Ethnobotanical observations on some gymnosperms of Garhwal Himalaya,Uttar Pradesh,India

This paper describes the ethnobotanical importance of nine gymnosperms common in temperate regions of Garhwal Himalaya, India. Folklore claims of these plants were obtained during field studies. For each plant its popular name, local name, and manner of use are described.     

Diet mixing and its effect on polyphagous grasshopper nymphs

We examined the effects of diet mixture on the nymphal performance of a polyphagous grasshopper Parapodisma subastris Huang by developing the first-stadium nymphs with either single or various combinations of plants occurring in their natural habitat. Intrinsic quality in terms of nymphal survival differed largely across the 16 plant species. However, even combinations of the six worst quality plants (survival 10% or less in each) greatly improved nymphal survival when compared to that of superior quality plants (more than 70% survival). In contrast, the addition of either of two inferior plants (more than 10% and less than 40% survival) to the superior plant affected neither the survival nor the adult mass. Thus, diet mixture can be particularly important when only low quality plants are available. The adaptive significance of diet mixture was discussed in relation to the habitat flora and foraging habits of the grasshopper in the present study.     

Plants used by the bhat community for regulating fertility

A survey was conducted among medicinal plant sellers, healers, priests and local people in the rural population of Bhat, India. In this rural community medicinal plants are used for regulating fertility. Due to the fact that the majority of the Bhat community is illiterate, oral interviews were held in the villages. The information was then recorded. Plant samples were collected and preserved for future reference. Information on 28 plants and 11 recipes for doses from 2 or more vegetable species are presented, and popular names, empirical properties, and manner of using recipes are described. More than 90% of the information gathered was consistent among the informants, but some of the informants differed in their reports on the way to use the same plants. There is no certainty as to which of the plants are effective. Since the Bhat community has frequently observed the positive effects of their preparations, they have much faith in their recipes. The acceptability of these preparations is quite high among 95% of the Bhat population.     

Effect of Cry3Bb1-expressing transgenic corn on plant-to-plant movement by western corn rootworm larvae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Dispersal of larvae of the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, in specific combinations of transgenic corn expressing the Cry3Bb1 protein and nontransgenic, isoline corn was evaluated in a 2-yr field study. In total, 1,500 viable western corn rootworm eggs were infested in each subplot. Each year, plant damage and larval recovery were evaluated among four pedigree combinations (straight transgenic; straight nontransgenic corn; nontransgenic corn with a transgenic central, infested plant; and transgenic corn with a nontransgenic central, infested plant) on six sample dates between egg hatch and pupation. For each subplot, the infested plant, three successive plants down the row (P1, P2, and P3), the closest plant in the adjacent row of the plot, and a control plant were sampled. The number of western corn rootworm larvae recovered from transgenic rootworm-resistant plants adjacent to infested nontransgenic plants was low and not statistically significant in either 2001 or 2002. In 2001, significantly fewer larvae were recovered from transgenic rootworm-resistant plants than from nontransgenic plants when both were adjacent to infested, nontransgenic plants. In 2002, significantly more neonate western corn rootworm larvae were recovered from nontransgenic plants adjacent to infested, transgenic rootworm-resistant plants than nontransgenic plants adjacent to infested, nontransgenic plants on the second sample date. Together, these data imply that both neonate and later instar western corn rootworm larvae prefer nontransgenic roots to transgenic rootworm-resistant roots when a choice is possible. However, when damage to the infested, nontransgenic plant was high, western corn rootworm larvae apparently moved to neighboring transgenic rootworm-resistant plants and caused statistically significant, although only marginally economic, damage on the last sample date in 2001. Implications of these data toward resistance management plan are discussed.     

Local and distant prey-related cues influence when an acarine predator leaves a prey patch

Over relatively long distances, the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis is able to detect volatiles produced by bean plants that are infested by its prey, Tetranychus urticae, the twospotted spider mite. Our investigation examined the separate and combined effects of prey, their products, and prey-induced plant volatiles on when P. persimilis left a potential prey host plant. In wind tunnels, we assessed the relative importance of and interaction among local and distant prey-related cues. The examination of local cues included: (1) all local cues (prey eggs, webbing, and prey-induced plant volatiles), (2) food (prey eggs) and webbing only, (3) plant volatiles only, and (4) no prey-related cues. The examination of distant cues involved the presence or absence of prey-induced plant volatiles from upwind plants. External volatile cues, produced by placing prey-infested plants upwind in the wind tunnel, resulted in more predators leaving downwind plants, and leaving sooner, than when clean plants were upwind, regardless of the availability of prey or prey-related cues on the local plant. However, local cues, especially the presence of food/webbing, had a greater effect than distant cues on timing of predator leaving. Predators remained in larger numbers and for longer times on prey-infested plants. However, the presence of either locally-produced plant volatiles or food/webbing alone still reduced the number of predators leaving a plant in the first hour compared to clean plants. After the first hour, the number of predators leaving was primarily driven by the presence of food/webbing. When no food/webbing was available, predators left plants rapidly; if food/webbing was available, some predatory mites remained on plants at least 24 hours. Even if no food/webbing was available, predators presented with local volatiles remained on plants for several hours longer than on clean plants without local volatiles. These small changes in leaving rates may lead to differences in local population dynamics, and possibly regional persistence, of the predator-prey interaction in patchy environments.     

