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Priority effects provide an advantage to early establishing species and are thought to significantly affect the course of succession. We conducted a 20-year long experiment sowing high- and low-diversity mixtures in an ex-arable field. We ask how long the effect of sowing persists and which sown species affect the course of succession. The experiment was established in the Czech Republic in five replicate blocks, each containing three random 10 × 10 m plots with three treatments: natural colonisation, sowing low- and high-diversity seed mixtures. The species cover was annually estimated in 12 permanent 1 m2 quadrates within each plot. To identify the effects of sowing, we used an innovative method analysing the data separately for each year using Redundancy analysis (RDA) with identity of sown species as explanatory variables. In the first year, the effect of sowing was small; the peak of explained variability occurred between third and fifth year. The legacy of sowing was detectable in the natural colonisers for 18 years and in the sown species for the whole 20-year period. For some species, the difference between the plots where they were and were not sown remained significant for the whole 20-year period (e.g. Lathyrus pratensis) although the plots were adjacent and the area was mown with the same machine. Other ones (e.g. Trisetum flavescens) colonised all the plots evenly. The long-lasting effect of the initial sowing confirms contingency of successional pathway on the propagule pressure in the time of start of succession due to the priority effects.

The case of a 2.5-year-old sheep sent for diagnostic evaluation is presented. At the necropsy, mucoid degeneration of coronary fat, pleural adhesions, hypostatic congestion, hemoperitoneum, reticulum, rumen, omasum, and abomasum distention were found. The most significant finding was the whitish, hard-to-touch appearance of the right atrium. The atrial sample was decalcified for sectioning and histopathology study. The histology of the section performed revealed: extensive areas of cartilaginous metaplasia, swelling, and undulation of cardiac muscle fibers, fatty infiltration between cardiac fibers, as well as figures compatible with Sarcocystis. The clinical chemistry indicated hyperphosphatemia and hypermagnesemia. According to the process for the sheep diagnostic evaluation, cartilaginous metaplasia of the right atrium, associated with the ingestion of Trisetum flavescens was found. In the different animal species, the probability of progressive poisoning from the consumption of toxic plants is a risk that can occur in any animal production system.

Enzootic calcinosis (EC), is a chronic disease, caused by toxic plants, which has mainly affected ruminants for more than 100 years. It is characterized by a soft tissue calcification, hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypoparathiroidism, hypercalcitoninism, osteonecrosis, and osteopetrosis. The toxic compound reported in some of these plants are 1,25(OH)2D3 glycosides. Characterization of calcinogenic principles were performed with Solanum glaucophyllum, Trisetum flavescens, Cestrum diurnum, and Stenotaphrum secundatum. Other plant species involved in EC are: Nierembergia rivularis, Nierembergia veitchii, Solanum torvum, and Solanum stuckertii. Clinical and pathological findings are well characterized. We present different aspects of the pathogenic mechanism of EC, including genetic modulation, expression of bone proteins, cellular de-differentiation of arterial smooth muscle cells, phenotypic changes, production of a calcifiable matrix, and modulation of the calcium and phosphorus balance. The use of comparative pathology can bring significant advances in the understanding of the pathogenic mechanism. In this review we present a broad approach to the different aspects of intoxication: history of EC on different continents; plant species, distribution and morphology; toxic principle; pathogenesis; epidemiology; clinical signs; diagnosis; and control and prophylaxis.

We explored the total and pathogenic fungi community of sixteen grassland species affiliated to two plant functional groups (grass and forb) grown as monocultures to assess which plant-related predictor, such as plant identity, plant functional group and host phylogeny was better in explaining the variation in fungal richness and community structure among the plants studied. Moreover, we investigated the response of the fungal community to drought. Briefly, the experiment consisted of plant communities comprised of the following plant species: the grasses Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Briza media, Festuca pratensis, Festuca rubra, Phleum pratense, Trisetum flavescens and forbs Achillea millefolium, Centaurea jacea, Galium mollugo, Leontodon hispidus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Prunella vulgaris, Ranunculus repens, and Sanguisorba officinalis. The plant species were grown in plot of 70 cm x 70 cm, with six replicates for each plant species, leading to a total of 96 plots. These plots were distributed in 3 blocks, which contained 2 plots (2 replicates) of each of the sixteen species per block. In the growing season of the fourth year (10 June -14 July 2017) a drought treatment was set up in half of the replicates using rainout shelters and supplementary watering of control plots.

Atmospheric carbon dioxide ([CO2]) concentrations significantly alter developmental plant traits with potentially far-reaching consequences for ecosystem function and productivity. However, contemporary evolutionary responses among extant plant species that coincide with modern, anthropogenically driven [CO2] rise have rarely been demonstrated among field-grown plant populations. Here we present findings from a long-term, free-air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) study in a seminatural European grassland ecosystem in which we observe a differential capacity among plant species to acclimate intrinsic water-use efficiencies (WUEs) in response to prolonged multigenerational exposure to elevated [CO2] concentrations. In a reciprocal swap trial, using controlled environment growth chambers, we germinated seeds from six of the most dominant plant species at the FACE site [Arrhenatherum elatius (L.), Trisetum flavescens (L.), Holcus lanatus (L.), Geranium pratense (L.), Sanguisorba officinalis (L.), and Plantago lanceolata (L.)]. We found that long-term exposure to elevated [CO2] strongly influenced the dynamic control of WUEi in the first filial generations (F1) of all species as well as an unequal ability to adapt to changes in the [CO2] of the growth environment among those species. Furthermore, despite trait–environment relationships of this nature often being considered evidence for local adaptation in plants, we demonstrate that the ability to increase WUEi does not necessarily translate to an ecological advantage in diverse species mixtures.

This study addresses the question of how changing the mowing regime influences the floristic composition and floristic diversity of grasses in an experimental lowland meadow. The study location is Bia?owie?a Forest, NE Poland. To achieve the aim we used phytosociological data from long-term studies in Bia?owie?a Forest on the course of secondary succession. The relationship between the biodiversity of grasses and type of mowing was determined using statistical analysis. Changes in the dominance and frequency of individual grass species have occurred during the last 28 years of observations. The analysis of floristic similarity demonstrated a turnover of species between the individual years of observation. Principal component analysis showed that the change in mowing method resulted in a change of the species composition, cover, and domination. However, differences in the intensity of disturbance level were rather small (one cut yearly by scythe, by sickle bar mower, and by trimmer), and changes in floristic composition were also moderate in most years. During the initial years (1984?1990), Dactylis glomerata, Agrostis gigantea, and Anthoxanthum odoratum dominated. After 1990, Arrhenatherum elatius and Holcus lanatus spread and took over, with Trisetum flavescens joining them later. Between 2008 and 2012 the cover of Dactylis glomerata increased more than two times. The reasons for the floristic transformations were changes in the management mode, e.g., the transition from mowing by scythe (medium disturbance) to mechanized mowing, first by sickle bar mower (strong disturbance) and then by trimmer (weak disturbance).

Our study on the dependence of the mode and degree of cultivation of the grassland on the rate of mycorrhizal development in the species Alopecurus pratensis and Trisetum flavescens suggests that the degree of cultivation, and mainly the amount of available food resources in the soil, influence the development of the endophyte in the roots of the plant hosts.

