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The text discusses the Šurpu ritual, an ancient Mesopotamian ritual used to appease divine displeasure. It explores the different versions of the ritual and the numbering system used for its tablets. The author argues that a Tablet of incantations has been omitted from modern publications, and its inclusion provides a clearer understanding of the ceremony. The text also discusses the missing Tablet αVII/βVIII and attempts to reconstruct its contents. Overall, the text provides valuable insights into the rituals and beliefs of ancient Mesopotamian culture. [Extracted from the article]

Plants of the Tamarix L. genus (Tamaricaceae) mainly occur in arid inlands of Asia, but a few species occur in the coastal areas of China, and the Yellow River may account for this. This study was conducted to elucidate whether and how the Yellow River affects the pattern and development of the Tamarix genus, involving two critical species of Tamarix austromongolica Nakai and Tamarix chinensis Lour. With geographical distribution data, relationships of T. austromongolica with the Yellow River and the pertaining watershed were examined using the method of random permutation. The base‐diameter structures of T. austromongolica populations were investigated and compared between different riparian lands that suffer discriminative water inundation. The nearest distances from T. austromongolica locations to the Yellow River and the pertaining watershed were significantly lower than the theoretical expectations in the condition of random distribution (p <.05). In many riparian lands along the Yellow River, wild T. austromongolica populations occurred with vigorous juveniles, despite frequent human disturbances. In coastal areas near the present estuary of the river, wild T. austromongolica plants were still found. In T. austromongolica populations near the Yellow River and sea, the rates of juvenile plants were significantly higher than in other populations situated farther from the river or sea. These findings suggest that the Yellow River can facilitate the eastward dispersal of Tamarix plants that reasonably caused the evolution from T. austromongolica to T. chinensis in ancient coasts in the China east. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tamarix ramosissima has an important role in stabilizing sand dunes in desert ecosystems. Understanding the water use strategies of T. ramosissima is essential to understand its adaptations on coppice dunes. We utilized the stable isotopes δ2H and δ18O in soil water, groundwater, and xylem water to identify monthly differences in water sources. Additionally. we explored rooting depth using 2H2O as an artificial tracer. In May, T. ramosissima derived 75% of its water from shallow and middle soil layers. In July, it absorbed 90% water from middle and deep soil layers. In August and September, it acquired approximately 80% of its water from deep soil layers. The labelling using 2H as an artificial tracer indicated that the root system of T. ramosissima could reach depths >500 cm in the coppice dunes. 2H absorption was observed at depths of 100, 200, 300 and 400 cm. Soil water is the dominant water source for T. ramosissima in the coppice dunes because groundwater is at depths >30 m. The flexible water‐use strategies of T. ramosissima enable it to effectively utilize different available water sources to adapt to the arid environment. These findings improve our understanding of water uptake patterns and drought adaptation strategies of T. ramosissima in the coppice dunes of desert ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Population-level competition and spatial patterns may explain the role of competitive exclusion in communities, which is important for vegetation restoration and biodiversity conservation. Methods: We analyzed the competitive intensity, spatial patterns, and renewal of Populus euphratica Oliv. forests in the Tarim River Basin using the Hegyi competition index and spatial point pattern analysis in a completely random model with different habitats and different forest ages. Results: The greatest competitive distance for P. euphratica was 10 m, and the intensity of competition steadily decreased as the diameter increased. The intensity of intraspecific and interspecific competition in young, mature, and old P. euphratica forests was as follows: riverside habitat > transitional habitat > desert margin habitat. The Simpson index values for the three habitats decreased as follows: transitional > riverside > desert margin, and the Shannon-Wiener index and Pielou index values decreased as follows: riverside > transitional > desert margin. In the riverside habitat, the young P. euphratica forest experienced the greatest competitive intensity, the mature forest in the transitional habitat was the largest, and the forest in the desert margin habitat was the oldest. Competitive intensity was greatest in the young riverside P. euphratica forest, mature P. euphratica forest in the transitional habitat, and old forest in the desert margin. Riverside P. euphratica experienced strong competition from Populus pruinosa. Competitive exclusion caused P. pruinosa to disappear from the transitional and desert margin habitats. Young, mature, and old P. euphratica forests were randomly distributed along the riverside and in the transitional habitat, while mature and old P. euphratica forests were randomly distributed in the desert margin. Populus pruinosa, Tamarix ramosissima, and Tamarix hispida were mainly randomly distributed, and T. ramosissima and T. hispida were clustered at small scales. In the riverside habitat, young, mature, and old P. euphratica had no spatial correlation, and there was a significant negative correlation at small scales in the transitional habitat. The density of P. euphratica seedlings in the riverside habitat was greater than that in the transitional habitat, and greater competitive pressures on P. euphratica tree seedlings caused a lower renewal density. Conclusions: When planting P. euphratica forests, spacing greater than 10 m can effectively reduce stand competition and thus promote seedling regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Morocco, the Tamaricaceae family is represented by six species belonging to the Tamarix genus. including Tamarix africana which is utilized in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. This study aims to compare and evaluate the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, as well as the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Tamarix africana leaf and flower extracts obtained by Soxhlet extraction using five solvents of increasing polarity. The highest extraction yield was obtained with methanol for the leaves and flowers. Indeed, the results indicate that methanolic extracts contained the highest concentration of polyphenols and flavonoids for both organs (Polyphenols: 101.80 mg GAE/g DW in the leaf extract and 50.55 mg GAE/g DW in the flower extract. Flavonoids: 990.723 µg RE/g DW in the leaf extract and 630.84 µg RE/g DW in the flower extract). The results of antioxidant activity revealed that the aqueous extract of leaves and flowers of T. africana (IC50: 1.89 µg/mL and 3.175 µg/mL respectively) had higher antioxidant activities than ascorbic acid. Concerning the antibacterial study, Bacillus subtilis showed resistance to the tested extracts. However, for the Citrobacter freundii strain, inhibition zones of 14 mm were recorded by the aqueous extract of flowers. On the other hand, the strong inhibition zones recorded against the Enterococcus faecalis strain, were 13 mm recorded by the leaves methanolic extract. Regarding the MIC, it is 6.25 mg/ml for the two strains. Concerning MBC, the results showed that the extracts are bacteriostatic in nature against Citrobacter freundii and Enterococcus faecalis. Thus, Tamarix africana seems to be a potential source of active molecules that could constitute a new alternative for medical and industrial use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dominant woody plants of active floodplains in the northern temperate zone are various species of Salix (willows) and Populus (poplars and cottonwoods) in the tribe Saliceae of the family Salicaceae. In this review, I consider the traits that enable these species to thrive in the dynamic floodplain environment and ask why they are now declining in the northern hemisphere, yet spreading rapidly in the southern hemisphere. I reach four main conclusions. First, floodplain Saliceae exhibit traits, notably huge numbers of minute, wind‐ and water‐dispersed seeds and an exceptional capacity for vegetative propagation, that uniquely fit them for life on the active floodplain. Second, there are no functional equivalents to floodplain Salix and Populus in the southern hemisphere, which accounts for their remarkable success in invading riparian ecosystems. Third, the replacement of Saliceae by other species in the northern hemisphere has been caused mainly by changes in flow through dam construction, regulation and abstraction. The species that replace Saliceae vary according to site conditions: fertile sites in humid climates become occupied by various broadleaved trees (e.g., Acer negundo, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Ailanthus altissima); nitrogen‐fixing shrubs dominate in areas where nitrogen is limiting but phosphorus is adequate (Amorpha fruticosa, Robinia pseudoacacia, Elaeagnus angustifolia); sites in more arid regions are occupied by various Tamarix spp. The different ecological groups of woody species are associated with contrasting changes to the floodplain ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytoremediation, including bacteria-assisted phytoremediation, presents a promising technology for treating shooting range soils contaminated with toxic metalloids. In this study, a pot experiment was performed using the halophyte Tamarix smyrnensis and soil collected from a shooting range and artificially spiked at two different antimonite (Sb(III)) concentrations (50 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg) with the aim to explore the Sb phytoremediation of the halophyte. The effect of salt (0.3%) and Mn addition (300 ppm) on its remediation capacity was also investigated. Moreover, the root endophytic community of the halophyte was found able to remove Sb(III) and was periodically inoculated to the plants. The consortium application increased the Sb bioavailable fraction in the soil and enhanced the Sb accumulation in root and aerial parts (up to 50% and 55% respectively at high Sb(III) concentration) compared to the uninoculated plants. Moreover, the presence of Mn increased the translocation factor (21% increase for inoculated and 46% increase for uninoculated plants) while lower TF was observed at high Sb concentrations (0,2 and 0,07 was the lowest value at low and high Sb treatments respectively). The addition of salt, Mn and root endophytic bacteria aided the halophyte to cope with elevated Sb concentrations. The total chlorophyll concentration was higher in inoculated plants compared to the uninoculated ones in all treatments, implying the positive effects of endophytic inoculation. The halophyte T. smyrnensis with the aid of endophytic community presents a promising alternative for remediating shooting range soils especially in areas impacted by salinity. The halophyte T. smyrnensis presents a promising alternative for remediating shooting range soils The application of endophytic bacteria improved the Sb phytoremediation capacity of T. smyrnensis The halophyte T. smyrnensis can be used for Sb phytoextraction in soils impacted by salinity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt stress is a common abiotic factor that restricts plant growth and development. As a halophyte, Tamarix hispida is a good model plant for exploring salt-tolerance genes and regulatory mechanisms. DNA-binding with one finger (DOF) is an important transcription factor (TF) that influences and controls various signaling substances involved in diverse biological processes related to plant growth and development, but the regulatory mechanisms of DOF TFs in response to salt stress are largely unknown in T. hispida. In the present study, a newly identified Dof gene, ThDOF8 , was cloned from T. hispida , and its expression was found to be induced by salt stress. Transient overexpression of ThDOF8 enhanced T. hispida salt tolerance by enhancing proline levels, and increasing the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD). These results were also verified in stably transformed Arabidopsis. Results from TF-centered yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) assays and EMSAs showed that ThDOF8 binds to a newly identified cis -element (TGCG). Expression profiling by gene chip analysis identified four potential direct targets of ThDOF8, namely the cysteine-rich receptor-like kinases genes, CRK10 and CRK26, and two glutamate decarboxylase genes, GAD41 , and GAD42 , and these were further verified by ChIP–quantitative-PCR, EMSAs, Y1H assays, and β-glucuronidase enzyme activity assays. ThDOF8 can bind to the TGCG element in the promoter regions of its target genes, and transient overexpression of ThCRK10 also enhanced T. hispida salt tolerance. On the basis of our results, we propose a new regulatory mechanism model, in which ThDOF8 binds to the TGCG cis -element in the promoter of the target gene CRK10 to regulate its expression and improve salt tolerance in T. hispida. This study provides a basis for furthering our understanding the role of DOF TFs and identifying other downstream candidate genes that have the potential for improving plant salt tolerance via molecular breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature has proven to be a treasure resource of bioactive metabolites. In this regard, Tamarix aphylla (F. Tamaricaceae) leaves crude extract was investigated for its gastroprotective effect against indomethacin-induced damage to the gastric mucosa. Additionally, phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract afforded eight flavonoids' derivatives (1–8). On pharmacology networking study, the isolated compounds identified 123 unique targets where only 45 targets were related to peptic ulcer conditions, these 45 targets include 11 targets specifically correlate to gastric ulcer. The protein-protein interaction defined the PTGS2 gene as one of the highly interacted genes and the complete pharmacology network defined the PTGS2 gene as the most represented gene. The top KEGG signaling pathways according to fold enrichment analysis was the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance pathway. As a result, these findings highlighted the significance of using T. aphylla leaves crude extract as an anti-gastric ulcer candidate, which provides a safer option to chemical antisecretory medicines, which are infamous for their negative side effects. Our findings have illuminated the potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of T. aphylla, which are likely mediated by suppressing IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and MAPK signaling pathways, without compromising gastric acidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The breeding system and pollination ecology of Tamarix taklamakanensis, an endangered shrub occurring in sand dunes in the Taklamakan Desert, were examined by seven pollination treatments and observational studies in natural populations in 2019. The results showed that T. taklamakanensis exhibits an outcrossed breeding system that is dominated by insect‐pollination. It is largely self‐incompatible, with infrequent occurrence of anemophily, but relies strictly on pollinators in outcrossing. The pollen vitality could last about six days versus the stigma receptivity last about one day. Two effective pollinators were detected, and the peaks of visitation were 10:30–13:30, 16:30–17:30 and 18:30–19:30 h. Seed set by artificial cross‐pollination was significantly higher than natural pollination rates, and seed set for a population with high insect visitation rates was significantly higher than a population with low visitation rate, suggesting that pollen limitation is an important constraint on seed production for this species. Adverse weather conditions and habitat fragmentation were speculated to be the primary factors affecting the insect visitation of T. taklamakanensis in the Taklimakan Desert. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tamarisk witches' broom, yellowing, and little leaf symptoms were observed during 2018–2023 surveys of rural deserts in central regions of Iran with the highest disease incidence up to 72% in Chah Afzal (Yazd province). A verification of the presence and identity of phytoplasmas associated with these symptoms was then performed. Tamarisk tree branch cuttings obtained from symptomatic plants sprouted up to 90.3% but with 15–25 days' delay compared to the asymptomatic ones and showed internode shortening and witches' broom, while the branch cuttings from asymptomatic plants had normal growth and sprouted up to 97.8%. Phytoplasma transmission by dodder bridges to periwinkle did not succeed, while nested polymerase chain reaction on the phytoplasma ribosomal gene followed by RFLP and phylogenetic analyses revealed the presence of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris', 'Ca. P. australasiae=australasiaticum', and 'Ca. P. trifolii' (ribosomal subgroups 16SrI-B, 16SrII-D, and 16SrVI-A, respectively) in the samples from symptomatic plants only. Further amplifications were performed on selected phytoplasma-positive samples on tuf and secA genes, and the produced sequences indicated the presence of mixed phytoplasma infection in some of the samples. In particular, in the tuf gene, a mixed infection of 'Ca. P. australasiae=australasiaticum' and 'Ca. P. trifolii' was detected, while in the secA gene, the presence of 'Ca. P. asteris' or 'Ca. P. tritici' strains was identified. The first-time detection of diverse phytoplasma strains in symptomatic T. aphylla suggests that this species represent a relevant source of infection for the agricultural crops and for landscape plants especially when temperature allows insect vector transmission, and therefore, it represents a risk in every environment especially in the frame of climatic changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As carriers of direct contact between plants and the atmospheric environment, the microbiomes of phyllosphere microorganisms are increasingly recognized as an important area of study. Salt secretion triggered by salt-secreting halophytes elicits changes in the community structure and functions of phyllosphere microorganisms, and often provides positive feedback to the individual plant/community environment. In this study, the contents of Na+ and K+ in the rhizosphere, plant and phyllosphere of Tamarix chinensis were increased under 200 mmol/L NaCl stress. The increase in electrical conductivity, Na+ and K+ in the phyllosphere not only decreased the diversity of bacterial and fungal communities, but also decreased the relative abundance of Actinobacteriota and Basidiomycota. Influenced by electrical conductivity and Na+, the bacteria–fungus co-occurrence network under salt stress has higher complexity. Changes in the structure of the phyllosphere microbial community further resulted in a significant increase in the relative abundance of the bacterial energy source and fungal pathotrophic groups. The relative abundance of Actinobacteriota and Acidobacteriota in rhizosphere showed a decreasing trend under salt stress, while the complexity of the rhizosphere co-occurrence network was higher than that of the control. In addition, the relative abundances of functional groups of rhizosphere bacteria in the carbon cycle and phosphorus cycle increased significantly under stress, and were significantly correlated with electrical conductivity and Na+. This study investigated the effects of salinity on the structure and physicochemical properties of phyllosphere and rhizosphere