Search

Summary A new rhabditid entomophilic nematode was isolated from adult Epuraea (Haptoncus) ocularis collected from brown to light brown sap on the trunk of Ulmus parvifolia in Kyoto, Japan. The typological characters of the species, anteriorly opened peloderan bursa with nine bursal rays with the first, fifth, and eighth pairs directed dorsally, very long and two-part spicule with broad tip, and elongate conical female tail, do not fit the current nominal rhabditid genera. While phylogenetic analyses based on the near-full-length small subunit (18S) ribosomal RNA sequence tentatively suggest that the species is the sister of Buetschlinema, the typological and biological characters of the new species clearly differ from that genus, and so a new species is described herein as Chylorhabditis epuraeae n. gen., n. sp.

Powdery mildews are common pathogens on wild elm trees as well as on planted ornamentals in Asia and Europe. The taxonomy of the powdery Erysiphe species on elms (Ulmus spp., Ulmaceae) is complicated by taxonomical changes and inconsistently labelled DNA data in databases and publications. Based on morphology and phylogenetic analysis of new collections from Germany and Taiwan, E. ulmi from Europe is revised, while specimens on U. parvifolia from East Asia revealed a separate clade indicating an undescribed species. Morphologically, both species can be distinguished by length of the foot cell of the conidiophore, whereas the teleomorph characteristics were not significantly distinctive.

Ulmus species (Ulmaceae) are large deciduous trees distributed throughout Korea. Although their root and stem bark have been used to treat gastrointestinal diseases and wounds in folk medicine, commercial products are consumed without any standardization. Therefore, we examined anatomical and chemical differences among five Ulmus species in South Korea. Transverse sections of leaf, stem, and root barks were examined under a microscope to elucidate anatomical differences. Stem and root bark exhibited characteristic medullary ray and secretary canal size. Leaf surface, petiole, and midrib exhibited characteristic inner morphologies including stomatal size, parenchyma, and epidermal cell diameter, as well as ratio of vascular bundle thickness to diameter among the samples. Orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis of anatomical data efficiently differentiated the five species. To evaluate chemical differences among the five species, we quantified (-)-catechin, (-)-catechin-7-O-β-D-apiofuranoside, (-)-catechin-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, (-)-catechin-7-O-β-D-xylopyranoside, (-)-catechin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, and (-)-catechin-5-O-β-D-apiofuranoside using high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode-array detector. (-)-Catechin-7-O-β-D-apiofuranoside content was the highest among all compounds in all species, and (-)-catechin-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside content was characteristically the highest in Ulmus parvifolia among the five species. Overall, the Ulmus species tested was able to be clearly distinguished on the basis of anatomy and chemical composition, which may be used as scientific criteria for appropriate identification and standard establishment for commercialization of these species

Mulches have been evaluated extensively as a weed management tool in container plant production, but most research has focused on loose-fill wood-derived mulch materials, such as pine bark or wood chips. In this experiment, pine (mixed Pinus sp.) bark (PB), shredded hardwood (HW), and pine sawdust were evaluated for weed control and crop response both alone and in combination with a guar gum tackifier alongside a plastic film mulch, a paper slurry mulch, and the paper slurry mulch + PB and compared with a nonmulched, nontreated control and a single application of preemergence herbicide (oxyfluorfen + pendimethalin). Mulch materials were applied to nursery containers ranging from 7 to 25 gal at two different nurseries and at two research centers in central Florida in 2017 and 2018. Results showed that the plastic mulch provided more than a 90% reduction in hand weeding time and weed weight over a 6-month period, and similar control was achieved with PB, paper slurry + PB, and the HW treatment (64% to 91% reduction in weeding time and weed weight). No growth differences were observed with any mulch treatment in any species evaluated including ligustrum (Ligustrum japonicum), Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia), or podocarpus (Podocarpus macrophyllum).

Ulmus parvifolia is a promising tree species for landscaping. In this study, the complete genome of U. parvifolia was reported using next-generation sequencing technology. The chloroplast genome was a circular double-stranded DNA molecule with 159,182 bp in length. It contained a large single copy (LSC) region of 87,838 bp, a small single copy (SSC) region of 18,750 bp, and two inverted repeat (IRa and IRb) regions of 26,297 bp each, which exhibited a typical quadripartite structure. A total of 133 genes were identified, including 84 protein-coding genes, 41 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The overall GC content in the chloroplast genome was 35.59%. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that U. parvifolia, as a representative of Sect. Microptelea within the Ulmus genus, is sister to the species of Sect. Ulmus.