Cattle slurry is frequently used fertilizer on grasslands, but little is known about its effect on plant species com position. The aim of this study was therefore to assess effect of different application rates of cattle slurry (S0 – 0, S1 – 60, S2 – 120, S3 – 180, S4 – 240 kg N/ha/year) on the plant species composition of three-cut grassland. The study was performed over 6 years on moderately moist upland Arrhenatherion grassland in the Czech Republic dominated by Alopecurus pratensis, Trisetum flavescens , and Poa spp. Species composition recorded in treatments with application of cattle slurry in rate up to 120 kg N/ha/year was similar to the unfertilized control. During first three years, species richness was similar in all treatments and then decreased the most in S4 followed by S3 treatment. Cover of short forbs increased in S0 and decreased with an increase in slurry application rate which supported tall grasses. Application of cattle slurry up to 120 kg N/ha/year can be considered as suitable compromise between maintenance of species rich grasslands and requirements of farmers for sufficient forage production.

In the present study, we investigated plant communities with Yellow Oat Grass (Trisetum flavescens (L.) Pb.) in the submontane and montane regions of Slovenia. In 2005-2007 ninety-one relevés were collected by using the standard procedure of the Braun-Blanquet approach. Relevés were analysed with multivariate analysis and classified within two associations: Astrantio-Trisetetum (Polygono-Trisetion) and the Pastinaco-Arrhenatheretum (Arrhenatherion). Management practices, soil conditions and altitude were found to be significant factors for a further subdivision of both associations. Within the Astrantio-Trisetetum association three subassociations could be distinguished: -typicum, -buphthalmetosum and -trollietosum, and subassociations -typicum, -medicagetosum lupulinae, as well as -lolietosum subass. nova in the Pastinaco-Arrhenatheretum. The floristic composition and ecological characteristics of these plant communities are described and their implications for grassland conservation in Slovenia are discussed. V članku predstavljamo rezultate raziskave vegetacije travišč s prevladujočim rumenkastim ovsencem (Trisetum flavescens) v submontanskih in montanskih predelih Slovenije. V letih 2005-2007 smo popisali 91 vegetacijskih sestojev po standardni Braun-Blanquetovi metodi. Na osnovi multivariatnih analiz smo uvrstili travišča v dve asociaciji, in sicer v asociacijo Astrantio-Trisetetum (zveza Polygono-Trisetion) in asociacijo Pastinaco-Arrhenatheretum (zveza Arrhenatherion). Nadaljnja členitev na nižje sintaksonomske enote obeh asociacij je pogojena predvsem s stopnjo intenzivnosti upravljanja s travišči, z različnimi edafskimi razmerami in nadmorsko višino. Tako ločimo v asociaciji Astrantio-Trisetetum naslednje sintaksone: subasociacije -typicum, -buphthalmetosum in -trollietosum, v asociaciji Pastinaco-Arrhenatheretum pa: -typicum, -medicagetosum lupulinae in -lolietosum subass. nova. Predstavljene so floristična sestava asociacij, njune ekološke značilnosti in varstveni vidiki obravnavanih travišč.

A new grassland vegetal association from thermo-atlantic subhalophilous system, with Carex divisa and Trisetum flavescens, mesohygrophilous to mesophilous, mesotrophilous, cut or grazed, has been described in the littoral marshes of westcenter of France (Marais breton and Marais poitevin, departments of Loire-Atlantique and Vendée). It belongs to a group of mesohygrophilous vegetal associations of the Brachypodio rupestris-Centaureion nemoralis Braun-Blanq. 1967 (Arrhenatheretalia elatioris Tüxen 1931 ; ARRHENATHERETEA ELATIORIS Braun-Blanq. 1949 nom. nud). Its synsystematic position integrates it into a european interest habitat : the lowland hay meadows (EU code : 6510), more precisely within the elementary habitat of the south-west mesohygrophilous thermo-atlantic cut grasslands (EU code : 6510-1)., Une association végétale nouvelle de prairie du système subhalophile thermo-atlantique, à Carex divisa et Trisetum flavescens, mésohygrophile à mésophile, mésotrophile, fauchée ou pâturée, est décrite dans les marais arrière-littoraux du centre-ouest de la France (Marais breton et Marais poitevin, départements de la Loire-Atlantique et de la Vendée) : le Carici divisae-Trisetetum flavescentis ass. nov. Elle relève d'un groupe d'associations mésohygrophiles du Brachypodio rupestris-Centaureion nemoralis Braun-Blanq. 1967 (Arrhenatheretalia elatioris Tüxen 1931 ; ARRHENATHERETEA ELATIORIS Braun-Blanq. 1949 nom. nud.). Sa position synsystématique l'intègre également dans un habitat d'intérêt communautaire : les prairies maigres de fauche de basse-altitude (code UE : 6510), plus précisément au sein de l'habitat élémentaire des prairies fauchées thermo-atlantiques méso-hygrophiles du sud-ouest (code UE : 6510-1)., Hardy Franck. Le Carici divisae – Trisetetum flavescentis, association végétale nouvelle de prairie mésohygrophile à mésophile du système subhalophile thermo-atlantique dans le centre-ouest de la France (Marais breton, Marais poitevin). Rappel sur les unités synsystématiques des Arrhenatheretea elatioris Braun-Blanq. 1949 nom. nud. et description de l'association. In: Le Journal de botanique, n°54, 2011. Juin. pp. 49-69.

