Bryophytes represent the second largest group of land plants and play key ecological roles in colonisation, water regulation, and habitat formation. In addition to their ecological significance, they are also a rich source of biologically active compounds withpotential applications in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. However, bryophytes remain challenging to cultivate under con-trolled, particularly axenic conditions, due to their slow growth, strict ecological requirements, and the limited knowledge of their nutritional and reproductive biology, particularly in less common species. As a result, only a small fraction of species have been successfully maintained in axenic culture, and information on cultivation methods is scattered and often overlooked. To bridge this gap, we conducted an in-depth survey of the published literature on axenically cultivated bryophytes, compiled a comprehensive check-list with references to the original sources, and highlighted emerging model species. This checklist and literature database provide a valuable resource by consolidating dispersed knowledge, serving both as a foundation for future studies in bryophyte biology and conservation and as a platform to expand their biotechnological potential.
The Balkan Peninsula is one of Europe's major hotspots for plant biodiversity. Although the rich flora of the Balkans has been extensively studied from many points of view, genome size studies have received comparatively little attention. This paper contributes to the online available Genome Size Database of Balkan Flora (GeSDaBaF; http://www.pmf.unsa.ba/gesdabaf) and updates this database with new bibliographic data on the C-values for plants in the Balkan region. Additionally, 2C DNA values determined by flow cytometry are reported for 87 accessions, encompassing 82 taxa (70 species, 11 subspecies, and one hybrid taxon, 14 of which are endemic to the Balkans and two with amphi-adriatic distribution) across 63 genera and 31 families. The newly obtained genome size values include the first data for one genus, 25 species, eight subspecies, and one hybrid taxon. These new data represent 9.99% of the 821 taxa for which nuclear DNA content has been assessed in the Balkans to date, highlighting existing knowledge gaps for future research.
Desertified and degraded grassland can severely damage the soil microbial structure, accelerating desertification and degradation. Microbial agents can improve soil fertility, and even play a very important role in controlling soil desertification, promoting grassland sustainability, and enhancing productivity. This study investigated the effects of microbial agents on the yield, quality, and soil microbial environment in typical desertified and degraded grasslands in Ruoergai County, Sichuan Province. Results showed that applying microbial agents significantly increased forage biomass, cover, and height. In desertified grasslands, treated plots exhibited a forage biomass of 446.9 +/- 35.30 g/m2, a 223-fold increase compared to the control (2.1 +/- 0.31 g/m2). Forage cover increased by 564% (from 12 +/- 0.011% to 94.33 +/- 4.04%), and height rose from 2.8 +/- 1.76 cm to 62.7 +/- 9.58 cm. In degraded grasslands, biomass increased by 240.7% (from 108.7 +/- 8.8 g/m2 to 369.4 +/- 43.5 g/m2), and cover improved from 67 +/- 4.243% to 84.33 +/- 2.08%. Soil bacterial genera (Pseudonocardia and Rubrobacter) and fungal genera (Mortierella and Kernia) significantly influenced forage biomass, species diversity, cover, and height in desertified grasslands, respectively. In degraded grasslands, soil bacteria (Solirubrobacter, Pseudonocardia, Rokubacteriales) and fungi (Kernia, Minimedusa) showed significant or highly significant effects on these indicators. This study provides practical strategies for restoring alpine desertified and degraded grasslands, improving forage productivity, and advancing ecological sustainability.
Verbascum bugulifolium is a rare and potentially multi-purpose plant species with a narrow natural distribution limited to Southeastern Bulgaria and Northwestern Turkiye. This study examined the effects of several plant growth regulators on seed germination, organ development, and callogenesis in V. bugulifolium to identify an efficient in vitro culture protocol which would aid in conservation efforts and estimate its medicinal potential. Gibberellic acid (GA3) treatment at 0.5 mg L-1 promoted seed germination and organ development. The efficacy of GA3 treatment in enhancing seed germination and callogenesis increased when combined with thidiazuron (TDZ) at 2.0 mg L-1. The GA3 treatment also increased hypocotyl lengths when combined with other PGRs, except when combined with kinetin (KIN). Leaf production increased in response to GA3 treatment alone or in combination with 6-benzyl-aminopurine (BAP) and TDZ. High concentrations of auxin treatments limited leaf production. Treatment with 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) at 0.25 mg L-1 increased root production while significantly decreasing its elongation. All cytokinin and auxin treatments except indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) at 0.25 and 0.5 mg L-1 significantly reduced root elongation. GA3 treatments and the combination of GA3 with IBA at 0.5 mg L-1 increased root lengths. TDZ was the most effective callus-inducing growth regulator, and its effect increased when combined with GA3. The calli yielded promising amounts of total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin contents, which varied in response to different TDZ concentrations. The protocol described here may be used to promote enhanced seedling growth and callogenesis in the species.