Samples of galled roots, resembling those induced by root-knot nematodes, and rhizosphere soil were collected from potted plants of Ulmus parvifolia cvs. Allee and Drake in Lake County, Florida. Nematode species were identified using both molecular analysis and morphology of perineal patterns. Meloidogyne enterolobii and M. javanica were identified from U. parvifolia cv. Allee. Meloidogyne arenaria and M. javanica were identified from U. parvifolia cv. Drake. This is a first report of these nematode species infecting Chinese Elm in Florida.

Samples of galled roots, resembling those induced by root-knot nematodes, and rhizosphere soil were collected from potted plants of Ulmus parvifolia cvs. Allee and Drake in Lake County, Florida. Nematode species were identified using both molecular analysis and morphology of perineal patterns. Meloidogyne enterolobii and M. javanica were identified from U. parvifolia cv. Allee. Meloidogyne arenaria and M. javanica were identified from U. parvifolia cv. Drake. This is a first report of these nematode species infecting Chinese Elm in Florida. Samples of galled roots, resembling those induced by root-knot nematodes, and rhizosphere soil were collected from potted plants of Ulmus parvifolia cvs. Allee and Drake in Lake County, Florida. Nematode species were identified using both molecular analysis and morphology of perineal patterns. Meloidogyne enterolobii and M. javanica were identified from U. parvifolia cv. Allee. Meloidogyne arenaria and M. javanica were identified from U. parvifolia cv. Drake. This is a first report of these nematode species infecting Chinese Elm in Florida.

Ulmus parvifolia Jacq is a kind of landscape tree endemic to East Asia. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of U. parvifolia was sequenced. The genome was 159,259 bp in length, with a large single-copy (LSC) region of 88,451 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 19,598 bp, and two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 25,605 bp, each. The genome consisted of 121 genes, including 77 protein-coding genes, 36 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The phylogenetic results indicated that Ulmus is not monophyletic and U. parvifolia constitute a well-supported clade sister to U. Sect. Ulmus. The complete chloroplast genome of U. parvifolia will provide important information for phylogenetic and evolutionary studies in Ulmaceae, as well as the other closely related families.

The bark of Ulmus parvifolia Jacq. (UP) was traditionally used as a diuretic and to treat intestinal inflammation. With modern evidence of the correlation of diuretics, gut inflammation, and obesity, our study has shown the antiobesity effects of the bark of UP. UP treatment reduced lipid production and adipogenic genes in vitro. In vivo studies revealed that UP 100 mg/kg and UP 300 mg/kg treatment significantly reduced mouse weight without reducing food intake, indicating increased energy expenditure. UP significantly reduced the weight of epididymal and subcutaneous adipose tissue and decreased liver weight. Histological analysis revealed improvement in the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and epididymal white adipose tissue hypertrophy induced by a HFD. Real-Time PCR of epididymal adipose tissue revealed significant increases of uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) expression after UP 300 mg/kg treatments. Phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein α (AMPKα) was increased, while phosphorylation of Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (ACC) was reduced. Our findings reveal the ability of UP to reduce the occurrence of obesity through increased browning of white adipose tissue via increased AMPKα, PPARγ, PGC-1α, and UCP-1 expression.

The Chinese elm is an important tree ecologically, however, little is known about its genetic diversity and adaptation mechanisms. In this study, a total of 107 individuals collected from seven natural populations in eastern China were investigated by specific locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq). Based on the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) detected by SLAF-seq, genetic diversity and markers associated with climate variables were identified. All seven populations showed medium genetic diversity, with PIC values ranging from 0.2632 to 0.2761. AMOVA and Fst indicated that a low genetic differentiation existed among populations. Environmental association analyses with three climate variables (annual rainfall, annual average temperature, and altitude) resulted in, altogether, 43 and 30 putative adaptive loci by Bayenv2 and LFMM, respectively. Five adaptive genes were annotated, which were related to the functions of glycosylation, peroxisome synthesis, nucleic acid metabolism, energy metabolism, and signaling. This study was the first on the genetic diversity and local adaptation in Chinese elms, and the results will be helpful in future work on molecular breeding.

Ulmus parvifolia is one of the medicinal plants used traditionally for treatment of wounds. We intended to investigate the wound healing effect of the powder of Ulmus parvifolia (UP) root bark in a mouse wound healing model. We also determined the mechanisms of effects of U. parvifolia in skin and skin wound healing effects using a keratinocyte model. Animal experiments showed that the wound lesions in the mice decreased with 200 mesh U. parvifolia root bark powder and were significantly reduced with treatment by UP, compared with those treated with Ulmus macrocarpa (UM). Results from in vitro experiments also revealed that UP extract promoted the migration of human skin keratinocytes. UP powder treatment upregulated the expression of the matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 protein and significantly increased transforming growth factor (TGF)-&beta, levels. We confirmed that topical administration of the bark powder exerted a significant effect on skin wound healing by upregulating the expression of MMP and transforming growth factor-&beta, Our study suggests that U. parvifolia may be a potential candidate for skin wound healing including epidermal skin rejuvenation.

