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Enzymes capable of processing a variety of compounds enable plants to adapt to diverse environmental conditions. PRISEs (progesterone-5β-reductase/iridoid synthase-like enzymes), examples of such substrate-promiscuous enzymes, are involved in iridoid and cardenolide pathways and demonstrate notable substrate promiscuity by reducing the activated C=C double bonds of plant-borne and exogenous 1,4-enones. In this study, we identified PRISE genes in Plantago media (PmdP5βR1) and Plantago lanceolata (PlP5βR1), and the corresponding enzymes were determined to share a sequence identity of 95%. Despite the high sequence identity, recombinant expressed PmdP5βR1 was 70 times more efficient than PlP5βR1 for converting progesterone. In order to investigate the underlying reasons for this significant discrepancy, we focused on specific residues located near the substrate-binding pocket and adjacent to the conserved phenylalanine "clamp". This clamp describes two phenylalanines influencing substrate preferences by facilitating the binding of smaller substrates, such as 2-cyclohexen-1-one, while hindering larger ones, such as progesterone. Using structural analysis based on templates PDB ID: 5MLH and 6GSD from PRISE of Plantago major, along with in silico docking, we identified positions 156 and 346 as hot spots. In PlP5βR1 amino acid residues, A156 and F346 seem to be responsible for the diminished ability to reduce progesterone. Moreover, the double mutant PlP5βR_F156L_A346L, which contains the corresponding amino acids from PmdP5βR1, showed a 15-fold increase in progesterone 5β-reduction. Notably, this modification did not significantly alter the enzyme's ability to convert other substrates, such as 8-oxogeranial, 2-cyclohexen-1-one, and methyl vinyl ketone. Hence, a rational enzyme design by reducing the number of hotspots selectively, specifically improved the substrate preference of PlP5βR1 for progesterone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this trial was to assess the effectiveness of Sediflù, a medical device containing active herbal ingredients, on nocturnal and diurnal persistent coughs in children, with a duration of 3 to 7 days. Children with a dry and/or productive cough were enrolled in this prospective, interventional, multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical study. Clinical efficacy was assessed through the evaluation of the soothing action of Sediflù against dry and/or productive coughing, both at night and during the day, and other effects of coughing associated with quality of sleep: frequency, child's quality of sleep, parental quality of sleep and severity. Treatment with Sediflù improved both night-time and day-time cough scores from day 2. The diurnal score also improved significantly in the Sediflù group at days 3 and 7. Sediflù syrup can be considered a valid treatment for cough management in younger children with upper respiratory tract infections, shortening the cough duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitigation practices for nitrogen leaching losses from livestock agriculture are needed to protect freshwater quality and increase the efficiency of agricultural production. Within New Zealand, the most common pasture type is a twospecies mix of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens). Ecological theory suggests that increasing species and functional diversity improves ecosystem function, including nitrogen (N) retention. Use of more diverse pasture types, including a mix of pasture grasses, legumes and other forbs, particularly plantain (Plantago lanceolata), with functional traits, including winter activity, deep-rooting, N fixation, and biological inhibition of nitrification in the soil, is a potential mitigation practice that requires further verification with long-term field measurements. Here we utilize a network of large lysimeters to make field-based measurements of N leaching from 5-8 species diverse pasture, including plantain, under a range of soil, climate and management conditions, for comparison with losses from traditional ryegrass-clover pasture. Over 3 years of measurements, leaching from fully established diverse pasture was 2-80 kg N ha-1 y-1. No differences were observed in dry matter production or N leaching of diverse pasture compared to ryegrass-clover lysimeters. Large losses, up to 120 kg N ha-1, were observed during periods when pasture was not fully established, including cultivation and sowing of new pasture, depending on season. Timing of management activities could be optimized to minimize these losses. These data provide critical assessment of diverse pasture as a mitigation approach for reducing N losses. Further work on diverse pastures should include higher diversity mixes as well as consideration of animal mediated effects of diverse pasture diets on N inputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plantago lanceolata has been increasingly cultivated in recent years as a forage crop due to its high feeding quality, good adaptability and medicinal benefits. Between 2015 and 2023, Alternaria leaf spot (ALS), appearing as reddish‐brown necrotic spots with a greyish white to pale brown centre, was commonly observed in two forage germplasm nurseries of P. lanceolata of Sichuan Province, China. Initially, 139 Alternaria strains were isolated from leaf lesions, and then identified using the identity of rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences in the NCBI database and the similarity of morphological characteristics. By pure culture technique, six representative isolates were finally obtained for the present study. Based on both multilocus phylogeny (SSU, LSU, ITS, gapdh, rpb2, tef1, endoPG, OPA10‐2, alt a 1, KOG1058 and KOG1077) and morphology, four Alternaria species were identified: three new records of A. alternata, A. arborescens species complex and A. gossypina on this host in China, belonging to section Alternaria, and a new species of section Porri, namely, A. lanceolatae sp. nov. Pathogenicity tests by inoculation on both detached leaves and whole plants revealed that A. lanceolatae was the most important causal agent of ALS, while the other three species were nonpathogenic to P. lanceolata. This study characterized a novel pathogenic Alternaria species of section Porri from P. lanceolata in China and could contribute as useful research for possible ALS management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) has recently been thrust into the limelight as a potential tool for mitigating nitrogen losses from the New Zealand pastoral environment. It is claimed to possess characteristics to reduce nitrogen leaching through both animal and soil-based mechanisms. This review examines the use of plantain in New Zealand pastures and the research that has led to these claims. The focus is on the evaluation of scientific evidence for the mechanisms through which plantain is proposed to reduce nitrate leaching, as well as the research on the implementation of plantain into pastoral farm systems. Plantain clearly increases the urination of grazing animals; a trait not unique to plantain. This review concludes that many research studies supporting the beneficial impact of plantain do not stand up against scientific scrutiny associated with methodology and interpretation of data. It is recommended more research should be undertaken on other pasture species and management tools, that may be more effective alternatives to plantain for nitrogen mitigation in pastures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of current experiment was to determine the effect of replacement of alfalfa hay with ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata) hay in ruminant diets on the fermentation parameters such as gas production, methane (CH4) production, true digestible dry matter (TDDM), true digestibility (TD), partitioning factor, microbial protein, and efficiency of microbial protein using in vitro gas production technique. The alfalfa hay was replaced with P. lanceolata hay in a diets isocaloric (2650 kcal/kg DM) and nitrogenic (17% CP kg DM) at the ratio of 0, 5, 10 and 15%. Partial substitution of alfalfa hay with P. lanceolata hay had no significant effect on gas and methane (ml/incubated substrate or %) production whereas the partial substitution had a significant effect on TDDM, TD, gas (ml/digested DM), CH4 (ml ml/digested DM) and microbial MP of diets. The replacement of alfalfa hay with ribwort plantain hay shifted the fermentation pattern from gas and methane production to microbial protein production. Therefore alfalfa hay can be replaced with ribwort plantain hay with high digestibility and anti-methanogenic potential in ruminant diets up to 15% to decrease methane production and improve microbial protein production. However further in vivo experiments are required to determine the effect of replacement on feed intake and animal production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A clear trend of replacing synthetic cosmetic ingredients with natural ones can be observed in modern cosmetology. This entails the need to search for bioactive ingredients in the natural environment, especially in plants. