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[Display omitted] • This study reviewed the effect of biomass type on the properties of biochar. • The biomass composition significantly impacted biochar specifications. • Pyrolysis condition was a key parameter influencing biochar properties. • Suggestions are given to obtain biochar of desired property. Owing to the diversity of biomasses and many variables in pyrolysis process, the property of biochar from varied biomass feedstock or even same biomass could differ significantly. Since the property of biochar governs the further application of biochar, this review paid particular attention to the correlation between the nature of biomass feedstock and the specifications of biochar in terms of yield, elemental composition, pH, functionalities, heating value, pore structures, morphologies, etc. The property of the biochar from the pyrolysis of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, woody biomass (pine, mallee, poplar, acacia, oak, eucalyptus and beech), bark of woody biomass, leaves of woody biomass, straw, algae, fruit peels, tea waste was compared and summarized. In addition, the differences of the biochar of these varied origins were also analyzed. The remaining questions, about the correlation of biomass nature with biochar characteristics, to be further investigated are analyzed in detail. The deduced information about the relationship of the nature of biochar and biomass feedstock as well as key pyrolysis parameters is of importance for further development of the methods for tailoring or production of the biochar of desirable properties. The results from this study could be interesting technically and commercially for the technology developer using biochar as the source of carbon in different applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) is a high-resolution lidar instrument, facilitating landscape monitoring through forest structure and biomass assessments. Previous research has mainly focused on estimating forest attributes such as height and biomass from GEDI data. In this comprehensive study, we empirically investigate how Eucalyptus plantation characteristics and environmental factors collectively influence GEDI waveform metrics. Using a diverse dataset that includes measurements of canopy height, planting density, foliage characteristics, species composition, understorey presence and environmental conditions such as climate and soil properties, we explore the complex relationships between these attributes and GEDI waveform metrics using a two-step approach that includes assessing the linear relationship between each in-situ parameter and GEDI metrics, and also random forest modelling. Key findings include: 1) While canopy height (Ht) plays a significant role in shaping the GEDI waveform, forest wood volume (Volume), which incorporates height and diameter at breast height (DBH) of the trees and also tree stem density (Ntree/ha), exerts an even greater influence on GEDI metrics, in particular on the waveform extent (WE) and relative heights (RH); 2) The influence of factors such as foliage biomass and wood volume on GEDI waveform varies vertically from the forest floor up to forest top, and the model was more precise to predict the top part of the waveform; 3) No single attribute can solely account for the observed variations in the waveform characteristics, but multiple interactions between different forest and environmental features contribute to the complex patterns in the received waveforms. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between forest plantation characteristics and GEDI waveform metrics and highlights the need to consider a wide range of forest attributes in the analyse of GEDI waveform to produce more accurate canopy height or volume estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to wildfire smoke is associated with both acute and chronic cardiopulmonary illnesses, which are of special concern for wildland firefighters who experience repeated exposure to wood smoke. It is necessary to better understand the underlying pathophysiology by which wood smoke exposure increases pulmonary disease burdens in this population. We hypothesize that wood smoke exposure produces pulmonary dysfunction, lung inflammation, and gene expression profiles associated with future pulmonary complications. Male Long-Evans rats were intermittently exposed to smoldering eucalyptus wood smoke at 2 concentrations, low (11.0 ± 1.89 mg/m3) and high (23.7 ± 0.077 mg/m3), over a 2-week period. Whole-body plethysmography was measured intermittently throughout. Lung tissue and lavage fluid were collected 24 h after the final exposure for transcriptomics and metabolomics. Increasing smoke exposure upregulated neutrophils and select cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In total, 3446 genes were differentially expressed in the lungs of rats in the high smoke exposure and only 1 gene in the low smoke exposure (Cd151). Genes altered in the high smoke group reflected changes to the Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2 stress and oxidative stress responses, which mirrored metabolomics analyses. xMWAS-integrated analysis revealed that smoke exposure significantly altered pathways associated with oxidative stress, lung morphogenesis, and tumor proliferation pathways. These results indicate that intermittent, 2-week exposure to eucalyptus wood smoke leads to transcriptomic and metabolic changes in the lung that may predict future lung disease development. Collectively, these findings provide insight into cellular signaling pathways that may contribute to the chronic pulmonary conditions observed in wildland firefighters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Eucalypts are important and popular urban tree species across cities worldwide. However, little is known about how their climatic niche breadth (CNB) and functional traits predict their success, and vulnerability, to current climate change in cities. We assessed the relationship between the CNB of eucalypts and key traits to understand their tolerance to climate change. Location: Global urban areas, 66 cities in 21 countries. Time period: 1981 to 2022. Major species studied: Fifty 'eucalypt' species belonging to the genera Eucalyptus, Angophora and Corymbia. Methods: We used the species' safety margin concept to determine cities where eucalypts were planted outside the limits of their CNB, as defined from the native range, considering two extreme variables, maximum temperature of the warmest month (MTWM) and precipitation of the driest month (PDM). We assessed correlations between functional traits (leaf δ13C, leaf dry mass, leaf length, leaf N per dry mass, wood density) and negative safety margins, indicative of tolerance to non‐native conditions. Results: In total, 42 species planted in 40 cities exceeded their safety margins for MTWM, while 43 species in 38 cities exceeded their safety margins for PDM. Within 24 cities, all species exceeded their native CNB for both MTWM and PDM. The cities of Atakpame (Togo), Chennai (India), Chongqing (China) and the US cities of Phoenix and Riverside had the highest richness of eucalypt species growing outside their native CNB. Broadly, species with wide CNB, small leaves, high δ13C, high leaf N per dry mass and high wood density were more likely to persist in cities where climatic conditions exceeded their native CNB. Main conclusions: Eucalypts occupy many cities experiencing climatic conditions outside their native CNB. Species with traits characteristic of heat and drought tolerance are more often planted in cities where climatic conditions may exceed their CNB native limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uganda hosts Africa's largest refugee population, exceeding 1.5 million in early 2023. While commended for its progressive refugee policies, which grant freedom of movement and work opportunities, the influx of displaced people since 2015 has strained shared environmental resources, including slow-growing indigenous trees utilized for construction and fuel. Efforts to preserve indigenous biodiversity have promoted the growth and use of faster-growing exotic tree species. However, local communities often favor indigenous trees as fuel sources, despite limited evidence supporting their superiority. This study assessed fuel properties of selected indigenous and exotic tree species in Lamwo District, Northern Uganda. Laboratory analysis of wood samples revealed no significant differences in moisture content, fixed carbon, volatile matter, or Fuel Value Index (FVI) among the species. The study therefore recommends promoting fast-growing exotic species like Eucalyptus grandis, Caliandra calothyrsus, and Senna siamea, urging international agencies, NGOs, and community-led organizations to leverage the findings for behavior change campaigns. This approach would facilitate species regeneration, alleviate