Ulmus species have been widely used in Korean folk medicine because of their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. We intended to investigate the wound healing effect of the powder of Ulmus parvifolia (UP) root bark in a mouse wound healing model. We also determined the mechanisms of effects of Ulmus parvifolia (UP) in skin and skin wound healing effect using keratinocyte model. in vivo experiments showed that the wound lesions in the mice decreased by U. parvifolia with 200 mesh size of root bark powder and significantly reduced by treatment with UP, compared with those treated with U. macrocarpa (UM). Results from in vitro experiments also revealed that UP extract promoted the migration of human skin keratinocytes. UP powder treatment upregulated the expression of the matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 protein and significantly increased transforming growth factor (TGF)-β levels. We confirmed that topical administration of the bark powder of exerted a significant effect on skin wound healing by upregulating the expression of MMP and transforming growth factor-β. TGF-β In, Our study suggests that U. parvifolia may be a potential candidate for skin wound healing including epidermal skin rejuvernation.

This study analyzed the flora, life form, and vegetation of the Nakdong River wetland. Vegetation analysis was performed on 37 plots using the phytosociological method of the Zürich-Montpellier School. PCA analysis was conducted by using the vegetation data (ground cover of class, 1~9) of 37 plots surveyed by phytosociological method. PCA (Principal Component Analysis) was used to statistically analyze the objectivity of the community classification and the character species. The traditional classification and mathematical statistic methods were used. A total of 82 taxa belonging to 28 families, 65 genera, 72 species, 2 subspecies, and 8 varieties were present in the vegetation of the survey area. The life form was analyzed to be the Th-R5-D4-e type. The communities were classified into seven communities: Miscanthus sacchariflorus community, Phragmites communis community, Phragmites communis–Carex dispalata community, Ulmus parvifolia community, Zizania latifolia community, Setaria viridis community, and Salix koriyanagi–Salix chaenomeloides community. As a result of PCA analysis, it was classified into seven communities. Seven communities were analyzed, where the most dominant species (M. sacchariflorus, P. communis, C. dispalata, U. parvifolia, Z. latifolia, S. viridis, S. koriyanagi, S. chaenomeloides) of each community were examined as character species. Another species is analyzed as Salix koreensis. Of the sixteen M. sacchariflorus communities, Pterygopleurum neurophyllum was present in six plots (A-2 group) but not in ten plots (A-1 group). These two groups showed differences in coverage and the number of occurring species. As for the relative net contribution degree (r-NCD) in the A-2 group, most species showed low r-NCD except for M. sacchariflorus, which showed an r-NCD of 100. The r-NCDs in the A-1 group were as follows: Miscanthus sacchariflorus (100), P. neurophyllum (21.74), and Persicaria perfoliata (10.14). Therefore, P. neurophyllum is difficult to grow in the A-1 group. As a result, it is thought that the high density of M. sacchariflorus affects the growth and distribution of P. neurophyllum. In order to expand and maintain P. neurophyllum, the habitat environment needs to be altered by adjusting the density of M. sacchariflorus.

Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia Jacq.) is native to China, Korea, and Japan and was introduced to the U.S. to replace the American elm, which is highly susceptible to Dutch elm disease. Cultivar Emmer II trademark Allee elm (or Allee elm) is preferred by nurseries for its rich green foliage and beauty of bark. In the summer of 2011, a new disease was observed on Allee elm at a tree farm in FL. Approximately 1% of elms in the same farm and in residential areas in central Florida had similar canker-like symptoms consisting of tan to orange patches of decomposed and loose bark. These symptoms were observed on the main trunks often extending into branches of affected trees. Cankered sections of the trunk were often several feet in length and penetrated the wood to a depth just under the bark into the phloem. To isolate the causal organism, cankers were gathered from 7 trees and tissues from the margin of 1 to 3 cankers per tree were surface sterilized in 1% sodium hypochlorite, plated on PDA, and incubated at 22°C under a 16-h/8-h light/dark cycle for 7 days. Colonies displayed white, fluffy mycelium with sporadic black acervuli containing aggregated conidia. Conidia were 5-celled with two or more apical appendages or hairs; the three central cells were dark brown and the two outer cells were hyaline (1). Based on conidial morphology, these isolates were putatively identified as Pestalotiopsis spp. To identify the species, the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was sequenced for two field isolates (GenBank Accessions JX999998 and JX999999). A BLASTn search in GenBank revealed 100% identity to Pestalotiopsis mangiferae ITS (JX305704.1). To test Koch's postulates, experiments were performed in the field and greenhouse. A mycelial plug of isolate 11-40 was grown on PDA, inoculated on wounded trunk of healthy 18-month-old Allee elms (n = 48) in the field and 7-month-old Allee elms (n = 12) in the greenhouse. Both experiments were set up as a randomized complete block design. The trunk of each tree was wounded with a scalpel to a depth of 5 mm, the wound was inoculated with a 5-mm2 agar plug from a 7-day PDA culture, and the inoculated wound was wrapped with grafting tape. Plants that served as negative controls [n = 20 (field experiment) and n = 12 (greenhouse)] were mock-inoculated with a sterile PDA plug without mycelial growth. After 4 to 6 months, symptoms consisting of loose or fallen off bark developed on all pathogen-inoculated trees but not on control trees. Control wounds healed with no expansion beyond the original 5 mm inoculation zone, whereas Pestalotiopsis-inoculated cankers expanded to 3 to 8 cm in each direction in 6 months. Pestalotiopsis (confirmed by conidial morphology and ITS sequencing) was reisolated from pathogen-inoculated trees but not from control trees. These experiments were repeated with similar results at least three times, each consisting of 15 replications (greenhouse) and 12 replications (field) with additional Pestalotiopsis isolates. Many other Pestaliopsis spp. have been reported on other shade trees through the U.S. and the world. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. mangiferae on an Ulmus species in the U.S. and the world. Since elm canker mainly affects the trunk, a featured characteristic of the Allee elm, it can potentially result in economic loss to the ornamental industry. References: (1) Y. Ko et al. Plant Dis. 91:1684, 2007. (2) T. J. White et al. Page 315 in: PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. Academic Press, San Diego, 1990.

The assessment of mature urban tree vitality using physiological measurements is still in its infancy. Chlorophyll fluorescence is a method for assessing tree vitality that has potential for use in urban environments, particularly on trunk bark, which is easy to access from the ground. Here we describe how we compared bark and leaf fluorescence in a variety of street and park trees (Ficus macrophylla Pers., Platanus &times, acerifolia (Aiton) Willd., and Ulmus parvifolia Jacq.) with pre-dawn water potential as a way of determining the cause of potential physiological stress in the summer of 2012. Statistical relationships were observed between bark chlorophyll fluorescence and pre-dawn water potential in Ficus macrophylla and Platanus &times, acerifolia, but were not as consistent in Ulmus parvifolia. In addition, bark and leaf chlorophyll fluorescence were compared with an urban visual vitality index both in autumn 2011 and summer 2012. In this case statistical relationships between bark chlorophyll fluorescence values and urban tree visual vitality were almost non-existent in the Ficus macrophylla and Platanus &times, acerifolia trees, however, statistical relationships were significant between bark chlorophyll fluorescence and the urban tree vitality index in Ulmus parvifolia. Bark chlorophyll fluorescence may become a useful tool for measuring physiological stress in trees, but further work needs to be undertaken to clarify and better understand the varying responses of different tree species.