Zusammenfassung Es wurden licht- und elektronenoptisch morphologische Veranderungen, die bei der unspezifischen Organkalzinose nach Verabreichung von Dihydrotachysterol (DHT) an Ratten auftreten, beschrieben. Dabei traten elektronenoptisch Kalkabscheidungen in den untersuchten Organen sowohl in den interstitiellen Bindegewebsanteilen, als auch in geringerem Ausmas in den Parenchymzellen selbst (Niere, Herz, Lunge, Tunica muscularis des Magens und des Darmes) auf. Die diskreteren Inkrustationen innerhalb der Parenchymzellen hatten vornehmlich Kristallnadel- oder Kristallbuschelform und bevorzugten die Mitochondrienmatrix, wahrend extrazellulare Inkrustationen, gelegen im mehr oder weniger nekrotischen Interstitium, meist einen feinstaubigen, kristallinen oder auch konzentrisch geschichteten drusenartigen Aufbau zeigten. Die C-Zellen der Schilddruse wiesen als hauptsachlichstes Merkmal eine fast vollige Entgranulierung auf. Krankheitsbilder, bei denen extraossare Kalkablagerungen im Vordergrund stehen, die durch toxische Pflanzeninhaltsstoffe, wie sie z. B. in Trisetum flavescens, Solanum malacoxylon und Cestrum diurnum vorkommen, wurden vergleichend diskutiert. Summary Light and electronoptical studies on non-specific calcinosis after administration of dihydrotachysterol (DHT) to rats The morphological changes resulting from giving DHT to rats were examined by the light and electron microscope. Calcium deposits were seen with the EM in the organs examined, both in the interstitial connective tissue and in smaller amounts in the parenchyma itself (kidney, heart, lung, gastric and intestinal tunica muscularis). The more discrete deposits within the parenchyma cells had predominantly the form of crystalline needles or brushes and favoured the mitochondrial matrix, whereas extracellular incrustations, deposited in the more or less necrotic interstitial tissue, took the form mainly of finely granular, crystalline or concentrically layered gland-like structures. The C-cells of the thyroid showed almost complete degranulation as their main feature. Disease pictures in which extra-osseous calcium deposition is a predominant feature, caused by toxic plant substances such as those in Trisetum flavescens, Solanum malacoxylon and Cestrum diurnum, are reviewed for comparison. Resume Recherches en microscopie optique et electronique sur une calcinose organique non specifique apres l'application de dihydrotachysterol (DHT) chez des rats On a decrit des lesions morphologiques apparues au microscope optique et electronique qui se sont manifestees sous forme de calcinose organique non specifique chez des rats qui ont recu du dihydrotachysterol (DHT). Les depots de calcium sont apparus au microscope electronique aussi bien dans les tissus interstitiels des organes examines que dans les cellules du parenchyme dans une proportion plus faible (reins, coeur, poumons, Tunica muscularis de l'estomac et de l'intestin). Les incrustations discretes dans les cellules du parenchyme avaient avant tout la forme d'aiguilles ou d'amas de cristaux et avaient une preference pour la matrice des mitochondries; les incrustations extracellulaires, situees dans un interstice plus ou moins necrose, sont apparues sous la forme de poussieres, de eristaux ou en couches concentrees. Les cellules C dlea glande thyroide montrerent une elimination presque totale des granulations. On a compare l'image pathologique avec des accumulations calcaires extra-osseuses qui apparaissent avec des substances vegetales toxiques telles que Trisetum flavescens, Solanum malacoxylon et Cestrum diurnum. Resumen Estudios foto y electronicoopticos sobre la calcinosis organica inspecifica tras administracion de dihidrotaquisterol (DHT) a ratas Se describen modificaciones morfologicas foto y electronicoopticas, las cuales aparecen en la calcinosis organica inespecifica tras la administracion de DHT a ratas. Asi aparecieron segregaciones calcareas electronicoopticas en los organos examinados tanto en las partes conectivas intersticiales como, en grado algo menor, en las propias celulas parenquimatosas (rinon, corazon, pulmon, tunica muscular del estomago e intestino). Las incrustaciones mas discretas dentro de las celulas parenquimatosas tenian, sobre todo, formas de agujas de cristal o haces cristalinos y preferian la matriz mitocondriaca, mientras que las incrustaciones extracelulares, situadas en el intersticio mas o menos necrotico, ostentaban casi siempre una estructura micropulverulenta, cristalina o incluso en forma de drusa con capas concentricas. Las celulas tiroideas C presentaban como caracteristica mas destacable una desgranulacion casi completa. De forma comparativa, se discutieron los cuadros nosologicos, en los que se hallan en primer plano concreciones calcareas extraoseas, producidas por substancias vegetales toxicas, tales como las contenidas en Trisetum flavescens, Solanum malacoxylon y Cestrum diurnum.

Zusammenfassung Im Tierexperiment an Wachteln wurde untersucht, inwieweit die heimische kalzinogene Pflanze Trisetum flavescens (Goldhafer) fur die Entwicklung einer extraossaren Kalzifizierung verantwortlich ist. Es wurden verschiedene Gruppen von Tieren gebildet, die nach einer 17tagigen Depletion mit unterschiedlichen Vitamin D3-Mengen sowie mit lyophilisiertem Goldhafer gefuttert wurden, wahrend eine Kontrollgruppe Standardfutter erhielt. Mittels ultrahistochemischer Methoden wurde die Bildung von Proteoglykanen (PG) sowie loslichem und mineralisiertem Kalzium in Herzmuskel, Niere und Aorta untersucht. Bei den mit der hochsten Vitamin D3-Dosis (4000 i. E./Tag) sowie mit Goldhafer angefutterten Tieren geht eine massive PG-Vermehrung mit einem nahezu gleichzeitigen Maximum an loslichem Ca++ einher, ausgedehnte Kalksalzablagerungen folgen etwa 7 Tage spater an jenen Stellen, die zuvor PG-Ansammlungen aufgewiesen hatten. Bevorzugte Lokalisationen waren die Basalmembranen, die Kapillaren und das interstitielle Bindegewebe von Herzmuskel und Nierenrinde sowie die elastischen Fasern und die Fortsatze der glatten Muskelzellen der Media der Aorta. Die licht- und elektronenoptischen Befunde ergaben eine Vitamin D3-analoge Wirkung von Goldhafer. Dabei kommt es primar zu einer Vermehrung der PG in der Grundsubstanz, in die dann Kalksalze eingelagert werden. Diese Verkalkungen fuhren zu einer sekundaren Degeneration des Gewebes. Summary Experimental studies on extra-osseous calcification in hypervitaminosis D3 II. Effect of Goldhafer (Trisetum flavescens) on formation of proteoglycans in the cardiovascular system and kidneys of quail In experiments on quail the degree to which the native calcinogenic plant Trisetum flavescens is responsible for extraosseous calcification was examined. Different groups of animals were depleted for 17 days and then were given differing amounts of vitamin D3 or of lyophilized Goldhafer, whereas a control group received a standard diet. By means of ultrahistochemical methods the formation of proteoglycans (PG) and of soluble and mineralized Ca was studied in heart muscle, kidney and aorta. With the highest vitamin D3 dose (4000 i.u./day) and with the animals fed Goldhafer there occurred a massive increase in PG and an almost simultaneous maximum of soluble Ca++ and extensive Ca deposits 7 days later in those sites where PG deposits had been found. Favoured sites were basal membranes, capillaries and the interstitial connective tissue of heart muscle and renal cortex, as well as elastic fibres and the processes of smooth muscle cells in the media of the aorta. Light- and electron optical studies showed a vitamin D3-analogue effect of Goldhafer, whereby the primary event was an increase in PG in the ground substance in which then Ca salts were deposited. These foci of calcification led to a secondary degeneration of the tissue. Resume Recherches experimentales sur la calcification extraosseuse lors de l'hypervitaminose D3 II. Influence de l'avoine doree sur la formation de proteoglycanes dans le systeme cardiovasculaire et les reins chez des cailles On a recherche en experimentation animale sur des cailles a quel point la plante indigene calcinogene Trisetum flavescens (avoine doree) etait responsable du developpement d'une calcification extraosseuse. Differents groupes d'animaux ont ete formes et ont recu apres 17 jours de depletion differentes quantites de vitamine D3 et de l'avoine doree lyophilisee alors que des groupes de controle recevaient un aliment standard. On a recherche la formation de proteoglycanes (PG) ainsi que du calcium soluble et mineralise dans le myocarde, les reins et l'aorte au moyen de methodes ultrahistochimiqies. Les animaux ayant recu la plus forte dose de vitamine D3 (4000 i. E./ jour) et de l'avoine doree ont presente une multiplication massive de PG et un maximum en Ca++ soluble a eu apres en meme temps; des depots de sels calcaire etendus ont suivi environ 7 jours plus tard dans les endroits qui presentaient des amas de PG auparavant. Les localisations particulierement touchees furent les membranes basales, les capillaires et le tissu conjonctif interstitiel du myocarde et du cortex renal comme les fibres elastiques et les appendices des cellules de la musculature lisse de la Media de l'aorte. Les resultats du microscope optique comme electronique ont revele un effet analogue a la vitamine D3 de l'avoine doree. On a primairement une multiplication de PG dans la substance fondamentale dans laquelle s'accumulent des sels calcaires. Ces calcifications conduisent a une degenerescence secondaire du tissu. Resumen Estudios experimentales sobre la calcificacion extraosea en la hipervitaminosis D3 II. Influjo de la avena dorada sobre la formacion de proteoglucanas en el sistema cardiovascular y en el rinon de codornices En el experimento animal con codornices se estudio hasta que punto es responsable la planta calcinogena vernacula Trisetum flavescens (avena dorada) del desarrollo de una calcificacion extraosea. Se formaron varios grupos de animales, los cuales fueron alimentados tras una deplecion que duro 17 dias con cantidades diversas de vitamina D3 asi como con avena dorada liofilizada, mientras que un grupo testigo recibio pienso estandar. Mediante tecnicas ultrahistoquimicas se examino la formacion de proteoglucanas (PG) asi como de calcio soluble y mineralizado en miocardio, rinon y aorta. En los animales que recibieron con la comida las dosis maximas de vitamina D3 (4.000 u. i./dia asi como avena dorada, se aprecian una multiplicacion masiva de PG con un maximo casi simultaneo de Ca++ soluble; concreciones prolijas de sales calcicas siguen unos 7 dias mas tarde en aquellos lugares que habian presentado antes acumulaciones de PG. Localizaciones preferidas eran las membranas basales, los capilares y el tejido conjuntivo intersticial del miocardio y corteza renal asi como las fibras elasticas y los apendices de las celulas musculares lisas de la media de la aorta. Los hallazgos foto y electronicoopticos tuvieron por resultado una accion analoga a la vitamina D3 de la avena dorada. Aqui se produjo siempre primariamente una multiplicacion de la PG en la substancia fundamental, en la cual se entreponen entonces las sales calcicas. Estas calcificaciones conducen a una degeneracion secundaria del tejido.

