Allelopathic effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ceratiola ericoides</Emphasis> (Empetraceae) on germination and survival of six Florida scrub species

Allelopathic inhibition of germination by Florida scrub plants has been demonstrated in the greenhouse and lab, but not in the field. We studied the allelopathic effects of Florida rosemary (Ceratiola ericoides) roots, leaves, and litter leachates on field germination and three-month survival of six Florida scrub species, three habitat generalists (Lechea deckertii, Palafoxia feayi, and Polygonella robusta), and three rosemary scrub specialists (Hypericum cumulicola, Lechea cernua, and Polygonella basiramia). We used AIC and model averaging to evaluate support for a series of non-exclusive hypotheses. Species varied in germination (2.7–24.6%) and survival (39.2–71%) percentages, and in their sensitivity to leachates. Germination of scrub species was most negatively affected by leaf > root > litter leachates, although not all species followed the overall trend. Additional germination suppression by leachate combinations (relative to single leachates) was minimal. Sites did not vary in germination, but seedling survival did differ among sites. This study further documents the negative impact of Florida rosemary leachates on the germination of co-occurring plant species. Allelopathy may be partly responsible for bare sand gaps in Florida rosemary scrub, and therefore be one of the forces structuring Florida rosemary scrub ecosystems.     

Spatial genetic structure of the southeastern North American endemic, Ceratiola ericoides (Empetraceae)

Understanding the spatial distribution of genetic diversity (i.e., spatial genetic structure [SGS]) within plant populations can elucidate mechanisms of seed dispersal and patterns of recruitment that may play an important role in shaping the demography and spatial distribution of individuals in subsequent generations. Here we investigate the SGS of allozyme diversity in 2 populations of the southeastern North American endemic shrub, Ceratiola ericoides. The data suggest that the 2 populations have similar patterns of SGS at distances of 0-45 m that likely reflect the isolation by distance (IBD) model of seed dispersal. However, at distances >or=50 m, the pattern of SGS differs substantially between the 2 populations. Whereas one population continues to reflect the classical IBD pattern, the second population shows a marked increase in autocorrelation coefficient (r) values at 50-75 m. Furthermore, r values at these distances are as much as 33% higher than at 0-5 m where the highest r value would be predicted by IBD. A likely explanation is the differing frequencies of 2 fruit morphologies in these populations and the greater role that birds play in seed dispersal in the second population.     

Genetic insights into the biogeography of the southeastern North American endemic, Ceratiola ericoides (Empetraceae)

The southeastern United States harbors an unusually large number of endemic plant taxa, which may reflect the refugial nature of the region during Pleistocene glacial maxima. Understanding the genetic diversity and structure of extant plant taxa can provide insights into the biogeographical processes that shaped them genetically. Here, we investigate the levels and partitioning of allozyme diversity in the southeastern North American endemic, Ceratiola ericoides, which displayed greater genetic variation and structure than other endemics. Central Florida populations represent a center of genetic diversity, whereas South Carolina and Georgia Fall Line sandhill populations have a subset of the Central Florida genetic diversity and may be relicts of a once continuous distribution. This much broader, continuous distribution throughout the southeastern United States occurred during glacial maxima when the scrub habitat, dominated by C. ericoides, expanded considerably owing to drier climatic conditions. Georgia Coastal Plain populations appear to have been independently founded more recently by propagules from Central Florida and the Fall Line sandhills because they have an even more limited subset of genetic diversity and greater genetic heterogeneity among populations. Since their establishment, coastal plain populations appear to have had little, if any, gene exchange among each other or with the relatively proximate Fall Line sandhill populations. These data underscore the importance of understanding the genetic composition and historical biogeography of species before intelligent management or restoration decisions can be made regarding their preservation.     

Sex ratio and spatial pattern of males and females in the dioecious sandhill shrub, Ceratiola ericoides ericoides (Empetraceae) Michx

Sex ratio, size, age, and spatial pattern were investigated for males and females of the dioecious shrub Ceratiola ericoides ericoides (Empetraceae) Michx. within seven mapped populations in Georgia and South Carolina, USA. Among the sites studied, two are regularly burned and one site long-unburned. Age was estimated from node counts of individual shrubs. Only one (fire-suppressed) population showed a female-biased sex ratio, while all others did not differ significantly from 1:1. Mean age estimates did not differ between sexes at any site nor did mean shrub canopy diameter. Bivariate Ripley’s K analysis with a null hypothesis of random labeling was used to investigate whether any of the mapped populations exhibited spatial segregation of the sexes (SSS). No population showed strong evidence of SSS. Rather all sites but one showed males and females to be associated (though not significantly) at a scale of 1–10 m. At a scale of 10–35 m male and female shrubs were located randomly with respect to one another at all sites.     