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of dermatological, cosmetic, and pharmacological properties of highly potent plants, namely Acmella oleracea (A. oleracea), Centella asiatica (C. asiatica), Psoralea corylifolia (P. corylifolia), Plantago lanceolata L. (P. lanceolata L.), and Solidago virgaurea L. (S. virgaurea L.). Biological activity and phytochemical constituents are presented for all plants, but special attention is paid to ingredients of particular value to the cosmetics industry. The advantages of spilanthol and bakuchiol as a replacement for the popular botulinum toxin and retinol are discussed. Natural habitats, ethnomedical importance, cultivation area, as well as extraction methods of active plant ingredients are presented in detail. A wide spectrum of biological activity indicates the enormous potential of the presented plants in formulating new cosmetic and dermatological preparations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathogens play a key role in insect population dynamics, contributing to short‐term fluctuations in abundance as well as long‐term demographic trends. Two key factors that influence the effects of entomopathogens on herbivorous insect populations are modes of pathogen transmission and larval host plants. In this study, we examined tritrophic interactions between a sequestering specialist lepidopteran, Euphydryas phaeton, and a viral pathogen, Junonia coenia densovirus, on its native host plant, Chelone glabra, and a novel host plant, Plantago lanceolata, to explore whether host plant mediates viral transmission, survival, and viral loads. A two‐factor factorial experiment was conducted in the laboratory with natal larval clusters randomly assigned to either the native or novel host plant and crossed with either uninoculated controls or viral inoculation (20% of individuals in the cluster inoculated). Diapausing clusters were overwintered in the laboratory and checked weekly for mortality. At the end of diapause, all surviving individuals were reared to adulthood to estimate survivorship. All individuals were screened to quantify viral loads, and estimate horizontal transmission postmortem. To test for vertical transmission, adults were mated, and the progeny were screened for viral presence. Within virus‐treated groups, we found evidence for both horizontal and vertical transmission. Larval clusters reared on the native host plant had slightly higher horizontal transmission. Survival probability was lower in clusters feeding on the native host plant, with inoculated groups reared on the native host plant experiencing complete mortality. Viral loads did not differ by the host plant, although viral loads decreased with increased sequestration of secondary compounds on both host plants. Our results indicate that the use of a novel host plant may confer fitness benefits in terms of survival and reduced viral transmission when larvae feeding on it are infected with this pathogen, supporting hypotheses of potential evolutionary advantages of a host range expansion in the context of tritrophic interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Host plant consumption and pathogen infection commonly influence insect traits related to development and immunity, which are ultimately reflected in the behavior and physiology of the insect. Herein, we explored changes in the metabolome of a generalist insect herbivore, Vanessa cardui (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), in response to both dietary variation and pathogen infection in order to gain insight into tritrophic interactions for insect metabolism and immunity. Caterpillars were reared on two different host plants, Plantago lanceolata (Plantaginaceae) and Taraxacum officinale (Asteraceae) and subjected to a viral infection by Junonia coenia densovirus (JcDV), along with assays to determine the insect immune response and development. Richness and diversity of plant and caterpillar metabolites were evaluated using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry approach and showed that viral infection induced changes to the chemical content of V. cardui hemolymph and frass dependent upon host plant consumption. Overall, the immune response as measured by phenoloxidase (PO) enzymatic activity was higher in individuals feeding on P. lanceolata compared with those feeding on T. officinale. Additionally, infection with JcDV caused suppression of PO activity, which was not host plant dependent. We conclude that viral infection combined with host plant consumption creates a unique chemical environment, particularly within the insect hemolymph. Whether and how these metabolites contribute to defense against viral infection is an open question in chemical ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract Background Seed endophytic bacteria are beneficial to plants. They improve seedling growth by enhancing plant nutrient uptake, modulating stress-related phytohormone production, and targeting pests and pathogens with antibiotics. Seed endophyte composition can be influenced by pollination, plant cultivar, and soil physicochemical conditions. However, the effects of plant community richness on seed endophytes are unknown. To investigate the effects of increasing plant species richness on the diversity and composition of the seed microbiome, we made use of a well-established long-term biodiversity experiment in Germany (The Jena Experiment). We sampled seeds from different Plantago lanceolata blossoms in a plant diversity gradient ranging from monoculture to 16 species mixtures. The seeds were surface sterilized to remove seed surface-associated bacteria and subjected to a metabarcoding approach to assess bacterial community structure. Results Our data indicate a very stable core microbiome, which accounted for more than 90% of the reads and was present in all seeds independent of the plant richness level the seeds originated from. It consisted mainly of reads linked to Pseudomonas rhizosphaerae, Sphingomonas faeni and Pirellulla spp. 9% of the obtained reads were not part of the core microbiome and were only present in plots of specific diversity levels. The number of unique ASVs was positively correlated with plant richness. Interestingly, most reads described as non-core members belonged to the same genera described as the core microbiome, indicating the presence of different strains or species with possibly different functional properties important for seed performance. Conclusion Our data indicate that Plantago lanceolata maintains a large seeds core microbiome across the plant richness gradient. However, the number of unique ASVs increases alongside the plant community richness, indicating that ecosystem biodiversity also mitigates diversity loss in seed endophytes.

Enzymes capable of processing a variety of compounds enable plants to adapt to diverse environmental conditions. PRISEs (progesterone-5β-reductase/iridoid synthase-like enzymes), examples of such substrate-promiscuous enzymes, are involved in iridoid and cardenolide pathways and demonstrate notable substrate promiscuity by reducing the activated C=C double bonds of plant-borne and exogenous 1,4-enones. In this study, we identified PRISE genes in Plantago media (PmdP5βR1) and Plantago lanceolata (PlP5βR1), and the corresponding enzymes were determined to share a sequence identity of 95%. Despite the high sequence identity, recombinant expressed PmdP5βR1 was 70 times more efficient than PlP5βR1 for converting progesterone. In order to investigate the underlying reasons for this significant discrepancy, we focused on specific residues located near the substrate-binding pocket and adjacent to the conserved phenylalanine “clamp”. This clamp describes two phenylalanines influencing substrate preferences by facilitating the binding of smaller substrates, such as 2-cyclohexen-1-one, while hindering larger ones, such as progesterone. Using structural analysis based on templates PDB ID: 5MLH and 6GSD from PRISE of Plantago major, along with in silico docking, we identified positions 156 and 346 as hot spots. In PlP5βR1 amino acid residues, A156 and F346 seem to be responsible for the diminished ability to reduce progesterone. Moreover, the double mutant PlP5βR_F156L_A346L, which contains the corresponding amino acids from PmdP5βR1, showed a 15-fold increase in progesterone 5β-reduction. Notably, this modification did not significantly alter the enzyme’s ability to convert other substrates, such as 8-oxogeranial, 2-cyclohexen-1-one, and methyl vinyl ketone. Hence, a rational enzyme design by reducing the number of hotspots selectively, specifically improved the substrate preference of PlP5βR1 for progesterone.