Understanding the effect of vanadate (V(V)) on the well-studied filamentous fungus, Phycomyces blakesleeanus, is of great importance for establishing the mechanisms of vanadium internalisation and metabolism. Although P. blakesleeanus is not a soil fungus, its short life cycle and evolutionary basal position in the fungal kingdom makes it an excellent model for studying the interactions of fungi with vanadate and other metals as well as the improvement of their use in vanadium recovery (bioaccumulation) and the remediation of contaminated soils. In this study, we investigated the effects of vanadate at three concentrations (1 mM, 5 mM, and 10 mM) on both enzymatic and non-enzymatic components of the antioxidant system of mycelia at different growth stages. The production of ROS was highest in the exponential phase, but its reducing capacity was maintained, probably due to high levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants such as phenols and glutathione. In the stationary phase, while the reducing capacity of the mycelia was somewhat impaired by vanadate (V(V)), it recovered due to the action of the glutathione system and the activation of peroxidases. In the late exponential/early stationary phase, no significant activation of the antioxidative systems was observed, and the reducing capacity was impaired. When we consider the effects of V(V) on mycelial growth, this was the only phase with reduced viability, while the exponential and stationary phases were unaffected, if not stimulated. This study provides insight into the tolerance of P. blakesleeanus mycelia to vanadate, even at concentrations as high as 10 mM, making this fungus a good candidate for V(V) bioaccumulation.
Cinnamomum tamala, a medicinal plant traditionally used in Ayurvedic practices, is known for its broad therapeutic applications. The present study explores the bioactive potential of C. tamala stem bark extracts in combating oxidative stress, mutagenesis, fungal infections, and multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. Methanolic (CtSBME), ethyl acetate (CtSBEE), and hexane (CtSBHE) stem bark extracts were subjected to phytochemical screening and GC-MS profiling, and evaluated for antioxidant, antimutagenic, antifungal, and antibacterial activities. CtSBME showed the richest phytochemical content: alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, and terpenoids, with the highest phenolic (35.87 mg GAE g-1) and flavonoid (15.66 mg RE g-1) levels. It demonstrated potent antioxidant activity (83.45% DPPH inhibition at 4000 pg mL-1) and significant antimutagenic effects, reducing mutagenicity by up to 59.41%. It exhibited strong antifungal activity, particularly against Candida spp., and inhibited multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. GC-MS analysis identified key bioactive metabolites including linalool, cinnamaldehyde, and nerolidol. These findings highlight the pharmacological potential of C. tamala bark and support further exploration as a source of natural antioxidants, antimicrobials, and chemoprotective agents, for drug development.
This paper presents new records and noteworthy data on the following taxa in Central Europe and adjacent regions: diatom Gomphonema latilanceolatum, saprotrophic fungus Hapalopilus croceus, mosses Campylostelium saxicola, Crossidium squamiferum, Cryphaea heteromalla, Physcomitrium arenicola, Sematophyllum substrumulosum, and Thamnobryum neckeroides, monocots Dactylorhiza fuchsii subsp. fuchsii and D. fuchsii subsp. sooana, and dicots Cyclamen purpurascens subsp. immaculatum and Polygonum graminifolium.