Phylogeography and disjunct distribution in Lychnophora ericoides (Asteraceae), an endangered cerrado shrub species

Background and Aims

Lychnophora ericoides (Asteraceae) presents disjunct geographical distribution in cerrado rupestre in the south-east and central Brazil. The phylogeography of the species was investigated to understand the origin of the disjunct geographical distribution.

Methods

Populations in the south and centre of Serra do Espinhaço, south-east Brazil and on ten other localities in Federal District and Goiás in central Brazil were sampled. Analyses were based on the polymorphisms at chloroplast (trnL intron and psbA-trnH intergenic spacer) and nuclear (ITS nrDNA) genomes. From 12 populations, 192 individuals were sequenced. Network analysis, AMOVA and the Mantel test were performed to understand the relationships among haplotypes and population genetic structure. To understand better the origin of disjunct distribution, demographic parameters and time to most recent common ancestor (T_MRCA) were estimated using coalescent analyses.

Key Results

A remarkable differentiation between populations from the south-east and central Brazil was found and no haplotype was shared between these two regions. No significant effect of isolation by distance was detected. Coalescent analyses showed that some populations are shrinking and others are expanding and that gene flow between populations from the south-east and central Brazil was probably negligible.

Conclusions

The results strongly support that the disjunct distribution of L. ericoides may represent a climatic relict and that long-distance gene flow is unlikely. With an estimated time to most recent common ancestor (T_MRCA) dated from approx. 790 655 ± 36 551 years bp (chloroplast) and approx. 623 555 ± 55 769 years bp (ITS), it was hypothesized that the disjunct distribution may be a consequence of an expansion of the geographical distribution favoured by the drier and colder conditions that prevailed in much of Brazil during the Kansan glaciation, followed by the retraction of the distribution due to the extinction of populations in some areas as climate became warmer and moister.Key words: Disjunct geographical distribution, climatic relict, vicariance, coalescent analysis, phylogeography, endemism, Asteraceae, Lychnophora ericoides, Cerrado, cerrado rupestre, ITS, cpDNA     

Conservation implications of genetic variation in three rare species endemic to Florida rosemary scrub

Habitat conversion and fire suppression during the last 50 yr have greatly reduced and altered Florida scrub vegetation, resulting in threats to the persistence of its unique flora. As part of a larger conservation project, we investigated patterns of isozyme variation in three rare perennial scrub plants with overlapping ranges endemic to Florida rosemary scrub on the Lake Wales Ridge. All three species have low levels of genetic variation, comparable to or lower than those generally reported for rare plants with restricted geographic ranges. Liatris ohlingerae has more than twice the expected heterozygosity of the other two species, with little population differentiation. In contrast, Hypericum cumulicola has highly differentiated populations with little apparent interpopulation gene flow and heterozygote deficiencies indicative of inbreeding. Eryngium cuneifolium, the species with the narrowest range and fewest populations, has intermediate values for genetic parameters. Although the three species have narrow and overlapping geographic ranges and similar habitat specificity, we discuss how optimal conservation of each species differs.     

嫁接茄子根系分泌物的化感效应

采用室内生物测定的方法,研究了不同砧木、不同浓度和不同生育期嫁接茄子根系分泌物的化感效应.结果表明,嫁接茄根系分泌物与自根茄相比,促进了茄子种子的萌发和幼苗生长.各砧木品种嫁接茄根系分泌物的化感效应显著或极显著高于对照,其中发芽率和苗高最高,增加29.1%和37.1%;不同浓度试验结果呈现“低促高抑”的规律,当浓度为0.04g·ml^-1时发芽率最高,比对照增加50%,当浓度增加到0.24g·ml^-1时,根长比对照降低了30.3%;在生长后期嫁接茄的根系分泌物对种子萌发的促进作用小于前中期,而自根茄抑制作用增强.因此,生产中使用嫁接技术是缓解由自毒作用引起的连作障碍的有效方法之一.     

