The transferability of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) markers among closely related species is a common strategy in population genetics; however, cross-genus transferability is less frequent. We evaluated cross-genus SSR amplification in Gentianaceae by testing 30 heterologous primer pairs developed for Gentiana across two Swertia taxa, S. punctata and S. perennis. Consistent, single-locus marker amplification was obtained for 11/30 (36.7%) primer pairs; the remainder yielded multiple, non-specific bands. Owing to limited polymorphism and low reproducibility, six SSR loci were retained for downstream characterization of the Swertia populations. Across these loci, eight alleles were detected in total (each SSR primer pair amplifying 1-2 alleles). Among the retained markers, LAW12 and LAW25 exhibited heterozygous profiles, whereas the remaining four loci were effectively homozygous in the analyzed material. The resulting data matrix was used to infer a Neighbor-Joining tree and to perform PCoA; both analyses recovered a clear separation between the two Swertia species, supported by bootstrap values. Despite the low polymorphism of the six SSRs, the markers were sufficient to distinguish the analyzed populations along taxonomic lines. Further work, ideally the development of Swertia-specific SSRs or genome-wide SNP assays, would provide higher resolution and broader transferability across the genus.
Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.), a member of the Lamiaceae family, is an important vegetable crop and medicinal plant, widely used both as food and as an herbal remedy. In the present study, the phenotypic diversity of 29 Iranian landraces was evaluated based on plant height, stem length, root length, internode length, number of leaflets per main stem, leaf area of leaves on the main stem and lateral branches, fresh weight of stem, root and whole plant, dry weight of stem, root and whole plant, and essential oil content. Factor analysis revealed that 89% of the observed variation could be explained by the first five factors, which were characterized based on varimax-rotated scores as biomass, dwarfism and leaflet traits, leaf area, low essential oil content, and reduced root length. A plot of the first two factors, accounting for 62% of the total variation, distinguished five genotypic groups. Notably, Group C genotypes - G6 (Sistan), G15 (Hamadan), G23 (Arak), and G27 (Tonkabon-A) - exhibited high biomass and essential oil content, making them promising candidates for cultivar development and future breeding programs. To classify the traits, a two-dimensional plot based on the first two factors was generated. This analysis showed that internode length, plant height, stem length, and the leaf area were grouped together. Similarly, root length, number of leaflets per main stem, and essential oil content were clustered together, while the remaining traits constituted a separate cluster. Overall, this study revealed considerable genetic diversity among Iranian summer savory landraces based on morphological traits, providing valuable information for germplasm conservation and efficient selection in breeding programs.
Sorrels (Rumex spp.) from Polygonaceae have been utilized as medicinal plants or vegetable crops and inhabit in some areas of America, Asia and Europe as native or introduced plants. The target of the current investigation was to evaluate the genetic variation of 54 accessions of various species, including R. alpinus, R. kerneri, R. obtusifolius, R. patientia, R. pseudonatronatus, R. pulcher, R. rugosus, R. scutatus and Rumex spp. The plant materials from German IPK's gene bank (44 accessions) or various geographical areas of Iran (10 accessions), were evaluated in two separate trials, and 24 morphologic quantitative and qualitative characteristics were recorded. The coefficient of variation was very high for all measured traits across both trials whereas fresh and dry weight of leaves ranged from 20.3 to 210.1 g and from 2.7 to about 15.0 g, respectively. The factor analysis revealed four factors; leaf size, leaf number, leaf weight and the petiole length in the first trial while it identified leaf size, leaf weight blade width and the petiole length as important factors in the second trial, thus the importance of leaf size, leaf weight and the petiole length was confirmed at both trials. Also, the factor analysis of qualitative traits indicated five factors; anthocyanin blade and vein, leaf appearance, blade and the petiole properties, anthocyanin of the petiole and the midrib of the petiole. These consistent patterns affirm the reliability of trait-based factor analysis and underscore the potential of identified traits for use in genetic improvement and breeding programs. The study highlights the significant morphological diversity within sorrel germplasm, offering valuable insights for cultivar development and conservation strategies.
