Search Results (698)

The tung tree, a crucial woody oil plant, serves as a premium raw material for eco-friendly coating production, yet its short lifespan (typically under 20 years) and lack of asexual reproduction have led to resource losses. This study surveyed wild tung trees in the Hunan–Guizhou region, focusing on older and high-fruit-yielding specimens. After two years of investigation, selected individuals were conserved in the Wugang Tung Tree Germplasm Resource Bank to provide high-quality materials for breeding superior varieties. Comparative analysis of fruit yield and commercial traits from 60 wild trees identified 12 superior individuals for secondary selection, with notable trait variations observed. Using the entropy weight-TOPSIS method, superior individual FT01 exhibited the highest relative closeness (C = 0.6836), indicating optimal overall traits, while FT01, XY12, JX01, WG25, and WG31 (all with C > 0.50) demonstrated good overall performance. Genetic diversity analysis of these 12 individuals, employing 14 SSR primers, revealed 33 alleles (average 2.2142 per primer), Shannon’s information index values ranging from 0.1973 to 0.9723 (average 0.5325), and polymorphism information content between 0.1486 and 0.5833 (average 0.3981), indicating high genetic diversity. UPGMA clustering divided the superior trees into five groups, with FT01, WG25, JX01, and XY12 in separate groups, all exhibiting high yield and large fruit size, consistent with TOPSIS results. Consequently, FT01, XY12, JX01, WG25, and WG31, with the highest comprehensive evaluation scores and richest genetic diversity, are prioritized as candidate materials for new variety selection and breeding. Full article

Background: The genus Ephedra (Ephedraceae) is a dioecious gymnosperm, where female individuals produce the pharmacologically active ephedrine alkaloids. Identifying the sex of specimens without reproductive cones is challenging due to their xeromorphic and morphological similarity. The challenges in sex identification complicate conservation and propagation efforts. Methods: Sequence-Related Amplified Polymorphism (SRAP) markers were applied to distinguish genders in five Ephedra species, particularly the vegetative branches, as well as powdered and fragmented specimens. The fresh material for the five studied Ephedra species and two sexes per species (totaling 10 samples; 5 females & 5 males) was collected from Sinai, Egypt. Results: The SRAP marker results revealed an exclusively male-specific band, and this is not applicable in females in the studied species. The applied SRAP markers grouped males and females in different UPGMA clusters and proved their efficiency in distinguishing between males and females in the five studied species. The Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) values are low (0.16–0.38); this suggests moderate genetic diversity between the females of the studied species, reflecting slow evolutionary rates. Conclusions: The SRAP markers are efficient for identifying Ephedra species at the species and gender levels, even in the absence of sex organs and molecular sequences. Recommendation: This study recommends the use of SRAP markers for conserving and propagating female plants for ephedrine production and suggests sequencing a 95 bp male-specific band to determine if it corresponds to a known sex-linked gene. Full article

Background: Tissue culture might be a method supplementing traditional plant propagation in various fields, like agriculture, medicine, industry, and the active conservation of plant species. For the purpose of plant restoration, it is important that the obtained progenies are identical with the mother plants to ensure the true-to-typeness of the future population. Methods: In the present study, the stability of Aldrovanda vesiculosa regenerants obtained in vitro through phenotypic and genetic analysis was estimated. Clones of aldrovanda plants were cultivated in tissue culture in the 1/10 MS liquid medium under the same conditions for over a year, with five weeks of subculturing. Results: It was observed that two clones formed plants that displayed atypical growth structures, the shoots were shorter with many lateral shoots, and they had a lower fresh weight. They also formed fewer and smaller snap-traps, which, in the case of carnivorous plants, determines the capability of catching prey. The 35 in vitro regenerated plants and 5 specimens obtained from the natural habitat were subjected to genetic analyses with two molecular markers: start codon targeted (SCoT) polymorphism and sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP). Despite the visible morphological variants, the genetic stability of all the regenerants with the individuals from natural stands was confirmed. All of them were monomorphic except three bands that were obtained for reference, where individuals were amplified with SCoT28 and me12-em13 SRAP primers. Conclusions: As shown in the presented research, it might be recommended to use different methods to evaluate the stability of in vitro cultivated plants. Full article