Antes and Hoy DÍa: Plant knowledge and categorization as adaptations to life in Panama in the Twenty-First Century

Ethnobotanical studies often assume plant knowledge is shared by all members of an arbitrarily bounded human group. By describing the uses and local categorization of plants in one village in rural Panama in a heteroglossic approach, the different knowledges within a village are presented in one article. Plants used in the daily work of women and men, and the work of village spe-cialists are described. Villagers negotiate changing realities by adapting plant use and knowl-edge; this is reflected in local categorization of plant names into antes and hoy dia. Unlike the established ethnobotanical assumption that bounded units of plant knowledge are dying, the younger generations of villagers, who work both within and outside the village, know more plants useful to their changing economic opportunities. Subsistence agriculturalists possess the adaptive plant knowledge skills to be stewards of the environment.     

An Arabidopsis mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase gene family encodes essential positive regulators of cytokinesis

The signal transduction pathways that control cytokinesis in plants are largely uncharacterized. Here, we provide genetic evidence that mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinases (MAPKKKs) play a role in the control of plant cell division. Using a reverse-genetic approach, we isolated plants carrying knockout alleles of the Arabidopsis MAPKKK genes ANP1, ANP2, and ANP3. The resulting single-mutant plants displayed no obvious abnormal phenotypes; two of the three double-mutant combinations displayed defects in cell division and growth; and the triple-mutant combination was not transmitted through either male or female gametes. The molecular and structural phenotypes displayed by the double mutants support a model in which the ANP family of MAPKKKs positively regulates cell division and growth and may negatively regulate stress responses.     

Differentiation and adaptation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica nigra</Emphasis> populations: interactions with related herbivores

Local adaptation and population differentiation of plants are well documented, but studies on interactions with natural enemies are rare. In particular, evidence for plant adaptation to the local biotic environment, such as herbivores remains poor. We used the black mustard Brassica nigra, an annual species of river valley and coastal habitats to (1) analyse population differentiation in plant traits and herbivory in a common garden experiment, (2) examine home versus away differences in a reciprocal transplant experiment and (3) test whether plants are adapted to local herbivores or vice versa under standard greenhouse conditions. In the common garden experiment, we found significant differentiation in plant traits, leaf damage and herbivore number among seven populations of B. nigra from France and Germany (distance 15–1,000 km). Differences were particularly strong among coastal and river valley populations and did not necessarily increase with geographical distance. A herbivore removal treatment did not change population differentiation when compared with the control allowing natural colonisation. The reciprocal transplant experiment at a scale of 15–30 km did not reveal local plant adaptation, whilst one dominant herbivore species (Meligethes aeneus) occurred in significantly higher numbers on local plants. A greenhouse experiment combining three aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) and plant populations of the same provenance indicated herbivore adaptation to their local plants rather than plant adaptation, but overall contrasts between local and non-local combinations were not significant. The results suggest that herbivores may counteract local plant adaptation to other environmental factors. Our study has important implications for plant translocations in ecological restoration projects.     

Complexities of the herbal nomenclature system in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM): Lessons learned from the misuse of Aristolochia-related species and the importance of the pharmaceutical name during botanical drug product development

Herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have diverse cultural/historical backgrounds and are described based on complex nomenclature systems. Using the family Aristolochiaceae as an example, at least three categories of nomenclature could be identified: (1) one-to-one (one plant part from one species): the herb guan mutong refers to the root of Aristolochia manshuriensis; (2) multiple-to-one (multiple plant parts from the same species serve as different herbs): three herbs, madouling, qingmuxiang and tianxianteng, derived respectively from the fruit, root and stem of Aristolochia debilis; and (3) one-to-multiple (one herb refers to multiple species): the herb fangji refers to the root of either Aristolochia fangchi, Stephania tetrandra or Cocculus trilobus; in this case, the first belongs to a different family (Aristolochiaceae) than the latter two (Menispermaceae), and only the first contains aristolochic acid (AA), as demonstrated by independent analytical data provided in this article. Further, mutong (Akebia quinata) is allowed in TCM herbal medicine practice to be substituted with either guan mutong (Aristolochia manshuriensis) or chuan mutong (Clematis armandii); and mu fangji (Cocculus trilobus) by guang fanchi (Aristolochia fangchi) or hanzhong fangji (Aristolochia heterophylla), thereby increasing the risk of exposing renotoxic AA-containing Aristolochia species to patients. To avoid these and other confusions, we wish to emphasize the importance of a pharmaceutical name, which defines the species name, the plant part, and sometimes the special process performed on the herb, including cultivating conditions. The pharmaceutical name as referred to in this article is defined, and is limited to those botanicals that are intended to be used as drug. It is hoped that by following the pharmaceutical name, toxic herbs can be effectively identified and substitution or adulteration avoided.     

Two hundred and sixty eigth medicinal plants used to fertility control in some countries of South America (author's transl)]

A review is made of the various anthropological, botanical and empirical medical papers from a number of the countries of the South-American continent, whose populations use medical plants for fertility control. Also included is a field research conducted among indigenous and rural populations of Paraguay. The scientific name, family and common name 268 plants are described. With each plant, the country and type of population (indigenous or rural) using same is stated, as well as their empiric properties attributed to same and the name of the author. Comments are made upon the background related to the use of said plants at the level of the American indigenous, world folkloric and Paraguayan indigenous & folkloric medicine. Emphasis is given to the significance of these data on contraceptives, abortives, sterilization and fertilization agents of vegetal origin, due to their value for future research in the physiology and clinic of reproduction.     

Preference and Performance in Plant–Herbivore Interactions across Latitude–A Study in U.S. Atlantic Salt Marshes

High-latitude plants are often more palatable to herbivores than low-latitude conspecifics. Does increased plant palatability lead to better herbivore performance? Our field and laboratory work investigated (A) whether high-latitude plants have traits indicating that they should be higher-quality foods for herbivores; (B) whether geographic differences in plant quality are more important than local adaptation of herbivores. We studied 3 plant species and 6 invertebrate herbivores in U.S. Atlantic Coast. Past studies had shown high-latitude individuals of these plants are more palatable than low-latitude conspecifics. We documented plant traits and herbivore performance (body size) in the field across latitude. We collected individuals from different latitudes for factorial (plant region x herbivore region) laboratory experiments, examining how herbivore performance was affected by plant region, herbivore region, and their interaction (i.e., local adaptation). Field surveys suggested high-latitude plants were likely of higher quality to herbivores. Leaf nitrogen content in all plant species increased toward high latitudes, consistent with lower leaf C/N and higher leaf chlorophyll content at high latitudes. Furthermore, leaf toughness decreased toward higher latitudes in 1 species. The body size of 4 herbivore species increased with latitude, consistent with high-latitude leaves being of higher quality, while 2 grasshopper species showed the opposite pattern, likely due to life-history constraints. In the laboratory, high-latitude plants supported better performance in 4 herbivore species (marginal in the 5th). The geographic region where herbivores were collected affected herbivore performance in all 6 species; however, the pattern was mixed, indicating a lack of local adaptation by herbivores to plants from their own geographic region. Our results suggest that more-palatable plants at high latitudes support better herbivore growth. Given that geographic origin of either plants or herbivores can affect herbivore performance, the nature of plant-herbivore interactions is likely to change if climate change “reshuffles” plant and herbivore populations across latitude.     

Precipitation contributes to plant height,but not reproductive effort,for western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclara Sheviak & Bowles): Evidence from herbarium records

The western fringed prairie orchid (WFPO) is a rare plant found in mesic to wet tallgrass prairies in the Great Plains and Midwest regions of the United States. The size of WFPO populations varies considerably from year to year, and studies have suggested that population size is dependent on precipitation during critical periods in the plant's annual development. We hypothesized that plant height and reproductive effort would also be controlled by precipitation, either during these periods or over a broader period. We acquired available images of WFPO from 21 herbaria, and of these 141 individual plants had information adequate for analysis, although some population/year combinations were represented multiple times. For each specimen, we measured plant height (cm) and reproductive effort (as measured by total flower and bud count). We used bootstrapped linear regression, randomly selecting one individual from each population/year combination, to compare precipitation models, both during critical periods and the various summaries. We found that precipitation during the phenologically critical periods was a poor predictor of plant height and reproductive effort. Of the broader precipitation variables, accumulated precipitation from January 1 to collection date best described plant height. We also used correlations to detect a relationship among the variables WFPO height, reproductive effort, precipitation, latitude, and year of collection. Year of specimen collection was negatively correlated with WFPO plant height and accumulated precipitation, suggesting that both have declined in more recent years. Negative correlations with latitude also suggest height and precipitation decrease in the northern part of WFPO's range. Reproductive effort was not related to tested precipitation variables; however, it was weakly correlated with plant height. Although the results are limited, this study leverages available data and makes inferences on WFPO biology over broad ranges of time (1894–2012) and latitude (37.5°–49.9°).     