Environmental pollution is a global issue, and Kosovo is no exception, grappling with extensive mining activities. The research aims to assess the influence of industrial pollution in Drenas and Mitrovica using oxidative stress biomarkers (malondialdehyde - MDA, and the amount of glutathione transferase - GST) and biochemical indicators (total proteins) in three plant species (Achillea millefolium, Hypericum perforatum and Plantago lanceolata). Plants were collected within a one-kilometer radius around industrial complexes in Drenas and Mitrovica, with Peja serving as a control point. In the homogenate of plant leaves, total proteins were determined using the Lowry method, MDA levels were determined using the Health Packer method, and GST activity was assessed using Habig method. GST activity was higher in the three plant species collected in Drenas and Mitrovica compared to those in Peje, the control point. Apart from Hypericum perforatoum in Mitrovica, the study revealed a significant increase in MDA levels in the three plant species from industrial areas compared to those in the control point. Generally, plants collected in industrial areas exhibited lower total protein levels than those in Peja. A negative correlation was observed between MDA levels and total proteins of Achillea millefolium and Plantago lanceolata, but not in Hypericum perforatum. The findings underscore the impact of pollution on the three plant species investigated in the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genus Plantago of Plantaginaceae family is bestowed with a repertoire of structurally diverse secondary metabolites that have not only been used as therapeutics but also effect the plant physiology by conferring adaptive advantages under stress. Assuming that domestication process in plants has influenced their secondary metabolites, we performed a comparative transcriptome of wild and cultivated species of Plantago to analyze the variation in the expression of genes related to secondary metabolite pathways. GO and KEGG analysis of DEGs in wild species showed their enrichment in abiotic stresses, oxidation–reduction and secondary metabolite related pathways. Overall, we found upregulation of genes of carotenoid, flavonoid and phenylpropanoid, isoprenoid, terpenoid and alkaloid pathways in wild species of Plantago in particular, P. lanceolata while mucilage pathway-related genes showed higher expression in P. ovata. Moreover, transcriptome data presented putative transcription factors associated with terpenoids, carotenoid and phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathways which were also identified using co-expression analysis of cluster 9 (secondary metabolite enriched gene cluster). Taken together, the genomic resource obtained from the present study form a valuable repository of genetic information for elucidating and exploring the secondary metabolic circuitry of Plantagos. Further, information on the regulatory aspects of genes related to secondary metabolites, shall aid in the enhanced production of valuable metabolites in these plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbs have been a cornerstone of traditional medicine for centuries, prised for their antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, which are increasingly recognised in contemporary healthcare. This article delves into the medicinal attributes of specific plants, notably Plantago lanceolata L., P. major L., Melissa officinalis L., Chelidonium majus L., Passiflora ligularis Juss., and Salvia officinalis L. Its focus lies in detailing these plants' medicinal properties, phytochemical compositions, and therapeutic applications across various ailments, with a particular emphasis on their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing potential, crucial for addressing chronic wounds. These plants boast extensive historical use in traditional medicine and are readily accessible, and thereby ingrained in the global tradition of natural medicine. Modern scientific research corroborates the efficacy of medicinal plants, especially concerning their antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory attributes. The article highlights the growing interest in natural remedies, driven by their potentially lower side effects compared to synthetic drugs. For instance, Melissa officinalis L., valued both in culinary and medicinal realms, exhibits diverse biological activities, including anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects. However, caution is warranted; Chelidonium majus L., despite its medicinal virtues, has been restricted in some countries due to reported cases of hepatotoxicity associated with its oral consumption. Passiflora ligularis Juss., commonly known as sweet granadilla, shows antidiabetic and antioxidant properties, offering potential benefits in glycaemic control. Similarly, Salvia officinalis L. boasts a wide spectrum of benefits, ranging from anti-cancer and antibacterial to anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Studies suggest promising applications of plant extracts in treating wounds and skin infections, particularly in the management of chronic wounds, which pose significant challenges to modern medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plantago lanceolata L. (ribwort plantain) and Plantago major L. (broadleaf plantain) are widely used in ethnobotanical studies and for treating various diseases. This study aims to investigate the antimicrobial activity and chemical compounds of these plants. Methods: The leaf extracts of P. lanceolata and P. major were fractioned using different solvents. The phytochemical screening was carried out by the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. The antibacterial activity of extracts was assessed using the disc diffusion method, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were measured by microtiter-broth dilution method. Results: The dichloromethane leaf extract of P. lanceolata and P. major showed the highest antibacterial activity against Salmonella paratyphi (diameter of the inhibition zone: 18.83 and 20.00 mm, respectively) at 100 mg/mL concentration. The lowest MIC was related to dichloromethane extracts of both plants against S. paratyphi (500 µg/mL). The lowest MBC (1000 µg/mL) was related to the dichloromethane extract of P. major against S. paratyphi. The main compounds of P. lanceolata leaf extracts were bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (41.96%), 1-methoxy-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)nonane (32.69%), bicyclo[3.1.1]heptane, 2,6,6-trimethyl- (1.alpha.,2.beta.,5.alpha.)- (10.45%), and cycloheptasiloxane tetradecamethyl- (27.96% and 31.33%). The main compounds of P. major leaf extracts were eicosane (23.62%), cyclohexasiloxane dodecamethyl- (18.21%), 1-methyl-3-n-propyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (18.08%), cycloheptasiloxane tetradecamethyl- (33.85%), and 1,2-benzisothiazole-3-acetic acid, methyl ester (34.26%). Conclusion: Fractionation of the methanolic leaf extract of P. lanceolata and P. major can help better isolate active components from these plants. The antibacterial properties of the extracts of two plants may be due to the presence of antibacterial compounds detected in GC-MS.