Plant waste valorisation offers a sustainable approach to extract secondary metabolites with therapeutic, antioxidant, and cosmeceutical potential. Fumaria officinalis (fumitory), a traditionally used medicinal plant, contains various biologically active secondary metabolites, but the influence of different extraction methods on its phytochemical yield, mineral composition, and bioactivity remains underexplored. Four extraction techniques, i.e. maceration (M), heat-assisted extraction (HAE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), were applied to obtain fumitory extracts. The extraction yield, mineral composition, phytochemical functional groups (Fourier Transform Infrared analysis-FT-IR spectroscopy), antimicrobial potential, hemolysis inhibition under thermal and hypotonic stress, and sun protection factor (SPF) were assessed. The extraction technique significantly influenced the extraction yield, which ranged from 17.24% (M) to 37.98% (MAE). Potassium was the most abundant macronutrient (271.56-400.37 g/kg), while all micronutrient concentrations were below 1 g/kg. The FT-IR analysis revealed functional groups typical of phenolics, alkaloids, and proteins, confirming the complex chemical structure of the extracts. All of the extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis, but not against Gram-negative bacteria or fungi. The UAE and MAE extracts showed superior protection against heat-induced hemolysis (up to 70.4% inhibition at 0.25 mg/ mL), and all the extracts demonstrated moderate, dose-dependent protection in hypotonic conditions. The SPF analysis revealed UV-B absorbance across 290-320 nm, with the UAE extract at 100 pg/mL achieving the highest SPF value (1.66 +/- 0.01). The study highlights the significantly influence of the extraction method on the physicochemical and biological properties of F. officinalis extracts. Ultrasound-assisted extraction and MAE were the most effective in obtaining extracts with enhanced bioactivity. These findings support the potential application of fumitory extracts in natural therapeutics and cosmetic formulations. Future work should focus on isolating specific active constituents and evaluating efficacy for pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical applications in terms of wound-healing or anti-aging activities in novel cell models related to disorders, infections, wounds, burns, or skin ageing.
Crocus biflorus aggregate is the most complex group of the genus in terms of its taxonomy and cytology. In the present study, a karyological analysis of six Crocus species in the C. biflorus aggregate (i.e. C. adanensis, C. aerius, C. alexandri, C. almehensis, C. cyprius, and C. danfordiae) was conducted. Plants were collected from wild localities and analysed to determine the chromosome number, karyotype morphology and karyotype indices. The results are presented along with some taxonomic notes and show significant variation in both chromosome number and morphology among the taxa of this particularly complex group. The key findings have been identified. Crocus adanensis (2n = 14) the karyotype consists of metacentric, submetacentric, and acrocentric chromosomes. Crocus aerius (2n = 22) features large satellites on its acrocentric chromosomes, while C. alexandri (2n = 8 + 1-4B) shows submetacentric and acrocentric chromosomes, with additional B-chromosomes. Crocus almehensis (2n = 20) has the smallest chromosomes, mostly submetacentric and C. cyprius (2n = 10) exhibits large, mostly acrocentric (st) chromosomes. Crocus danfordiae (2n = 8) presents both heteromorphic and homomorphic cytotypes, indicating potential hybrid origins. These findings contribute to understanding the cytological diversity and evolution within the C. biflorus aggregate.
In this study, the succession of epiphytic bryophytes of Olea europaea trees in the Aydin Province (Turkey) and its surroundings was investigated. The epiphytic bryophyte communities of O. europaea were studied in 65 sample plots, each of which was 20 x 20 cm in size, established on the living trunks of olive trees. A total of 26 species were identified (25 mosses and one liverwort) within the sample plots. The Index of Ecological Significance (IES) was used to evaluate the relative abundance of species in the bryophyte communities. Multivariate statistical analyses (TWINSPAN and DECORANA) were used to classify and determine the spatial patterns of the epiphytic bryophyte communities in successional stages. As a result of the statistical analysis, the epiphytic bryophyte communities were divided into two main groups (A and B) and three different subgroups (A, B1 and B2) associated with the successional gradient. The habitat affinities and life forms of the species were evaluated along gradients of tree height and tree diameter. Bryum argenteum and Trichostomum brachydontium were only found on the lower bases of young trees, Didymodon insulanus, Lewinskya affinis, L. speciosa and Pulvigera lyellii occurred only on middle-aged trees, and Lewinskya rupestris, Scleropodium cespitans and Syntrichia virescens were restricted to aging trees. While, epiphytic communities in the early successional stage were dominated by highly competitive pleurocarps and small cushions of Orthotrichaceae members, the later stages were characterised by the dominance of pleurocarpous mosses.
The names Sagina alexandrae and S. hawaiensis are currently considered heterotypic synonyms. A detailed analysis of the protologues and other pertinent literature, as well as the study of the original material and other specimens, reveals that these two names do not represent the same taxon. Based on Pax's original description and Hillebrand's linked account published in Flora of the Hawaiian Islands, we noted that S. hawaiensis was described as having petals half as long as the sepals ("petalis quam calyx dimidio brevioribus" in the protologue), whereas the petals of S. alexandrae are longer than the sepals. Notably, S. hawaiensis was described with an uncommon combination of characters, specifically regarding the flowers which are 5-merous, with corollas shorter than the calyx, and 10 stamens. Among the few Sagina taxa with 10 stamens (S. caespitosa, S. maxima, S. nivalis, S. nodosa, and S. saginoides), only S. maxima s.s. exhibits a morphology matching that of S. hawaiensis. The nomenclature of these two names is clarified as follows. According to Arts. 9.3, 9.6, and 9.10 of the Madrid Code, the indication of "holotype" by CRow for S. maxima is corrected to "lectotype" (specimen at GH). Lacking any original material for S. hawaiensis, as well as useful specimens collected in Hawaii, the type of S. maxima was designated as the neotype (Art. 9.8) of S. hawaiensis, thus making the two names homotypic (new synonymy).