Monitoring the development of greenhouse crops is essential for optimising yield and ensuring the efficient use of resources. A system for monitoring hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) cultivation under greenhouse conditions using computer vision has been developed. This system is based on open-source automation software installed on a single-board computer. It integrates various temperature and humidity sensors and surveillance cameras, automating image capture. Hemp seeds of the Tiborszallasi variety were sown. After germination, plants were transplanted into pots. Five specimens were selected for growth monitoring by image analysis. A surveillance camera was placed in front of each plant. Different approaches were applied to analyse growth during the early stages: two traditional computer vision techniques and a deep learning algorithm. An average growth rate of 2.9 cm/day was determined, corresponding to 1.43 mm/°C day. A mean MAE value of 1.36 cm was obtained, and the results of the three approaches were very similar. After the first growth stage, the plants were subjected to water stress. An algorithm successfully identified healthy and stressed plants and also detected different stress levels, with an accuracy of 97%. These results demonstrate the system’s potential to provide objective and quantitative information on plant growth and physiological status. Full article

The HYPEX^® process is a novel method for conditioning spent ion exchange resins from nuclear power plants, aiming to reduce final waste volume and carbon emissions by stabilizing the resins in metakaolin-based geopolymers. This study addresses the challenge posed by the natural variability of commercial metakaolin and defines a testing strategy to ensure consistent performance of the final matrix. The reactivity of two batches of metakaolin, characterized by comparable chemical composition and BET surface area, was evaluated by monitoring temperature evolution during geopolymerization at varying water-to-solid ratios. The resulting geopolymers were tested for compressive strength, water permeability, and strontium leachability to assess correlations between precursor properties and final matrix performance. Despite similar compositions, the two batches showed marked differences in compressive strength that could be linked to early thermal behavior. These findings demonstrate that conventional precursor characterization is insufficient to guarantee reproducibility and that thermal profiling is useful to predict mechanical performance. The results suggest the implementation of thermal response monitoring as a quality control tool to ensure the reliability of geopolymer wasteforms in nuclear applications. A simplified analytical model for the thermal evolution during geopolymerization was also developed, matching qualitatively the measured evolution, to suggest scale-up rules from laboratory specimens to full-scale drums, which should be achieved while preserving the thermal evolution. Full article

A wide range of microorganisms, including endophytes, frequently interact with forest trees. The role of endophytes in industrial conifers has not been fully investigated. The Yezo spruce Picea jezoensis is widely used for logging in Russia and Japan. In this work, the endophytic communities of bacteria and fungi in healthy needles, branches, and fresh wood of P. jezoensis from Primorsky Territory were analyzed using metagenomic analysis. The results indicate that the diversity of endophytic communities in P. jezoensis is predominantly influenced by the specific tree parts (for both bacteria and fungi) and by different tree specimens (for fungi). The most abundant bacterial classes were Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria and Actinobacteria. Functional analysis of KEGG orthologs (KOs) in endophytic bacterial community using PICRUSt2 and the PLaBAse PGPT ontology revealed that 59.5% of the 8653 KOs were associated with plant growth-promoting traits (PGPTs), mainly, colonization, stress protection, bio-fertilization, bio-remediation, vitamin production, and competition. Metagenomic analysis identified a high abundance of the genera Pseudomonas and Methylobacterium-Methylorubrum in P. jezoensis, which are known for their potential growth-promoting activity in other coniferous species. The dominant fungal classes in P. jezoensis were Dothideomycetes, Sordariomycetes, and Eurotiomycetes. Notably, the genus Penicillium showed a pronounced increase in relative abundance within the fresh wood and needles of Yezo spruce, while Aspergillus displayed elevated abundance specifically in the fresh wood. It is known that some of these fungi exhibit antagonistic activity against phytopathogenic fungi. Thus, our study describes endophytic communities of the Yezo spruce and provides a basis for the production of biologicals with potential applications in forestry and agriculture. Full article

The Altai Mountains of Kazakhstan form a critical part of the Altai-Sayan Ecoregion, one of Central Asia’s most important centers of plant endemism and biodiversity. However, this fragile mountain ecosystem is increasingly threatened by climate change, unsustainable land use, and habitat degradation. This study provides the first comprehensive checklist of rare, endemic, and endangered vascular plant species of Kazakhstan’s Altai, integrating herbarium data and spatial analyses to support regional conservation and sustainability goals. A total of 65,540 herbarium specimens from eight major collections were reviewed, and species identifications were verified using national and international databases. In total, 230 rare and endangered species were recorded, including 73 strict endemics. Species were assessed using IUCN Red List categories, and their distributions analyzed with GIS and hierarchical clustering tools. The results revealed a high concentration of threatened species in the Ivanovskiy, Narym, and Azutau ridges. Notably, 127 species were assessed for rarity status for the first time, with families such as Poaceae and Orchidaceae disproportionately represented. The study highlights substantial gaps in current conservation frameworks, as many species remain in the “Data Deficient” category, and some highly threatened taxa occur outside protected areas. These findings provide essential baseline data to inform the expansion of protected zones, guide national Red Book updates, and support targeted ex situ conservation. By prioritizing biodiversity-rich areas and incorporating plant rarity data into spatial planning, this research contributes directly to long-term sustainability and ecosystem resilience strategies in Kazakhstan’s mountainous regions. Full article