pressure on natural forests, and supplement Uganda's investment strategy in Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) such as LPG and solar e-cooking technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a highly destructive insect pest that negatively affects various agricultural crops. For environmentally safe means of its control, we evaluated the effectiveness of four plant essential oils: mint, Mentha piperita, citrus lime, Citrus sinensis, lemongrass, Cymbopogon citratus, and eucalyptus, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, against S. frugiperda larvae in terms of mortality rate and their antifeedant activity. A total of 78, 73, 52 and 26 compounds were detected in EOs of C. citratus, E. camaldulensis, C. sinensis and M. piperita, respectively. A high variation in the major compounds and percentages of these compounds was: C. citratus (3,8-nonadien-2-one, 4,8 dimethyl, 23.66%), E. camaldulensis (eucalyptol, 42.21%), C. sinensis (apiol, 5.59%) and M. piperita (cubenol, 8.43%). Three different concentrations (1.0%, 3.0% and 5.0%) of each essential oil were tested against 3rd larval instar. All essential oils caused mortality, but M. piperita and E. camaldulensis were the most effective at higher concentration. At concentration of 5.0%, M. piperita caused 93.3% larval mortality after 72 h of application. Similarly, E. camaldulensis oil caused 83.3% larval mortality after 72 h with 5.0% concentration. Furthermore, at 5.0% concentration, M. piperita oil had an antifeedant activity of 80.4%, and E. camaldulensis oil showed 71.3%. The findings indicate the potential use of M. piperita and E. camaldulensis oils to control S. frugiperda. The utilization of these oils offers an environment friendly approach, which can effectively address the issue of insecticide resistance in S. frugiperda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Large trees in plantations generally produce more wood per unit of resource use than small trees. Two processes may account for this pattern: greater photosynthetic resource use efficiency or greater partitioning of carbon to wood production.We estimated gross primary production (GPP) at the individual scale by combining transpiration with photosynthetic water‐use efficiency of Eucalyptus trees. Aboveground production fluxes were estimated using allometric equations and modeled respiration; total belowground carbon fluxes (TBCF) were estimated by subtracting aboveground fluxes from GPP. Partitioning was estimated by dividing component fluxes by GPP.Dominant trees produced almost three times as much wood as suppressed trees. They used 25 ± 10% (mean ± SD) of their photosynthates for wood production, whereas suppressed trees only used 12 ± 2%. By contrast, dominant trees used 27 ± 19% of their photosynthate belowground, whereas suppressed trees used 58 ± 5%. Intermediate trees lay between these extremes. Photosynthetic water‐use efficiency of dominant trees was c. 13% greater than the efficiency of suppressed trees.Suppressed trees used more than twice as much of their photosynthate belowground and less than half as much aboveground compared with dominant trees. Differences in carbon partitioning were much greater than differences in GPP or photosynthetic water‐use efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate carbon and (C) and nitrogen (N) of the light organic matter in labile and humic fractions of the soil in a chronosequence of clonal Eucalyptus urophylla. The study was carried out on six different sites in the South-Central region of Maranhão state, northeastern Brazil, inserted in the Cerrado biome. Soil was sampled in five clonal Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake stands of different ages and one in the area with old-growth forest (OG), which represents the native vegetation area. Soil samples were collected in the 0–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm layers to determine textural class, bulk density, C, and N in the light organic matter of labile and humic fractions. Eucalyptus plantations can have great capacity to increase stocks of soil C and N, humic, and labile fractions over the years, presenting results equal or higher than a native Cerrado forest. Thus, Eucalyptus plantations come as an effective lad use to sink C and increase soil nutrient levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plantations of exotic trees were proposed as an alternative to restore native forests in degraded lands, because they can attract seed dispersers and modulate the microclimate beneath their canopies. However, the large-scale introduction of exotic tree plantations can negatively affect native species by high competitiveness for soil resources and light, while they can also release allelopathic compounds that inhibit the germination and growth of other plants. In this study, we tested the suitability of Eucalyptus camaldulensis plantations to assist the restoration of degraded lands in central Mexico, which were originally covered with oak forests. For this, we sampled soil seed banks within forest remnants and plantations, which showed that the animal-mediated dispersal of oak propagules from forests inwards plantations is reduced. Additionally, we conducted germination trials that evidenced that the leaves of Eucalyptus trees contain allelopathic compounds that inhibit the germination of oaks seeds, also showing that these compounds accumulate in the soil of plantations. We finally conducted field experiments in which soil form forests and plantations were translocated between these two habitats, and acorns were sowed on both soil types. These field experiments revealed that, besides the accumulation of allelopathic compounds in soils of plantations, oak recruitment in these habitats is also impaired by unfavorable microclimatic conditions. Therefore, we conclude that Eucalyptus plantations are not promoting the recovery of native oak forests in central Mexico and, instead, alternative ecological restoration methods should be applied for reaching this aim. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rectangular waveguide antenna was tested for eucalyptus wood moisture content (MC) measurement before being used. To improve the moisture content measurement of the rectangular waveguide antenna, a woodpile-shaped Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG) was installed by Transverse Electric (TE) arrangement. This antenna is responsible for receiving and transmitting signals which are converted from electrical energy into radio frequency energy transmitted through the air. In this research, we take advantage of the wave propagation of antennas in the air and use them to propagate waves through wood materials. To compare signal transmission power to determine moisture content in wood and the benefit of the EBG is that it acts like a convex lens to increase the strength of the waves so that they can penetrate the wood more efficiently. The results showed that woodpile-shaped EBG could increase the efficiency of receiving and transmitting signals, reduce working hours for farmers and reduce costs by about 90 %. When this antenna was tested and actually used, it was found that the frequency band that responded best to the moisture content value was 2.20 GHz. This antenna was built with an aluminum material of size 9×4×15 cm3 and 2×6 units woodpile EBG on a 9.54×4 cm2 Polyester Mylar base plate. There was a gain of 7.81 dBi from the original structure, or by 20 %. At a radius of 4 cm, the values of moisture content ranged from -9.46 to -42.19 dBm. At a radius of 6 cm, the values were -9.41 to -42.89 dBm. At a radius of 8 cm, the values ranged from -9.39 to -43.01 dBm, respectively. All 3 values were found to be efficient. The size was not less than 84 % compared to the general standard meter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungi in the Cryphonectriaceae are important canker pathogens of woody shrubs and trees in the Melastomataceae and Myrtaceae (Myrtales). During 2021 disease surveys in KwaZulu‐Natal (South Africa) plantations, a serious stem canker disease was discovered on species of Eucalyptus and Corymbia. The cankers had structures on their surfaces typical of fungi in the Cryphonectriaceae. The aims of the study were to identify the fungus associated with the disease and to test its pathogenicity. Morphological characteristics of both sexual and asexual structures and phylogenetic analyses based on partial sequences of the conserved nuclear large subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions including the 5.8S gene of the ribosomal DNA operon, and two β‐tubulin (BT1/BT2) regions were used for identification purposes. Phylogenetic analyses of the sequence data and morphological characteristics supported the establishment of a new genus in the Cryphonectriaceae, for which the name Xanthoporthe myrticola gen. et sp. nov. is provided. Pathogenicity trials showed that