microbial communities of halophytes, and highlights the role of phyllosphere microbes as ecological indicators in plant responses to stressful environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gall-midge Psectrosema tamaricum (Kieffer 1912) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) forms small ovoid or fusiform swelling galls on the leaf branches and flowering shoots of Tamarix nilotica (Ehrenb.) (Family: Tamaricaceae). The present work studies the interaction of P. tamaricum with T. nilotica. It is an attempt to predict the potential current distribution of P. tamaricum and the host plant T. nilotica in Egypt using ecological-niche modeling.; in addition to the effect of altitude and vegetation cover on its distribution. Within the study areas, the number of galls per plant and plant cover had a significant positive correlation. There was no statistically significant relationship between the number of galls per plant and elevation. Temperature, elevation, and relative humidity were the strongest determinants of P. tamaricum potential distribution. Precipitation, soil types, and temperature were the most significant predictors for the potential distribution of T. nilotica. The present study suggests that gall-forming insects prefer larger plants to small plants. The present study reported that the highly suitable habitat for P. tamaricum is lower than for T. nilotica by 93.4% of the total highly suitable area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tamarisk is an invasive evergreen shrub native to arid regions of Africa and Eurasia and is considered a weed in some countries with dry climates. The complex of gall mites from tamarisks includes fourteen species from four genera of the family Eriophyidae. We reinvestigated the type species of the genus Dicruvasates, D. tamaricis from Egypt, described D. ngubani n. sp. from Tamarix usneoides from South Africa, and revised the generic concept of Dicruvasates. This genus possesses cuticular plates marking longitudinal opisthosomal ridges typical of various phyllocoptine genera, e.g., Echinacrus. We sequenced three genes of Dicruvasates and Phyllocoptes mites from Tamarix and Echinacrus from Frangula, combined our sequences with the data from GenBank, and performed single-gene phylogenetic analyses. All analyses inferred the following: (1) a transcontinental clade Tam comprising Dicruvasates + Aceria + Phyllocoptes from Tamarix; (2) Echinacrus distantly related to Dicruvasates, suggesting the homoplastic nature of the cuticular plates on the opisthosomal ridges, and (3) polyphyly of the genera Aceria and Phyllocoptes. We also investigated partially cleared specimens of Dicruvasates under CLSM and, for the first time, visualized a well-developed anal secretory apparatus (ASA) in the immatures of gall mites, which was previously shown to be a specialized system evolved in Eriophyoidea for silk production. We hypothesize that the ASA contributes to finding nymphs by conspecific males and advocate for the importance of the future molecular biology studies of gall mite silk for developing new methods for controlling mites based on the knowledge of their ecology, behavior, and silk gene genetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the effects of windbreaks on aeolian sediment transport rates, and the size distribution of aeolian sediments transported through them, is important for designing windbreaks to optimize their wind erosion mitigation benefits. This field study determines the size distribution of aeolian sediments upwind (x = −100 m), within (x = 100 and 256 m) and downwind (x = 448 and 560 m) (where x is the distance from the first row of windbreak) of a multi‐row Tamarix windbreak as the basis for further investigation of the influence of vegetation on aeolian sediment characteristics. The volumetric percentage of grains around the peaks of 100 and 20–30 µm showed variability with distance and between the three measured events. We found that the vertical distribution of grain size parameters indicated that mean grain size (Mz) may decrease with height upwind of the windbreak, and inflections were observed in the profiles of sorting (σ1), skewness (SK), and kurtosis (KG) within the windbreak, which may be attributable to blocking and trapping effect of the vegetation. Sediments were poorly sorted with the distributions of grain sizes being fine‐skewed and leptokurtic. The horizontal distribution of grain size indicated that Mz increased from x = −100 m to x = 100 m and then decreased at x = 256 m, indicating that the windbreak was unable to retain small particles. The windbreak could trap particle sizes <50 µm and particles >50 µm transported to downwind region of windbreak. Within the windbreak, SK and KG increased, and σ1 decreased. Downwind of the windbreak (at x = 448 and 560 m), Mz and KG increased, and σ1 and SK decreased. The results of the current study provide preliminary information on the variability of aeolian sediment grain sizes during transport relative to vegetation and suggest that multirow windbreaks could influence downwind particulate matter size concentrations and soil health. Core Ideas: Mean aeolian grain size decreased with height upwind of the windbreak.Sediments were poorly sorted with fine‐skewed and leptokurtic grain size distributions.Mean grain size increased within the windbreak.Skewness and kurtosis increased within the windbreak.Standard deviation in grain size decreased within the windbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incorporating societal considerations into decisions related to invasive species management is desirable, but can be challenging because it requires a solid understanding of the ecological functions and socio- cultural and economic benefits and values of the invaded environment before and after invasion. The ecosystem service (ES) concept was designed to facilitate such decision-making by establishing direct connections between ecosystem properties and human well-being, but its application in invasive species management has not been systematic. In this Discussion paper, we propose the adoption of the ES cascade model as a framework for understanding the environmental effects, costs and benefits associated with controlling an invasive shrub (Tamarix spp.) in riparian systems of the western United States. The cascade model has the advantage of explicitly dissecting social-ecological systems into five components: ecosystem structure and processes, ecological functions, ecosystem services, benefits and the economic and socio-cultural valuation of these services and benefits. The first two have received significant attention in the evaluation of Tamarix control effectiveness. The last three have long been implicitly acknowledged over decades of Tamarix management in the region, but have not been formally accounted for, which we believe would increase the effectiveness, accountability and transparency of management efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predicting how increasing temperatures interact with other global change drivers to influence the structure and dynamics of Earth's ecosystems is a primary challenge in ecology. Our study made use of multiple simultaneous "natural experiments" to examine how rapid warming, declining nutrients, invasive consumers, and riparian invasive species management interact to influence leaf decomposition in a large and regulated river. Specifically, we compared the breakdown of cottonwood (Populus fremontii), willow (Salix exigua), and saltcedar (Tamarix sp.) leaf litter in 2022 to a previous experiment from 1998 that occurred under much cooler water temperatures, and had higher water phosphorus concentrations, low numbers of invasive New Zealand mudsnails (Potamopyrgus antipodarum), and unaltered litter chemistry from the herbivory of saltcedar leaf beetles (Diorhabda carinulata). We found that the effects of up to 10°C warmer temperatures on leaf decomposition were mediated by the establishment and management of invasive species and declining water nutrient concentrations arising from upstream reservoir lowering. Such interactions led to accelerated breakdown of saltcedar, but relatively minor effects of warming on the rate of cottonwood and willow decomposition. Additionally, our results demonstrate the potential for favorable invasive species management outcomes in the terrestrial environment to produce unintended responses in adjacent freshwater ecosystems. As temperatures continue to rise, it is critical that future studies consider how warming interacts with multiple stressors and environmental factors to influence processes such as decomposition in freshwater ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honeys from different regions of Algeria were analyzed to determine their pollen characteristics and physicochemical properties (humidity, pH, electrical conductivity, diastase content, color, phenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity). The antioxidant activity was investigated using the free radical scavenging and Ferric reducing/antioxidant power assays. The melissopalynological analysis revealed 129 pollen types from 53 botanical families. The pollen types found as dominant were Coriandrum, Bupleurum, Brassica napus type, Hedysarum coronarium, Ceratonia siliqua, Eucalyptus, Peganum harmala, Ziziphus lotus and Tamarix. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis were used to analyze significant relationships between the physicochemical variables and the botanical origin of the honeys and establish groupings based on the similarities of their physicochemical and antioxidant properties. The results showed that Ceratonia siliqua, Eucalyptus, Arbutus and honeydew honeys had a higher antioxidant contribution and higher phenolic and flavonoid contents than the rest of the honeys. In addition, the contributions of Mediterranean vegetation such as Myrtus and Phyllirea angustifolia were significant in this honey group. This paper demonstrates the diverse botanical variability for honey production in Algeria. However, there is a gap in its characterization based on its botanical origin. Therefore, these studies contribute positively to the needs of the beekeeping sector and the commercial valorization of the country's honey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective ecological restoration requires empirical assessment to determine outcomes of projects, but conclusions regarding the effects of restoration treatments on the whole ecosystem remain rare. Control of invasive shrubs and trees in the genus Tamarix and associated riparian restoration in the American Southwest has been of interest to scientists and resource managers for decades; dozens of studies have reported highly variable outcomes of Tamarix control efforts, as measured by a range of response variables, temporal and spatial scales and monitoring strategies. We conducted a literature search and review, meta-analysis and vote count (comparison of numerical outcomes lacking reported variances and/or sample sizes) on published papers that quantitatively measured a variety of responses to control of Tamarix. From 96 publications obtained through a global search on terms related to Tamarix control, we found 52 publications suitable for a meta-analysis (n = 777 comparisons) and 63 publications suitable for two vote counts (n = 1,460 comparisons total; 622 comparisons reported as statistically significant) of response to Tamarix control. We estimated responses to control by treatment type (e.g. cut-stump treatment, burning, biocontrol) and ecosystem component (e.g. vegetation, fauna, fluvial processes). Finally, we compared results of the various synthesis methods to determine whether the increasingly stringent requirements for inclusion led to biased outcomes. Vegetation metrics, especially measures of Tamarix response, were the most commonly assessed. Ecosystem components other than vegetation, such as fauna, soils and hydrogeomorphic dynamics, were under-represented. The meta-analysis showed significantly positive responses by vegetation overall to biocontrol, herbicide and cut-stump treatments. This was primarily due to reduction of Tamarix cover; impacts on replacement vegetation were highly variable. We found concordance amongst our varied synthesis approaches, indicating that increased granularity from stricter quantitative techniques does not come at the cost of a biased sample. Overall, our results indicate that common control methods are generally effective for reducing Tamarix, but the indirect effects on other aspects of the ecosystem are variable and remain understudied. Given that this is a relatively well-studied invasive plant species, our results also illustrate the limitations of not only individual studies, but also of reviews for measuring the impact of invasive species control. We call on researchers to investigate the less commonly studied responses to Tamarix control and riparian restoration including the effects on fauna, soil and hydrogeomorphic characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An on-going question in plant hydraulic research is whether there is intra-specific variability and/or plasticity in xylem traits. Plasticity could be important in taxa that colonize diverse habitats. We used Tamarix, a non-native woody plant, to investigate population differences in hydraulic conductivity (Ks), vulnerability-to-embolism curves and vessel anatomy. We also conducted a season-long drought experiment to determine water potentials associated with crown dieback of field-grown plants. We measured vessel length and diameter, and compared visual (micro-computed tomography; microCT) and hydraulic methods to quantify percentage loss in hydraulic conductivity (PLC). Among plants grown in a common environment, we did not find differences in our measured traits between two populations of Tamarix that differ in salinity at their source habitats. This taxon is relatively vulnerable to embolism. Within samples, large diameter vessels displayed increased vulnerability to embolism. We found that the microCT method overestimated theoretical conductivity and underestimated PLC compared with the hydraulic method. We found agreement for water potentials leading to crown dieback and results from the hydraulic method. Saplings, grown under common conditions in the present study, did not differ in their xylem traits, but prior research has found difference among source-site grown adults. This suggests that plasticity may be key in the success of Tamarix occurring across a range of habits in the arid southwest USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By the end of 2021, the pear yield in Xinjiang reached 1,795,900 tons, accounting for 1/9 of the country. Pear black spot, caused by Alternaria gaisen disease, has had a significant impact on the pear industry. A. gaisen can infect nearly all pear plants, resulting in black spots on the fruit that negatively aect both yield and quality. This study focused on the TRM76323 strain of Streptomyces, which was isolated from the soil of Tamarix chinensis in Xinjiang Province. Through a multiphase classification and identification method, the genetic classification status of the antagonistic strains was determined. The study also identified the antibacterial active components of streptochlorin using modern isolation and purification techniques. The antagonistic activity of Streptomyces against Alternaria was analyzed through in vitro and in vivo experiments. This research not only expanded the resource bank of antagonistic microorganisms in extreme environments in Xinjiang, but also identified active components that could contribute to the development of new drug lead compounds. Additionally, this study presents a novel approach for the prevention and control of pear black spot disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Soil salinization poses a significant challenge to plant growth and vitality. Plants like Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb (T. ramosissima), which are halophytes, are often integrated into planting schemes tailored for saline environments. Yet, the role of WRKY transcription factors in T. ramosissima, especially under sodium chloride (NaCl) stress mitigated by exogenous K+ application, is not well-understood. This research endeavors to bridge this knowledge gap. Methods: Using Pfam protein domain prediction and physicochemical property analysis, we delved into the WRKY genes in T. ramosissima roots that are implicated in counteracting NaCl stress when aided by exogenous K+ applications. By observing shifts in the expression levels of WRKY genes annotated to the KEGG pathway under NaCl stress at 0, 48, and 168 h, we aimed to identify potential key WRKY genes. Results: We found that the expression of 56 WRKY genes in T. ramosissima roots responded to exogenous K+ application during NaCl stress at the indicated time points. Particularly, the expression levels of these genes were primarily upregulated within 168 h. From these, 10 WRKY genes were found to be relevant in the KEGG pathways. Moreover, six genes, namely Unigene0024962, Unigene0024963, Unigene0010090, Unigene0007135, Unigene0070215, and Unigene0077293, were annotated to the Plant-pathogen interaction pathway or the MAPK signaling pathway in plants. These genes exhibited dynamic expression regulation at 48 h with the application of exogenous K+ under NaCl stress. Discussion: Our research highlights that WRKY transcription factors can modulate the activation or inhibition of related genes during NaCl stress with the application of exogenous K+. This regulation enhances the plant's adaptability to saline environments and mitigates the damage induced by NaCl. These findings provide valuable gene resources for future salt-tolerant Tamarix breeding and expand our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of WRKY transcription factors in alleviating NaCl toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effect of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-producing endophytes from saline environments on survival and growth of tomato under salt stress, using different treatment times. Twenty-five endophytic bacteria were isolated from halophytes (Atriplex halimus L., Tamarix aphylla L.) issued from saline regions (Algeria). Five strains were selected based on tolerance to NaCl. A polyphasic taxonomic study was conducted. The selected strains were assigned to the Bacillus cereus group. Quantification of IAA production was done by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). An in vitro test of growth promotion/protection of tomato 'Aicha' was conducted under saline conditions (50 mM, 75 mM, 100 mM, and 125 mM), for different durations of seed biopriming (1h, 3h, and 12h). Endophytes led to a significant amelioration of salt stress in tomato 'Aicha' at all salinity levels, depending on treatment times, indicating the necessity of optimizing this crucial factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt stress is a significant environmental factor affecting plant growth and development, with NaCl stress being one of the most common types of salt stress. The halophyte, Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb (T. ramosissima), is frequently utilized for the afforestation of saline-alkali soils. Indeed, there has been limited research and reports by experts and scholars on the regulatory mechanisms of basic leucine zipper (bZIP) genes in T. ramosissima when treated with exogenous potassium (K+) to alleviate the effects of NaCl stress. This study focused on the bZIP genes in T. ramosissima roots under NaCl stress with additional KCl applied. We identified key candidate genes and metabolic pathways related to bZIP and validated them through quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The results revealed that under NaCl stress with additional KCl applied treatments at 0 h, 48 h, and 168 h, based on Pfam protein domain prediction and physicochemical property analysis, we identified 20 related bZIP genes. Notably, four bZIP genes (bZIP_2, bZIP_6, bZIP_16, and bZIP_18) were