This study presents an integrated approach combining molecular, phytochemical, and biological analyses to characterize a newly discovered Zizania specimen from the northern Nile Delta, Egypt. Genetic fingerprinting using RAPD and ISSR markers revealed 85% band-sharing similarity with Zizania texana (Z. texana), though distinct morphological and genetic traits suggested potential intraspecific variation. Phytochemical profiling identified high concentrations of bioactive compounds, including quercetin (42.1 µg/mL), β-caryophyllene (11.21%), and gallic acid (23.4 µg/mL), which are pertinent and correlated with robust biological activities. The ethanolic leaf extract exhibited significant antioxidant capacity (IC₅₀ = 38.6 µg/mL in DPPH assay), potent antimicrobial effects against Candida albicans (C. albicans) (IC₅₀ = 4.9 ± 0.6 µg/mL), and dose-dependent cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines. MCF-7 has the lowest IC₅₀ (28.3 ± 1.5 µg/mL), indicating the highest potency among the tested cell lines. In contrast, HepG2 demonstrates moderate sensitivity (IC₅₀ = 31.4 ± 1.8 µg/mL), while A549 shows the highest IC₅₀ value (36.9 ± 2.0 µg/mL), indicating greater resistance. These findings underscore the taxonomic novelty of the specimen and its potential as a source of natural antioxidants, antimicrobials, and anticancer agents. The study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in resolving taxonomic uncertainties and unlocking the medicinal value of understudied aquatic plants. Full article

Allium ursinum (wild garlic) has long been collected and consumed as food and medicine in the north temperate zone, where its popularity is growing. Colchicum autumnale and Convallaria majalis contain toxic alkaloids. Their habitats overlap, and without flowers, their vegetative organs are similar. Confusing the leaves of Colchicum or Convallaria with the leaves of wild garlic has repeatedly led to serious human and animal poisonings. Our goal was to find a histological characteristic that makes the separation of these leaves clear. We compared the anatomy of foliage leaves of these three species grown in the same garden (Debrecen, Hungary, Central Europe). We used a bright-field microscope to characterize the transversal sections of leaves. Cell types of epidermises were compared based on peels and different impressions. We established some significant differences in the histology of leaves. The adaxial peels of Allium consist of only “long” cells without stomata, but the abaxial ones show “long”, “short” and “T” cells with wavy cell walls as a peculiarity, and stomata. Convallaria and Colchicum leaves are amphystomatic, but in the case of Allium, they are hypostomatic. These traits were confirmed with herbarium specimens. Our results help to clearly identify these species even in mixed, dried plant material and may be used for diagnostic purposes. Full article

Background: The typification of the name Aegilops tauschii Coss. (Poaceae: Triticeae) is revisited. Several authors cited a gathering from Iberia as the locality and Buxbaum as the collector of as the type, but no actual specimens from this collection have been located, nor is there evidence that such a gathering existed. In 1994, van Slageren designated as lectotype an illustration from Buxbaum’s Plantarum minus cognitarum centuria I (1728), which, although original material, is not the only element cited in the protologue. The protologue mentions several gatherings, some of which are represented by identifiable herbarium specimens qualifying as syntypes. Methods: This work is based on the analysis of the protologue of Aegilops tauschii and the study of specimens conserved in several herbaria. According to the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN, Shenzhen Code 2018), an illustration does not hold the same nomenclatural weight as preserved specimens cited in the protologue. Therefore, van Slageren’s lectotypification does not comply with Art. 9.12 of the ICN and must be superseded. Results: The original material includes multiple elements, and a new lectotype is designated from a specimen at PRC from Azerbaijan. Full article

Autumn fern, Dryopteris erythrosora, is the most marketed temperate fern in the world. The rapid increase and spread of this recently naturalized fern in North America was determined and mapped using 76 herbarium specimen records and 2553 Research Grade iNaturalist posts. In 2008, it was recorded in two states, but by 2025, it was found in 25 states in the eastern United States and Ontario, Canada. At the end of 2017, there had been only 23 iNaturalist posts, but this grew to 511 by the end of 2020 and 2553 by May 2025. The great increase in the number of iNaturalist posts is thought to be due to the real geographic spread and an actual increase in the abundance of the fern, as well as recognition of the fern by iNaturalists, and the increase in the number of iNaturalists. The spread and great increase are probably related to the high level of marketing, which introduces plants to the environment, and to biological characteristics of the fern, including apogamy and polyploidy, and possibly natural enemy release, which allows it to flourish in new environments and to displace native plants. This novel study demonstrated citizen science’s (iNaturalist’s) great value in detecting the naturalization and spread of alien plants. Full article