isolates were pathogenic on tested Eucalyptus grandis and hybrids as well as Corymbia henryi. The results suggest that this is an emerging pathogen that could influence the sustainability of plantation forestry in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eucalyptus scab and shoot malformation is an emerging disease and a serious threat to the global plantation forestry industry. The disease appeared in North Sumatra (Indonesia) in the early 2010s and the causal agent was recently described as a novel species, Elsinoe necatrix. Nothing is known regarding its possible origin or why it emerged rapidly to cause a serious local epidemic. To investigate its population biology, we developed 15 polymorphic microsatellite markers as well as mating‐type markers using genome sequences for two E. necatrix isolates. Isolates of the pathogen were collected from different host varieties at four locations in the Lake Toba region of North Sumatra and characterized using these markers. A high level of genotypic diversity was observed for all populations with little to no genetic differentiation between sampling areas. Discriminant analysis of principal components, genotype networks and analysis of molecular variance all showed a lack of population structure and a high level of gene flow among sampling regions. Mating‐type ratios and linkage disequilibrium analyses suggest that sexual recombination is likely to be occurring, although a sexual state has not been found for the pathogen. The results of this study highlight the fact that new genotypes of E. necatrix, probably arising from cryptic sexual recombination, will challenge efforts to manage the disease, and that breeding and selection for tolerance will require substantial host genetic diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pines are the most economically important trees in the world and, together with eucalyptus, they dominate commercial forests. But the success of a relatively small number of widely planted species, such as Pinus pinaster, the maritime pine, comes at a price. Pines are attractive to damaging pathogens and insect pests, including the pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, the causal agent of pine wilt disease (PWD). Originally described in Japan, PWD has caused widespread destruction to forests in countries such as China, Taiwan, Portugal, Spain and the United States. PWN causes irreparable damage to the vascular system of its pine hosts, leading to mortality within 3 months. Pine sawyer beetles (Monochamus spp.) are key vectors of PWD, introducing the PWN to healthy trees during feeding. Other organisms contribute to PWD spread and development, including bacteria, fungi and bark beetles. Control measures include tree felling to prevent vector transmission of PWN, insecticide treatments, trapping of Monochamus spp. and tree breeding for plant resistance. The PWN is a quarantine pathogen and subject to regular legislation and phytosanitary measures aimed at restricting movement and preventing introduction to new areas. Current research is investigating the use of biopesticides against PWN and Monochamus spp. This review examines the biology, epidemiology, impact and management of PWD through published research, grey literature and interviews with people directly involved in the management of the disease in Portugal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Year after year, there are alarming data concerning the excessive release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, especially CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels. In this context, the development of renewable energy sources has evolved considerably, mainly due to the incentive use of biofuels, such as bioethanol. The second-generation bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomasses has interesting potential to meet this energy demand. The Eucalyptus tree stands as a primary example of cultivated hardwoods, owing to its lignocellulosic structure and the biomass residues generated during its processing, where these attributes make it a significant candidate for the production of fuels. The industrial potential of these materials can be explored in the fractionation of their components to reduce their recalcitrance due to the triad formed by cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, for further processing and obtaining the products of interest. This paper comprehensively gathers the current technological progress employed for processing Eucalyptus wood biomasses for second-generation bioethanol production. Discussion regarding their chemical composition, the main forms of pretreatments that are being applied, and ways to minimize the generation of fermentative inhibitors during these processes is addressed. Finally, recent researches focused on Eucalyptus biomass-based bioethanol production and techno-economic considerations are discussed. The feasibility of the process is closely tied to the comprehensive utilization of products derived from this biomass. While production appears relatively effective at the laboratory scale, further research is required to develop a cost-effective process that fully harnesses the potential of the biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare species are often considered inferior competitors due to occupancy of small ranges, specific habitats, and small local populations. However, the phylogenetic relatedness and rarity level (level 1–7 and common) of interacting species in plant-plant interactions are not often considered when predicting the response of rare plants in a biotic context. We used a common garden of 25 species of Tasmanian Eucalyptus, to differentiate non-additive patterns in the biomass of rare versus common species when grown in mixtures varying in phylogenetic relatedness and rarity. We demonstrate that rare species maintain progressively positive non-additive responses in biomass when interacting with phylogenetically intermediate, less rare and common species. This trend is not reflected in common species that out-performed in monocultures compared to mixtures. These results offer predictability as to how rare species' productivity will respond within various plant-plant interactions. However, species-specific interactions, such as those involving E. globulus, yielded a 97% increase in biomass compared to other species-specific interaction outcomes. These results are important because they suggest that plant rarity may also be shaped by biotic interactions, in addition to the known environmental and population factors normally used to describe rarity. Rare species may utilize potentially facilitative interactions with phylogenetically intermediate and common species to escape the effects of limiting similarity. Biotically mediated increases in rare plant biomass may have subsequent effects on the competitive ability and geographic occurrence of rare species, allowing rare species to persist at low abundance across plant communities. Through the consideration of species rarity and evolutionary history, we can more accurately predict plant-plant interaction dynamics to preserve unique ecosystem functions and fundamentally challenge what it means to be "rare". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi are crucial for tree nitrogen (N) nutrition; however, mechanisms governing N transfer from fungal tissues to the host plant are not well understood. ECM fungal isolates, even from the same species, vary considerably in their ability to support tree N nutrition, resulting in a range of often unpredictable symbiotic outcomes.In this study, we used isotopic labelling to quantify the transfer of N to the plant host by isolates from the ECM genus Pisolithus, known to have significant variability in colonisation and transfer of nutrients to a host.We considered the metabolic fate of N acquired by the fungi and found that the percentage of plant N acquired through symbiosis significantly correlated to the concentration of free amino acids in ECM extra‐radical mycelium. Transcriptomic analyses complemented these findings with isolates having high amino acid content and N transfer showing increased expression of genes related to amino acid transport and catabolic pathways.These results suggest that fungal N metabolism impacts N transfer to the host plant in this interaction and that relative N transfer may be possible to predict through basic biochemical analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional therapy is commonly used for the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions, but undesirable effects, such as erythema, dryness, skin thinning, and resistance to treatment, may cause poor patient compliance. Therefore, patients may seek complementary treatment with herbal plant products including essential oils (EOs). This scoping review aims to generate a broad overview of the EOs used to treat inflammatory skin conditions, namely, acne