Mushrooms can break down complex plant materials into smaller, more digestible and bioactive compounds. The present study investigated the antiasthma effect of an Ulmus parvifolia bark extract bioprocessed in Lentinus edodes liquid mycelium culture (BPUBE) against allergic asthma in chicken egg ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized/challenged mice. BPUBE suppressed total IgE release from U266B1 cells in a dose-dependent manner without cytotoxicity. Inhibitory activity of BPUBE against OVA-specific IgE secretion in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was observed in OVA-sensitized/challenged asthmatic mice. BPUBE also inhibited OVA-specific IgG and IgG1 secretion into serum from the allergic mice, suggesting the restoration of a Th2-biased immune reaction to a Th1/Th2-balanced status, as indicated by the Th1/Th2 as well as regulatory T cell (Treg) cytokine profile changes caused by BPUBE in serum or BALF. Inflammatory cell counts in BALF and lung histology showed that leukocytosis and eosinophilia induced by OVA-sensitization/challenge were inhibited by the oral administration of BPUBE. Amelioration of eosinophil infiltration near the trachea was associated with reduced eotaxin and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) levels. Changes in proinflammatory mediator levels in BALF suggest that BPUBE decreased OVA-sensitization-induced elevation of leukotriene C4 (LTC4) and prostaglandin D2 (PGD2). The finding that asthma-associated biomarker levels of OVA-sensitized/challenged mice were much more inhibited with BPUBE treatment than NPUBE (not-bioprocessed Ulmus parvifolia extract) treatment suggested the production of new bioactive compounds by the mushroom mycelia that may be involved in enhancing the observed antiasthmatic properties. The possible relation of the composition determined by proximate analysis and GC/MS to observed bioactivity is discussed. The results suggest that the elm tree (Ulmus parvifolia) bark bioprocessed with mycelia of shiitake (Lentinus edodes) mushrooms has the potential to prevent and/or treat allergic asthma.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the possibility of establishing a tree nursery at Saemangeum reclaimed land and to classify landscape trees based on the salt tolerance. A tree nursery (2.0 ha) was made in Gunsan Okgu area in 2012 with underground drain lines on the reclaimed land established in 2010. Salt content of the nursery soil within the 60 cm depth in 2013 was 5.13 dS/m and 8.20 dS/m for the pre-desalinated and non-desalinated lands, respectively. Thirty-six woody plant species (22 tree species and 14 shrub species at ages of 1 to 4) with a total of 3,943 individuals were planted in early April, 2013 and their growth performance was monitored until September of the same year. The average survival rate of the transplanted plants was 71.4% in late September, suggesting the high possibility of establishing a tree nursery at the reclaimed land. Based on the survival rate and tree vigor (amount of healthy leaves and crown development), the following 17 species with some salt tolerance were classified into three groups: "salt tolerant group" (3 species, Tamarix chinensis, Cudrania tricuspidata, Ilex serrata), "recommended group" (5 species, Pinus thunbergii, Albizia julibrissin, Ligustrum obtusifolium, Rosa rugosa, Pleioblatus pygmaeus), "plantable group" (9 species, Zelkova serrata, Hibiscus syriacus, Elaeagnus umbellata, Sorbus alnifolia, Sophora japonica, Metasequoia glyptostroboides, Quercus acutissima, Ulmus parvifolia, Robinia pseudoacacia). Seven tree species that had been adapted to the reclaimed land for three to four years before being transplanted to new reclaimed land in Gunsan Okgu area showed average survival rate of 98%, suggesting that pre-conditioned trees would survive well in the reclaimed land.

The purpose of this study is to offer the basic data to the habitat conservation and management by surveying and analysing the ecological characteristics such as the flora, vegetation structure and soil of Rhodotypos scandens habitat. The flora were summarized as 131 taxa including 57 families, 99 genera, 107 species, 1 subspecies, 17 varieties and 6 forms. The life forms grouped as in the follows; the megaphanerophytes(MM) were 21 taxa, 24 taxa of the microphanerophytes(M), 30 taxa of nanophanerophytes(N), 6 taxa of chamaiphytes(Ch), 20 taxa of hemicryptophytes(H), 17 taxa of geophytes(G), 12 taxa of therophytes(Th) and 1 taxa of hydrophytes(HH). The present conditions of communities were 8 types including Zelkova serrata, Quercus aliena, Ulmus parvifolia, Rhamnella frangulioides, Castanea crenata, Albizia julibrissin, Celtis sinensis and Robinia pseudoacacia. In case of the dominant species by layers, the tree layer species were Zelkova serrata, Quercus aliena, Ulmus parvifolia, Castanea crenata, Albizia julibrissin, Celtis sinensis and Robinia pseudoacacia, and the subtree layer species were Rhamnella frangulioides, Q. aliena, Z. serrata, A. julibrissin, U. parvifolia and Broussonetia kazinoki. The shrub layer species was Rhodotypos scandens. In the results of analyzing the diversity index, from 1.691 to 2.610, from 2.197 to 3.466 in H`max, from 0.646 to 0.903 in J` and from 0.097 to 0.354 in D. In the results of analysing the soil, there showed that acidity was 5.6, 0.5dS/m of electrical conductivity(EC), 59.1mg/kg of available , 49.7% of organic matter content, of exchangeable , of exchangeable , of exchangeable .