Hydrogels in active wound care products are 3D polymeric scaffolds that provide the desired moisture balance in the wound area with their high water retention capacity. Thanks to their biocompatible properties, flexible and porous structures, and high hydrophilic properties, they have frequently been preferred in the repair and regeneration of cells and tissues and the controlled release of bioactive substances to the target area. In this study, hydrogel structures were developed for the first time with levan produced by Halomonas elongata 153B halophilic bacteria. Extracts from Plantago lanceolata L., commonly known as a wound herb, which has medicinal importance for cell regeneration, ensuring tissue integrity in a short time and reducing infections in the wound area, were obtained and extract-loaded liposome structures were formed for controlled release into the wound area. The wound healing efficacy of the composite material developed by loading herbal liposomes into levan-based hydrogel structures was evaluated in an in vitro wound model. Thus, a natural, biocompatible, biodegradable, and functional wound care product containing herbal liposomes suitable for both clinical applications and point-of-care use has been developed. The developed bioactive hydrogels are a promising therapeutic approach for the healing of acute wounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollen production is one plant characteristic that is considered to be altered by changes in environmental conditions. In this study, we investigated pollen production of the three anemophilous species Betula pendula, Plantago lanceolata, and Dactylis glomerata along an urbanization gradient in Ingolstadt, Germany. We compared pollen production with the potential influencing factors urbanization, air temperature, and the air pollutants nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3). While we measured air temperature in the field, we computed concentration levels of NO2 and O3 from a land use regression model. The results showed that average pollen production (in million pollen grains) was 1.2 ± 1.0 per catkin of Betula pendula, 5.0 ± 2.4 per inflorescence of Plantago lanceolata, and 0.7 ± 0.5 per spikelet of Dactylis glomerata. Pollen production was higher in rural compared to urban locations on average for B. pendula (+ 73%) and P. lanceolata (+ 31%), while the opposite was the case for D. glomerata (− 14%). We found that there was substantial heterogeneity across the three species with respect to the association of pollen production and environmental influences. Pollen production decreased for all species with increasing temperature and urbanization, while for increasing pollutant concentrations, decreases were observed for B. pendula, P. lanceolata, and increases for D. glomerata. Additionally, pollen production was found to be highly variable across species and within species—even at small spatial distances. Experiments should be conducted to further explore plant responses to altering environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an exotic, generalist leafroller the light brown apple moth (Epiphyas postvittana) has become established in coastal California where populations have been shown to experience strong negative density dependence from an unknown cause. This study was conducted to determine whether plant secondary metabolites could be a potential source of the density dependence. Experimental observations were focused on two of its commonly used host plants (ribwort plantain and Japanese cheesewood) to test for detrimental effects of secondary metabolites on larval performance under laboratory conditions. A plant defense induction assay was used to test for density-dependent responses of the two host plants to prior larval feeding damage, and a leaf disk assay was used to quantify the impact of increased concentrations of selected groups of chemical defenses (iridoid glycosides and polyphenols). Contrary to expectations, the results from these assays provided no evidence that E. postvittana either induced a sufficient plant response to impact larval performance, or that experimentally increased chemical defense concentrations affected larval performance. Consequently, the observed results suggest that the larvae of E. postvittana may have adaptations that inhibit induced responses in their host plants and/or that allow them to tolerate secondary defenses through detoxification and excretion. In conclusion, there is no evidence that induced plant defenses can account for the strong negative density dependence observed in the dynamics of E. postvittana populations in California and further research will be needed to identify the true cause of this density dependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A clear trend of replacing synthetic cosmetic ingredients with natural ones can be observed in modern cosmetology. This entails the need to search for bioactive ingredients in the natural environment, especially in plants. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of dermatological, cosmetic, and pharmacological properties of highly potent plants, namely Acmella oleracea (A. oleracea), Centella asiatica (C. asiatica), Psoralea corylifolia (P. corylifolia), Plantago lanceolata L. (P. lanceolata L.), and Solidago virgaurea L. (S. virgaurea L.). Biological activity and phytochemical constituents are presented for all plants, but special attention is paid to ingredients of particular value to the cosmetics industry. The advantages of spilanthol and bakuchiol as a replacement for the popular botulinum toxin and retinol are discussed. Natural habitats, ethnomedical importance, cultivation area, as well as extraction methods of active plant ingredients are presented in detail. A wide spectrum of biological activity indicates the enormous potential of the presented plants in formulating new cosmetic and dermatological preparations.

Multiparasite communities inhabiting individual hosts are common and often consist of parasites from multiple taxa. The effects of parasite community composition and complexity on host fitness are critical for understanding how host–parasite coevolution is affected by parasite diversity. To test how naturally occurring parasites affect host fitness of multiple host genotypes, we performed a common-garden experiment where we inoculated four genotypes of host plant Plantago lanceolata with six microbial parasite treatments: three single-parasite treatments, a fungal mixture, a viral mixture, and a cross-kingdom treatment. Seed production was affected by both host genotype and parasite treatment, and their interaction jointly determined the growth of the hosts. Fungal parasites had more consistent negative effects than viruses in both single- and mixed-parasite treatments. These results demonstrate that parasite communities have the potential to affect the evolution and ecology of host populations through their effects on host growth and reproduction. Moreover, the results highlight the importance of accounting for the diversity of parasites as well as host genotypes when aiming to predict the consequences of parasites for epidemics as the effects of multiparasitism are not necessarily additive of single-parasite effects, nor uniform across all host genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secondary plant chemistry mediates a variety of communication signals among species, playing a fundamental role in the evolutionary diversification of communities and ecosystems. Herein, we explored diet-mediated host plant effects on development and immune response of a generalist insect herbivore. Vanessa cardui (Nymphalidae) caterpillars were reared on leaves of three host plants that vary in secondary metabolites, Plantago lanceolata (Plantaginaceae), Taraxacum officinale (Asteraceae) and Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae). Insect development was evaluated by larval and pupal viabilities, survivorship, and development rate. Immune response was measured as phenoloxidase (PO) activity. Additionally, chemical profiles of the host plants were obtained by liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometry (LC–MS) and the discriminant metabolites were determined using a metabolomic approach. Caterpillars reared on P. lanceolata exhibited the highest larval and pupal viabilities, as well as PO activity, and P. lanceolata leaves were chemically characterized by the presence of iridoid glycosides, phenylpropanoids and flavonoids. Taraxacum officinale leaves were characterized mainly by the presence of phenylpropanoids, flavones O-glycoside and germacranolide-type sesquiterpene lactones; caterpillars reared on this host plant fully developed to the adult stage, however they exhibited lower larval and pupal viabilities compared to individuals reared on P. lanceolata. Conversely, caterpillars reared on T. diversifolia leaves, which contain phenylpropanoids, flavones and diverse furanoheliangolide-type sesquiterpene lactones, were not able to complete larval development and exhibited the lowest PO activity. These findings suggested that V. cardui have adapted to tolerate potentially toxic metabolites occurring in P. lanceolata (iridoid glycosides), however caterpillars were not able to cope with potentially detrimental metabolites occurring in T. diversifolia (furanoheliangolides). Therefore, we suggest that furanoheliangolide-type sesquiterpene lactones were responsible for the poor development and immune response observed for caterpillars reared on T. diversifolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incorporation of exotic plants into the diets of native herbivores is a common phenomenon, influencing interactions with natural enemies and providing insight into