vulgaris, dermatitis and eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea, in a clinical setting. The quality, efficacy, and safety of various EOs, as well as the way in which they are prepared, are reviewed, and the potential, as well as the limitations, of EOs for the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions are discussed. Twenty-nine eligible studies (case studies, uncontrolled clinical studies, and randomized clinical studies) on the applications of EOs for inflammatory skin conditions were retrieved from scientific electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library). As an initial result, tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil emerged as the most studied EO. The clinical studies with tea tree oil gel for acne treatment showed an efficacy with fewer adverse reactions compared to conventional treatments. The uncontrolled studies indicated the potential efficacy of ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) oil, eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) oil, and cedarwood (Cedrus libani) oil in the treatment of acne, but further research is required to reach conclusive evidence. The placebo-controlled studies revealed the positive effects of kānuka (Kunzea ericoides) oil and frankincense (Boswellia spp.) oil in the treatment of psoriasis and eczema. The quality verification of the EO products was inconsistent, with some studies lacking analyses and transparency. The quality limitations of some studies included a small sample size, a short duration, and the absence of a control group. This present review underscores the need for extended, well-designed clinical studies to further assess the efficacy and safety of EOs for treating inflammatory skin conditions with products of assured quality and to further elucidate the mechanisms of action involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species in the Melastomataceae (Myrtales) include trees and woody shrubs that are amongst the most common hosts of Chrysoporthe and related fungi. These fungi cause stem cankers, branch death and in extreme cases, kill their hosts. Chrysoporthe -like fungi were observed on Miconia spp. and Rhynchanthera grandiflora (Melastomataceae) plants during tree disease surveys in south-eastern Brazil including the states of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro. The aims of this study were to isolate and identify the fungi utilising morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses. This led to the identification of a new species of Chrysoporthe described here as Chrysoporthe brasilensis sp.nov. Inoculations were conducted on R. grandiflora and M. theaezans , showing that C. brasiliensis is an aggressive pathogen. This study adds to a growing number of reports of new and pathogenic species of Chrysoporthe that potentially threaten native Myrtales globally, including important trees such as Eucalyptus , both in natural ecosystems and in planted forests. • The new species Chrysoporthe brasiliensis is pathogenic to Melastomataceae in Brazil. • Melastomataceae species are important for forest restoration. • New Chrysoporthe species are an imminent threat to eucalyptus forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many cavity nesters add volatile plants with medicinal properties to their nests. In Australia, eucalyptus and tea-trees are highly volatile plants, which have antiparasitic and antimicrobial properties. Here, we tested whether scents of eucalypt (Eucalyptus polybractea) and tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oils can attract birds to newly installed nest boxes. Twenty-four nest boxes received three scent treatments (eucalypt, tea tree, control) for 10 days each using a Latin-square design. Bird visitation was recorded using camera traps. Eastern Rosellas (Platycercus eximius) visited the nest boxes the most (1,454 visits) and were therefore the focus of the study. Eastern Rosellas did not change their behaviours in response to the eucalypt scent in nest boxes: there was no difference in visitation, duration of visits or nest box inspection behaviour between nest boxes with eucalypt scent and those with the control scent. However, Eastern Rosellas visited nest boxes with tea tree scent less frequently and spent less time at these boxes than those with the control scent. The mean time that Eastern Rosellas spent inspecting boxes slightly increased over the 10-day period following scent placement at boxes with control and eucalypt scents, while it sharply decreased at boxes with tea tree scent. This is the first study demonstrating that an Australian bird detected and behaved differently in response to plant volatiles. The use of scents may offer opportunities to not only attract, but potentially also deter certain birds from using particular hollows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of early castration and eucalyptus oil (EUC) supplementation on dry matter intake (DMI), growth performance, and immune response of Holstein calves. Fifty-six male Holstein calves 52 d old and with an initial body weight (BW) of 63.5 ± 5.27 kg were used. The animals were blocked by BW and randomly assigned into 1 of the 4 treatment groups in a randomized complete block design with a 2 (no castration vs. castration) × 2 (without vs. with EUC) factorial arrangement of treatments. The treatments were (1) uncastrated calves fed without EUC, (2) uncastrated calves fed 0.5 g/d EUC (EUC group), (3) castrated calves (steers) fed without EUC (castrated group), and (4) steers fed with 0.5 g/d EUC (castrated + EUC). The experiment was 8 wk long, including pre- and postweaning (weaned at 72 d). The EUC × castrated interactions were not significant for DMI, growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and immune response. Castration did not affect the DMI, final BW, average daily gain (ADG), or feed efficiency, except that the ADG was greater for bull calves than for steers at postweaning. Supplementation with EUC increased DMI pre- and postweaning and increased the ADG of weaned calves. Digestibility in the total digestive tract was not affected by castration (except for organic matter digestibility), whereas adding EUC improved the digestibility of dry matter, acid detergent fiber, and crude protein. Blood concentration of IL-6 at d 94 was decreased by feeding EUC. These results indicate that the EUC could be fed to either intact or castrated dairy calves to promote growth and health postweaning; castration before weaning may reduce ADG and cause inflammatory stress without affecting feed intake or feed efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contribution of Eucalyptus globulus plantations to timber production for pulp, paper and energy production may be hampered by climate change. It is expected that Eucalyptus productivity may be affected through drought stress and changes to both pathogen distribution/pathogenicity and host–pathogen interactions. The impact of the fungal pathogen Neofusicoccum kwambonambiense on E. globulus, causing cankers and dieback, is well known but the impact of drought on disease development is still understudied. Our aim was to study the effect of drought on N. kwambonambiense infection by inoculating E. globulus plants under well‐watered conditions or with water limitation. Non‐infected plants for both water regimes were also analysed. Morphophysiological, biochemical and hormonal parameters were assessed 65 days post‐inoculation. Inoculation under conditions of water stress decreased water potential and photosynthetic efficiency and increased abscisic acid, jasmonic acid and lipid peroxidation. Water‐stressed infected plants also showed higher fungal colonization and external lesion length in comparison with well‐watered inoculated plants. Our results indicate that drought increased E. globulus predisposition to N. kwambonambiense infection and may also have promoted a change in the lifestyle of the fungus. Identifying host–pathogen interaction responses under different stress conditions is necessary to provide knowledge for decision‐making in the management of forest systems in general and of Eucalyptus production in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The land use types and soil management have a significant effect on soil properties. However, their impact on the stratification of soil properties, carbon management index (CMI) and soil degradation index (SDI) is still poorly documented in coastal light soils of south-eastern India. Soil samples were collected from six divergent land use types, Sugarcane (SC), Fallow-Tobacco (F-T), Paddy-Maize-Fallow (P-M-F), Eucalyptus + Bamboo (AF), Oil Palm (OP), and Forest (NF). The soil samples were collected at 0–5, 5–15, 15–30, and 30–45 cm soil depths, and contents of total organic carbon (TOC), labile organic carbon (LC), non-labile organic carbon (NLC), total nitrogen (TN), their stocks, stratification ratios (SRs), CMI, and SDI were determined. Results showed that the contents of TOC, LC, NLC, and TN in NF were significantly higher followed by OP, whereas the parameters were lower in F-T followed by P-M-F. The proportion of SOC and N stocks under NF were higher than F-T by 56.6% and 50.3%, respectively. With NF as a reference, the mean CMI followed the order of OP (78) > AF (60) > SC (59.5) > P-M-F (43.8) > F-T (36.3). The SR values of SOC and TN were highest (1.34 to 2.70) for NF, whereas it was lowest (1.10 to 1.54) in F-T in all soil depths. The highest cumulative SDI of −133.2% was observed in F-T followed by P-M-F (−117%). The CMI, SRs were lower and SDI was higher under F-T and P-M-F indicating poor soil quality and its degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we demonstrate the beneficial effect of surfactant-producing pseudomonads on Pantoea eucalypti 299R. We conducted a series of experiments in environments of increasing complexity. P. eucalypti 299R (Pe299R), and Pseudomonas sp. FF1 (Pff1) or Pe299R and surfactant-production deficient Pseudomonas sp. FF1::ΔviscB (Pff1ΔviscB) were co-inoculated in broth, on swarming agar plates, and on plants. In broth, there were no differences in the growth dynamics of Pe299R when growing in the presence of Pff1 or Pff1ΔviscB. By contrast, on swarming agar plates, Pe299R was able to co-swarm with Pff1 which led to a significant increase in Pe299R biomass compared to Pe299R growing with Pff1ΔviscB or in monoculture. Finally in planta, and using the single-cell bioreporter for reproductive success (CUSPER), we found a temporally distinct beneficial effect of Pff1 on co-inoculated Pe299R subpopulations that did not occur in the presence of Pff1ΔviscB. We tested three additional surfactant-producing pseudomonads and their respective surfactant knockout mutants on PE299R on swarming agar showing similar results. This led us to propose a model for the positive effect of surfactant production during leaf colonization. Our results indicate that co-motility might be common during leaf colonization and adds yet another facet to the already manyfold roles of surfactants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) have gained notoriety because of their desirable properties that include proven biodegradability, biocompatibility, and thermal stability, which make them suitable alternatives to fossil-based polymers. However, the widespread use of PHAs is still challenging because of their production costs, which are greatly associated with the cultivation medium used for bacterial cultivation. In Portugal, one-quarter of the forest area is covered by Eucalyptus globulus wood, making its residues a cheap, abundant, and sustainable potential carbon source for biotechnological uses. In this work, eucalyptus bark was used as the sole feedstock for PHA production in a circular bioeconomic approach. Eucalyptus bark hydrolysate was obtained after enzymatic saccharification using Cellic® CTec3, resulting in a sugar-rich solution containing glucose and xylose. Although with differing performances, several bacteria were able to grow and produce PHA with distinct compositions, using the enzymatic hydrolysate as the sole carbon source. Pseudomonas citronellolis NRRL B-2504 achieved a high cellular growth rate in bioreactor assays (24.4 ± 0.15 g/L) but presented a low accumulation of a medium-chain-length PHA (mcl-PHA) comprising the monomers hydroxydecanoate (HD, 65%), hydroxydodecanoate (HDd, 25%), and hydroxytetradecanoate (HTd, 14%). Burkholderia thailandensis E264, on the other hand, reached a lower cellular growth rate (8.87 ± 0.34 g/L) but showed a higher biopolymer accumulation, with a polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) content in the cells of 12.3 wt.%. The new isolate, Pseudomonas sp., revealed that under nitrogen availability, it was able to reach a higher accumulation of the homopolymer PHB (31 wt.%). These results, although preliminary, demonstrate the suitability of eucalyptus bark's enzymatic hydrolysate as a feedstock for PHA production, thus offering an exciting avenue for achieving sustainable and environmentally responsible plastic products from an undervalued forestry waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest species are characterized by their wealth of essential oils (EOs), which play key requested for alternative control methods against weeds, fungi and pests. This study reports the chemical composition and highlight the antioxidant, antifungal and phytotoxic properties of the EOs obtained from Eucalyptus populifolia Desf, Eucalyptus woollsiana and Eucalyptus exserta. The EOs were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Their antioxidant, antifungal and phytotoxic properties were investigated. All EOs displayed a specific richness in eucalyptol (75.94-7.01%), camphene (6.97-0.4%) globulol (5.20-5.83%) and α-pinene (0.71-12.82 %). EOs isolated from E. populifolia exhibited significant antioxidant activity. Furthermore, all investigated EOs displayed significant antifungal properties against four phytopathogenic fungi belonging to Fusarium genus. The phytotoxic activity against five weeds showed varying effectiveness on seed germination and seedling growth, which exhibited greater effectiveness compared to glyphosate. Eucalyptus EOs have the potential to be used in the formulation of biopesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive alien species are one main driver of biodiversity loss and can cause severe economic costs. Effective management of such species requires early detection of colonising individuals, but this is often hampered by biological or economic constraints. Trachymela sloanei (Blackburn, 1896), an Australian Eucalyptus defoliator beetle, is an invasive alien species that has spread to the Americas, Asia and most recently Europe. We analyse the expansion of T. sloanei in the Iberian Peninsula both at regional and local scales, study its phenology and relative abundance, and explore the use of nest boxes for early detection. The species is spreading steadily, and the area potentially affected has increased dramatically in a few years. Both adults and larvae were observed between June and November, suggesting the occurrence of several overlapping generations. More than 300 individuals were found aggregated behind single nest boxes. We conclude that the installation and monitoring of nest boxes or similar structures (e.g., cork boards) can facilitate early detection of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plantation forests are a nature-based solution to sequester atmospheric carbon and, therefore, mitigate anthropogenic climate change. The choice of tree species for afforestation is subject to debate within New Zealand. Two key issues are whether to use (1) exotic plantation species versus indigenous forest species and (2) fast growing short-rotation species versus slower growing species. In addition, there is a lack of scientific knowledge about the carbon sequestration capabilities of different plantation tree species, which hinders the choice of species for optimal carbon sequestration. We contribute to this discussion by simulating carbon sequestration of five plantation forest species, Pinus radiata, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Eucalyptus fastigata, Sequoia sempervirens and Podocarpus totara, across three sites and two silvicultural regimes by using the 3-PG an ecophysiological model. Results: The model simulations showed that carbon sequestration potential varies among the species, sites and silvicultural regimes. Indigenous Podocarpus totara or exotic Sequoia sempervirens can provide plausible options for long-term carbon sequestration. In contrast, short term rapid carbon sequestration can be obtained by planting exotic Pinus radiata, Pseudotsuga menziesii and Eucalyptus fastigata. Conclusion: No single species was universally better at sequestering carbon on all sites we tested. In general, the results of this study suggest a robust framework for ranking and testing candidate afforestation species with regard to carbon sequestration potential at a given site. Hence, this study could help towards more efficient decision-making for carbon forestry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the seventeenth of a series of miscellaneous contributions, by various authors, where hitherto unpublished data relevant to both the Med-Checklist and the Euro+Med (or Sisyphus) projects are presented. This instalment deals with the families Aizoaceae, Anacardiaceae, Asparagaceae, Bignoniaceae, Boraginaceae, Cannabaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Casuarinaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Compositae, Crassulaceae, Cyperaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Gentianaceae, Gramineae, Iridaceae, Labiatae, Leguminosae, Malvaceae, Myrtaceae, Oleaceae, Onagraceae, Orobanchaceae, Oxalidaceae, Papaveraceae, Portulacaceae, Ranunculaceae, Rosaceae, Rubiaceae, Sapindaceae, Sapotaceae, Solanaceae, Typhaceae, Violaceae