Ulmus americana (American elm) was an important urban tree in North America prior to the introduction of the Dutch elm disease pathogen in 1930. Subsequently, urban and community forests were devastated by the loss of large canopies. Tree improvement programs produced disease tolerant American and Eurasian elm cultivars and introduced them into the nursery industry. However, consumer acceptance was slow. The National Elm Trial was established to evaluate commercially available taxa of elm across the United States. Established at 16 locations, these plantings monitored survival and growth, as well as disease and insect pressure for 7 to 10 years. ‘Morton’ elm had >90% survival, while 13 cultivars averaged 70% to 90%, and five cultivars ranged from 25% to 69% survival. Trunk diameter growth by location ranged from 0.5 cm/year (Colorado, U.S.) to more than 2.0 cm/year (Iowa, U.S.). By taxa, trunk diameter growth ranged from a low, by ‘JFS Bieberich’ elm (0.7 cm/year), to a high by ‘New Horizon’ elm (1.7 cm/year). Scale insects were minor issues at most trial locations, except Colorado, where scales contributed to the death of several cultivars. Performance ratings (scale 1 to 5) ranged from 2.7 for ‘JFS Bieberich’ elm to 4.5 for ‘New Horizon’ elm. Based on the ratings, the preferred cultivars of American elm were ‘New Harmony’ and ‘Princeton’, and the preferred cultivars of Asian elm were The Morton Arboretum introductions and ‘New Horizon’. These findings will help green-industry professionals determine what elm cultivars will perform the best in different regions.

Substrate material used for the purpose of growing ornamental plants in the Great Plains is generally shipped a significant distance, primarily from the Southeastern United States. Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana; ERC) chips have been identified as a possible alternative to pine bark (PB) for nursery substrates. Landscape establishment of Ulmus parvifolia ‘Emer II’ (elm), Rosa ‘Radtkopink’ (rose), Ilex glabra ‘Compacta’ (holly), Miscanthus sinensis ‘Little Kitten’ (maiden grass), Gaillardia ×grandiflora (blanket flower), Sedum ‘Autumn Fire’ (sedum), Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’ (hosta), and Hemerocallis ‘Charles Johnston’ (daylily) plants were grown in three substrate mixes. Substrate mixes were composed of 80:20 PB:sand (PBS), 40:40:20 PB:ERC:sand (PBERCS) or 80:20 ERC:sand (ERCS) (by vol). The study was split into production and landscape phases. During the production phase, pH and EC were among the parameters measured. For both phases of the study, growth index (GI), SPAD, caliper and shoot- and root dry weight were measured. At the end of the production phase, differences in growth were observed in elm, holly, and maiden grass where substrates containing PB or a mixture of PB:ERC resulted in greater growth over a primarily ERC-based substrate. Sedum also exhibited growth differences, with plants growing larger in ERCS as a production substrate. At the conclusion of the landscape establishment phase, there were no observed differences in growth for tested species with the exception of holly and hosta which grew best if produced in PBS and/or PBERCS prior to transplanting based on shoot- and root dry weights as well as GI on most evaluation dates. The majority of species in this study overcame any growth shortages present at the end of production within the first growing season in the landscape. Therefore, ERC is a viable substrate option for producing and planting many nursery crops, though it is advisable for each nursery to evaluate their particular crops for production in alternative substrates.

The article presents the study results of dusty particles on the leaves of tree species forms in the residential area of the Sredneahtubinsky district of the Volgograd region. The aim of the study was to monitor the dispersed composition of dust particles on various types of urban vegetation. Leaves of common lilac (Syringa vulgaris), small-leaved elm (Ulmus parvifolia), common apricot (Prunus armenica) as mass plant species growing in the residential area of the Sredneahtubinsky district of the Volgograd region were chosen as objects of study. The novelty of the work is the study dispersed composition of dust particles on the leaves of common lilac (Syringa vulgaris), small-leaved elm (Ulmus parvifolia), common apricot (Prunus armenica) from the standpoint of random functions expressed by integral distribution curves of particle mass over their equivalent diameters. The measurement of dust particles, dust processing, and the study of dust dispersed composition of was carried out in accordance with GOST R 56929-2016 using the SPOTEXPLORER computer program. As a result of the studies, it was found that the surface of the laminate leaf of common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) and elm have the best adsorption ability small-leaved (Ulmus parvifolia). The study's results are of practical importance - they provide information on the urban plants ability of leaves surface to retain fine-dispersed dust, offer a specific range of plant species for urban green areas, which can use the regional public services greening of urban areas in order to reduce PM2.5 emissions of PM10 in urban areas.