the tritrophic costs and benefits of dietary expansion. We evaluated how use of an exotic plant, Plantago lanceolata, impacted immune performance, development and susceptibility to pathogen infection in the neotropical herbivore Anartia jatrophae (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). Caterpillars were reared on P. lanceolata or a native plant, Bacopa monnieri, and experimentally infected with a pathogenic virus, Junonia coenia densovirus. We found that virus‐challenged herbivores exhibited higher survival rates and lower viral burdens when reared on P. lanceolata compared to B. monnieri, though immune performance and development time were largely similar on the two plants. These findings reveal that use of an exotic plant can impact the vulnerability of a native herbivore to pathogen infection, suggesting diet‐mediated protection against disease as a potential mechanism facilitating the incorporation of novel resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Incorporating forage plantain into the diet of grazing dairy cows has the potential to reduce nitrogen (N) losses from pastoral systems. One of the key mechanisms for reduced N loss from plantain-fed cows is through increased urine volume and diluted urine N concentration, which increases the % of urine N used for plant growth. The aim of this study was to determine whether lower proportions of plantain in the diet would be effective in achieving changes in urination. The results showed that compared to cows grazing traditional perennial ryegrass and white clover pastures, cows with 25% plantain in their apparent dietary intake increased urine volume and urination frequency and reduced urine N% in the morning. When dietary plantain was less than 20%, there was only a small effect on increased urine volume, though morning urine N% was reduced. Ensuring more than 20% plantain in the diet has the potential to reduce N leaching risk via reduced urinary N load from grazing dairy cows. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of grazing plantain-based pastures on urine volume, urination frequency, and urinary nitrogen (UN) concentration of dairy cows under a typical pastoral dairy practice offering approximately 25% supplemented feeds. The experiment was a completely randomised design with three pasture treatments (perennial ryegrass–white clover (RGWC); RGWC + low plantain rate (PLL); and RGWC + high plantain rate (PLH)), five replicate plots, and repeated in two sequential grazing periods. Forty-five lactating Friesian × Jersey cows were randomly assigned into three groups of 15 animals each to graze over six days in adaptation paddocks and three days in experimental plots. Urine flow sensors were used to measure urine volume and urinary frequency, while spot urine sampling was conducted to determine nitrogen (N) concentration in cow urine. The results showed that including 25% plantain in the diet (PLH) increased daily urine volume by 44% and the daily number of urinations by 28%, compared to grazing the RGWC pasture. In addition, N concentration in cow urine was decreased by 18 and 29% when the diet contained 18% and 25% plantain, respectively. In conclusion, under a typical dairy farm practice, incorporating plantain into the RGWC pasture with the proportion of 25% plantain in the diet can increase the number of urine patches and reduce the concentration of N in the urine, thereby providing the opportunity to decrease N leaching from pastoral systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interactions among parasite species coinfecting the same host individual can have far reaching consequences for parasite ecology and evolution. How these within-host interactions affect epidemics may depend on two non-exclusive mechanisms: parasite growth and reproduction within hosts, and parasite transmission between hosts. Yet, how these two mechanisms operate under coinfection, and how sensitive they are to the composition of the coinfecting parasite community, remains poorly understood. Here, we test the hypothesis that the relationship between within- and between-host transmission of the fungal pathogen, Phomopsis subordinaria, is affected by co-occurring parasites infecting the host plant, Plantago lanceolata. We conducted a field experiment manipulating the parasite community of transmission source plants, then tracked P. subordinaria within-host transmission, as well as between-host transmission to naïve recipient plants. We find that coinfection with the powdery mildew pathogen, Podosphaera plantaginis, causes increased between-host transmission of P. subordinaria by affecting the number of infected flower stalks in the source plants, resulting from altered auto-infection. In contrast, coinfection with viruses did not have an effect on either within- or between-host transmission. We then analyzed data on the occurrence of P. subordinaria in 2018 and the powdery mildew in a multi-year survey data set from natural host populations to test whether the positive association predicted by our experimental results is evident in field epidemiological data. Consistent with our experimental findings, we observed a positive association in the occurrence of P. subordinaria and historical powdery mildew persistence. Jointly, our experimental and epidemiological results suggest that within- and between-host transmission of P. subordinaria depends on the identity of coinfecting parasites, with potentially far-reaching effects on disease dynamics and parasite co-occurrence patterns in wild populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ruminant production systems are major contributors to greenhouse gases emissions, with animal feeding practices being the main cause for methane and nitrous oxide's release. Although feeding animals forages has been proven to be more sustainable, traditional ryegrass monocultures still require a lot of input (e.g., fertilisers and pesticides). Multi-species swards, consisting of different swards, such as grasses, forage legumes and herbs, need less management and fertiliser, produce more dry matter, and also add a variety of phytochemicals into the animal diet. In particular, polyphenols have been associated with a positive impact on animal health and productivity. However, data on the phenolic composition of multi-species sward components is still scarce, and little is known about the change in concentration over the grazing season. The present study investigated the antioxidant activity of six forage species (perennial ryegrass, timothy, white clover, red clover, chicory and plantain) over the Irish grazing season, using FRAP, DPPH•• and ORAC assays. The forages were screened for individual phenolic compounds using Liquid-Chromatography-Triple-Quadruple-Mass-Spectrometry. Plantain exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity, being almost one and a half times higher than timothy and double that of chicory. Chlorogenic acid was the most abundant polyphenol in perennial ryegrass, timothy and plantain. Overall, formononetin and biochanin A levels were higher in red clover, white clover and in chicory, in comparison to other forages (p < 0.05). Variations in antioxidant capacity and polyphenol composition were more significant between species (p < 0.01) than between season within species (p > 0.05). This study suggests that multi-species swards, regardless of the grazing month, offer a potential sustainable alternative to monoculture swards with significant antioxidant activity and nutraceutical compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction Globally, soil‐borne plant pathogens are a significant contributor to plant yield loss in agricultural systems, including pasture production. The extent of soil biological constraints in high‐value dairy systems was assessed across three major dairying regions of New Zealand. Materials and Methods Regional measures of disease pressure were obtained by comparing white clover, perennial ryegrass and plantain growth in 30 farm soils with (non‐pasteurised) or without (microwave pasteurised) their normal complement of microbial and nematode pathogens. Results Pasteurising soils from the Waikato region led to significant average increases in clover (35%) and ryegrass (19%) shoot dry matter. Individual site yields increased up to 74% for clover and 38% for ryegrass. For Canterbury and Southland, there was no increase in plant yield with pasteurisation on a regional basis, but increases in either clover or ryegrass were significant at three individual farm sites. Across all regions, negative linear relationships between disease pressure (% growth change) and a proxy of soil organic matter quality (anaerobically mineralizable nitrogen:total nitrogen ratio were found for both clover and ryegrass, accounting for 34% of the variation in both clover and ryegrass growth. A positive linear relationship was found between disease pressure and Heterodera cyst nematode abundance, accounting for 33% and 17% of the variation in clover and ryegrass growth change, respectively. The most prevalent putative fungal and oomycete pathogens isolated from the roots and stem bases of clover and ryegrass seedlings were Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium culmorum, and various Pythium species. Conclusion Our results suggest that root pathogens on New Zeland dairy farms are most prevalent and damaging in the Waikato region where economic modelling estimated clover and ryegrass root disease to cost 211 kg MS ha−1 year−1 in milk production and $909 ha−1 year−1 in farm profitability. Given the scale of these costs, targeted management of soil borne disease could present an economically viable approach to improving the resilience of these multi‐plant multi‐pathogen ecosystems.