The leaf surfaces of two Tanacetum balsamita forms: Chrysanthemum balsamita f. balsamita and C. balsamita f. tanacetoides were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to identify similarities and differences. The two infraspecific taxa show differences in the morphology and structure of their inflorescences, chromosome number, and the chemical profiles of their essential oils synthesized and accumulated in the secretory structures of the epidermis. SEM images revealed that the two C. balsamita forms share similar epidermal structures in both non-glandular and glandular hairs, yet differ in the density of glandular secretory hairs between forms and between the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces. The highest mean density of glandular secretory hairs was observed in Tanacetum balsamita f. balsamita, on the abaxial leaf surface.
We re-evaluate and clarify the syntaxonomic position of the fir-beech and spruce-fir mixed forests in Romania. The syntaxa described from the South-Eastern Carpathians are well differentiated both floristically and ecologically along gradients of soil fertility and elevation. For the first time, the floristic composition of fir-beech and spruce-fir mixed forests from the studied area are presented in a unified, comparative framework. The mixed fir forest communities, characterized by the presence of Rubus hirtus and Galium rotundifolium and developed on slightly acidic soils in the hilly-submontane belt, are assigned to a new syntaxon in accordance with the current Carpathian coenotaxonomic system. This new syntaxon (Rubo hirti-Abietetum albae ass. nova hoc loco) is exclusively distributed in the Romanian Carpathians.
We report, for the first time, the presence in Romania of scrub communities dominated by Rubus praecox and R. radula, which are assignable to the alliance Pruno-Rubion radulae. By comparing the identified phytoceonoses with those described in central Europe, we point out that the scrub communities from north-western Romania host a lower species richness and are characterised by a scarce number of (sub)oceanic species.
Climatic shifts, the occurrence of dry and low-precipitation spells, and inappropriate fertilizer management in semi-arid areas are the main reasons for low safflower yield. Current experiment aimed to evaluate the different irrigation regimes (I1: rainfed or no-irrigated condition, I2: one-time irrigation after seeds planting, I3: supplementary irrigation in the flowering stage, I4: supplementary irrigation in the flowering and seed set stages, I5: well-irrigated conditions) and the use of different fertilizers (C: control or non-use of fertilizers, NPK: chemical nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, FYM: 20 t ha-1 animal manure) in the high and semi-arid region of Hashtroud. The results showed that the highest amounts of chlorophyll a (39.33 mg ml-1) and chlorophyll b (18.3 mg ml-1) were recorded under I5+ NPK conditions and the lowest was related to plants grown under I1+ C conditions. The highest xanthophylls was recorded for plants grown under I2+FYM (0.79 mg ml-1), and I3+NPK (0.72 mg ml-1) conditions, and the lowest amount was related to I5+NPK conditions (0.17 mg ml-1). The tallest plants (160.78 cm), the largest canopy span (68.66 cm), the largest head diameter (33 mm), and the largest number of heads per plant (26.2) were recorded under I5+ NPK conditions. The highest 1000-seeds were observed under I3+C conditions (27.66 g) and the lightest seeds (25.16 g) were obtained from plants grown under I4+NPK conditions. The use of one supplementary irrigation during seed planting and flowering, and twice irrigation during flowering and seed set stage increased the yield by 3%, 14%, and 48%, respectively, compared to rainfed conditions. Taken together, the results indicated that to achieve a reasonable economic performance in the studied area, at least two supplementary irrigations are needed in safflower production systems.
The genus Artemisia includes a large number of aromatic plants that produce secondary metabolites with numerous applications in the health, cosmetics, food and pest management sectors. However, relatively little is known of the dedicated organs where many of these metabolites are synthesized and accumulate. In this context, the aim of this paper was to identify the essential oil-secreting tissue of Artemisia abrotanum L. (Asteraceae) popularly known as southern wormwood. The morphology of its secretory tissue was studied using optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For the first time, secretory structures composed of stalked bicellular glands have been identified in the leaf sinuses on the abaxial side of the leaf blades. These secretory structures have not been described before in vascular plant taxa indigenous (native or naturalized) to Romania, but were reported in other Asteraceae species worldwide.