Zusammenfassung In 26 Experimenten erhielten Kaninchen teils abgepresten Pflanzensaft, teils Extrakte aus frischen Pflanzen oder den Presruckstanden (Trester) von Trisetum flavescens oral verabreicht. Benutzte Praparationen: Pr 1, Pr 2: Abgeprester Pflanzensaft, lyophilisiert, nur teilweise wasserloslich. Pr 8: Abgeprester Pflanzensaft, mittels Chloroform von Pflanzenfarbstoffen und wasserunloslichen, lipophilen Bestandteilen befreit, wasserloslich. E1, EII: Extraktion mit Methanol-Wassergemisch (4:1), Behandlung mit Chloroform (wie oben), Lyophilisierung, wasserloslich. E Pr 2: Methanol-Extraktion, Methanol abgedampft, Lyophilisierung, wasserloslich. E Pr 8: Extraktion wie oben, zusatzlich Chloroform-Behandlung, Lyophilisierung, wasserloslich. Sowohl die Pressafte als auch die Extrakte bewirkten einen Anstieg der Konzentration an anorg. P im Blutplasma, sofern das Ausgangsmaterial von jungen Pflanzen stammte. Die Reaktion des Blut-Phosphatspiegels lies zu einem gewissen Grade eine Dosis: Wirkung-Beziehung erkennen. Da der Pressaft Pr 8 wie auch die wirksamen Extrakte E Pr 2 und E Pr 8 wasserloslich waren, kann fur die biologisch aktive Substanz die gleiche Losungseigenschaft unterstellt werden. Die nachgewiesene Wirkung entspricht derjenigen eines Vitamin-D-Metaboliten. Wahrscheinlich handelt es sich dabei um das eigentliche pathogene (kalzinogene) Prinzip der Pflanze. Da von anderer Seite auch Cholekalziferol in Trisetum flavescens nachgewiesen worden ist, scheinen in dieser Pflanze zwei Substanzen mit Vitamin-D-Charakter vorzukommen, die sonst nur im tierischen Organismus gebildet werden. Summary Trisetum flavescens: Evidence of a water-soluble active constituent In 26 experiments rabbits were given orally either the sap of crushed Trisetum flavescens, extracts of the fresh plant, or extracts of the residues of the crushed plant. The preparations used were: Pr. 1, Pr. 2: Crushed plant sap, lyophilized, only partially water-soluble. Pr. 8: Crushed plant sap, with pigments and water-insoluble lipophilic components removed by chloroform, water-soluble. E I, E II: Methanol: water (4:1)-extract, treated with chloroform (as above), lyophilized, water-soluble. E Pr. 2: Methanol-extract, methanol evaporated off, lyophilized, water-soluble. E Pr. 8: Extract (as above), treated again with chloroform, lyophilized, water-soluble. Administration of both the sap and the extracts resulted in an increase in the inorganic phosphorus concentration in the plasma, provided that the starting material comprised young plants. A certain dose-response relationship could be derived from the changes in the levels of blood phosphate. Since Pr. 8 (sap) and the active extracts, E Pr. 2 and E Pr. 8, were all water-soluble, it can be concluded that the biologically active substance was also water-soluble. The effects observed indicate that a Vitamin D metabolite was involved and it would seem that this may be the actual pathogenic active constituent (calcinogen) of the plant. Nevertheless, Trisetum flavescens has also been shown to contain cholecalciferol and it therefore appears that two substances with the properties of Vitamin D occur in this plant which are otherwise formed only in animal organisms. Resume Trisetum flavescens: Mise en evidence d'un principe actif soluble dans l'eau On a fait 26 experiences sur des lapins en leur administrant par voie orale, soit de la seve de Trisetum flavescens presse, soit des extrait de cette plante fraiche, ou des extraits des residus de la plante pressee. Les preparations utilisees etaient: Pr. 1, Pr. 2: Seve de plante, pressee, lyophilisee: — partiellement soluble dans l'eau. Pr. 8: Seve de plante pressee, extraite au chloroforme des matieres colorantes et des substances lipophiliques insolubles dans l'eau: — soluble dans l'eau. E I, E II: Extraction au methanol: eau (4:1), traitement au chloroforme (comme ci-dessus), lyophilisation, soluble dans l'eau. E Pr. 2: Extraction au methanol, methanol evapore, lyophilisation: — soluble dans l'eau. E Pr. 8: Extraction (comme ci-dessus), traitement supplementaire au chloroforme, lyophilisation, soluble dans l'eau. Si la matiere de base provient de plantes jeunes, aussi bien la seve que les extraits ont l'effet d'augmenter la concentration plasmatique du phosphore anorganique. La reaction du niveau phosphatique dans le sang permet de deceler a un certain degre un effet dose-reponse. Etant donne que, la seve, Pr. 8, ainsi que les extraits efficaces, E Pr. 2 et E Pr. 8, etaient solubles dans l'eau, on peut en deduire que la substance biologique active a la meme qualite de solubilite. L'effet observe correspond a celui d'un metabolite de la vitamine D. Probablement s'agit-il la du vrai principe actif pathogene (calcinogene) de la plante. Etant donne qu'il a egalement ete demontre que Trisetum flavescens contient du cholecalciferol, cette plante semble contenir deux substances avec des proprietes de la vitamine D qui ne se forment autrement que dans l'organisme animal. Resumen Tisetum flavescens: Indicacion de una substancia activa hidrosoluble En 26 experimentos se administro por via oral a conejos bien el jugo resultante de exprimir las plantas, bien extractos de plantas frescas o bien el orujo de Trisetum flavescens. Se usaron los preparados siguientes: Pr 1, Pr 2: jugo de plantas prensadas, liofilizado, solo hidrosoluble en parte. Pr 8: jugo de plantas prensadas, liberado mediante cloroformo de los colorantes vegetales y de los componentes lipofilos insolubles en agua, hidrosoluble. E 1, E 11: extraccion con una mezcla de metanol-agua (4:1), tratada con cloroformo (vease arriba), liofilizacion, hidrosoluble. E Pr 2: extraccion con metanol, evaporacion del metanol, liofilizacion, hidrosoluble. E Pr 8: extraccion como E Pr 2, tratada adicionalmente con cloroformo, liofilizacion, hidrosoluble. Tanto los jugos como los extractos producen un aumento de la concentracion plasmatica del P inorganico, siempre y cuando el material de partida provenga de plantas jovenes. La reaccion del nivel de fosfato en sangre dejaba reconocer hasta cierto punto una relacion entre la dosis y el efecto. Como el jugo exprimido Pr 8 y los extractos activos E Pr 2 y E Pr 8 eran hidrosolubles, pueden presumirse para la substancia biologica activa las mismas propiedades de solubilidad. El efecto comprobado es semejante al de un metabolito de la vitamina D. Tal vez se trate aqui del principio patogeno propiamente dicho (calcinogeno) de la planta. Puesto que otros autores tambien han verificado colecalciferol en Trisetum flavescens, parece ser que este vegetal posee dos substancias con el caracter de la vitamina D, las cuales comunmente solo son producidas por el organismo animal.