Summary: While pathogenic and mutualistic microbes are ubiquitous across ecosystems and often co‐occur within hosts, how they interact to determine patterns of disease in genetically diverse wild populations is unknown.To test whether microbial mutualists provide protection against pathogens, and whether this varies among host genotypes, we conducted a field experiment in three naturally occurring epidemics of a fungal pathogen, Podosphaera plantaginis, infecting a host plant, Plantago lanceolata, in the Åland Islands, Finland. In each population, we collected epidemiological data on experimental plants from six allopatric populations that had been inoculated with a mixture of mutualistic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi or a nonmycorrhizal control.Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increased growth in plants from every population, but also increased host infection rate. Mycorrhizal effects on disease severity varied among host genotypes and strengthened over time during the epidemic. Host genotypes that were more susceptible to the pathogen received stronger protective effects from inoculation.Our results show that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi introduce both benefits and risks to host plants, and shift patterns of infection in host populations under pathogen attack. Understanding how mutualists alter host susceptibility to disease will be important for predicting infection outcomes in ecological communities and in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to elucidate the role of bacteria colonising mycorrhizal hyphae in organically bound sulfur mobilisation, the dominant soil sulfur source that is not directly plant available. The effect of an intact mycorrhizal symbiosis with access to stable isotope organo-34S enriched soils encased in 35 µm mesh cores was tested in microcosms with Agrostis stolonifera and Plantago lanceolata. Hyphae and associated soil were sampled from static mesh cores with mycorrhizal ingrowth and rotating mesh cores that exclude mycorrhizal ingrowth as well as corresponding rhizosphere soil, while plant shoots were analysed for 34S uptake. Static cores increased uptake of 34S at early stages of plant growth when sulfur demand appeared to be high and harboured significantly larger populations of sulfonate mobilising bacteria. Bacterial and fungal communities were significantly different in the hyphospheres of static cores when compared to rotating cores, not associated with plant hosts. Shifts in bacterial and fungal communities occurred not only in rotated cores but also in the rhizosphere. Arylsulfatase activity was significantly higher in the rhizosphere when cores stayed static, while atsA and asfA gene diversity was distinct in the microcosms with static and rotating cores. This study demonstrated that AM symbioses can promote organo-S mobilization and plant uptake through interactions with hyphospheric bacteria, enabling AM fungal ingrowth into static cores creating a positive feedback-loop, detectable in the microbial rhizosphere communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.), which belongs to the Plantaginaceae family, has been widely used as a herbal plant in traditional medicine across the globe. The present study aimed to investigate the biologically active substances of P. lanceolata root fractions, as well as the cytotoxic and antibacterial activities of extracts. The cytotoxic activity of ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, and n-butanol extracts of P. lanceolata root was evaluated by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. The P.lanceolata root extracts were also evaluated on gram-positive and negative bacteria by disc diffusion and microtiter broth dilution methods. The phytochemical content was also examined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The P.lanceolata root extracts were cytotoxic; IC50 values against HCT-116 at 72 h were 168.553 μg/mL, 167.458 μg/mL, and 205.004 μg/mL for ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, and n-butanol root extracts, respectively. The dichloromethane extract of P. lanceolata root had the highest inhibitory effect against S. paratyphi (14.00±1.0 mm) at the concentration of 100 mg/mL. The minimum MIC and MBC (5 and 15 mg/mL) were observed for dichloromethane extract of P. lanceolata root against S. paratyphi. The main composition of ethyl acetate extract was 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid and mono(2-ethylhexyl) ester (60.93%). The major compositions in dichloromethane and n-butanol extracts were 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, mono(2- ethylhexyl) ester (60.64%) and 2-Methyl-1-butanol (.+/-.)- (17.85%). As evidenced by the results of the present research, P. lanceolata extracts are a significant source of bioactive metabolites. Therefore, they can play a prominent role in the production of pharmaceutical materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study was to investigate whether the most common wild plant species of urban grassland can be used for phytoremediation of soils polluted with heavy metals. The study was conducted in the city of Varaždin, in northern Croatia. The content of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) was determined in soil samples as well as in unwashed and washed plant samples (Taraxacum officinale, Plantago lanceolata, Trifolium repens). The results show that the most polluted site is the railway station, while most sites are polluted by road traffic. The soils are most enriched with Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd. The bioconcentration factors for all three plant species are <1, indicating the relatively low capacity of phytoextraction. A considerable amount of heavy metals is found in the dust deposited on the plant surface, which is confirmed by a statistically significant difference between washed and unwashed plant samples. In addition, the biomass of each plant species that can be removed (in t/ha year), the mass of specific heavy metal that can be removed (in kg/ha), and the years required for phytoremediation are reported. In conclusion, phytoremediation with only common plant species of urban grassland is not possible within a reasonable period of time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plantago lanceolata (ribwort plantain) is a well-known medicinal plant that has been used for traditional purposes. In vitro shoot, organogenesis, and plant regeneration of P. lanceolata were established from transgenic root explants, and then the main medicinal compounds were detected by HPLC and GC-MS. The highest frequency of transformation, shoot organogenesis (100%) and the number of shoots per explant (177) was achieved using the Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain A4 in ½ salt B5 medium without the addition of plant growth regulators (PGRs) for 14-20 days after infection by A. rhizogenes. Root induction occurred from the regenerated shoots sub-cultured on the ½ MS without the addition of any PGRs after 7-14 days. The results of HPLC analysis showed that apigenin and gallic acid content in transgenic plants are more than transgenic roots. The content of catalpol did not show a significant difference in both transgenic samples. The methanolic extracts of transformed roots showed remarkable compounds, including Cycloheptasiloxane, tetradecamethyl-(1.43-fold increase); Palmitic acid methyl ester-(4.15-fold increase); 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid, methyl ester-(1.72-fold increase); Methyl isostearate--(4.26-fold increase) in comparison to the methanolic extract of P.lanceolata root. P. lanceolata is a medicinal plant that showed worthy potential for in vitro culture. As the first report, that established a reliable protocol to optimize the produce hairy roots and HR-plants of P. lanceolata. hairy roots offer suitable prospects for the production of valuable compounds due to the overproduction of shoot and root.