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.), an annual herb commonly found across various regions of the world, is often considered either a weed or a valuable vegetable crop. This study aimed to evaluate the morphological variation among ten purslane genotypes collected from different regions of Iran. The trial was conducted in a greenhouse environment via a completely randomized scheme with four replicates, during which eleven traits were assessed. The genotype × trait interaction biplot model accounted for 90% of the observed variability, revealing four distinct genotypic groups. Notably, the Mashhad genotype exhibited the highest values for the flower number per branch, dry shoot weight, fresh shoot weight, branch number of the main stem, and the number of seeds per capsule. A positive correlation was observed among the flower number per plant, capsule number per branch, and flower number per branch, while these traits were negatively associated with main stem length, leaf length, and leaf width. The Mashhad genotype, along with those from Bandar-Abbas and Parsabad, demonstrated superior performance and distinctiveness, with the number of seeds per capsule and the number of branches on the main stem showing the highest discriminative potential. When evaluating dry shoot weight, the Mashhad genotype, followed by those from Parsabad and Bandar-Abbas, emerged as the most desirable, whereas the genotypes from Ardabil and Sirjan were the least desirable in this characteristic. The significant diversity identified among these purslane genotypes could be instrumental in enhancing the breeding of this crop for specific target traits.
Telekia speciosa (Schreb.) Baumg. was selected to investigate the phylogeography of tall-herb species, an ecological group in which the Quaternary history has been rarely studied. This species is a characteristic component of mountain forest communities in the Romanian Carpathian Mountains. The analysis employing Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting has revealed a notable absence of a well-defined phylogeographical structure among the populations assessed. This finding implies that the various regions of the current distribution range of Telekia speciosa in the SE Carpathians have not undergone extended periods of isolation. Such a pattern suggests that this mountain tall-herb species might have experienced the possibility of long-term persistence along a wide altitudinal gradient in isolated mountain ranges, also encompassing the lowlands between them in glacial periods. Beside the unique vegetation history experienced during the most recent glaciation in the SE Carpathians, the observed weak phylogeographical structure of Telekia speciosa can be reasonably attributed to its inherent biological traits, particularly its proficiency in long-distance dispersal. Additionally, the species' ecological adaptations, which facilitated its survival in riparian zones of relatively low, forested mountain ranges, might contributed further to maintaining genetic connectivity among populations, thereby mitigating substantial genetic differentiation across its distribution. The study concludes that the genetic variation observed in T. speciosa is relatively evenly distributed across the species' distribution area.
Macrolepiota is a widely distributed fungus genus of approximately 40 described taxa, with 15 recorded from Brazil. However, in the north-eastern region of this country only two taxa are known, M. dunensis and M. sabulosa, both from the State of Rio Grande do Norte. This situation demonstrates the scarcity of studies on this genus, demanding more taxonomic studies in this region. The new variety was collected in a 'brejo de altitude' (evergreen forest enclave) of the Caatinga biome, and in a submontane-montane altitudinal range area in the Atlantic Forest biome. For morphological studies, standardized methods of agaricoid fungi are followed. Here we describe Macrolepiota capelariae var. sororivulpina, E. Falcão & Wartchow, var. nov., a new variety within sect. Macrolepiota characterized by the ochraceous to ochraceous-brownish pileus covered by small appressed squamules, slender stipe usually 2–3 times the diameter of the pileus, and large ovoid-ellipsoid basidiospores (14.5–18.8 or 19 × 9.0–12.0 μm). Within this section, M. capelariae, M. colombiana, M. clelandii, and M. dolichaula share in the pileus covering presenting mostly a trichopalisade, but differ in many aspects, as the darker or whitish pileus and smaller basidiospores, except for M. clelandii in which they range to 28.5 μm long.
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a significant source of protein for people in various regions. To investigate the phenotypic variation among 50 chickpea genotypes, a trial was conducted in the upland, cool, semi-arid region of Gavshaleh, Saqqez, Iran, utilizing a randomized complete block scheme with three replicates. The number of days from seeding to flowering and maturity (NDF, NDM), plant height (PH), chlorophyll content (CHL), ground cover (GC), number of subsidiary branches (NSB), height of first pod from ground (HFB), number of pods per plant (NPP), weight of pod per plant (WPP), weight of shuck per plant (WSP), plant dry weight (PDW), number of seeds per pod (NSP), number of unfilled pods per plant (NUP), plant fresh weight (PFW), protein content (PC), seed yield (SY) and hundred seed weight (HSW) were measured. The analysis revealed that the primary six factors accounted for 80% of the observed variability, representing key aspects such as yield potential, plant stature, biochemical composition, pod and seed weight, flowering time, and plant morphology. Communalities indicated the reliability of all chickpea traits, ranging from 0.53 for NUP to 0.98 for NSP. In the visual analysis, four distinct trait groups were identified based on the first three factors, which explained 60% of the variability. Furthermore, a three-dimensional plot unveiled eight genotypic groups with varying characteristics. Notably, one cluster comprising three genotypes displayed exceptionally high mean yield performance. Ultimately, the top-performing genotypes were categorized into four groups, showcasing their potential for release as cultivars tailored for upland cool semi-arid regions.