南瓜组培根根系分泌物的化感效应研究

使用组织培养技术、生物测试法及室内分析相结合的方法研究了南瓜组培根在不同生长时期与不同营养谐迫下(利用正交设计调节标准B₅培养基中的大量元素、微量元素、有机质和激素)根分泌物对南瓜、萝卜和小麦3种受体的种子萌发及幼苗生长的化感作用.结果表明,南瓜具有自毒作用,南瓜组培根根系分泌物对受体幼苗生长的抑制作用呈现出高抑低促的作用表型;南瓜组培根根系分泌物产生化感作用的活性与南瓜组培根生长速度有关,南瓜组培根根系分泌物的生长抑制活性以15～17d即生长速度指数末期为最高,21d生物量最大时的南瓜组培根根系分泌物的生长抑制活性最低;营养元素的改变明显影响了南瓜根系分泌物的产生,并通过筛选出能诱导南瓜组培根对受体具有强烈抑制作用的大量元素、微量元素、维生素和激素种类和含量的最优化组合,为研究南瓜化感作用营养胁迫机理提供依据.     

Cellular effects of a turmeric root and rosemary leaf extract on canine neoplastic cell lines

Background

The use of nutraceuticals is gaining in popularity in human and canine oncology with a relatively limited understanding of the effects in the vastly different tumor types seen in canine oncology. We have previously shown that turmeric root (TE) and rosemary leaf (RE) extracts can work synergistically to reduce neoplastic cell growth, but the mechanisms are poorly understood and require further elucidation.

Results

Three different canine cell lines (C2 mastocytoma, and CMT-12 mammary carcinoma, D17 osteosarcoma) were treated with 6.3 μg mL^?1 extract individually, or 3.1 μg mL^?1 of each extract in combination based on studies showing synergy of these two extracts. Apoptosis, antioxidant effects, cellular accumulation of curcumin, and perturbation of signaling pathways were assessed. The TE?+?RE combination treatment resulted in Caspase 3/7 activation and apoptosis in all cell lines, beyond the effects of TE alone with the CMT-12 cell line being most susceptible. Both extracts had antioxidant effects with RE reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) by 40–50% and TE reducing ROS by 80–90%. In addition RE treatment enhanced the c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activity in the C2 cell line and TE?+?RE exposure increased activated JNK by 4–5 times in the CMT-12 cell line. Upon further examination, it was found that RE treatment caused a significant increase in the cellular accumulation of curcumin by approximately 30% in the C2 and D17 cell lines, and by 4.8-fold in the CMT-12 cell line. This increase in intracellular curcumin levels may play a role in the synergy exhibited when using TE and RE in combination.

Conclusions

The use of RE in combination with TE induces a synergistic response to induce apoptosis which is better than either extract alone. This appears to be related to a variable increased TE uptake in cells and activation of pathways involved in the apoptotic response.

     

Relationships between seven species ofVulpia (Poaceae)

Seven species ofVulpia were subjected to morphological and protein studies using principal component and cluster analysis and theJaccard's Similarity Coefficient. Studies showed all species were uniform and distinct from each other. Species of sect.Loretia were very dissimilar from those of sect.Monachne and sect.Vulpia. The latter section comprises taxa of high mutual affinity.     

Chemotaxonomy, variation and geographical distribution of the Empetraceae

Thirty-one flavonoids (and related phenolics) were found in leaves of the six species in the three genera of Empetraceae (90 populations studied) and five further pigments in fruits of Empetrum. Affinity with the Ericaceae is supported by the occurrence of the 3-galactosidesof gossypetin, malvidin, delphinidin, cyanidin and peonidin. The distribution of leaf flavonoids agrees with both the recognition of three genera and species-delimitation in Ceratiola and Corema. In Empetrum , the flavonoids differ modally in the three species usually accepted, thus confirming data on fruit colour and breeding systems, and suggesting that the genus comprises one species with about three subspecies at diploid and tetraploid levels. The black fruits of most Northern Hemisphere plants contain malvidin, petunidin and delphinidin, while the red fruits of almost all Southern Hemisphere populations ( E. rubrum ) contain cyanidin and peonidin and provide a rare example of the association of cyanidin (instead of delphinidin) with the wild-type allele.
In leaf flavonoid content the diploid E. nigrum is much closer to its presumed tetraploid derivative E. eamesii than to the diploid E. rubrum , which differs most from E. eamesii. Flavonoid patterns and breeding system distinguish most E. rubrum populations from those isolated in Tristan da Cunha-Gough Island. The phytogeographical importance of the phytOGhemical results is discussed.     