Zusammenfassung In den Experimenten wurde der Frage nachgegangen, ob die kalzinogene Aktivitat von Trisetum flavescens durch den Silierungsprozes beeinflust wird. Drei Gruppen zu je funf Schafen wurden wahrend des Sommers 1976 wie folgt gefuttert: Gruppe A diente als negative Kontrollgruppe und erhielt ein taglich frisch gemahtes goldhaferfreies Klee-Gras-Gemisch. Gruppe B wurde mit taglich frisch gemahtem Goldhafer einer Monokultur gefuttert und galt somit als positive Kontrolle. Gruppe C bekam Goldhafer derselben Monokultur als Silage. Das Silofutter wurde in zwei nacheinander geernteten Portionen fermentiert (erste Charge – erster Schnitt in der Blute; zweite Charge – zweiter Schnitt vor der Blute). Blutbefunde: Der Kalziumspiegel stieg in Gruppe B alsbald nach Versuchsbeginn bis an die obere physiologische Grenze und im weiteren Verlauf zeitweise leicht daruber; bei den ubrigen Tieren bewegten sich die Ca-Werte im oberen physiologischen Bereich. Wahrend die Gehalte an anorg. P in Gruppe B alsbald nach Futterungsbeginn uber die Norm zunahmen, stiegen die Werte in Gruppe C erst ab der dritten Versuchswoche deutlich an; physiologische Werte in Gruppe A; Mg-Spiegel in allen Gruppen unbeeinflust. Bei der Sektion nach 64tagiger Versuchsdauer und einer Nachperiode von 15 Tagen wiesen alle Schafe der Gruppen B und C deutliche Verkalkungen im Kreislaufsystem auf. Aus dem Ergebnis wird gefolgert, das der Silierungsprozes die kalzinogene Substanz in Trisetum flavescens nicht zerstort.

Due to agricultural intensification, semi-natural Arrhenatherion elatioris meadows are becoming rare in central Europe. Despite the increasing importance of their biodiversity value, little information is available on seed production which could be used to enlarge their regional presence. To contribute to this knowledge, the seed production of the major grass species were analysed for the spring growths of an Arrhenatherion elatioris meadow in 2003 and 2004. In the first study year, fertile culms of Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Avenula pubescens, Dactylis glomerata, Holcus lanatus and Trisetum flavescens were collected on different dates and analysed for their reproductive efficiency. Floret site utilization was greater than 0AE60 for all species and seed viability was above 80%, except for A. odoratum. Seed dormancy was present to a small extent only in A. odoratum and A. pubescens. With regard to the whole meadow, the density of fertile stems amounted to 850 m )2 (811 m )2 of which were grasses) and standing seed yield at seed maturity of the six grasses was about 33 100 seeds m )2 . As a consequence of the increase in viability occurring during seed development, the maximum standing viable seed yield was reached later. The total number of seeds produced throughout the spring growth period was 2AE8 times that of the maximum standing seed yield. The quality and quantity of the seed production from spring growth make it suitable for establishing species-rich seminatural grassland provided that seed obtained from the second cut is included to increase the presence of legumes and forbs.

A long-term fertilizer experiment (the Rengen Grassland Experiment, RGE) was established in 1941 in the Eifel Mountains of Germany on low productive grassland naturally dominated by Calluna vulgaris and Nardus stricta. Six treatments combinations of Ca, N, P, and K fertilizer were applied annually: an unfertilized control, Ca, CaN, CaNP, CaNP–KCl, and CaNP–K2SO4. In mid-June 2005, plant cover was visually estimated and sward height was measured aiming to detect changes in floristic composition caused by long-term fertilization. Calculated by redundancy analysis (RDA), the effect of treatment was found to be a significant predictor of sward structure in the experimental area and explained 62% of cover data variability. The largest difference in vegetation structure and composition was between the treatments without and with P application. Briza media was the dominant short grass in the control, Ca, and CaN treatments. Lathyrus linifolius was the dominant legume in the control and Carex panicea was dominant in the CaN treatment. Among treatments with P application, plant species composition was similar with tall grasses such as Alopecurus pratensis, Arrhenatherum elatius, and Trisetum flavescens dominating in the sward. Sward heights were lowest in treatments without P addition in contrast to tall canopies in the P fertilized treatments. Cover of the moss layer was continuously developed in treatments without P application only and was negatively correlated with sward height as was species richness of vascular plants. Long-term fertilization caused significant diversification of plant communities. Species indicative of low productivity grasslands (short grasses, orchids, and sedges) survived in the CaN treatment but not in plots with P or K fertilizer. It was often thought that N enrichment is detrimental to vascular plant richness. However, the RGE shows that this is not necessarily so if N application is not accompanied by another limiting nutrient like P. # 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Bu çalışma, 03-05 Eylül 2015 tarihleri arasında Rhodes[Yunanistan]’da düzenlenen 14. International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology (CEST)’da bildiri olarak sunulmuştur. We aimed to evaluate the elemental (W, Mo, Zn, Fe, Cu, Co, Bi, Mn, Cd, Cr, As) composition of some plant species spread around the abandoned tungsten mining area of Uludag Mountain. The plant species tested were Anthemis cretica and Trisetum flavescens which are grown in this area and they are pioneer species on these contaminated sites. W levels in soils were found up to 1378.6 +/- 672.3 mg/kg dry weight in contaminated areas. The leaf W contents of the selected plant species were found 41.1 +/- 24.4 and 31.1 +/- 15.5 mg/kg dry weight for A. cretica and T. flavescens, respectively. Our results indicate that the elemental composition of species changed by the increased tungsten and some element concentrations in soil without detrimental effect. So, these species can be useful tungsten removal and some elements from contaminated sites.