The ecological emergences arise owing to the integration of organisms into hierarchically ranked systemic units into the multi-individual level of organisation i.e., population, species and biocoenosis and ecosystem (the latter including in addition the abiotic environment). The ecological emergences of the multi-individual level encompass both general and systemic unit-specific forms in terms of structures, relationships, processes, information and variability. The most important effect of the different ecological emergences is the initiation of the process of production, consumption and decomposition of biomass and necromass, which ensures the amount of energy and matter needed for the negentropic functioning of all living systems. For each form of general ecological emergence, an example involving plant systems is given.
Fritillaria orientalis Adams is an endangered central Balkan and Illyrian species with sporadic presence in Romania, declared "Natural Monument". A new protected area of 22.18 ha located southwards to the village Berchieșu (Frata commune) is proposed for conserving the most important and abundant population of F. orientalis in the Cluj county, assessment based on available literature and personal observations in the field. For this reason, the area has special botanical value and needs to be legally protected in order to preserve this isolated population. This paper presents floristic data and vegetation characteristics along with relevant illustration of the proposed protected area. In order to easily distinguish F. orientalis from F. meleagris L., reported as well in the Cluj county, morphological, biometric and ecological differentiation characters are presented. Plant individuals of F. orientalis from Berchieșu are characterized by a pronounced diversity regarding the height of flower stems and colour of perianth. Collection of flowers or whole plants, extension of cultivated lands, improvised fire places near the forest edge, logging, fertilization of agricultural fields and motorized access threatens this population. Therefore, we propose a set of measures to assure its sustainable conservation and monitoring of the phytocoenoses to assess the effectiveness of protective actions.
Two new Juniperus communis subsp. communis syntaxa from Romania are presented from floristic, ecological and syntaxonomic points of view, completing the picture of the European distribution area of these shrubby communities. The phytocoenoses of Thymio odoratissimi-Juniperetum communis ass. nova are present on calcareous substrates and are rich in continental Eurasian, meso-xerophilous species, for which reason we assigned it to alliance Brachypodio pinnati-Juniperion communis Mucina et al. 2016, and class Crataego-Prunetea Tx. 1962. The communities belonging to Vaccinio myrtilli-Juniperetum communis Kovács ex Filipaș et al. campanuletosum abietinae subass. nova occur on acidic substrates, crystalline schists and gresous formations, and are rich in acidophilous species, characteristic for the class Calluno-Ulicetea Br.-Bl. et Tx. ex Klika et Hadač 1944. We assigned this new syntaxon to alliance Vaccinio-Juniperion communis Passage in Passage et G. Hoffman 1968 because of the high presence of Vaccinium species (V. myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea) in the sub-shrub layer of these phytocoenoses.
Walsura trifoliata is an evergreen dry season-blooming hermaphroditic tree species. The flowers are nectariferous and characterized by urceolate androecium, strong protandry and secondary pollination mechanism, protruded bifid stigma displaying receptivity, self-compatibility and facultative xenogamy without the function of spontaneous autogamy. The floral traits indicate generalist pollination syndrome and adaptation for entomophily, with bees effecting mostly geitonogamy and wasps and butterflies effecting mostly xenogamy. Fruit-set is highest in xenogamy. Fruit is a globular drupe with 1-2 seeds embedded in fleshy aril. Seed dispersal modes include zoochory, barochory and hydrochory. The study shows that the function of generalist pollination syndrome, entomophily, facultative xenogamy and polychory enable this tree species to achieve highest fruit-set, maintain genetic variation through cross-pollination, and disperse its seeds to different distances in the forest ecosystem.