and Vitaceae. It includes new country and area records and taxonomic and distributional considerations for taxa in Acer, Ampelopsis, Argania, Blackstonia, Buglossoides, Carduus, Carex, Casuarina, Celtis, Chenopodium, Clematis, Eleusine, Elytrigia, Eucalyptus, Euphorbia, Euphrasia, Fraxinus, Galium, Hibiscus, Hieracium, Iris, Koelreuteria, Lathyrus, Loeflingia, Ludwigia, Malus, Melampyrum, Mesembryanthemum, Muscari, Orobanche, Oxalis, Papaver, Physalis, Podranea, Portulaca, Pseudodictamnus, Pulmonaria, Ranunculus, Schinus, Sedum, Stachys, Typha, Viola and Vitis, and a new combination in Pseudodictamnus. Citation For the whole article: Raab-Straube E. von & Raus Th. (ed.) 2024: Euro+Med-Checklist Notulae, 17. – Willdenowia 54: 5–45. https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.54.54101 For a single contribution (example): Fos S., Laguna E., Smith G. F. & Verloove F. 2024: Mesembryanthemum haeckelianum A. Berger. – Pp. 7–8 in: Raab-Straube E. von & Raus Th. (ed.), Euro+Med-Checklist Notulae, 17. – Willdenowia 54: 5–45. https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.54.54101 Version of record first published online on 19 February 2024 ahead of inclusion in April 2024 issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many plant species are well-adapted to historical fire regimes. An increase in the severity, frequency, and extent of wildfires could compromise the regenerative capacity of species, resulting in permanent shifts in plant diversity. We surveyed extant vegetation and soil seed banks across two forest types with contrasting historical fire regimes—Shrubby Dry Forest (fire return interval: 10–20 years) and Sub-Alpine Woodland (50–100 years). Over the past 20 years, both forests have been subject to repeated, high-severity wildfires at intervals significantly shorter than their historical return intervals. We examined the soil seed bank response to fire-cued germination, and whether the plant diversity in soil seed banks and extant vegetation demonstrated similar responses to short-interval, high-severity wildfires. The soil seed bank demonstrated a positive response to heat in combination with smoke, and for the Sub-Alpine Woodland, this was limited to sites more frequently burnt by fire. With an increase in fire frequency, there was a decline in species richness and Shannon's Diversity and a shift in species composition in both extant vegetation and the soil seed bank. The fire frequency effects on the relative richness of trait associations were restricted to the Shrubby Dry Forest, and included an increase in short-lived obligate seeders, wind-dispersed species, and ant-dispersed shrubs in burnt relative to long unburnt sites in both extant vegetation and the soil seed bank. Graminoids were the most abundant component of the soil seed banks of Sub-Alpine Woodlands, and this increased with more frequent fire, with a similar trend (p = 0.06) in extant vegetation. Clear shifts in plant diversity in both soil seed banks and extant vegetation in forest types with contrasting historical fire regimes suggest that emerging fire regimes are pushing ecosystems beyond their historical range of variability, including potentially more flammable states and a decline in the buffering capacity of soil seed banks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree monocultures constitute an increasing fraction of the global tree cover and are the dominant tree‐growing strategy of forest landscape restoration commitments. Their advantages to produce timber are well known, but their value for biodiversity is highly controversial and context dependent. Therefore, understanding whether, and in which conditions, they can harbor native species regeneration is crucial. Here, we conducted meta‐analyses based on a global survey of the literature and on a database created with local, unpublished studies throughout Brazil to evaluate the regeneration potential of native species under tree monocultures and the way management influences this regeneration. Native woody species regeneration under tree monocultures harbors a substantial fraction of the diversity (on average 40% and 68% in the global and Brazilian surveys, respectively) and abundance (on average 25% and 60% in the global and Brazilian surveys, respectively) of regeneration observed in natural forests. Plantations with longer rotation lengths, composed of native tree species, and located adjacent to forest remnants harbor more species. Pine plantations harbor more native individuals than eucalypt plantations, and the abundance of regenerating trees is higher in sites with higher mean temperatures. Species–area curves revealed that the number of woody species under pine and eucalypt plantations in Brazil is 606 and 598 species, respectively, over an aggregated sampled area of ca. 12 ha. We highlight that the understory of tree monocultures can harbor a considerable diversity of regenerating native species at the landscape and regional scales, but this diversity strongly depends on management. Long‐rotation length and favorable location are key factors for woody regeneration success under tropical tree monocultures. Therefore, tree monocultures can play a role in forest landscape restoration and conservation, but only if they are planned and managed for achieving this purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In December 2022, a leaf spot and blight disease was observed in Eucalyptus plantations in northern India. Morphological features coupled with phylogenetic analysis of combined internal transcribed spacer (ITS), translation elongation factor 1‐alpha (tef1) and β‐tubulin (tub2) regions confirmed the association of Pseudoplagiostoma eucalypti with the disease symptoms. The pathogenicity of P. eucalypti was first proved on detached leaves of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and reconfirmed in glasshouse inoculation experiments. Finally, Koch's postulates were fulfilled by re‐isolating the pathogen from the inoculated leaves. This pathogen was first described in 1995 from the leaves of Eucalyptus spp. collected from southern India, and this study confirms its first serious occurrence after more than two decades in northern India. In addition, this is the first report on the polyphasic characterization of P. eucalypti from India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) is globally valued for its nutrition and medicinal properties. New technologies aim to increase production with less environmental impact, considering materials such as charcoal for substrate enrichment. This manuscript evaluated the effect of fine charcoal (FC) on the substrate formulation of two L. edodes strains (LED 20/11 and LED 20/12). The substrate consisted of 72% eucalyptus sawdust, 12.5% rice bran, 12.5% wheat bran, and 3% calcium carbonate (control treatment without charcoal). Treatments with FC proportionally reduced the use of sawdust, with doses of 1%, 2%, 4%, 8%, and 16% (relative to the substrate material). Yield, mushroom number, and mushroom weight were evaluated. The concentration of FC significantly affected the parameters analyzed, especially at the 4% dose. A negative correlation between mushroom number and weight was observed. For yield, the control treatment and the lowest dose of FC (1%) had the highest yields for the first harvest. Strain LED 20/12 showed lower yield variability due to the percentage of FC applied to the substrate. The incorporation of FC into the substrate for shiitake cultivation demonstrates efficacy; however, both the concentration and strain used are limiting factors for its applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eucalyptus is a fragrant plant with a highly volatile oil content grown worldwide. This study investigated the phytochemical and biological features of two Eucalyptus species, E. camaldulensis and E. globulus, cultivated in Central Saudi Arabia. Phytochemical analysis revealed 17 compounds in E. camaldulensis and 13 in E. globulus, with α-pinene and 1,8-cineole being both plants' most abundant volatile components. The antimicrobial activity revealed that Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 13311 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 are the most susceptible to E. camaldulensis, with the zone of inhibition diameters (ZIDs) of 17.0 ± 0.2 mm and 22.0 ± 0.3 mm, respectively. In contrast, for E. globulus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 were the most susceptible, with ZIDs of 13.0 ± 0.2 mm and 20.0 ± 0.2 mm, respectively. E. camaldulensis had minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range from 1.56 to 12.5 μL/mL, minimum biocidal concentration (MBC) range from 3.125 to 25.0 μL/mL, minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) range from 3.125 to 25.0 μL/mL, and minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) from 