SUMMARY Golden oat grass (Trisetum flavescens L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) were grown as monocultures or bi-species mixtures under controlled conditions and exposed to ambient (350 ppm) or elevated (580 ppm) CO2, with or without addition of O3 (diel profile with 150 ppb maximum). Shoot biomass measurements after the initial growth and two re-growth periods were used to determine the specific responses of both species, and the difference in the specific response between monocultures and mixtures. T. pratense was much more responsive to CO2, O3, and their combination, compared to T. flavescens. In the case of O3 but not of CO2, the difference in sensitivity between species was larger in mixture than in monoculture. In contrast to elevated CO2, O3 significantly reduced the root:shoot ratio in the mixture, which could explain the increasing negative effect of O3 on clover with progressing harvests. The relative CO2 stimulation of T. pratense and of the cumulative mixture shoot biomass was larger...

The patterns of species establishment, persistence and spread in a long-term experiment investigating the re- creation of chalk grassland using different seed mixtures on ex-arable land were analysed with the intention of providing enhanced re-creation/restoration prescriptions and a critique of experimental designs. Species had a wide range of behav- iours; (1) species that did not establish from seed e.g. Blackstonia perfoliata, (2) establishment but poor persistence in closed sward e.g. Hieracium pilosella, (3) establishment and persistence but little spread e.g. Onobrychis viciifolia and (4) good establishment and spread over all treatments e.g. Centaurea nigra and Trisetum flavescens. Persistence ap- peared greater in species with lower germination rates in both light and dark. Spread was greater in species with higher seed mass and lower dark germination rates. However, results from small-plot experiments should be critically analysed. Though initial results show the potential for re-establishment of vegetation, subsequent vegetation dy- namics may be more closely related to the invasion of species from other treatments than the original species sown. Experi- mental designs should employ either large plots and/or wide guard rows to extend their useful life span. Long-term data show which species are useful for cost-effective restoration. Some species need to be sown over the whole area to provide cover (a 'grass matrix') and competition with arable weeds. Others need to be sown over wide areas as they spread poorly. Some species can be sown at low densities or in small patches as they have the ability to spread in closed vegetation.

Summary Seven plant species were exposed in open-top chambers to four levels of ozone (O 3 ) during two growing seasons and screened for treatment effects on the fast chlorophyll a (Chl) fluorescence transient kinetics of dark-adapted leaves, and on the fluorescence signals obtained from the same leaves in illuminated steady-state. The aim was to identify the nature of O 3 effects on PSII, and to determine inter-specific differences. In dark-adapted leaves, O 3 caused a reduction in variable fluorescence (F V : F 0 ), indicating an overall reduction in the efficiency of primary photochemistry. A large increase in excitation energy dissipation per active reaction centre (DI 0 /RC) and a smaller increase in the trapping rate of excitons (TR 0 /RC), showed that a fraction of the reaction centres was inactivated while the rest sustained full functionality. The magnitude of the effect increased in the order of Bromus erectus Centaurea jacea Trisetum flavescens Rumex obtusifolius Plantago lanceolata Trifolium pratense Knautia arvensis . The inter-specific variability in PSII responses could not be explained solely by specific differences in modelled O 3 uptake by the leaves. Visible leaf injury was not related to changes in fluorescence emission. In illuminated steady-state, O 3 sensitivity was most expressed in the change in quantum yield of photosynthetic electron transport (Φ PSII ). The ranking of species differed from the ranking obtained in dark-adapted leaves. These results suggest that the mechanistic basis for O 3 effects on PSII is similar in all species, but that inter-specific differences exist in the magnitude of change which cannot be explained solely by different O 3 uptake rates. The observed changes in fluorescence signals are not O 3 -specific.

Ozone effects on plant species mixtures could depend on the characteristics of the species involved, their mixing ratio, or on environmental conditions. Predicting long-term effects on the dynamics of plant communities requires an understanding of the interactions involved. The present experiment was designed to determine the effects of ozone on grassland species in relation to mixing ratio and soil water content (irrigation) using binary mixtures. The grass Trisetum flavescens was grown in potted replacement-series mixtures with Centaurea jacea (Experiment A) or Trifolium pratense (Experiment B). The plants were exposed to three concentrations of ozone in open-top chambers in two irrigation treatments. Total above-ground dry weight over three growth periods was measured. The competitive ability of T. flavescens was expressed as the competitive ratio (CR T ). In Experiment B, total above-ground dry weight was reduced by elevated ozone and by reduced soil moisture, and significant interactions were found for ozone × irrigation and ozone × ratio. In Experiment A these effects were not significant. Under well watered conditions, CR T tended to be reduced by elevated ozone in Experiment A, but increased significantly in Experiment B, indicating the importance of the competing species in modifying the ozone effect on T. flavescens, In both experiments reduced irrigation decreased the magnitude of ozone effects on biomass production, which could be related to observed reductions in specific leaf conductance. The results suggest that under well watered conditions the effect of elevated ozone on the competitive balance between species depends on the species mixture, but that the mixing ratio is less important.

To test inter- and intraspecific variability in the responsiveness to elevated CO2, 9–14 different genotypes of each of 12 perennial species from fertile permanent grassland were grown in Lolium perenne swards under ambient (35 Pa) and elevated (60 Pa) atmospheric partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) for 3 years in a free air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) experiment. The plant species were grouped according to their functional types: grasses (L. perenne, L. multiflorum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca pratensis, Holcus lanatus, Trisetum flavescens), non-legume dicots (Rumex obtusifolius, R. acetosa, Ranunculus friesianus), and legumes (Trifolium repens, T. pratense). Yield (above a cutting height of 4.5 cm) was measured three times per year. The results were as follow. (1) There were highly significant differences in the responsiveness to elevated pCO2 between the three functional types; legumes showed the strongest and grasses the weakest yield increase at elevated pCO2. (2) There were differences in the temporal development of responsiveness to elevated pCO2 among the functional types. The responsiveness of the legumes declined from the first to the second year, while the responsiveness of the non-legume dicots increased over the 3 years. During the growing season, the grasses and the non-legume dicots showed the strongest response to elevated pCO2 during reproductive growth in the spring. (3) There were no significant genotypic differences in responsiveness to elevated pCO2. Our results suggest that, due to interspecific differences in the responsiveness to elevated pCO2, the species proportion within fertile temperate grassland may change if the increase in pCO2 continues. Due to the temporal differences in the responsiveness to elevated pCO2 among species, complex effects of elevated pCO2 on competitive interactions in mixed swards must be expected. The existence of genotypic variability in the responsiveness to elevated pCO2, on which selection could act, was not found under our experimental conditions.