This research aimed to investigate the response of one- and two-year-old Box (Buxus sempervirens L.) leaves to the action of heat shock (HS) and desiccation. These factors influenced the photosystem II activity of the leaves and the degradation of hydrogen peroxide by leaf extracts. The development of these processes was specific depending on the age of the leaves and season of their collection for analysis. Thus, the studied characteristics could assure the elaboration of new, rapid methods of assessing the resistance of leaves to high temperatures, depending on the period (season) of vegetation and their age. At different seasons of the year, the resistance of box leaves to HS tends to correspond to seasonal temperatures, reaching the highest level in summer, intermediate level in spring and autumn, and the lowest in winter. Regardless of the season, the one-year-old leaves are more resistant and have a higher capacity to recover from HS damage than the two-year-old leaves.
In recent decades climate change has emerged as one of the major forces driving biodiversity loss and species extinction. Cycads are highly threatened species and previous studies have revealed they are also being affected by climate change. In this study we tested the possible response to climate change of four rare cycad taxa (Encephalartos species) endemic to South Africa, displaying a low but reasonable number of natural occurrences. Maximum Entropy model (MaxEnt) was used in carrying out the predictions based on eight environmental variables. Our results revealed no range contraction but a slight spread in the distribution of these taxa. Temperature seasonality, vegetation types and landforms are by far the most important predictors of the species modelled. On the contrary, the mean annual temperature and precipitations showed very low contributions in all models. We conclude that climate change may not determine a reduction in range size of the Encephalartos species studied. Possible decline in South African cycads may still occur through anthropogenic influences.
Oligotrophic peat bogs reach the southern boundary of their European distribution area in the Romanian Carpathians. They shelter boreal species considered glacial relicts, surviving from the Würmian III period. Such areas (habitats) conserving relict species have major phytohistorical importance. They provide insights into the history of forest vegetation in the region and past climatic conditions. Based on floristic, phytocoenological and phytogeographical data, we propose to include two active raised bogs, namely “Calul de Piatră” and “Izvorul văii Șoimului” in the ROSCI0116 Molhașurile Căpățânei site of community interest. The inclusion of the two bogs in the ROSCI0116 Molhașurile Căpățânei protected area will increase the peat bog surface in the Apuseni Mountains and will be beneficial for the conservation of the wetland habitats and their typical flora, both very vulnerable to natural and anthropogenic disturbances.
Glacial relicts represent isolated populations of cold-adapted species, remnants of their past extensive distribution at southern latitudes that have survived in situ far from their current main areal since the Ice Age ended. We hereby aim to identify, based on a numerical evaluation that uses a scoring system applied for 14 ecological and biogeographic criteria, putative glacial relicts occurring in lowland wetlands from the Romanian part of the Carpathian Region. Our selection of (sub) species for evaluation includes mainly cold-adapted plants occurring in wetland areas of the intra-mountain depressions and peripheral lowland areas, while those occurring mostly in the high mountain areas of the Carpathians were excluded. As a result, of 171 evaluated taxa, 74 are considered to possess stronger lowland glacial relict features in the Romanian flora. Furthermore, based on the evaluation of their distribution in Romania, we highlight the hotspots of richness, rarity and range limit for these taxa. Both richness and rarity indices calculated for the 74 glacial relicts displayed the highest values in the Eastern Carpathians, probably linked to the wider development in this region of intra-mountain depressions harboring extensive wetlands. In addition, several potential refugia have been identified based on the distribution of very rare taxa in the north-eastern part of the Apuseni Mountains and the eastern part of the Southern Carpathians (Bucegi Mountains). The distribution of range limit populations of glacial relicts in Romania outlines two well-demarcated areas, one in the southern part of the Eastern Carpathians and the second in the western part of the Southern Carpathians, along deep intra-mountain valleys and depressions. Due to their limited, isolated distribution and the fragility of wetland habitats in which they occur, populations of glacial relicts are more prone to be affected by impacts generated by human activities and climate change. Therefore, our study can also serve as a useful tool for enhancing conservation efforts by highlighting the lowland wetland areas harboring a high number of cold-adapted relict populations that require careful monitoring and urgent protection measures.