labeled with the plant hormone signal transduction pathway, showing a predominant up-regulation in expression levels. The results suggest that these genes may mediate multiple physiological pathways under NaCl stress with additional KCl applied at 48 h and 168 h, enhancing signal transduction, reducing the accumulation of ROS, and decreasing oxidative damage, thereby enhancing the tolerance of T. ramosissima to NaCl stress. This study provides gene resources and a theoretical basis for further breeding of salt-tolerant Tamarix species and the involvement of bZIP transcription factors in mitigating NaCl toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Populuseuphratica and Tamarix chinensis play a vital role in windbreak and sand fixation, maintaining species diversity and ensuring community stability. Managing and protecting the P. euphratica and T. chinensis forests in the Heihe River's lower reaches is an urgent issue to maintain the desert region's ecological balance. In this study, based on the distribution points of P. euphratica and T. chinensis species and environmental data, MaxEnt and random forest (RF) models were used to characterize the potential distribution areas of P. euphratica and T. chinensis in the lower reaches of the Heihe River. The results showed that the accuracy of the RF model was much higher than that of the MaxEnt model. Both the RF and MaxEnt models showed that the distance to the river greatly influenced the distribution of P. euphratica and T. chinensis. Furthermore, the RF model predicted significantly larger highly suitable areas for both P. euphratica and T. chinensis than the MaxEnt model. Our study enhances the understanding of the species' spatial distribution, offering valuable insights for practical management and conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tamarix is native to Eurasia plus the northern and southern territories of Africa, with some species being introduced into America and Oceania. They are usually found in arid, desertic, or subdesertic areas, often on saline or subsaline soils, in Mediterranean, temperate, or subtropical climates. The genus is renowned for its complex taxonomy, which is usually based on rather variable or unstable characters, which leads to contrasting taxonomic treatments. As part of the taxonomic revision of Tamarix undertaken by the authors, ten names (i.e., T. africana, T. bounopoea, T. brachystylis var. fluminensis, T. malenconiana, T. muluyana, T. tenuifolia, T. tingitana, T. trabutii, T. valdesquamigera, and T. weyleri) published from material collected in the southwestern parts of the Mediterranean basin are taxonomically and nomenclaturally discussed after analysing their original material. Eight intended holotypes are corrected here to lectotypes; one epitype is designated for T. africana to warrant current use of the name; and one isotype, 30 isolectotypes, and 11 syntypes are also identified for the studied names. Further, the taxonomic identity of all names and their eventual synonymic placement are accordingly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In regard to the ecological challenges stand facing green infrastructure in hot-arid regions, selecting resilient species of plants, as a determining factor, can significantly contribute to GI sustainability. Therefore, the present study aimed to establish a framework for the selection of resilient plant species in these regions, particularly in the city of Qom, Central Iran. To this end, the main criteria were ascertained based on the related thematic literature. Then, any existing (dominant) and proposed species exploited for the development of GI in this region were identified. In the following, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), the fuzzy AHP to assign weight to each criterion, and the fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution were utilized to rank the plant species. For this purpose, the opinions of 15 experts in urban GI and horticulture were elicited. The results demonstrated that water (0.273), soil (0.254), climate (0.199), ecological conditions (0.180), and urban pollution (0.092) were the main determining criteria. As well, resistance of the plant species against soil salinity (0.075), evapotranspiration (ET) (0.069), water stress (0.3067), salinity (0.067), and adverse environmental conditions (0.063) were among the most significant sub-criteria to clarify the resilient species concerned. Finally, it was concluded that tree species such as Tamarix aphylla, and Populus euphratica (desert poplar), Eucalyptus blue (southern blue gum); shrub ones including Calligonum, Callistemon citrinus (crimson bottlebrush), and Astragalus brachycalyx (the Persian manna); and vegetation species such as Salvia rosmarinus (rosemary), Frankenia (sea heath), and Atriplex argentea were the most resilient species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study evaluates the cytotoxicity, mode of cell death and chemical analysis of selected beauty products and evaluation of the protective effect of Tamarix articulata (TA) extract against toxicity induced by beauty products in skin fibroblasts (Hs27). MTT and Crystal violet (CV) assays were used to determine the dose-dependent cytotoxic effects of beauty products against Hs27 fibroblasts. DNA fragmentation assay and annexin-V staining were conducted to determine the mode of cell killing induced by evaluated beauty products. Quantification of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant enzyme levels were used to evaluate the oxidative stress. Chemical analysis and heavy metals were evaluated to determine beauty products. Pre-treatment with TA extract for different time points followed by time-dependent exposure with beauty products to assess the protective effect of TA extract in Hs27 cells was analyzed by MTT and CV assays. Owing to the presence of various harmful heavy metals such as arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) in beauty products, our results revealed that all beauty products induce significant cytotoxicity over time (1, 4 h) in a dose-dependent (125, 250, 500 μg/mL) manner. DNA fragmentation assay, quantification of apoptosis by annexin-V staining, determination of ROS and antioxidant enzymes (CAT, GSH-Px and SOD) revealed that the induced cytotoxicity was caused by oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis. However, pre-incubation with a safe dose (50 μg/mL) of TA for different times (24, 48 h) followed by exposure to various doses (62.5, 125, 250, 500 μg/mL) of beauty products for different times (1, 4 h) revealed significant (*p≤0.05, **p≤0.01) protection against beauty product-mediated cytotoxicity. The effect was more pronounced for 1 h exposure to beauty products compared to 4 h. Our study demonstrates that the due to the presence of heavy metals in synthetic beauty products exhibit marked toxicity to skin fibroblasts due to oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis. However, the presence of abundant bioactive polyphenols with promising antiscavenging activity in TA extracts significantly nullifies cytotoxicity promoted by examined beauty products in skin fibroblasts (Hs27). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Multiple regulatory pathways of T. chinensis to salt stress were identified through transcriptome data analysis. Tamarix chinensis (Tamarix chinensis Lour.) is a typical halophyte capable of completing its life cycle in soils with medium to high salinity. However, the mechanisms underlying its resistance to high salt stress are still largely unclear. In this study, transcriptome profiling analyses in different organs of T. chinensis plants in response to salt stress were carried out. A total number of 2280, 689, and 489 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were, respectively, identified in roots, stems, and leaves, with more DEGs detected in roots than in stems and leaves. Gene Ontology (GO) term analysis revealed that they were significantly enriched in "biological processes" and "molecular functions". Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed that "Beta-alanine metabolism" was the most differentially enriched pathway in roots, stems, and leaves. In pair-to-pair comparison of the most differentially enriched pathways, a total of 14 pathways, including 5 pathways in roots and leaves, 6 pathways in roots and stems, and 3 pathways in leaves and stems, were identified. Furthermore, genes encoding transcription factor, such as bHLH, bZIP, HD-Zip, MYB, NAC, WRKY, and genes associated with oxidative stress, starch and sucrose metabolism, and ion homeostasis, were differentially expressed with distinct organ specificity in roots, stems, and leaves. Our findings in this research provide a novel approach for exploring the salt tolerance mechanism of halophytes and identifying new gene targets for the genetic breeding of new plant cultivars with improved resistance to salt stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Tamarix comprises trees and shrubs that grow mainly in saline habitats. Previous phylogenetic analyses have shown incongruence between different gene trees, which suggest that hybridization processes might have been present in the past. However, the complex pattern of colonization of the Western Mediterranean region has yet to be understood, and no dated phylogeny that reconciles the different gene trees is currently available. The objectives of the study are: (i) to reconstruct the first dated species tree of the genus Tamarix from previously published data, (ii) to evaluate the occurrence of past hybridization, and (iii) to discuss biogeographical implications, mainly focused on the Mediterranean Basin. Our results show that the separation between Tamarix and Myricaria occurred 28.49 Mya, and the crown age of the genus Tamarix is dated at 16.65 Mya. Past hybridization processes might be present in three species: Tamarix amplexicaulis , Tamarix canariensis , and Tamarix minoa. Various colonization events are probable in the Western Mediterranean: a first colonization in the Early Miocene, Tamarix africana during the Late Miocene, and Tamarix boveana and Tamarix gallica during the Pleistocene. In addition, the genus Tamarix migrated to south-western Africa around 5.8 Mya, probably through an ancient arid African corridor, or a long-distance dispersal event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the ecological problems caused by the greenhouse effect are growing more serious, and implementing carbon sequestration methods is an effective way to address them. Arid and semi-arid desert areas have tremendous potential as carbon sinks, and artificial forests in these areas play an important role in absorbing and sequestering carbon dioxide. This study selected three main species of artificial protective trees along the Tarim Desert Highway—Haloxylon ammodendron (C.A.Mey.) Bunge, Calligonum mongolicum Turcz. and Tamarix chinensis Lour.