This research studied the capacity of natural and artificial shade types to improve outdoor human comfort during normally hot, summer midday (1200 to 1400 h), desert conditions. Micrometeorological data were collected in full sun and under shade canopies of six landscape tree taxa and constructed ramadas in residential neighborhood parks of Phoenix, AZ, USA. The six tree taxa included Arizona ash (Fraxinus velutina Torr.), Mexican palo verde (Parkinsonia aculeata L.), Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.), South American mesquite (Prosopis spp. L.), Texas live oak (Quercus virginiana for. fusiformis Mill.), and Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia Jacq.). Results showed that natural shading from live trees and artificial shading from constructed ramadas were not similarly effective at improving outdoor human thermal comfort, represented by physiologically equivalent temperature (PET). The difference in PET between full sun and under shade canopies of Fraxinus and Quercus trees was greater than under shade canopies of Parkinsonia, Prosopis, trees or constructed ramadas by 2.9 to 4.3 °C. Radiation intensity was the most significant driver of lowered PET (p

The study was conducted as a part of the selection of the objects of phytomonitoring for the environmental assessment on the value of fluctuating asymmetry of bilateral morphological parameters. The territorial structure of flora of tree layer in Akhtubinsk and its local areas was determined as of 2013. The living conditions and species and quantitative composition of the tree layer of urban landscape were examined. The vital status of trees was assessed on a ten-point scale of the categories: good condition; satisfactory; weakened plants (Bukharina and Dvoeglazova 2010). The quantitative assessment of biodiversity of tree layer was made on the basis of conventional indices of individual dominance and dominating structures, as well as the method of multivariate statistical analysis. This is an objective method that has been used by other authors in a variety of the environmental studies for a long time, but it has not been actively used in the studies of the Astrakhan area vegetation yet. The results of the study make it possible to believe that the most appropriate indicator of tree vegetation for biomonitoring of intact floodplain, residential and recreational areas in the urban territory in the arid climate of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain is the Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia Jacq.),as the most widespread, numerous and sensitive. It is noted that the tree vegetation cannot be a universal bioindicator of the urban environment in Akhtubinsk and its local areas by fluctuating asymmetry of bilateral morphological parameters.

In this study, a comparative liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy (LC/ESI-MS/MS) profiling of different fractions of Ulmus parvifolia leaves and stems was performed. Identification of compounds was based on comparing the mass spectrometric information obtained including m/z values and individual compound fragmentation pattern to tandem mass spectral library search and literature data. Eleven compounds were tentatively identified in the different analyzed fractions. One of the major constituents of this plant was isolated and identified as Icariside E4 [dihydro-dehydro-diconiferyl alcohol-4-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside] (5). The evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of the total methanolic extract using nitric oxide inhibition on LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells model strong anti-inflammatory activity with 17.5% inhibition of nitric oxide production versus 10% inhibition for dexamethasone. The cytotoxic activity of the methanolic extract and Icariside E4 was evaluated against four types of human cell lines using MTT assay. Icariside E4 showed cytotoxic effect against Hep-G2, MCF-7, and CACO-2 cell lines compared to a negligible activity for the total extract. The same extract showed a moderate antioxidant activity with SC50=362.5 μg/mL.

Planting depth (location of root collar in relation to substrate surface grade) varies in the container production industry. Optimum planting depth varies for different species. Most container-produced plants are grown in a soilless media to allow better aeration and drainage conditions, so the effects of planting depth observed in landscape establishment may be different from those seen in container-production. This study tested if inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) would enhance the tolerance of container-grown Ulmus parvifolia Jacq. (lacebark elm) to above and/or below grade planting depths. The AMF plants and non-AMF plants were planted into 2.1 L black plastic containers with their root collars at substrate surface (grade), 3 cm above grade, 1 cm above grade, 1 cm below grade, or 3 cm below grade under greenhouse conditions. Growth (stem diameter, total plant dry mass) and physiological responses (leaf nutrient concentration, chlorophyll concentration, total antioxidant and nitrate reductase activities, and total phenolic content) were measured. In general, AMF plants had greater growth when planted above or below grade when compared to non-AMF plants at the same planting depth, but this was not correlated with enhanced nutrient tissue levels. Non-AMF plants planted at grade had greater growth than AMF plants at grade. Planting at grade resulted in optimum growth for U. parvifolia. Poor transplanting techniques during container production (above or below grade) were partially alleviated by inoculating plants with AMF.

To reveal the relationship between tolerance to submergence and the distribution ranges of riparian tree species in the floodplains of the warm-temperate regions in Japan, we assessed the response and tolerance of current-year seedlings of two Salix and three Ulmaceae species to submergence treatments for 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks. We investigated shoot elongation, number of leaves, and survival rate of seedlings during the experiment, and biomass allocation was determined at the end of the experiment. Shoot elongation and leaf production of seedlings were suppressed in all the species during the submergence treatments. However, the seedlings of Salix chaenomeloides and S. pierotii elongated shoots rapidly and produced leaves after the treatments. All the underground biomass in these two species was larger than aboveground biomass. These results are considered as typical responses of flood-tolerant species. In contrast, the underground biomass of Ulmaceae seedlings (Celtis sinensis var. japonica, Aphananthe aspera, and Ulmus parvifolia) decreased more rapidly than aboveground biomass during prolonged submergence. Furthermore, A. aspera seedlings also showed suppression of shoot elongation and leaf production after the treatments. Our results indicate that the three Ulmaceae species are less tolerant to submergence than the two Salix species. In conclusion, we suggest that submergence stress is one of the important factors determining the distribution of tree species in the floodplains of lowlands in the warm-temperate regions of Japan.

