM NaCl, while significant changes in the water balance of the plants were observed at an intensity of 300 mM NaCl, possibly caused by damage to the cell structures.

Quinoa crops in the Peruvian highlands are affected by mildew disease, which can cause losses of up to 90 % of production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of strains of Trichoderma sp and efficient microorganisms (EM) in the control of mildew and yield of quinoa. In the experimental field of the International Potato Center (IPC) Camacani of the National University of the High Plateau of Puno department, in the agricultural campaign 2016-2017, there were sowed control seeds and others pelletized with eight treatments: four Trichoderma sp strains, three doses of EM (5 %, 10 %, and 15 %) and a mixture of Trichoderma sp and EM strains (15 %), later there were made four foliar applications of each one of the eight treatments to 1x107 ufc.ml-1, in each critical moment of the phenological cycle. It was determined the area under the curve of the disease progress (AUDPC) and the yield. All treatments applied significantly favored the reduction of the pathogen and crop yield. The most effective treatment in the reduction of mildew was Trichoderma sp TETQ-3 strain, followed by EM at 5 % with AUDPC of 586.19 and 586.44 respectively, which is equivalent to 53 % less than the control. In terms of yield, ME at 5 % increased production by 208 %, from 1256 kg/ha to 3872 kg/ha. The use of these microorganisms represents an alternative of sustainable use for the biocontrol of phytopathogens and growth promotion in quinoa crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Chenopodium has had three provings connected to it--the first was of the aphid (image 1) which infests the species C. glaucum reported by Meyer (1835), under the name Aphis Chenopodii glauci. There followed a proving of C. anthelm inticum by Jeanes (1842), then of C. vulvaria by Hering (1846), with a fragmentary addition by Berridge (1871). Yet there are numerous species superadded to our homœopathic literature, and even available for purchase from our homœopathic manufactories, despite the fact they have no record of substance effect (toxicological or methodical [proving]) upon which to determine a homœopathic application. This article examines the facts through the example of the Chenopodium species, and calls for a change in the evident readiness to accept such unproven additions into our literary record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study is focused towards screening for its phytochemicals, phenolic and flavonoid contents of different species of Chenopodium. The plants were also screened for corroborating the traditional use of medicinal plants locally used for pain by determining the extract and their fractions for the in-vivo analgesic activity by using the modern scientific system. Among chloroform fractions, a high level of total phenolic contents was found in chloroform fraction of Chenopodium ambrosioides (ChAm-Chf) with 57.12±1.02 followed by Chenopodium botrys (ChBt-Chf) with 56.79±0.71. High content of flavonoids was found in chloroform fraction of Chenopodium botrys (ChBt-Chf) extract with 78.35±0.84 followed by Chenopodium ambrosioides (ChAm-Chf) with 75.20±0.81. The crude extract Chenopodium album, Chenopodium botrys and Chenopodium ambrosioides (ChAl-Crd, ChBt-Crd and ChAm-Crd) at 100 and 200 mg/kg, chloroform and ethylacetate fractions (ChAl-Chf, ChBt-Chf, ChAm-Chf, ChAl-Et, ChBt-Et and ChAm-Et) at 75 mg/kg caused significant inhibition (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.001, n=8) of the analgesic response induced by acetic acid, formalin and hotplate method. Mechanistically, the naloxone overturns completely the analgesic effects of beta-sitosterol (SN2) while partial reversal was observed by ursolic acid (SN1) indicating other possible mechanisms in association with opioid receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extended abstract Introduction: Interference caused through weeds’ and crops’ competition for environmental resources and allelopathy brings about damage in crop species. Allelopathy is defined as a direct or indirect inhibiting or provoking effect of a plant on other plants through the production of chemical compounds introduced into the environment. Although the allelopathic effects of the shoot extracts of Xanthium spp and Chenopodium album on the germination of some crops have already been investigated, very few studies have so far been conducted to evaluate their adverse effects on soybean seedling growth. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different concentrations of aqueous extract of cocklebur and lambsquarters on germination and soybean seedling growth indices under Petri and Pot conditions. Materials and Methods: In order to study the allelopathic effects of Cocklebur and Common lambsquarters on germination and seedling growth of soybean, two separate experiments were conducted under petri and pot conditions. In this experiment, the effects of aqueous extract concentrations (25, 50, 75 and 100%) of cocklebur and common lambsquarters were evaluated on seed germination of soybean in a completely randomized design with three replications. In each pot, five soybean seeds were planted with a depth of 2 cm. The extracts were added to the pots for 2 weeks after emergence. Results: Allelopathic effect of common lambsquarters extract concentrations was higher than that of cocklebur in both experiments. Germination percentage (GP) reduction under 25, 50, 75 and 100% concentrations of common lambsquarters was 57, 84, 96.7 and 100%, respectively. GP reduction under the same concentrations of cocklebur was 17, 20, 34 and 54%, respectively. In the pot culture conditions, the root dry weight of soybean decreased with increases in extract concentration, so that the highest root dry weight belonged to the control treatment with 64 mg and the lowest values belonged to the effect of aqueous extract of weed with a concentration of 100%. The results on the EWRC scale showed that the soybean leaflet damages increased as the extract concentrations increased. The highest leaf damages were obtained in 75 and 100% of cocklebur and Chenopodium concentrations. The negative impacts of common lambsquarters were higher than those of cocklebur. Conclusion: In general, the results of this study showed that the effects of different concentrations of the lambsquarters extract on germination and soybean growth of the Williams cultivar were higher under both Petri and pot conditions. The percentage of germination in the concentrations of 25, 50, 75 and 100% of the aqueous extract of cocklebur was 17%, 20%, 34% and 54%, respectively, and in lambsquarters, it decreased by 57%, 84%, 96% and 100%, respectively, compared to the control. On the other hand, spraying the extracts of lambsquarters and cocklebur caused necrosis and drying of soybean leaves. According to the results, in the absence of effective control of weeds, especially lambsquarters, in soybean farms, the damage caused by allelopathic elements will lead to a significant reduction in germination and seedling growth. Highlights: In this study, the allelopathic effect of two important soybean weeds on germination and seedling growth of this crop were compared, which had been under-researched. Seed germination reaction and seedling growth were evaluated for the extract of aerial parts in two seed culture conditions of petri dish and potted seedlings.

Extensive and complex links exist between transposable elements (TEs) and satellite DNA (satDNA), which are the two largest fractions of eukaryotic genome. These relationships have a crucial effect on genome structure, function and evolution. Here, we report a novel case of mutual relationships between TEs and satDNA. In the genomes of Chenopodium s. str. species, the deletion derivatives of tnp2 conserved domain of the newly discovered CACTA-like TE Jozin are involved in generating monomers of the most abundant satDNA family of the Chenopodium satellitome. The analysis of the relative positions of satDNA and different TEs utilizing assembled Illumina reads revealed several associations between satDNA arrays and the transposases of putative CACTA-like elements when an ~ 40 bp fragment of tnp2 served as the start monomer of the satDNA array. The high degree of identity of the consensus satDNA monomers of the investigated species and the tnp2 fragment (from 82.1 to 94.9%) provides evidence of the genesis of CficCl-61-40 satDNA family monomers from analogous regions of their respective parental elements. The results were confirmed via molecular genetic methods and Oxford Nanopore sequencing. The discovered phenomenon leads to the continuous replenishment of species genomes with new identical satDNA monomers, which in turn may increase species satellitomes similarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Grass pollen is the most prevalent sensitizing aeroallergen to cause respiratory allergies in northern China. Air pollutants have a substantial effect on respiratory health and some pollens. This study aimed to investigate relationships among airborne grass pollen, air pollutants and allergic diseases, in order to determine their