Cadmium Telluride Quantum Dots (CdTe-QDs) and Enhanced Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) Radiation Trigger Antioxidant Enzyme Metabolism and Programmed Cell Death in Wheat Seedlings

Nanoparticles (NPs) are becoming increasingly widespread in the environment. Free cadmium ions released from commonly used NPs under ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation are potentially toxic to living organisms. With increasing levels of UV-B radiation at the Earth’s surface due to the depletion of the ozone layer, the potential additive effect of NPs and UV-B radiation on plants is of concern. In this study, we investigated the synergistic effect of CdTe quantum dots (CdTe-QDs), a common form of NP, and UV-B radiation on wheat seedlings. Graded doses of CdTe-QDs and UV-B radiation were tested, either alone or in combination, based on physical characteristics of 5-day-old seedlings. Treatments of wheat seedlings with either CdTe-QDs (200 mg/L) or UV-B radiation (10 KJ/m²/d) induced the activation of wheat antioxidant enzymes. CdTe-QDs accumulation in plant root cells resulted in programmed cell death as detected by DNA laddering. CdTe-QDs and UV-B radiation inhibited root and shoot growth, respectively. Additive inhibitory effects were observed in the combined treatment group. This research described the effects of UV-B and CdTe-QDs on plant growth. Furthermore, the finding that CdTe-QDs accumulate during the life cycle of plants highlights the need for sustained assessments of these interactions.     

Plant folk medicines among Nicobarese tribals of Car Nicobar Island,India

The present paper deals with investigations of less known medicinal plant lore among the aboriginal Nicobarese tribe of Car Nicobar island, India. Information on 73 species and their therapeutic applications and manner of use are initially documented and described as remedies in folkloric tradition and popular domestic medicine. No chemical principles are identified; no putative herbal remedies are pharmaceutically and medically evaluated. The aim of this paper is to gather information concerning medicinal plants and to provide access to specialists in search of their applications in modern medicine. A brief account of geography, climate, ethnology, and methodology adopted is given. Vernacular name(s) of the plants in the Nicobarese language are incorporated for the first time in the literature.     

There is more to the dissection of a pig's heart

In order to name and classify a plant they see, children use their existing mental models to provide the plant with a name and classification. In this study pupils of a range of ages (5, 8, 10, and 14 years old) were presented with preserved specimens of six different plants (strictly, five plants and a fungus) and asked a series of questions about them. Their responses indicate that pupils of all ages mainly recognise and use anatomical features when naming the plants and explaining why they are what they are. However, older pupils are more likely to also use habitat features. For both girls and boys, the home and direct observation are more important sources of knowledge than school, TV, videos, CD-Roms, or books, although TV, videos, CD-Roms, and books seem more important for boys than for girls. As pupils age, their reasons for grouping plants become more complicated: in addition to relying on shared anatomical and habitat features, they begin to show evidence of a knowledge of taxonomy and use this knowledge to group plants.     

Effect of Gibberellic Acid and Monophenols on Flowering of lmpatiens balsamina in Relation to the Number of Inductive and Non-inductive Photoperiodic Cycles

A single treatment of plants with GA₃ (gibberellic acid) is not adequate to cause induction under LD (long day: 24-h photo-period) condition, but its effect is added to the sub-threshold induction caused by one SD (short day: 8-h photoperiod) cycle. Floral bud initiation is hastened, and the number of floral buds and flowers per flowering plant increases in plants receiving a single treatment with the combination GA₃+ SA (salicylic acid) accompanying a single SD cycle. However, the increase on 10 replicate basis is more marked in plants receiving three treatments with the combination GA₃+β-N (β-naphthol) and five treatments with the combination GA₃+ SA accompanying six and 10 SD cycles, respectively. The number of floral buds and flowers decreases with an increase hi the number of SD cycles, but it is higher in plants treated with GA₃, SA or GA₃+β-N than in the water-treated controls. — Under long days, treatment of plants with the combinations GA₃+ SA or GA₃+β-N accelerates the initiation as well as increases the number of floral buds. While a minimum of five treatments with GA₃ or of 25 with SA or β-N alone is needed for floral bud initiation under a 24-h photoperiod, three treatments are adequate to induce floral buds with the combination GA₃+ SA or GA₃+β-N under continuous illumination. Ten or more treatments with these combinations under a 24-h photoperiod produce more flowers than the same treatments under an 8-h photoperiod.     