—and evaluated them for their carbon sequestration, oxygen release capacity, and economic benefits using Pn (net photosynthetic rate) and biomass methods. The results showed that the average daily Pn value and carbon sequestration and oxygen release per unit leaf area of T. chinensis were significantly higher than those of H. ammodendron and C. mongolicum (p < 0.05). The total carbon storage of the three shelterbelts was 15.41 × 104 t, and the carbon storage of H. ammodendron was significantly higher than that of C. mongolicum and T. chinensis (p < 0.05). According to the net photosynthetic rate method, the annual carbon sequestration and oxygen release of the shelter forest is 6.13 × 104 t a−1, and the transaction price is CNY 13.73 million a−1. The total amount of carbon sequestration and oxygen release of the shelter forest obtained via the biomass method is 97.61 × 104 t, and the transaction price is CNY 218.77 million. This study conducted research on the carbon sequestration capacity of protective forests along the Tarim Desert Highway located in an extremely arid region. It highlights the significant contribution of these protective forests in terms of carbon storage, playing a crucial role in promoting ecological restoration and sustainable development in arid areas. Additionally, this study provides a scientific basis for estimating carbon storage and promoting the sustainable management of artificial forests in arid desert regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate estimation of evapotranspiration (ET) is a prerequisite for water management in arid regions. Field based methods estimate point-wise ET accurately, but the challenge is in estimating ET over a region with high accuracies. Machine learning based approaches were taken to estimate ET over a large spatial scale using the Bowen Ratio Energy Balance (BREB) technique. The BREB method depends on terrestrial energy balance equations to estimate ET. Thus, remote sensing-based parameters representing variables in the energy balance equation, and vegetation index representing plant health conditions were used in the model. The study was conducted in the arid areas of the southwestern United States, where dense patches of Salt cedar consume water from the primary water source. The preliminary model used enhanced vegetation index (EVI), global horizontal irradiance (GHI), surface temperature (TS), and relative humidity (RH) as parameters. The k-nearest neighbor method consistently generated poor accuracies. When all the parameters were used, accuracies of the other models varied within 90–94%. When one predictor parameter was dropped, the best model produced accuracies between 90 to 93%, which dropped to 87–92% when a second variable was dropped. Random forest and support vector machine with radial kernel consistently produced the best predictive accuracies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Populus euphratica and Tamarix chinensis hold significant importance in wind prevention, sand fixation, and biodiversity conservation. The precise extraction of these species can offer technical assistance for vegetation studies. This paper focuses on the Populus euphratica and Tamarix chinensis located within Daliyabuyi, utilizing PointCNN as the primary research method. After decorrelating and stretching the images, deep learning techniques were applied, successfully distinguishing between various vegetation types, thereby enhancing the precision of vegetation information extraction. On the validation dataset, the PointCNN model showcased a high degree of accuracy, with the respective regular accuracy rates for Populus euphratica and Tamarix chinensis being 92.106% and 91.936%. In comparison to two-dimensional deep learning models, the classification accuracy of the PointCNN model is superior. Additionally, this study extracted individual tree information for the Populus euphratica, such as tree height, crown width, crown area, and crown volume. A comparative analysis with the validation data attested to the accuracy of the extracted results. Furthermore, this research concluded that the batch size and block size in deep learning model training could influence classification outcomes. In summary, compared to 2D deep learning models, the point cloud deep learning approach of the PointCNN model exhibits higher accuracy and reliability in classifying and extracting information for poplars and tamarisks. These research findings offer valuable references and insights for remote sensing image processing and vegetation study domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In hyper-arid regions, soil moisture's role in ecohydrological processes can differ significantly from that in arid or semi-arid ecosystems. We investigated the spatial–temporal dynamics of soil moisture and its relationship with groundwater depths in a 200 m × 300 m phreatophytic tamarisk stand in the lower basin of the Tarim River, a hyper-arid zone in China. Soil moisture profiles, from the surface to the water table, were derived using drilling and oven-drying techniques. Over a three-year period, the soil moisture at multiple depths was continuously monitored in a specific plot using nine frequency domain reflectometry (FDR) sensors. Our results indicate a correlation between horizontal variations in soil moisture and groundwater depths (GWDs). Nevertheless, anomalies in this correlation were observed. Variations in horizontal soil moisture were strongly influenced by the clay content in the soil, with finer soils retaining more moisture. Despite varying GWDs, soil moisture profiles remained consistent, with no distinct correlation between them. Soil moisture exhibited stability across layers, with noticeable changes only adjacent to the water table. These results imply that in hyper-arid environments, soil texture primarily governs soil moisture distribution. However, the limited spatial and temporal scopes in our dataset, constrained by the region's inhospitable conditions, necessitate further investigation. Future work should prioritize amalgamating diverse data sources to devise a region-specific soil moisture model for in-depth analysis of hyper-arid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the intensification of global warming, uncertainty regarding ecosystem evolution trends in drylands has increased. The objective of this article was to test whether the desertification process of tamarisk shrubland was intensified by comparing fertile island effects and soil ecological stoichiometry characteristics at different time periods. The tamarisk shrubland in the "shrubland" and "shrub duneland" stages in the northern Tarim Basin was selected, and soil samples were collected from the tamarisk nabkhas and from the interspaces between tamarisk nebkhas at the 0‐ to 30‐cm soil layers in 2009 and 2018. Soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorous (P) were analyzed, and the C/N, C/P, and N/P ratios were calculated. In comparison with 2009, fertile island effects were completely collapsed in the shrub duneland stage, with no obvious changes in the shrubland stage in 2018. The average soil C/N ratio decreased from a value greater than 25 in both stages. The average value of soil C/P ratio was below 200 in the shrubland and shrub duneland stages, with almost no marked change after nine years. The soil N/P ratio in our study significantly increased in 2018 than in 2009, but the soil N/P ratio was still much less than 11.9. Significantly positive correlations were observed between the relative interaction index (RII) of soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil total nitrogen (TN) and the soil C/P and N/P ratios in the tamarisk nebkhas. These results suggested that (1) fertile island effects were positive in relation to soil stoichiometry in tamarisk nebkhas in most cases; (2) the desertification process was accelerated in the shrub duneland stage, with no obvious progress during the shrubland stage; and (3) the loss of soil C from the collapsed fertile islands could therefore accelerate global warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Antimony (Sb) is considered a priority pollutant and its removal from the environment is of great importance. Among the various treatments, phytoremediation is considered an efficient method when the accumulation of this metalloid in plant tissues is sufficiently high. This work focused on removal of Sb(III) from aqueous solution at two Sb concentrations (5 and 10 ppm) and using salt as stressor (100 mmol L−1) only at the lowest Sb concentration (5 ppm). The response of two salt‐tolerant plant species – Tamarix smyrnensis and Nerium oleander – was monitored when subjected to Sb‐contaminated hydroponic solutions. Results: Plant growth and water content remained unaltered within the 15‐day experimental period, while the chlorophyll content declined significantly at the higher Sb level (10 ppm) only for N. oleander. The antioxidant enzymatic activity in T. smyrnensis with respect to guaiacol peroxidase (GPOD) and catalase (CAT) was significantly increased in the treatment under Sb and salt stress. In N. oleander there was a strong increase in GPOD activity by the exposure to Sb, whereas the CAT activity was increased considerably with the presence of salinity. Sb concentration was detected on the surface of the leaves, indicating that excretion occurred in both plants. Increased accumulation was observed in N. oleander in the absence of salinity whereas, under salt stress, Sb accumulation was considerably higher (60%) in T. smyrnensis. Notably, both plants could accumulate a high amount of Sb, preferentially in the roots, with the concentrations in the leaves being significantly lower. Conclusion: The experimental results from this study demonstrate that both plants are suitable for phytoremediation due to substantial Sb accumulation without visible Sb toxicity. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Tamarix chinensis Lour. is a 3≥6-meter-tall small tree with high salt- and alkali-tolerance and aggressive invasiveness, mainly distributed in the eastern part of China in warm-temperate and subtropical climate zones, yet there is little information available regarding genetic diversity and population structure. Methods. A total of 204 individuals of nine T. chinensis populations were investigated for genetic diversity and population structure using a set of 12 highly polymorphic microsatellite markers. Results. The total number of alleles detected was 162, the average number of effective allele was 4.607, the average polymorphism information content (PIC) value of the 12 loci was 0.685, and the mean observed heterozygosity (Ho) and the mean expected heterozygosity (He) was 0.653 and 0.711, respectively. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed a 5.32% genetic variation among T. chinensis populations. Despite a low population differentiation, Bayesian clustering analysis, discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) and the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) clearly identified three genetic clusters correlated to the populations' geographic origin: the northern populations including those from Yellow River Delta, the Fangshan (FS) population from Beijing, the Changyi (CY) population from Bohai Bay, the Huanjiabu (HHJ) population from Hangzhou Bay, and the remaining two populations from Hangzhou Bay. There was a significant relationship between the genetic distance and geographical distance of the paired populations. Gene flow (Nm) was 4.254 estimated from FST. Conclusion. T. chinensis possessed high genetic diversity comparable to tree species, and although the population differentiation is shallow, our results classified the sampled populations according to sampling localities, suggesting the different origins of the study populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphological characteristics and biomass allocation can reflect plant adaptive strategies to the environment. Tamarix sp. is an excellent shrub species used for windbreaks and fixing sand in the desert of northwest China. The successful establishment of Tamarix sp. seedlings and their growth into mature individuals require their adaptation to various environmental conditions, which is the key to naturally regenerating the Tamarix population. To clarify the root morphological characteristics, leaf structural characters, and biomass allocation of Tamarix sp. seedlings in response to drought conditions, we took the Tamarix sp. seedlings at the Daryaboyi oasis in the hinterland of Taklimakan Desert as the object of study, analyzed rooting depth, root dry weight (RDW), specific root length (SRL), root surface area (RA), specific root area (SRA), leaf area (LA), specific leaf area (SLA) and root: shoot ratio (R:S ratio). The gravimetric soil water content varied from 5.80% to 25.84% in this study area. The taproots of Tamarix sp seedlings with small basal stem diameters were shallower and had few lateral root branches and Tamarix sp. seedlings with large basal stem diameters had more obvious taproots and lateral roots. With the growth of Tamarix sp. seedlings, the taproot deepened, and the values ranged from 4.5 cm to 108.0 cm; the SRL, SRA, and SLA decreased, and the ranges of the values were 28.92–478.79 cm·g-1, 1.07–458.50 cm2·g-1, and 24.48–50.7 cm2·g-1; the RDW, RA, and LA increased, the ranges of the values were 0.16–21.34 g, 3.42–328.04 cm2, and 2.41–694.45 cm2; the more biomass was allocated to the aboveground parts, and the mean R: S ratio was 0.76. In better soil water conditions, the root growth rate decreased as Tamarix sp. seedlings grew, and more biomass was allocated to the aboveground. This further showed that stable surface water is highly significant to the biomass allocation strategy of Tamarix sp. seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halophytes have long been used for medicinal purposes. However, their use was entirely empirical, with no knowledge of the bioactive compounds. The plant Tamarix aphylla L. has not drawn the deserving attention for its phytochemical and bioactive explorations, but available data expressed its needs to be attended for its potential. The Streptococcus mutans SpaP gene (cell-surface antigen) mediates the binding of these bacteria to tooth surfaces. The growing problem of antibiotic resistance triggered the research on alternative antimicrobial approaches. Our study aims to explore the activity of T. aphylla ethanolic extract against the virulence gene found in Streptococcus mutans pathogenic bacteria. Samples that were previously collected and identified in our previous work (in press) were obtained from different dental clinics and hospitals in Baghdad. Three nonbiofilm-forming bacterial isolates having multidrug resistance (MDR) for 10 antibiotics (doxycycline, ofloxacin, tetracycline, erythromycin, vancomycin, clindamycin, rifampicin, imipenem, amikacin, and cefepime) were selected to examine the potential of the T. aphylla ethanolic extract. The ethanolic extract showed high antimicrobial activity against MDR. Minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) for the extract was 17.5 mg/ml, while minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was 35 mg/ml. The phytochemical compounds present in the ethanolic extract were determined by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) which revealed that the leaves contain thirteen different alkaloids, twelve flavonoids, and four vitamins. The extract strongly inhibited a virulence property, the adherence of S. mutans which reduced during critical growth phases. The one-step RT-PCR method was used to study the SpaP gene expression of bacterial isolates which significantly reduced. In conclusion, extraction of T. aphylla leaves showed an antimicrobial effect against MDR S. mutans. The identified phytochemicals in the T. aphylla extract are reported to be biologically important and need further investigation to develop safe and cheap drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GRAS transcription factors belong to the plant-specific protein family. They are not only involved in plant growth and development but also in plant responses to a variety of abiotic stresses. However, to date, the SCL32 (SCARECROW-like 32) gene conferring the desired resistance to salt stresses has not been reported in plants. Here, ThSCL32 , a homologous gene of Arabidopsis thaliana AtSCL32 , was identified. ThSCL32 was highly induced by salt stress in Tamarix hispida. ThSCL32 overexpression in T. hispida gave rise to improved salt tolerance. ThSCL32 -silenced T. hispida plants were more sensitive to salt stress. RNA-seq analysis of transient transgenic T. hispida overexpressing ThSCL32 revealed significantly enhanced ThPHD3 (prolyl-4-hydroxylase domain 3 protein) gene expression. ChIP-PCR further verified that ThSCL32 probably binds to the novel cis -element SBS (ACGTTG) in the promoter of ThPHD3 to activate its expression. In brief, our results suggest that the ThSCL32 transcription factor is involved in salt tolerance in T. hispida by enhancing ThPHD3 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinity and desertification are seriously threatening the ecological environment of Ebinur Lake Wetland. Myxobacteria are the main soil microbes in this wetland. However, it is still unclear if the myxobacterial community structure and diversity can improve the ecological environment of Ebinur Lake Wetland by regulating soil nutrient cycling. Therefore, based on high-throughput sequencing of 16SrRNA gene technology, the composition, function, and diversity of the myxobacterial community in the rhizosphere of Tamarix chinensis Lour in Ebinur Lake Wetland were studied. Rhizosphere soil samples were collected from 10 sampling sites (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, and S10) for three months (April, July, and October) to explore the main biotic and abiotic factors affecting the diversity and functions of myxobacterial communities. The results revealed that diversity of myxobacterial communities was mainly influenced by the seasons. The diversity of myxobacterial communities was significantly higher in the month of July, as compared to April and October. FAPROTAX functional prediction revealed that, in addition to predation or parasitic functions, myxobacteria were mainly involved in ecological functions, such as nitrite respiration, nitrite ammonification, and nitrogen respiration. The Spearman correlation analysis of the diversity and function of myxobacteria and bacteria showed that there were significant positive correlations between myxobacteria diversity, function, and bacterial diversity. The co-occurrence analysis of myxobacteria and bacterial networks showed that over time, myxobacteria interacted differently with different bacterial networks and jointly regulated the microbial community in the rhizosphere of Tamarix chinensis Lour through predation or cooperation. The redundancy analysis of soil physicochemical factors as well as the myxobacterial community showed that electrical conductivity, exchangeable calcium, and exchangeable potassium were the most important abiotic factors affecting the diversity, structure, and function of the myxobacterial community. These results reveal that myxobacteria may play important roles in degrading nitrogen compounds and regulating the activity of soil microorganisms. This study provides theoretical support for the ecological restoration of Ebinur Lake Wetland and lays the foundation for the future development and utilization of myxobacteria resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NaCl stress adversely affects plant growth. Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb (T. ramosissima), a halophyte, thrives in saline-alkali areas. Myo-inositol, a lipid-soluble compound, is crucial for stress response, but its role in mitigating NaCl damage remains underexplored. We analyzed transcriptome sequencing and metabolites in T. ramosissima roots under NaCl stress at various intervals (0 h, 48 h, and 168 h). We identified ten Myo-inositol oxygenase-related genes. Nine of these genes, linked to metabolic pathways involving Myo-inositol, showed differential expression. Myo-inositol accumulation increased over time, suggesting its role as an osmotic regulator and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger. This accumulation likely shields T. ramosissima from NaCl-induced osmotic and oxidative damage. Notably, Unigene0002140 and Unigene0095980, associated with Myo-inositol oxygenase, appear to regulate Myo-inositol accumulation and correlate significantly with its levels. We hypothesize they are key genes in controlling Myo-inositol levels, warranting further study. This research illuminates the role of Myo-inositol oxygenase-related genes in T. ramosissima roots combating NaCl stress, offering insights for selecting salt-tolerant tree species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt cedar (Tamarix gallica L.) is an important xero–halophytic tree used for its medicinal properties to treat cancer, gastrointestinal syndromes, diabetes and infections. In the present investigation, instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was carried out to evaluate some major and trace elements (As, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, K, La, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Tb, Th, and Zn) in this species. The quality of the results was assessed by the analysis of CRM-GSV4 tea leaves; a good agreement was achieved between the measured and recommended data. The results show that T. gallica contained high levels of Ca, K, Na and Fe, while elements toxic to humans (As, Br, and Sb) were below the tolerable limits reported in the World Health Organization database (WHO/FAO). Macro–and microelements essential to humans were present in T. gallica leaves with significant levels in the following order: Ca > Na > K > Fe > Zn > Cr > Co. T. gallica could provide a new promising therapeutic source for pharmacological purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efforts to conserve the pond network in the Doñana National Park are being threatened by groundwater overexploitation. The dramatic expansion of farming and tourism in nearby areas has caused a severe lowering of the water table, reducing pond hydroperiod length or even instigating pond desiccation. It is important to document the link between groundwater abstraction and pond deterioration with a view to decreasing human pressures on the park and preserving the pond network's singular biodiversity.Here, the gradual deterioration of one of the network's main ponds is described in detail by characterizing vegetation patterns within the pond's basin using orthophotos taken between 1956 and 2019.In the earliest images, the pond contained a wide central area of bare soil during its dry phase. This area was surrounded by reeds and had a line of Tamarix canariensis trees along its southern edge. Starting in 2000, the orthophotos showed the pond's gradual colonization by terrestrial vegetation. In tandem, pond hydroperiod decreased, as did the length of time the pond retained certain depths of water. In recent years, Tamarix trees finally fully invaded the pond's central area, which is surrounded by reeds and has scattered terrestrial bushes and pines.This invasion resulted from the pond's sparse inundation over recent decades, being the cover of trees related to the depth of groundwater, and is a clear sign of pond deterioration. More broadly, colonization by terrestrial vegetation has been observed in approximately 60% of the network's ponds.Colonization of temporary pond basins by terrestrial vegetation can be used as an indicator of deterioration and highlights the need for active restoration and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, an extract of the Tamarix hispida (TH-10) was prepared in 10 vol.% water-ethanol solution. Based on the properties of antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity, various gelatin films containing (10-15 wt.%) gelatin were obtained. The fabricated gelatin films containing TH-10 extract were used as wound dressings for burns. Their deformation properties, physical and mechanical properties, and SEM micrographs were defined. An additional film structure was determined by using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR). The strength of polymer films containing TH-10 depends on gelatin content. This indicates that the gelatin film binds the TH-10 with the help of hydrophobic interactions. It was found that the higher amount of gelatin leads to lower tear resistance of films. This is due to the formation of micro-cracks on the surface of films leading to their easy rupture. During the study of tensile strength, it was proven that the optimal amount of glycerin in the film is 5 vol.%. The polymer film containing 12 wt.% gelatin and 1 wt.% TH-10 was recognized as the most effective composition in terms of strength and elasticity properties for application as wound dressing materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By knowing the nutritional status of a plant, one can better manage and use it for ethnobotanical purposes. Various nutrients are accumulated as osmotica in plants of stressful environments. The type and quantity of nutrients present in plants also determine the effectivity of medicine obtained from that plant. Hence, practical utilization of these plants as food or medicines needs to explore the exact nature and presence of the nutrient ions for discrimination of their toxic or medicinal nature. In the present study, some important nutrients in a number of xerophytic plants from Cholistan desert of Pakistan were quantified. Leave, stem and root specimens of seasonally available herbs, shrubs and trees were collected and analyzed for sodium, potassium and phosphorus contents. Each sample was replicated thrice. Obtained data were statistically analyzed and presented as Means ± standard deviations. Among the shrubs, maximum concentration of sodium was observed in leaves of Salsola imbricata (269.99 mg/g). The highest concentration of potassium was recorded in stem of Calotropis procera (67.78 mg/g) while maximum phosphorus was found in stem of Pseuda fruticosa (7.051 mg/g). Among the herbs, maximum sodium was found in stem of Orobanche aegyptiaca (234.95 mg/g), maximum potassium in leaves of O. aegyptiaca (270.71 mg.g) and the maximum phosphorus in root of Citrullus colocynthis (9.34 mg/g). For trees, maximum concentration of sodium, potassium and phosphorus were recorded in leaves of Tamarix aphylla (305.40 mg/g), stem of Capparis decidua (132.6 mg/g) and stem of Acacia nilotica (5.90 mg/g) respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coast of the Red Sea in Jeddah City is home to a unique microbial community that has adapted to extreme environmental conditions. Therefore, it is essential to characterize the microbial community in this unique microbiome to predict how environmental changes will affect it. The aim of this study was to conduct metagenomic sequencing of 16S rRNA and ITS rRNA genes for the taxonomic classification of the microbial community in soil samples associated with the halophytic plants Tamarix aphylla and Halopeplis perfoliata. Fifteen soil samples were collected in triplicate to enhance robustness and minimize sampling bias. Firstly, to identify novel microbial candidates, the gDNAs were isolated from the saline soil samples surrounding each plant, and then bacterial 16S (V3–V4) and fungal ITS1 regions were sequenced utilizing a high-throughput approach (next-generation sequencing; NGS) on an Illumina MiSeq platform. Quality assessment of the constructed amplicon libraries was conducted using Agilent Bioanalyzer and fluorometric quantification methods. The raw data were processed and analyzed using the Pipeline (Nova Lifetech, Singapore) for bioinformatics analysis. Based on the total number of readings, it was determined that the phylum Actinobacteriota was the most prevalent in the soil samples examined, followed by the phylum Proteobacteria. Based on ITS rRNA gene analysis, the alpha and beta fungal diversity in the studied soil samples revealed that the fungal population is structured into various groups according to the crust (c) and/or rhizosphere (r) plant parts. Fungal communities in the soil samples indicated that Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the two most abundant phyla based on the total amount of sequence reads. Secondly, heat-map analysis of the diversity indices showed that the bacterial alpha diversity, as measured by Shannon, Simpson, and InvSimpson, was associated with soil crust (Hc and Tc enclosing H. perfoliata and T. aphylla, respectively) and that the soil rhizosphere (Hr and Tr) was strongly correlated with bacterial beta diversity. Finally, fungal-associated Tc and Hc samples clustered together, according to observations made using the Fisher and Chao1 methods, and Hr and Tr samples clustered together according to Shannon, Simpson, and InvSimpson analyses. As a result of the soil investigation, potential agents that have been identified could lead to innovative agricultural, medical, and industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]