The organic fertilizers’ application and the traditional use for long periods of time have influenced the rich plant diversity in Apuseni Mountains, Romania. The objective of this study was to identify the effect of manure’s application upon the plant diversity and productivity of Festuca rubra L. –Agrostis capillaris L. grasslands. The experimental field evaluated four variants (V1: control, V2: 10 t ha-1 manure, V3: 20 t ha-1 manure, V4: 30 t ha-1 manure). After ten years, important changes at the sward level were observed. The control’s phytocenosis is naturally represented by Festuca rubra L. - Agrostis capillaris L. grassland type. Then, following the application of organic fertilizers, Trisetum flavescens L. - Agrostis capillaris L. appeared. The large quantities of organic fertilizers produced a considerable limitation on plant diversity. The applied treatments do not produce any important improvement of the grassland types’ agronomic value. Taking account the influence of organic fertilizers upon the DM yield, plant diversity and agronomic value, it is considered that the treatment with 10 t ha -1 manure annually applied produces optimum changes and might be taken into consideration for the low-input systems in Apuseni Mountains

In 1985 an opportunity arose to make use of an area (referred to as Somerford Mead) which had recently been used for intensive grass or cereal production but which originally had been a permanent hay-meadow. Situated on circum- neutral alluvial soils over limestone gravel, it is in close proximity to the River Thames and to species-rich flood meadows, including Oxey Mead (Fig. 1). This paper describes the early stages of an experiment to recreate a ‘typical’ flood-meadow community using seed harvested from Oxey Mead. Before sowing the seed, soil samples were taken and seedling emergence suggested that little of the original flood-meadow seed bank survived. Although Oxey Mead was known to contain at least 57 species, germination of samples of the sown seed in the glasshouse was confined to 12 species. All except Bromus commutatus and Trisetum flavescens and an additional nine Oxey Mead species were recorded in the field, together with 24 arable weed/ruderal species. Soil-nutrient contents (N, P and K) were high; so the restoration of this flood-meadow using only management techniques (hay cutting at the end of June and aftermath grazing) and the local seed bank would take a long time. The use of Alopecuros pratensis-Sanguisorba officinalis seed mixture was justified by the accelerated succession on Somerford Mead towards the parent community.

Yellow oat-grass plants (Trisetum flavescens L.) with mild mosaic and pronounced dwarfing symptoms were observed at different locations in the Czech Republic. Electron microscope observations of symptomatic plants revealed the presence of filamentous particles and inclusion bodies characteristic of the family Potyviridae. The virus was readily mechanically transmitted to its original host plus a narrow host range of monocot species. Serological assays of infected plant extracts using antiserum specific to the closest species in the family Potyviridae were negative. The 3′ end of the viral genome was cloned, sequenced and compared to sequences of species in the family Potyviridae. The virus is more closely related to viruses in the genus Tritimovirus than to other genera within the Potyviridae. Based on phylogenetic analyses of the coat protein cistron and flanking genomic regions, we propose this is a distinct viral species of the genus Tritimovirus, tentatively named Yellow oat-grass mosaic virus (YOgMV).

Es werden zwei neue Arten beschrieben: Pastinaca argyrophylla sp. nov. und Linaria brachyphylla sp. nov. Neu fur die Flora Bulgariens sind die Art Gagea chrysantha (JAN.) SCHULTES et SCHULTES fil. sowie drei Unterarten: Avena barbata POTT. ex LINK subsp. wiestii (STEUD.) TZVEL., Trisetum flavescens (L.) BEAUV. subsp. tatricum CHRTEK und Peucedanum vittijugum BOISS. subsp. vittijugum. Fur die ubrigen Taxa werden neue Fundorte in Bulgarien mitgeteilt. The author reports two species new for the science: Pastinaca argyrophylla sp. nov. and Linaria brachyphylla sp. nov.; one species new for the Bulgarian flora — Gagea chrysantha (JAN.) SCHULTES et SCHULTES fil. and three subspecies also new for the Bulgarian flora: Avena barbata POTT. ex LINK subsp. wiestii (STEUD.) TZVEL., Trisetum flavescens (L.) BEAUV. subsp. tatricum CHRTEK and Peucedanum vittijugum BOISS. subsp. vittijugum. New localities in Bulgaria are pointed out for the remaining taxa.

Twelve cows (mean age 6.4 years) and eight sheep (mean age 0.8 years) were fed silage containing 70 to 90 per cent vitamin D3-effective Trisetum flavescens for a period of 14 weeks. At the beginning and the end of this period, the animals were examined and their kidneys, abdominal aortas and heart valves were examined by ultrasonography; the animals were then slaughtered and these organs were examined histologically, and the specificity and sensitivity of the ultrasonography were calculated. After the feeding period, all the cows had a decreased body temperature and all but one had raised hair, movement disorders and difficulty in rising and lying down. Ultrasonography of the abdominal aorta had a specificity of 90 per cent and a sensitivity of 75 per cent, and ultrasonography of the heart valves had a specificity of 100 per cent and a sensitivity of 50 per cent. In the sheep, cardiac arrythmia was the only pathological finding at the end of the feeding period, and the ultrasonographic examination of the kidneys had a specificity and sensitivity of 100 per cent.

The calcinogenic plants are among the most noxious plants to animals in the world. The pathological and biochemical effects of calcinogenic plants in cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, buffalo and laboratory animals have been determined. The chemical nature of the toxic agents and the precise mechanism by with the calcinogenic plants induces calcinosis have been defined. Most of the active principle present as steroidal glycoside is hydrolyzed in intestine, rumen and other tissues or by the bacterial flora releasing the steroidal fragment, in most cases 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). The excess of vitamin D stimulates CaBP synthesis and calcium and phosphate absorption, producing hypercalcemia and/or hyperphosphatemia. The excessively absorbed mineral cannot be physiologically accommodated, and the deposition in soft tissues results in calcinosis. The different means of treatment of calcinosis and control of calcinogenic plants are discussed with regards to their effectiveness. A number of potential uses of calcinogenic plants have been suggested but none has been exploited on a large scale. The understanding of the mechanisms involved with calcinosis contributed enormously to the compression of vitamin D mechanism. Research methods were developed and improved but a lot is to be done in this fascinating subject.

The grass Trisetum flavescens (golden oat grass, Goldhafer) causes soft tissue calcification in cattle and in sheep. The calcinogenic principle of the plant is the active vitamin D steroid hormone 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3, the major physiological regulator of calcium homeostasis in higher animals. From comparison with synthetic vitamin D metabolites in different bioassays, it is concluded that T. flavescens contains the 25-glucoside of 1,25(OH)2D3. This compound, or rather the 1,25(OH)2D3 liberated by ruminal fluid, is the calcinogenic factor of the grass.

Summary Trisetum flavescens , a grass occurring abundantly on Alpine pastures, induces vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein and stimulates intestinal calcium and phosphate absorption in rachitic chicks. Trisetum flavescens retains these biological activities when biotransformation of vitamin D to its active metabolite 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D is blocked at the 1-hydroxylation step by feeding a diet high in strontium. This indicates that the plant does indeed contain a factor which requires no further metabolism for biological activity. Mimicking the action of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D would account for the severe calcinosis associated with ingestion of the grass by grazing animals.

Summary Trisetum favescens , a grass which causes tissue calcification in cattle, was tested for vitamin D-like activity in bioassays using rats and Japanese quail. In both tests, an activity between 3 and 4 I. U. per gram of dry matter was found. An extraction and purification procedure followed by mass spectrometric analysis revealed that a considerable amount of cholecalciferol, the «animal vitamin D», does occur in T. flavescens . Distribution studies showed high concentrations in young, leafy parts and low levels in stems, flowers, seed and roots. Five different breeds of T. flavescens were similar in vitamin Dactivity. T. flavescens grown under complete exclusion of UV-radiation had no vitamin D-activity at all, but an extract of T. flavescens grown without UV-light showed full vitamin D-activity after short exposure to UV-irradiation. These results indicate that the «animal vitamin D» cholecalciferol not only occurs in a higher plant, but is also formed as in the skin of vertebrate animals by UV-radiation from its precursors.