4种不同生活型湿地植物对富营养化水体的净化效果

选择4种湿地植物菖蒲、香蒲、浮萍和金鱼藻,研究单一及组合湿地植物对高浓度污水(污水处理厂进水)、低浓度污水(污水处理厂出水)中营养物质的去除效果.结果表明: 水体中总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)、化学需氧量(COD)浓度呈现试验前期快速下降,后期缓慢下降的趋势,表明湿地植物能有效净化污水中的TN、TP、COD,但不同湿地植物及湿地植物组合的净化效果存在差异.多种湿地植物组合比单种湿地植物对TN的净化作用强,其中香蒲＋浮萍＋金鱼藻对TN的净化效果最佳;高浓度污水中,单种挺水植物对TP的净化效果较好,低浓度污水中,则是多种湿地植物组合对TP的去除率较高;高浓度污水中,湿地植物对COD的去除率为85.1%～96.0%,其中菖蒲、香蒲去除效果最佳,低浓度污水中,湿地植物对COD去除率为76.9%～94.8%,以菖蒲＋浮萍＋金鱼藻去除效果最好.总体看来,湿地植物对高浓度污水中TN、TP、COD的净化效果好于低浓度污水,两种水体的pH都得到改善.     

Measuring the fate of plant diversity: towards a foundation for future monitoring and opportunities for urgent action

Vascular plants are often considered to be among the better known large groups of organisms, but gaps in the available baseline data are extensive, and recent estimates of total known (described) seed plant species range from 200000 to 422000. Of these, global assessments of conservation status using International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categories and criteria are available for only approximately 10000 species. In response to recommendations from the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity to develop biodiversity indicators based on changes in the status of threatened species, and trends in the abundance and distribution of selected species, we examine how existing data, in combination with limited new data collection, can be used to maximum effect. We argue that future work should produce Red List Indices based on a representative subset of plant species so that the limited resources currently available are directed towards redressing taxonomic and geographical biases apparent in existing datasets. Sampling the data held in the world's major herbaria, in combination with Geographical Information Systems techniques, can produce preliminary conservation assessments and help to direct selective survey work using existing field networks to verify distributions and gather population data. Such data can also be used to backcast threats and potential distributions through time. We outline an approach that could result in: (i) preliminary assessments of the conservation status of tens of thousands of species not previously assessed, (ii) significant enhancements in the coverage and representation of plant species on the IUCN Red List, and (iii) repeat and/or retrospective assessments for a significant proportion of these. This would result in more robust Sampled Red List Indices that can be defended as more representative of plant diversity as a whole; and eventually, comprehensive assessments at species level for one or more major families of angiosperms. The combined results would allow scientifically defensible generalizations about the current status of plant diversity by 2010 as well as tentative comments on trends. Together with other efforts already underway, this approach would establish a firmer basis for ongoing monitoring of the status of plant diversity beyond 2010 and a basis for comparison with the trend data available for vertebrates.     

Cryopreserved storage of clonal germplasm in the USDA National Plant Germplasm System

The US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) plant collections are a critical source of genetic diversity for breeding and selection of improved crops, including vegetatively propagated plants. Information on these collections is readily accessible to breeders and researchers on the internet from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). The clonal collections are at risk for loss due in part to their genetic diversity that makes growing them in one location a challenge, but also because it is difficult to have duplicate collections without incurring great expense. The development of cryopreservation techniques during the last two decades provides a low maintenance form of security backup for these collections. National plant collections for vegetatively propagated crop plants and their wild relatives are maintained by the USDA-ARS, NPGS at 15 sites across the country. These sites include various combinations of field, greenhouse, screenhouse, and in vitro collections. Cryopreserved backup collections in liquid nitrogen storage were instituted in the 1990s, increased greatly in the 2000s with the advent of new techniques, and are continuing today. Collections of dormant buds of temperate trees, shoot tips of in vitro cultures of many crops, and embryonic axes of some large seeded or recalcitrant seeded plants are all part of the clonal backup storage system.