effects on patients with grass pollen allergies in Beijing, China, during the period from 2013 to 2016. Methods: Data regarding autumnal grass pollens and air pollutants measured in Beijing from 2012 to 2016 were obtained from local governmental agencies. Patient data regarding specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) analyses from 2013 to 2016 were obtained from the Department of Allergy in Beijing Tongren Hospital. Spearman's rank correlation analysis was used to assess associations between the daily number of grass pollen allergen–positive patients and the following parameters: 3 clinically‐relevant grass pollen genera (Artemisia, Humulus, and Chenopodium) and inhalable pollutants. Results: Correlation analysis indicated that the daily number of grass pollen‐positive patients was significantly associated with the peak period of grass pollens, as well as pollutants SO2 and NOx. Moreover, concentrations of air pollutants (eg, ozone, oxides of nitrogen [NOx], and SO2) were consistently and significantly associated with concentrations of grass pollens; particulate matter 2.5 µm in diameter was negatively associated with Artemisia and Chenopodium pollens. Conclusion: Grass pollens exhibited substantial impact on allergic disease morbidity. Air pollutants impacted allergic disease and grass pollen. Thus, public health and clinical approaches to anticipate and reduce allergic disease morbidity from pollen and pollutants are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chenopodiaceae is one of the families including C4 species among eudicots. In this family, the genus Chenopodium is considered to include only C3 species. However, we report here a transition from C3 photosynthesis to proto-Kranz to C3–C4 intermediate type in Chenopodium. We investigated leaf anatomical and photosynthetic traits of 15 species, of which 8 species showed non-Kranz anatomy and a CO2 compensation point (Γ) typical of C3 plants. However, 5 species showed proto-Kranz anatomy and a C3-like Γ, whereas C. strictum showed leaf anatomy and a Γ typical of C3–C4 intermediates. Chenopodium album accessions examined included both proto-Kranz and C3–C4 intermediate types, depending on locality. Glycine decarboxylase, a key photorespiratory enzyme that is involved in the decarboxylation of glycine, was located predominantly in the mesophyll (M) cells of C3 species, in both M and bundle-sheath (BS) cells in proto-Kranz species, and exclusively in BS cells in C3–C4 intermediate species. The M/BS tissue area ratio, number of chloroplasts and mitochondria per BS cell, distribution of these organelles to the centripetal region of BS cells, the degree of inner positioning (vacuolar side of chloroplasts) of mitochondria in M cells, and the size of BS mitochondria also changed with the change in glycine decarboxylase localization. All Chenopodium species examined were C3-like regarding activities and amounts of C3 and C4 photosynthetic enzymes and δ13C values, suggesting that these species perform photosynthesis without contribution of the C4 cycle. This study demonstrates that Chenopodium is not a C3 genus and is valuable for studying evolution of C3–C4 intermediates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The FLOWERING LOCUS T ( FT) gene is the essential integrator of flowering regulatory pathways in angiosperms. The paralogs of the FT gene may perform antagonistic functions, as exemplified by BvFT1 , that suppresses flowering in Beta vulgaris , unlike the paralogous activator BvFT2 . The roles of FT genes in other amaranths were less investigated. Here, we transformed Arabidopsis thaliana with the FLOWERING LOCUS T like ( FTL ) genes of Chenopodium ficifolium and found that both CfFTL1 and CfFTL2-1 accelerated flowering, despite having been the homologs of the Beta vulgaris floral promoter and suppressor, respectively. The floral promotive effect of CfFTL2-1 was so strong that it caused lethality when overexpressed under the 35S promoter. CfFTL2-1 placed in an inducible cassette accelerated flowering after induction with methoxyphenozide. The spontaneous induction of CfFTL2-1 led to precocious flowering in some primary transformants even without chemical induction. The CqFT2-1 homolog from Chenopodium quinoa had the same impact on viability and flowering as CfFTL2-1 when transferred to A. thaliana . After the FTL gene duplication in Amaranthaceae, the FTL1 copy maintained the role of floral activator. The second copy FTL2 underwent subsequent duplication and functional diversification, which enabled it to control the onset of flowering in amaranths to adapt to variable environments.