The banded elm bark beetle, Scolytus schevyrewi Semenov (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), native to Asia, was detected in the United States in 2003, and as of 2011 it is known to occur in 28 states and four Canadian provinces. S. schevyrewi infests the same elm (Ulmus spp.) hosts as the long-established invasive, the European elm bark beetle, Scolytus multistriatus (Marsham). Information on the basic biology of S. schevyrewi in its native range is sparse; thus, we conducted laboratory studies and field studies in Colorado and Nevada. Comparisons of flight and behavioral responses were made with co-occurring S. multistriatus. When Siberian elm, Ulmus pumila L., cut logs (bolts) were allowed to be colonized by wild populations in the field, S. schevyrewi did not differ in emergence density from 10- versus 24-cm-diameter bolts. In the laboratory, S. schevyrewi readily colonized bolts of American elm, Ulmus americana L., but not Chinese elm, Ulmus parvifolia Jacq.; Siberian peashrub, Caragana arborescens Lam.; a cherry, Prunus fontanesiana (Spach) C. K. Schneid.; or Russian olive, Elaeagnus angustifolia L. In Colorado, S. schevyrewi often landed on elm bolts between 12:00 p.m. and 4 p.m.; and near large elm trees, they were captured more frequently on sticky traps at 1.8 and 3.7 m aboveground than higher along the main stem. In Colorado/Nevada, S. schevyrewi initiated flight in April/March and ceased in October/September, whereas S. multistriatus initiated flight in April/May and ceased in October/September. In funnel trap flight assays of semiochemicals in Colorado or Nevada, S. schevyrewi had moderate responses, 3–10-fold greater than unbaited control traps, to Multilure (a commercial lure for S. multistriatus), 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol (MB) + multistriatin, and MB + a plant extract that is included in a commercial formulation of Multilure. In contrast, S. multistriatus had a 226–259-fold greater response to Multilure than to the control. Both Scolytus species showed electroantennographic (EAG) responses to MB, racemic multistriatin, and (+)- and (-)-α-inene, with the greatest sensitivity to multistriatin. S. schevyrewi was more responsive to (-)-α-pinene than was S. multistriatus.

Inorganic compound leakage and change of carbohydrate were measured in Ulmus parvifolia seeds throughout accelerated aging under 35°C and 75% relative humidity (RH) to investigate whether these indicators can be used as a rapid vigor test for efficient seed bank management. Accelerated aging seeds treated for 0–14 days exhibited loss of germinability in the longest aging treated seeds (11%, 14 days) compared to a good performance of 52% for control (0 day) seeds. Leachate electrical conductivity (EC) increase had strong negative correlation with seed vigor (−0.9). Magnesium ion concentration in electrolyte leakage from artificial aged seeds showed positive correlation (r = 0.94, P

Planting depth during container production may influence plant growth, establishment, and subsequent landscape value. A lack of knowledge about the effects of common transplanting practices may lead to suboptimal performance of planted landscape trees. Planting depth, i.e., location of the root collar relative to soil grade, is of particular concern for posttransplant tree growth both when transplanted to larger containers during production and after transplanting into the landscape. It is unknown whether negative effects of poor planting practices are compounded during the production phases and affect subsequent landscape establishment. This study investigated effects of planting depth during two successive phases of container production (10.8 L and 36.6 L) and eventual landscape establishment using lacebark elm (Ulmus parvifolia Jacq.). Tree growth was greater when planted at grade during the initial container (10.8 L) production phase and was reduced when planted 5 cm below grade. In the second container production phase (36.6 L), trees planted above grade had reduced growth compared with trees planted at grade or below grade. For landscape establishment, transplanting at grade to slightly below or above grade produced trees with greater height on average when compared with planting below grade or substantially above grade, whereas there was no effect on trunk diameter. Correlations between initial growth and final growth in the field suggested that substantial deviations of the original root to shoot transition from at-grade planting was more of a factor in initial establishment of lacebark elm than the up-canning practices associated with planting depth during container production.