The coding sequences of 27,448 genes each of 72 accessions of Aegilops tauschii, representing the entire species range, were obtained using next generation sequencing of transcriptomes from leaf tissue. 9,660 of these genes exhibited high Ka/Ks values exceeding 0.8. 4,336 different GO terms were present in the annotations for this gene set, with 193 of them occurring statistically significantly more often among the genes with high Ka/Ks, indicating variation in what functions and processes were involved in the adaptive intraspecies divergence of A. tauschii. It was shown that A. tauschii genes with high Ka/Ks ratios are primarily those which help plants to adapt to different ecological conditions and respond to changing environments. Those genes whose allelic variation played an essential role in A. tauschii intraspecies divergence included R-Genes (marked with GO terms: GO:0043531, ADP binding, + GO:0051707, response to other organisms, + GO:0006952, defence response); as well as genes involved in photosynthesis, response to light stimulus, the respiratory electron transport chain, transcriptional regulation, microtubule motor activity, and the regulation of the jasmonic acid mediated signalling pathway, etc.
This paper presents new records and noteworthy data on the following taxa in SE Europe and adjacent regions: green alga Cosmarium crenulatum, fungi Calvatia fragilis, Hypoxylon fuscum, Myriostoma coliforme and Zeus olympius, mosses Antitrichia curtipendula, Buxbaumia viridis, Homalothecium meridionale, Physcomitrium arenicola, Sphagnum inundatum and Syntrichia calcicola, monocots Anacamptis x nicodemi nothosubsp. nicodemi, Ornithogalum montanum and Parapholis incurva and dicots Cardamine waldsteinii and Suaeda salsa.
Bletilla plants are well-known herbs in China with various medicinal properties and applications. The species of the genus are morphologically similar and often misidentified during the practice process. Comprehensive genetic information is thus essential for understanding the taxonomy and evolution of the genus. In this study, the chloroplast genome of a selected lineage of Bletilla striata was sequenced and phylogenetically analysed. The sequenced genome was 159499 bp in length, displaying a quadripartite structure consisting of a large single copy (LSC) region, a small single copy (SSC) region, and two inverted repeat (IR) regions. It contained 135 unique genes, of which 89 were protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Several 9-10bp indels and an 8bp disparity in length were observed between the genome and a previously reported B. striata genome with accession number MT193723. This might represent the normal intra-population genetic variation within the B. striata species. A phylogenetic reconstruction involving 20 Epidendroideae species placed the newly sequenced lineage of B. striata within a major Bletilla clade containing B. ochracea and B. formosana, a sister group to the genus Thunia. In contrast, B. sinensis was positioned within a separate clade, distant from the major Bletilla clade. The distribution pattern and the possible gene flow within the genus Bletilla indicated that the species B. striata, B. ochracea, and B. formosana shared a closer affiliation with each other than with B. sinensis. Nevertheless, whether or not the species B. sinensis should be reclassified as a member of the genus Mengzia required further field investigation and morphological evidence, as well as additional molecular data.
The anti-feeding effects of extracts from three bryophyte species, namely Atrichum undulatum (Polytrichaceae), Kindbergia praelonga (Brachytheciaceae), and Hypnum cupressiforme (Hypnaceae) were evaluated against Burgundy snails (Helix pomatia) under laboratory conditions. Ethanol, methanol, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) extracts and water decoction were used in four concentrations (1%, 3%, 5%, and 10% aqueous solutions). All the tested extracts demonstrated a certain level of anti-feeding effect. A positive relationship between extract concentration and anti-feeding effect was observed particularly for ethanol extracts of A. undulatum. Methanol extracts generally exhibited the weakest anti-feeding effects, except for H. cupressiforme, where the ethanol extracts showed the weakest performance. The potential of different bryophyte extracts as biocontrol agents is discussed.