6.25 to 50.0 μL/mL, while E. globulus had MIC range from 3.125 to 12.5 μL/mL, MBC range from 6.25 to 25.0 μL/mL, MBIC range from 6.25 to 25.0 μL/mL, and MBEC range from 12.5 to 50.0 μL/mL, for the tested organisms. E. camaldulensis demonstrated better antimicrobial activity than E. globulus against the tested organisms, making it a promising antimicrobial drug candidate. Further research is required to determine its effectiveness in treating different human infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exotic afforestation has proven detrimental to biodiversity in general, however only a few studies documenting the impact of timber plantations on herpetofaunal diversity have been published within a southern African context. To determine if variations in herpetofaunal species assemblages could be detected between derelict Eucalyptus plantations, cleared plantation woodlots, and untransformed sand thicket vegetation, a pitfall and funnel trap survey was conducted in coastal southern Mozambique. Herpetofaunal species richness for derelict Eucalyptus plantations was 13 ± 2.24 species, untransformed sand thicket vegetation 17 ± 2.34 species and cleared plantation woodlots 18 ± 3.14 species. Both Shannon-Weaver and Simpson Diversity Indices estimated the highest herpetofaunal species diversity in untransformed sand thicket vegetation and the lowest diversity in derelict Eucalyptus plantations. The herpetofaunal species assemblages of derelict Eucalyptus plantations and natural sand thicket vegetation were least similar (0.507 ± 0.041), while cleared plantation woodlots and derelict Eucalyptus plantations were most similar (0.753 ± 0.032) in terms of herpetofaunal community composition. In contrast to our expectations, significantly higher capture rates were reported for a fossorial anuran in derelict Eucalyptus plantations compared to both cleared plantation woodlots and untransformed sand thicket vegetation, which requires further investigation and discussion. As with most other studies investigating the effects of exotic timber plantations on biodiversity, our results indicate that the detectable herpetofaunal diversity decreased in Eucalyptus plantations when compared to natural or cleared plantation woodlots. Subsequently it would seem as though the active clearing of dilapidated timber plantations as part of rehabilitation efforts may positively affect herpetofaunal diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the problem that the traditional power line inspection cannot accurately obtain the height of the tree barriers under the power line, this study takes a forest area in Guilin City and a power line corridor in Yinchuan City as the research object, and combines watershed segmentation algorithm and local maximum algorithm to study the height of the tree barriers under power line. The results show that the watershed segmentation algorithm and the local maximum algorithm can accurately extract the height of tree barriers in power lines. In the Guilin experiment, there is a good correlation between the extracted height of different trees and the measured height, The correlation coefficients (R2) for osmanthus, eucalyptus, and pine trees are 0.9368, 0.8923, and 0.8227, respectively. In the experiment in Yinchuan, the tree height extracted by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and LiDAR also has a good correlation with the measured height, with correlation coefficients (R2) of 0.926 and 0.952, respectively. These two experiments have verified the feasibility of watershed segmentation algorithm and local maximum algorithm in extracting the height of tree barriers under power lines, which is of great significance for monitoring and warning of tree barriers under power lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the wood chemical and energetic characteristics of Eucalyptus spp. clones planted in three sites in the Midwest of Brazil. Thus, five clones from Eucalyptus spp. were planted in different sites aiming to determine the qualitative characteristics of the wood resulting from the variation in the tree growth environment and the genetic material. The same clones were planted in the three sites to determine the genotype × environment interaction. The trees were then sampled at 5 years after planting for their physical–chemical and energetic characterization. The results showed that the wood characteristics vary in different proportions according to the clone, just as the growth environment of the trees alters the behavior of the clones for the same characteristics. The edaphic variables affected the wood characteristics, inferring that the water content in the soil has more effect on the wood properties than the water content in the air, mainly on wood basic density. The results of this study indicate that using the appropriate genotype related to the environment conditions determines the wood characteristics, since the wood properties are strongly influenced by the edaphoclimatic variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tectona grandis has been reported for its composition of two 5a-reductase inhibitors, specifically (+)-eperua-8,13-dien-15-oic acid (1) and (+)-eperua-7,13-dien-15-oic acid (2). These compounds exhibit potential as markers, enabling the standardization of leaf extracts during pre-formulation and formulation development. This study examined the effects of solvent system, pH, temperature and light on the stability of compounds 1 and 2 in the ethanolic extract and the ethanolic extract in PG with PEG-40 as a solubilizer. The remaining amount of the compounds at all test conditions was analyzed using HPLC. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited greater stability in acidic solutions compared to neutral or basic environments. Their degradations were susceptible to light, particularly compound 1 of the ethanolic extract in PG. Both compounds in the solution form of the extract degraded rapidly at high temperature, whereas the present of PG minimized their degradation when the light was protected. According to the Q10 method, the calculated shelf-life of the extracts was 1.48 years. The extracts should be stored or prepared as a non-aqueous form or otherwise in a slightly acidic solution with appropriate light protection measures. The pre-formulation information obtained from this study holds significant value in informing the design and development of forthcoming anti-hair loss medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outbreaks of bacterial leaf blight (BLB) frequently affect eucalypt plants under nursery and field conditions in several countries. Although research has been conducted to unveil the causal agent, different bacterial species have been associated with similar disease symptoms in different countries. In order to determine the causal agent of BLB in Brazil, a survey was conducted in nine states to recover bacterial isolates from eucalypt plants exhibiting typical BLB symptoms. A total of 41 yellow‐colony isolates with varying aggressiveness towards a susceptible eucalypt clone were obtained, with 16S rDNA sequences indicating that they belong to the Xanthomonas genus. Rep‐PCR analysis separated the Xanthomonas population affecting eucalypt into six distinct groups revealing its high genetic diversity. The same population formed three clusters together with reference strains of X. citri, X. euvesicatoria and X. phaseoli in a phylogenetic tree constructed with partial dnaK, fyuA, gyrB and rpoD gene sequences. Clustering in the phylogenetic tree was clearly related to grouping based on rep‐PCR. Genome sequence comparisons of representative eucalypt isolates with type strains of validly published Xanthomonas species confirmed that the population consisted of X. citri, X. euvesicatoria and X. phaseoli. Inoculation of tomato, common bean, castor bean and eucalypt plants showed that the representative eucalypt isolates can cause disease in these plant species. Based on the results, the transfer of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. eucalyptorum to Xanthomonas citri is proposed. These results are relevant for eucalypt BLB management under nursery and field conditions, including selection and deployment of effective plant resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Verbenone is a natural monoterpene present as an essential component in rosemary oil from Rosmarinus officinalis, Verbena triphylla and Eucalyptus globule. Microbial biotransformation of monoterpenoids to value-added products has immense industrial potential. This study involves the biotransformation of (-)-verbenone to (-)-10-hydroxyverbenone by a fungus i.e. Talaromyces purpurogenus strain MRS-F13 in fermentation broth during the exponential phase. Biotransformation reaction has been successfully demonstrated at 15 L scale in the bioreactor with 70% conversion within 96 h. The anti-inflammatory activity investigations revealed that (-)-verbenone and its biotransformed product exhibited moderate inhibition of TNF-α and nitric oxide, whereas (-)-10-hydroxyverbenone presented an improved anti-oxidant activity. Talaromyces purpurogenus catalysed biotransformation of (-)-verbenone to (-)-10-hydroxyverbenone has been demonstrated. Approximately 70% bioconversion was obtained in 96 h in submerged culture at 15L bioreactor scale. Biotransformed product (-)-10-hydroxyverbenone has shown improved anti-inflammatory activity without cytotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eucalyptus is a widely planted hardwood tree species due to its fast growth, superior wood properties and adaptability. However, the post‐transcriptional regulatory mechanisms controlling tissue development and stress responses in Eucalyptus remain poorly understood. In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the gene expression profile and the alternative splicing (AS) landscape of E. grandis using strand‐specific RNA‐Seq, which encompassed 201 libraries including different organs, developmental stages, and environmental stresses. We identified 10 416 genes (33.49%) that underwent AS, and numerous differentially expressed and/or differential AS genes involved in critical biological processes, such as primary‐to‐secondary growth transition of stems, adventitious root formation, aging and responses to phosphorus‐ or boron‐deficiency. Co‐expression analysis of AS events and gene expression patterns highlighted the potential upstream regulatory role of AS events in multiple processes. Additionally, we highlighted the lignin biosynthetic pathway to showcase the potential regulatory functions of AS events in the KNAT3 and IRL3 genes within this pathway. Our high‐quality expression atlas and AS landscape serve as valuable resources for unravelling the genetic control of woody plant development, long‐term adaptation, and understanding transcriptional diversity in Eucalyptus. Researchers can conveniently access these resources through the interactive ePlant browser (https://bar.utoronto.ca/eplant_eucalyptus). Summary statement: We provide a dataset on gene expression and alternative splicing in Eucalyptus tissues across various developmental stages, stress conditions, and hormone treatments. It was integrated into the interactive ePlant browser, providing a valuable resource for understanding the transcriptional and post‐transcriptional regulation of woody plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkaline pretreatment stands out as a valuable strategy in biomass conversion to overcome the recalcitrance of biomass by removing lignin and a part of hemicellulose. This enhances enzyme accessibility and promotes saccharification. However, increasing the alkaline concentration to enhance the delignification and improve glucose yield together presents inherent limitations. In this experiment the amount of delignification and glucose yield resulting from surfactant associated with sonication during mild alkaline pretreatment of Eucalyptus pellita was investigated. Also, the effect of various factors (sonication temperature and surfactant immersion time) on delignification and glucose yield were examined. The results demonstrated that surfactant associated with sonication pretreatment could overcome the limitation of alkaline pretreatment and could increase the amount of delignification alongside enzymatic hydrolysis glucose yield of Eucalyptus pellita wood by around 90%. The findings indicated that surfactant-assisted with sonication during mild alkaline pretreatment of Eucalyptus pellita (i.e., hardwood) could be recommended as a supporting pretreatment method for the production of monomeric sugars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study assessed the association of eucalyptus-tree spacing with forest growth and yield, as well as with the floristic composition, diversity and yield of natural grassland grown in silvopastoral systems in Pampa biome. Data were collected in six family cattle-ranching area in Bagé County (RS). The effect of two different genetic materials (seminal-origin Eucalyptus dunnii plant and one Eucalyptus grandis clone) on shading features of plants grown in 3 planting-spacing dimensions (625, 312 and 208 trees ha-1) was assessed, as well as their association with herbaceous extract (bare soil; green cover; forage dry matter; floristic composition; species richness; and grass, legumes and winter - and summer-growth species rates) and forestry (litter accumulation, diameter at breast height, total height and volume per hectare) variables. Planting carried out at the highest tree density (625 trees ha-1) has increased forest yield. However, it reduced green cover, herbaceous extract dry-matter yield and species richness, mainly in grasses and legumes with greater forage potential. Conversely, it is possible combining forestry and animal yield to the preservation of native forage species at low tree densities (204 to 312 trees ha-1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood is an organic material and its energetic and physical properties are related to its chemical and anatomical constituents. This study evaluated the influence of the chemical constituents on the energetic and physical properties of Parapiptadenia rigida (Benth.) Brenan, Peltophorum dubium (Spreng.) Taub., Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill × Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake (hybrid), and Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) Blake an agroforestry system. Five trees of each species aged 9 years were sampled. Samples were collected at a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 1.30 m above the ground and were used to analyze the chemical, energetic, and physical properties of the wood. Chemical properties influence the energetic and physical properties of wood. We reported that the higher the lignin content in the wood, the greater the correlation with the fixed carbon content (0.76) and gross calorific value (0.65). High values of fixed carbon content increased the basic density of the wood (0.80). In contrast, the lower the lignin content in the wood, the greater the correlation with the extractive content (-0.76) and volatile material content (-0.74), and the higher the volatile material content, the lower the fixed carbon content (-0.98) and gross calorific value (-0.74). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with pruritus, an impaired cutaneous barrier function and a disrupted water holding capacity. Levels of ceramides, which are major components of intercellular lipids and are crucial for their functions, are decreased in the stratum corneum of patients with AD. Treatments to increase ceramide levels are effective for AD care. Synthetic pseudo-ceramide (cetyl PG hydroxyethyl palmitamide (SLE66)), which has a structure developed via molecular designs, and a eucalyptus leaf extract (ELE) enhance ceramide synthesis in the epidermis. The topical application of a skin moisturizer containing SLE66 and ELE improves the barrier functions and water holding capacity of AD skin accompanied by an improvement in skin symptoms. This is a multifaceted review that summarizes the efficacy of the topical application of a skin moisturizer containing SLE66 and ELE on atopic dermatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deficiency symptoms of iron (Fe) appear in eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.) plantations grown on different type of soils in Punjab, India. Therefore, a pot experiment was conducted to study the response of eucalyptus to application of Fe in soils of different textures. The treatments comprised of six levels of Fe as soil application (0, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 mg Fe kg−1 soil applied as chelated Fe through Fe-EDTA) and two foliar sprays (0.5% and 1% FeSO4·7H2O) replicated thrice in soils of three textures (loamy sand, sandy loam, and sandy clay) in a completely randomized design. Plant growth parameters, Fe concentration in soils, and Fe uptake by different plant parts were determined after nine months of eucalyptus growth. These parameters were significantly and positively influenced with the application of Fe. Dry weight of shoot and root was the highest at 30 mg Fe kg−1 whereas Fe concentration and uptake of Fe by shoot and root were the highest at 45 mg Fe kg−1. With 1% spray, the root dry weight, Fe concentration in leaves and its uptake by leaves and shoot were the highest. Loamy sand soil exhibited maximum shoot biomass and uptake response to applied Fe by eucalyptus. The Fe concentration in soil was positively and significantly related to Fe concentration (r = 0.436*–0.772**) and its uptake (r = 0.643**- 0.866**) by different plant parts. Conclusively, application of Fe to eucalyptus significantly increased the growth parameters, its uptake and response by the plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]