Bombus haematurus (Hymenoptera: Apidae), which arrived from the Balkan Peninsula, was first reported in Italy in 2020 in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region (FVG) (northeastern Italy) near the border with Slovenia. To study the spread and biology of the species, a survey was conducted at several sites of the FVG in the period 2023–2025. Bombus haematurus was recorded at 22 new sites across all four districts of the FVG (Trieste, Gorizia, Udine, and Pordenone), indicating its expansion towards the west. Bumblebees of this species were detected in plain and hilly areas at sites between 10 and 364 m a.s.l. They were observed more frequently at forest edges, undergrowth paths or clearings and meadows adjacent to woods, confirming the species is hylophilous. The activity of adults from February to July confirms that the bumblebee is an univoltine spring species. Specimens were observed foraging on the flowers of 19 wild and ornamental plants belonging to 12 families (in particular, Lamiaceae), confirming that the species is polylectic. The data collected indicate that B. haematurus are permanently established in the FVG and that a further spread of the species towards the west in the neighbouring Veneto region is likely. Full article

Ensuring the structural integrity of reinforced concrete (RC) components in nuclear facilities exposed to extreme conditions is essential for safe decommissioning. This study investigates the impact of high-temperature exposure on RC pedestal structures supported by steel ring-shaped shear connectors—critical elements for maintaining vertical and lateral load paths in containment systems. Scaled-down cyclic loading tests were performed on pedestal specimens with and without prior thermal exposure, simulating post-accident conditions observed at a damaged nuclear power plant. Experimental results show that thermal degradation significantly reduces lateral stiffness, with failure mechanisms concentrating at the interface between the concrete and the embedded steel skirt. Complementary finite element analyses, incorporating temperature-dependent material degradation, highlight the crucial role of load redistribution to steel components when concrete strength is compromised. Parametric studies reveal that while geometric variations in the inner skirt have limited influence, thermal history is the dominant factor affecting vertical capacity. Notably, even with substantial section loss in the concrete, the steel inner skirt maintained considerable load-bearing capacity. This study establishes a validated analytical framework for assessing structural performance under extreme conditions, offering critical insights for risk evaluation and retrofit strategies in the context of nuclear facility decommissioning. Full article

Islands subjected to anthropogenic disturbance are highly susceptible to alien plant invasions. However, the alien floral diversity of China’s islands has been insufficiently studied, hindering its control. Weizhou Island (northern South China Sea) has experienced long-term human exploitation. We inventorized its alien, naturalized, and invasive vascular plants (based on herbarium specimen data for 2018–2024 and surveys of 112 plots); analyzed species composition, origins, life forms, and habitats; and conducted an invasive species risk assessment. This identified 203 aliens, including infraspecific and hybrid taxa, 129 (63.5%) naturalized and 71 (55.0% of the naturalized species) invasive. The aliens were dominated by the Fabaceae, Asteraceae, and Euphorbiaceae, particularly genera such as Euphorbia, Senna, and Portulaca, originating primarily in North America, Oceania, and Africa. Perennial herbs were the most common lifeform, followed by annual herbs and shrubs. Invasion hotspots were primarily abandoned farmland, roadsides, and agricultural lands. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process, we classified the 71 invasive species as representing high-risk, moderate-risk, and low-risk (20, 16, and 35 species, respectively). Bidens pilosa, Ageratum conyzoides, Opuntia dillenii, and Leucaena leucocephala pose severe threats to the island ecosystem. This first complete inventory of the alien flora on Weizhou Island offers critical insight into the management of invasive alien plants in island ecosystems. Full article

Nodular Cast Iron (NCI, also known as ductile iron) is widely used in important components such as crankshafts for automotive engines and internal combustion engines, as well as storage and transportation containers for spent fuel in nuclear power plants, due to its good comprehensive mechanical properties such as strength, toughness, and wear resistance. The effect of temperature on the fracture behavior of NCI was investigated using compact tensile (CT) specimens at different temperatures. The results showed that the conditional fracture toughness parameter (K_Q) of the NCI specimens firstly increased and then decreased with decreasing temperature. The crack tip opening displacement δ_m shows a significant ductile–brittle transition behavior with the decreasing of temperature. δ_m remains constant in the upper plateau region but sharply decreases in the ductile–brittle region (−60 °C to −100 °C) and stabilizes at a smaller value in the lower plateau region. Multiscale fractographic analysis indicated that the fracture mechanism changed from ductile fracture (above −60 °C) to ductile–brittle mixed (−60 °C to −100 °C) and then to completely brittle fracture (below −100 °C). As the temperature decreased, the fracture characteristics changed from ductile dimples to dimple and cleavage mixed and then to brittle cleavage. Full article