Leiotulus aureus is an endemic umbellifer of the Balkan Peninsula and Turkey. It belongs to the rather complex tribe Tordylieae, whose genera are carpologically characterised in detail. However, information on the structure of its vegetative plant parts remains limited. Previous chemical research implies the presence of specialised structures related to the production of secondary metabolites. The aim of this study is the localisation of these anatomical features. The plant material was collected in Montenegro. The anatomy was studied using both paraffin sections and native sections stained with standard reagents for histochemical analysis, while fruit secretory products were characterised using Raman spectroscopy. Secretory structures were observed in all the plant parts of this monocarpic biennial or short-lived species, forming a network extending from the roots through the stem to the leaves, f lowers and fruits. In the root, they are located exclusively in the cortical parenchyma, while in aboveground vegetative organs, they are found in the cortical parenchyma, in the ribs, aligned with vascular bundles. The fruits contain well-developed dorsal lateral and commissural vittae, while the dorsal median vittae and ducts associated with the vascular bundles are filiform and hardly recognisable. The presence of phenolic compound, flavonoids, fatty acids, and octyl-esters confirmed by histochemical staining, epifluorescence, Raman spectroscopy implies potential phytopharmaceutical properties and warrants further investigations of secondary metabolite pathways.
Some essential oils (EOs) have exhibited high efficacy against Salmonella Typhimurium, suggesting that specific molecular structures within their constituents could inform the development of alternative antimicrobial agents, potentially addressing the rise of antibiotic resistance in this bacterium. Through feature permutation analysis on a dataset of 171 EO samples encompassing 682 molecular substructures, we identified ten key predictors of antibacterial activity against S. Typhimurium. These predictors were used to train a logistic regression-based machine learning model. Hydroxyl-substituted benzene rings characteristic of phenolic compounds - such as carvacrol, thymol and eugenol - emerged as strong predictors of antibacterial activity. In contrast, non-aromatic bicyclic structures present in monoterpenoids like alpha-pinene, beta-pinene and delta-3-carene were associated with a lack of efficacy against Salmonella. The molecular features identified align with existing research on the antimicrobial properties of phenolic compounds, thereby validating the use of machine learning approaches in guiding the discovery of naturally occurring antimicrobial agents.
In this study, the anatomical definition, antimicrobial activity and antimutagenic effects of Onobrychis tournefortii were investigated. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of methanolic fruit extract of O. tournefortii (OtMFE) were investigated against various pathogen Gram (+) and Gram (-) bacteria and yeast. The findings demonstrated that this extract significantly inhibited the growth of several tested pathogenic microorganisms to varying degrees. The genotoxic effects in human lymphocyte cells in vitro were also assessed and confirmed by the micronucleus assay results. In addition, this study showed that O. tournefortii exhibits antigenotoxic activity against the mutagenicity of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). This is the first report demonstrating that (OtMFE) has antigenotoxic activity against AFB?-induced DNA damage in vitro human lymphocyte cells using the micronucleus (MN) assay. The anatomical features of the fruit of the species, particularly the presence of parallel three-ellipsoid outlines, and the presence of macrosclerides and one-row osteosclerides in the seed coat can be counted among the distinguishing features of the species. This study is the first to investigate the anatomical, antimicrobial and antigenotoxic properties of the Turkish endemic O. tournefortii fruit, contributing to both knowledge about the genus and the development of pharmacological products.
This paper presents new records and noteworthy data on the following taxa in SE Europe and adjacent regions: lichenised fungus Solorina bispora var. subspongiosa, saprotrophic fungi Geastrum berkeleyi and Marasmius epiphylloides, liverworts Bazzania trilobata and Cephaloziella hampeana, mosses Grimmia meridionalis, Neckera pennata, Rhodobryum ontariense, Sphagnum affine, and Sphagnum papillosum, and monocots Carex elata, Epipactis microphylla, and Ophrys apifera
The rare and threatened moss Campyliadelphus elodes (Amblysetgiaceae), whose population is in decline in Europe, was the subject of studies investigating its biological characteristics so as to establish a captive culture and an ex situ population. Herbarium material from Hungary was used to establish propagation from the vegetative parts under axenic laboratory conditions. Growth optimisation was tested by selecting the most suitable growth medium and evaluating the effects of plant growth regulators on rapid propagation and multiplication. The KNOP medium proved to be the most effective for the rapid propagation of the species when grown at a temperature of 18 ? 2?C, with 60-70% humidity, and a long-day photoperiod (16 h light/8 h dark cycle). The tested concentrations of auxin and cytokinin did not significantly improve the development and multiplication of C. elodes. Subsequently, the laboratorycultivated material was used to establish an ex situ population at the Belgrade Botanical Garden, thus contributing to the species? sustainable preservation.