The repellent properties of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by several companion plant species (CPs) were tested on the rosy apple aphid, Dysaphis plantaginea (Passerini) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), in a new dynamic tubular olfactometer connected to a dynamic plant chamber. This device allows a rapid and direct measurement of the repellency of whole plants on an aphid population. The VOC production, correlated to the number of plants in the chamber, was determined, and the VOC concentration in the emitted blend was evaluated to establish a causal link with the aphid response. Three species showed strong repellency properties to D. plantaginea: peppermint, Mentha piperita L., lavandin, Lavandula × intermedia Emeric ex Loisel., and rosemary, Salvia rosmarinus Schleid. (all Lamiaceae). In addition, tests on various rosemary chemotypes showed that the repellency could vary within the chemotype. The developed device revealed a classification of the tested CPs according to the analyzed VOCs and a link between the repellency index (RI) and the presence of certain VOCs. Thus, eucalyptol, β‐ocimene, allo‐ocimene, piperitone, l‐menthone‐1, and l‐menthone‐2 were associated with the highest RIs, although not all of them were identified as repellents. Thus, the repellent effect of a CP results primarily from the produced olfactory mixture in which the presence and quantity of particular VOCs would modulate the repellent efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article assesses the use of under-vine living mulches in Mediterranean vineyards characterized by limited water resources, one of the reasons why this agronomic practice is currently unusual in these environments. The aim of the study was to test whether the use of this alternative method in Mediterranean vineyards could suppress noxious weeds without hindering optimal vineyard development. For this purpose, four native species were selected as living mulches: Festuca ovina, Pilosella officinarum, Plantago coronopus, and Plantago lanceolata. The variables measured during three years in two different experimental farms were: (a) living mulch cover, as a possible predictor of weed suppression success; (b) weed density and weed biomass, with special attention to noxious weed species; and (c) pruning weights, measured in the last year to analyze the cumulative effect of the treatments on the grapevine vegetative growth. Our results revealed that living mulches with high cover rates (average over 70%) also showed weed suppression of up to 95%, significantly controlling the occurrence of noxious weeds such as Erigeron canadensis. No significant effect of the different treatments on vine vegetative growth was found, although further studies would be necessary. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that under-vine living mulches could be an efficient and environmentally friendly method for weed control in Mediterranean vineyards where irrigation is available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, three types of extracts isolated from leaves of Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) were tested for their chemical content and biological activities. The three bioproducts are combinations of polysaccharides and polyphenols (flavonoids and iridoidic compounds), and they were tested for antioxidant, antifungal, antitumor, and prebiotic activity (particularly for polysaccharides fraction). Briefly, the iridoid-enriched fraction has revealed a pro-oxidant activity, while the flavonoid-enriched fraction had a high antioxidant potency; the polysaccharide fraction also indicated a pro-oxidant activity, explained by the co-presence of iridoid glycosides. All three bioproducts demonstrated moderate antifungal effects against Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp., and dermatophytes, too. Studies in vitro proved inhibitory activity of the three fractions on the leukemic tumor cell line THP-1, the main mechanism being apoptosis stimulation, while the polysaccharide fraction indicated a clear prebiotic activity, in the concentration range between 1 and 1000 µg/mL, evaluated as higher than that of the reference products used, inulin and dextrose, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement Industrial activity has left a legacy of pollution by radionuclides and heavy metals. The exposure of terrestrial environments to increased levels of ionising radiation and toxic elements is of concern, not only because of the immediate effects to biota but also because of the potential risk of mobilisation into higher levels of a food chain. Here, we present a study that extends our knowledge of how arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi contribute to the mobilisation of non‐essential elements in environments such as former mine sites, and provides a perspective that will be of interest for the management and remediation of such sites. Summary Accumulation and transfer of long‐lived radionuclides and toxic metals in terrestrial environments is of major concern because of potential mobilisation into food chains. In this study, we aimed to compare the role of four different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) cultures on the transfer of non‐essential elements into Plantago lanceolata from a naturally contaminated soil source. Soil from an abandoned uranium (238U) mine was collected as a natural source of 238U, thorium (232Th), arsenic (As) and lead (Pb). P. lanceolata was inoculated with four AMF cultures (Rhizophagus irregularis DAOM181602, Acaulospora longula BEG8, Scutellospora calospora BEG245 and Funneliformis mosseae BEG12) to compare the uptake and transfer from root to shoot. Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) mass spectroscopy and ICP‐absorption emission spectroscopy analyses provided quantification of total elemental concentrations in soil and plant tissues. Two of the AMF cultures, A. longula and F. mosseae, had contrasting roles in toxic element partitioning in plant tissue of P. lanceolata. F. mosseae increased the accumulation of 238U, 232Th, Pb, As and Cu in shoots whereas A. longula induced increased partitioning of 232Th, Ca, Fe and Zn in roots. The inoculation treatments and the differential accumulation of these elements had no significant effect on plant biomass. The use of different AMF cultures in enhancing phytoremediation of contaminated environments requires a wider understanding of the contribution of different AMF cultures to non‐essential element acquisition as well as to plant nutrition.

Abstract In exploring the roles of phenotypic plasticity in the establishment and early evolution of invading species, little empirical attention has been given to the importance of correlational selection acting upon suites of functionally related plastic traits in nature. We illustrate how this lack of attention has limited our ability to evaluate plasticity's role during invasion and also, the costs and benefits of plasticity. We addressed these issues by transplanting clones of European‐derived Plantago lanceolata L. genotypes into two temporally variable habitats in the species' introduced range in North America. Phenotypic selection analyses were performed for each habitat to estimate linear, quadratic, and correlational selection on phenotypic trait values and plasticities in the reproductive traits: flowering onset and spike and scape lengths. Also, we measured pairwise genetic correlations for our “colonists.” Results showed that (a) correlational selection acted on trait plasticity after transplantation, (b) selection favored certain combinations of genetically correlated and uncorrelated trait values and plasticities, and (c) using signed, instead of absolute, values of plasticity in analyses facilitated the detection of correlational selection on trait value‐plasticity combinations and their adaptive value. Based on our results, we urge future studies on species invasions to (a) measure correlational selection and (b) retain signed values of plasticity in order to better discriminate between adaptive and maladaptive plasticity.