Aim: We hypothesised that during the Holocene, the distributions of species such as crop weeds have been significantly influenced by human activity. We aimed to (a) identify the main centres of diversity of the Chenopodium album agg. species and (b) test if these species colonised Europe from western Asia, most likely due to the westward expansion of agriculture in the Neolithic period. Location: Eurasia. Taxon: Chenopodium album aggregate (Amaranthaceae). Methods: Three cpDNA regions were sequenced in 904 individuals, from 26 species of the C. album aggregate. A dated phylogeny was inferred and this was used to establish relationships among the haplotypes and to estimate their divergence times. The group's main centres of diversity were inferred by comparing species and haplotype richness between Europe, the Mediterranean, western Asia, central Asia and Siberia. Results: The most haplotype‐diverse area for the entire C. album aggregate is central Asia. Interestingly, Europe is poor in terms of haplotype diversity, showing the same level of diversity as the western Asian region. The pairwise genetic differentiation between Europe, the Mediterranean and western Asia is lower than between any of these regions and either central Asia or Siberia. This points to the origin of the European Chenopodium species pool as being in western Asia. In some phylogenetically‐defined clades, species could not be distinguished based on cpDNA haplotypes due to a high level of haplotype sharing. However, in others, the haplotype variation follows the species boundaries. Main conclusions: Using the C. album agg. species as a model, we show the importance of central Asia as one of the main centres of diversity for weedy species. However, the group's colonisation of Europe had its origins in western Asia, highlighting the importance of human‐mediated dispersal of ruderal and weed plant species accompanying the westward spread of agriculture in the Neolithic period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the early 1980s Naomi Miller changed the field of palaeoethnobotany; her research into whether the ancient seed eaters of southwest Asia were human or herbivore opened an ongoing debate over the impact that burning of animal dung had on the formation of archaeobotanical assemblages, and how researchers can differentiate between human and animal food remains. As the number of systematic archaeobotanical studies across West Asia and many other parts of the world increase, we are continually confronted with the question of the significance of dung burning. Herd animal dung is the dominant fuel source in many parts of West Asia today and the high densities of seeds of wild plants in archaeobotanical assemblages suggest that people were using dung as fuel across Inner Asia for millennia. Seed assemblages that represent herd animal dung are assisting scholars in understanding palaeoecology and herd animal diet in the past as well as human economy and pasturing practices. However, interpreting these assemblages is not always simple and there are predictable biases that need to be taken into account, notably an overrepresentation of endozoochoric seeds (seeds dispersed through animal ingestion). In West Asia, the most prominent of such seeds in dung assemblages are from the Amaranthaceae family, notably Chenopodium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Graphical abstract Highlights • Chenopodium polyploid species under study are of allopolyploid origin. • We discovered eight major monophyletic evolutionary lineages. • Hybridization among the lineages created polyploid taxa. • Chenopodium species not exceeding the age of the Quaternary period. Abstract Hybridization and polyploidization represent an important speciation mechanism in the diploid-polyploid complex of the Chenopodium album aggregate. In the present study we successfully reconstructed the evolutionary histories of the majority of Eurasian representatives of the C. album aggregate, resulting in the most comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of this taxonomically intricate group of species to date. We applied a combination of classical karyology for precise chromosome number determination, genomic in-situ hybridization for the determination of genomic composition, flow cytometry for the estimation of genome size and sequencing of plastid (cpDNA) and nuclear (ribosomal internal transcribed spacer – ITS and the introns of the FLOWERING LOCUS T LIKE genes – FTL) markers for a phylogenetic reconstruction and the identification of parental genomes in polyploid taxa. The FTL markers identified eight well supported evolutionary lineages. Five of them include at least one diploid species, and the remaining three comprise solely the subgenomes of polyploids that probably represent extinct or unknown diploid taxa. The existence of eight basic diploid lineages explains the origin of seven Eurasian polyploid groups and brings evidence of a nearly unlimited number of subgenomic combinations. The supposed promiscuity generated new species wherever different diploid lineages met each other and gave rise to tetraploid species or whenever they met other tetraploid species to produce hexaploid species throughout their evolutionary history. Finally, we unravelled a surprisingly simple scheme of polyploid species formation within the C. album aggregate. We determined seven groups of polyploid species differing in their origin in either Eurasia or Africa and convincingly demonstrated that (1) all Chenopodium polyploid species under study are of allopolyploid origin, (2) there are eight major monophyletic evolutionary lineages represented by extant or extinct/unknown diploid taxa, (3) those monophyletic lineages represent individual subgenomes, (4) hybridization among the lineages created seven subgenomic combinations of polyploid taxa, (5) taxa represented by particular subgenome combinations were further subjected to diversification, and (6) the majority of species are relatively young, not exceeding the age of the Quaternary period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]