The Yellow oat-grass association (Trisetetum flavescentis) was already described and referred to by several authors in Switzerland, originally by Stebler & Schroeter in 1892. It represents the manured meadows for haymaking in the mountain regions (Alps and Jura) in the widest sense. Similar associations are found in the Pyrenean Mountains (Braun-Blanquet), the French Central Mountains (Braun 1915, Luquet 1926), the Vosges (Issler 1936), the German Central Mountains Tuxen 1937) and the Carpathian Mountains (Szafer, Pawlowski & Kulcynski 1923 & 1927). 200 grassland inventories forming the basis of the investigations were made in 15 different regions within the area, in which Yellow oat-grass associations occur. Method and evaluation of results are based upon the principles of the School Zurich-Montpellier (Braun-Blanquet 1928). A comparison of the said inventories from the different regions mainly led to the distinction of geographical variants. Three distinct types thereof are to be considered as subassociations (Jura, Tavetsch, Lower Leventina); the other types may be divided into two groups, viz. the Yellow oat-grass associations of the northern Lower Alps on the one hand and that of the central alpine valleys on the other hand (see Table I). However, the rather large number of common characteristic species as well as the permanent companion species indicate that all studied grassland samples belong to one and the same association, viz. the Trisetetum flavescentis (see Table II). The most important factors affeting the formation of the Yellow oat-grass association are humidity, manuring, utilization and altitude. Soil conditions, exposition, slope etc. are factors mainly responsible for the establishment of subassociations and facies within the association. In the last chapter, the author gives a survey on the systematic position and the sociological subdivision of the Trisetetum flavescentis. La prairie de l'avoine jaunâtre (Trisetetum flavescentis) fut decrite par Stebler et Schroter en 1892. Depuis, plusieurs auteurs suisses l'ont mentionnee ou decrite. Elle represente plus ou moins toutes les prairies grasses de l'etage subalpin des montagnes (Jura, Alpes). Des associations semblables se rencontrent dans les Pyrenees (Braun-Blanquet), dans le Massif central de France (Braun 1915, Luquet 1926), dans les Vosges (Issler 1936), dans les montagnes de l'Allemagne centrale (Tuxen 1937) et dans les Carpathes (Szafer, Pawlowski et Kulcynski 1923, 1927). 200 releves de 15 regions differentes, repandues dans une grande partie de la Suisse, forment la base de notre recherche (v. fig. 1, p. 3). La methode et l'evaluation des resultats suivent les principes de l'ecole Zurico-montpellieraine. La comparaison des releves, arranges en tableaux pour chaque region, menait tout d'abord a la distinction de races geographiques. Trois de ces variantes sont si bien caracterisees qu'on doit les considerer comme sous-associations (Jura, Tavetsch, Tessin). Les autres types sont divises en deux groupes: les prairies a Trisetum flavescens des Prealpes septentrionales et celles des vallees des Alpes centrales (v. tableau I). Le grand nombre d'especes communes, caracteristiques et compagnes, prouvent que tous nos releves appartiennent a la meme association, au Trisetetum flavescentis (v. tableau II). Les facteurs les plus importants qui decident de l'existence de l'association sont l'altitude, l'humidite (du sol), la fumure, et le fauchage. Les autres facteurs edaphiques, l'exposition, l'inclinaison etc. president a l'individualisation des sous-associations et des facies. Le dernier chapitre donne un apercu de la position systematique et de la subdivision du Trisetetum flavescentis. In der vorliegenden Abhandlung sind die Vegetationsaufnahmen aus der vom Verfasser 1947 publizierten Arbeit: “F. Marschall: Die Goldhaferwiese (Trisetetum flavescentis) der Schweiz. Eine soziologisch-oekologische Studie. Beitr. z. geob. Landesaufnahme der Schweiz 26, Bern 1947” verwertet. Eine grossere Zahl von eigenen weiteren Aufnahmen sowie eingehenderes Literaturstudium machten indessen eine wesentlich andere Darstellung und Auswertung der Ergebnisse notig, insbesondere was die Charakterartenliste und die Einteilung der Untereinheiten anbetrifft.

Course of cellulose decomposition in a brown earth under a Trisetum flavescens – meadow after different fertilization The cellulose decomposition in the soil of a Trisetum flavescens-meadow untreated and treated with NPK. and PK fertilizer was determined by means of burial of pieces of cellophane. The rate of decomposition of the cellulose film was chosen as a measure of cellulolytic activity in soil. The cellulolytic activity had its maximum in the summer months and near the surface. The decrease with increasing depth was more obvious in the untreated lot than in the lot treated with NPK fertilizer. Under field conditions the influence of fertilization on the cellulolytic activity was low. In the laboratory there was a slight effect of the addition of soil from the NPK-lot on the decomposition of filter paper only with a slightly alkaline nutritive solution. The determination of soil cellulose content and mineralization of soil cellulose showed no differences between fertilized and untreated soil.

The grass Trisetum flavescens causes severe calcification of soft tissues upon ingestion by various species, which has been ascribed by others to a 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3-like activity. By a special purification procedure involving high pressure liquid chromatography and continuous biological testing the active principle was purified. By means of GC MS it was identified as cholecalciferol, being present in a concentration of about 0.1 ppm in the lyophylized plant dry matter. 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 or other metabolites of vitamin D3 were not present. Since such low concentrations could hardly explain the calcinosis observed, a more active “bound form” of vitamin D3 may be present in Trisetum flavescens.

I. ABSTRACT Calcinosis in grazing animals has been described in various parts of the world and the cause has been attributed to the ingestion of certain plant species. In Argentina and Brazil, the plant involved is Solanum malacoxylon; in Miami, Florida , Cestrum diurnum; and in Austria and Germany , Trisetum flavescens. Glycosides of the active metabolite of vitamin D3, i.e., 1, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, have been identified in S. malacoxylon and C. diurnum, and are undoubtedly the calcinogenic principles in these plants. The calcinogenic principle in T. flavescens has not been identified.

Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) and several of its metabolites participate in the regulation of calcium and phosphorus metabolism in higher vertebrates (see refs 1,2 for reviews). In contrast to the synthesis of ergocalciferol, the vitamin D of plant origin, cholecalciferol synthesis has been considered to be confined to skin lipids of vertebrates. Its 6,7-cis-intermediate, precalciferol3, is formed by a photoreaction (wavelength 250–310 nm) from 7-dehydrocholesterol in or on skin tissue. Recently, however, a metabolite of cholecalciferol, 1,25-dihydrocholecalciferol, previously known to be synthesised only in mammalian and avian kidneys, has been detected in at least two species of Solanaceae4,5. Furthermore, Rambeck et al.6 showed that cholecalciferol occurs in the common grass, Trisetum flavescens which had been identified by Dirksen et al.7 as the cause of calcinosis in grazing cattle. We now demonstrate that cholecalciferol is formed in T. flavescens only in the presence of UV light, thus suggesting a similar path of synthesis in plants to that which occurs in vertebrates.