Multi-species pastures that include species with dissimilar physiological responses to water restriction (i.e., dehydration avoidance) and species that have a greater soil water access (i.e., deep-rooted species), can buffer the reduction in summer growth experienced by more shallow-rooted species and can out-yield pastures with less capacity to access soil water. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance of multi-species pastures comprising both deep-rooted and shallow-rooted species, under grazing by sheep, in relation to pasture growth, the seasonal changes in pasture botanical composition, and the plants' physiological responses to field conditions across the year. The evaluated pastures were: Bromus valdivianus (Bv); Lolium perenne + Trifolium repens (Lp); Plantago lanceolata (Pl); B. valdivianus + L. perenne + T. repens (grass mixture pasture, GM); and B. valdivianus + L. perenne + T. repens + P. lanceolata (complex mixture pasture, CM). Herbage mass, net photosynthesis, leaf water relations and soil water content (SWC) at 10, 40 and 70 cm soil depths were evaluated. The SWC fluctuation through the year was related to rainfall within each season, and differences between the treatments were taken as an indirect indicator of soil water access and soil water uptake by the roots. During the soil water restriction period, mixed pastures based on species that differed in their soil water access buffered the reduced growth rate of the sensitive species, due to a decrease in competition for water uptake within the deeper soil layer (CM pasture). A shift of dominance between species, as measured in the CM pasture, buffered the reduction in pasture growth rate seen in the monocultures. The Bv pasture, which is tolerant of water restriction, had a similar annual yield to the multi-species pastures (both GM and CM). The present study highlighted the capacity of the deep-rooted species (B. valdivianus and P. lanceolata) to avoid periods of soil water restriction by extracting water from deeper soil layers. • Integration of species with different traits displayed a partial overyielding. • A greater tolerance to water restriction buffered the growth rate reduction. • Species with greater water access showed a better physiological response. • Lolium perenne showed greater tolerance to waterlogging conditions. • Bromus valdivianus showed a low tolerance to waterlogging conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urine from sheep fed with different plantain cultivars (Plantago lanceolata L.) was characterised to determine if metabolites in the urine contributed to soil biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) activity. Chromatographic analyses, combined with mass spectrometry, revealed there were more than 800 mass features that were unique to, or present in much greater concentration, in urine from sheep fed plantain than in urine of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)-fed sheep. The plantain metabolites aucubin, verbascoside, and catalpol have been implicated in relation to BNI activity, but these compounds were not detected in the urine of sheep fed with plantain. However, based on the mass spectral fragmentation patterns, metabolic derivatives of these compounds were present. A series of incubation studies showed that short-term nitrification inhibition did occur when plantain urine was applied to soil. Inhibition depended on several factors, including length of plantain grazing period and plantain cultivar type. As the incubations progressed, the inhibitory effect declined, potentially because of degradation of the inhibitory compounds by soil microorganisms. Urine of sheep fed with the plantain cultivar 'Agritonic' had a particularly strong inhibitory effect, which persisted for more than 1 month at an incubation temperature of 20 °C. Furthermore, in a laboratory bioassay using a pure culture of ammonia-oxidising bacteria, the organic fraction of urine from sheep fed with 'Agritonic' plantain was shown to be a strong nitrification inhibitor. This work suggests that valuable environmental benefits can be obtained by including cultivars of plantain showing BNI activity in pastures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We know little about the underlying genetic control of phenotypic patterns of seed traits across large-scale geographic and environmental gradients. Such knowledge is important for understanding the evolution of populations within species and for improving species conservation. Therefore, to test for genetic variation in Plantago lanceolata, we made reciprocal crosses between northern and southern genotypes that span the species' range in Europe. The results provide evidence of transgenerational genetic effects on seed mass and germination timing. Northern mothers produced larger seeds with delayed germination, in contrast to southern mothers, which produced smaller seeds with accelerated germination. A maternal latitude affected both the seed coat, solely maternal tissue, and embryo/endosperm tissues. Thus, latitudinal variation in seed size and germination timing can be explained, in part, by the direct influence of maternal genotype, independent of zygotic genes that parents pass directly to the embryo and endosperm. Data suggest that researchers exploring the existence and evolution of large-scale geographic variation within species test for transgenerational genetic effects. In addition, data suggest that transgenerational control of seed traits should be considered when developing procedures designed to facilitate species conservation and restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multispecies grasslands can alter nitrogen (N) cycling processes. A mesocosm experiment was performed comparing bare soil, soil planted with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), white clover (Trifolium repens), plantain (Plantago lanceolata), and a mixed sward with all three species. We aimed to assess the plant effects on: ruminant urine-induced dry matter yields, plant N uptake, soil N2O emissions, and genes encoding nitrifier and denitrifier N transformations. After 35 days urine application increased both dry matter in the plantain (11%) and mixed (19%) swards, and N uptake in the ryegrass (63%), plantain (120%) and mixed (103%) swards. Urine increased cumulative N2O emissions, and while there was a trend for greater N uptake to cause lower emissions this was not significant. Urine addition elevated inorganic-N concentrations with few differences between plant treatments. Ammonia oxidising bacteria increased under urine but plantain did not inhibit this response. On days 3–10, increases in nirK and nosZI were indicative of enhanced nitrifier-denitrification and N2O scavenging by denitrifiers, respectively. The elevation of nosZI under urine-affected soil warrants further investigation in relation to potential pasture species effects. Consistent with previous in situ studies this study showed no evidence of plantain affecting soil inorganic-N concentrations via biological nitrification inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomonitors are considered a cheap alternative of active air samplers, especially where spatial pattern of air quality is to be monitored, requiring numerous parallel measurements. Of higher plants, Plantago lanceolata L. has been proven a good monitor species with proper accumulation capacity. While biomonitoring studies are difficult to compare due to inherent errors such as the diverse plant material used in different studies, the No. 227 OECD GUIDELINE FOR THE TESTING OF CHEMICALS: Terrestrial Plant Test: Vegetative Vigour Test provides a tool to test extract of aerosol samples under controlled laboratory conditions. In our study, this guideline was followed to experimentally treat Plantago with the aqueous extract of a diesel exhaust sample. Accumulation pattern of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was assessed and compared to samples collected in the field. Unlike most studies reported in the literature, both in the experimentally treated and field Plantago samples, high ratio of high molecular weight PAHs was experienced. Distribution pattern of accumulated PAHs showed strong correlation between the experimentally treated sample and most of the field plantain samples, underlying the usefulness of laboratory treatments for bioaccumulation studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plantain and chicory are interesting forage species since they present good nutritional quality and are more resistant to drought than many temperate grasses. The fatty acid (FA) profile in milk and meat is related to a growing concern for the consumption of healthy foods, that is, with a lower content of saturated FA, higher polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) and a favourable n-6 : n-3 FAs ratio. Our objective was to evaluate the FA content in ewe’s milk and lamb’s meat fed a plantain–chicory mixture (PCH) or a grass-based permanent sward (GBS) dominated by perennial ryegrass. Eighteen Austral ewes in mid-lactation were allocated to PCH and GBS treatments. Milk samples were obtained during September (spring). Thirty weaned lambs were finished on both treatments from November to December (7 weeks), slaughtered and their meat sampled. Fat from milk and meat samples was extracted and stored until analysed by gas chromatography. Milk fat from GBS was higher than from PCH (P < 0.05) in C18:0 (11 385 v. 5874 mg/100 g FA), 9c-18:1 (15 750 v. 8565 mg/100 g FA), 11 t-18:1 (4576 v. 2703 mg/100 g FA) and 9c,11 t-18:2 (1405 v. 921 mg/100 g FA) and lower in 18:2n-6 (827 v. 1529 mg/100 g FA) and 18:3n-3 (943 v. 1318 mg/100 g FA) FA. Total mono-unsaturated FA was higher in GBS than PCH (P < 0.05). Meat fat from PCH swards presented a higher (P < 0.05) content than GBS for 18:2n-6 (46.8 v. 28.2 mg/100 g FA), linolenic (24.6 v. 14.2 mg/100 g FA), polyunsaturated FA (119.7 v. 73.4 mg/100 g FA), n-6 (65.9 v. 40.8 mg/100 g FA) and n-3 (53.8 v. 32.5 mg/100 g FA), respectively. No effect of treatment (P > 0.05) was detected for 9c-18:1 (283.9 v. 205.8 mg/100 g FA), 11 t-18:1 (26.2 v. 19.3 mg/100 g FA) and 9c,11 t-18:2 (10.1 v. 7.6 mg/100 g FA), for PCH and GBS. These results suggest that grazing a PCH mixture results in a higher concentration of PUFA in ewes’ milk and in lambs’ fat, as compared to a GBS sward.