Allelopathic influence of Hydrilla verticillata (L.F.) Royle on the distribution of Ceratophyllum species

Ceratophyllum demersum L. and C. muricatum Chamisso are not found to grow together with Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle in India. An experimental study shows that Hydrilla is allelopathic to the two species of Ceratophyllum and inhibits their growth. Thus, the distribution of Ceratophyllum species is limited by the presence of Hydrilla.     

紫茎泽兰对五种苦苣苔科植物化感作用的初步研究

紫茎泽兰（Eupatorium adenophorum）为菊科一种入侵性极强的外来杂草, 现已在我国西南部地区蔓延生长, 并侵入多种苦苣苔科植物的生境。中国苦苣苔科植物均已收入《中国物种红色名录》, 其中部分已被列为国家重点保护物种。为了解紫茎泽兰对本土苦苣苔科植物生长的影响, 作者分别采用其根、茎、叶水提液(8%)对3属5种苦苣苔科植物, 即刺齿唇柱苣苔（Chirita spinulosa）、荔波唇柱苣苔（C. liboensis）、烟叶唇柱苣苔（C. heterotricha）、芒毛苣苔（Aeschynanthus acuminatus）和台闽苣苔（Titanotrichum oldhamii）的幼苗进行处理。结果表明, 紫茎泽兰叶水提液对刺齿唇柱苣苔、荔波唇柱苣苔和烟叶唇柱苣苔均有不同程度的化感作用, 其中对刺齿唇柱苣苔的化感作用最为明显, 当叶水提液在培养基中的浓度为2.4%、3.2%和4.0%时, 刺齿唇柱苣苔幼苗的生长完全受到抑制。紫茎泽兰的茎水提液对台闽苣苔有一定程度的化感作用, 当提取液在培养基中的浓度为1.6%时, 对台闽苣苔幼苗生长的抑制效应达到40%。紫茎泽兰叶和茎水提液对芒毛苣苔幼苗生长无明显的化感作用, 紫茎泽兰根水提液对5种苦苣苔科植物也均无显著影响。由此可知, 紫茎泽兰对唇柱苣苔属和台闽苣苔属的植物有一定的化感作用, 而对于芒毛苣苔属无明显的影响。分析结果显示, 紫茎泽兰对岩生苦苣苔科种类要比附生于树上的近缘种化感作用更为明显。     

Karyological investigations on seven weevil species (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

Karyological studies were carried out on seven Palaearctic weevils. The following chromosome numbers were found in individual species, i.e. Otiorhynchus niger (F.), Phyllobius viridearis (Laich.), Phyllobius scutellaris Redt., Phyllobius calcaratus (F.), Polydrusus cervinus (L.), and Brachyderes incanus (L.) 2n = 22, n Male = 10 + Xyp, in Lixus elegantulus (Boh.) 2n = 22, n Male = 21 + Xyp. The heterochromosomes of all the examined species form, in the first meiotic metaphase, a typical parachute bivalent.     

高寒地区白苞筋骨草对几种禾草的化感作用

采用青藏高原“黑土滩”次生毒杂草群落的优势植物——白苞筋骨草（Aerba lupulin）地上部分和地下部分水浸液,对青藏高原高寒地区4种禾草种子萌发、幼苗生长的抑制作用进行了分析。结果表明：白苞筋骨草地上部分水浸液对4种禾草种子萌发和幼苗生长具有显著抑制作用（P<0.05）,地下部分水浸液的化感抑制作用不显著（P>0.05）;4种牧草种子萌发对白苞筋骨草水浸提物敏感性强弱顺序为：垂穗披碱草（Elymus nutans）＞老芒麦（E. sibiricus）＞冷地早熟禾（Poa crymophila）＞中华羊茅 （Festuca sinensis）,禾草幼苗生长对白苞筋骨草水浸液的敏感性强弱顺序为：垂穗披碱草＞中华羊茅＞老芒麦＞冷地早熟禾;整体上,4种牧草对白苞筋骨草化感作用的敏感性强弱顺序为：垂穗披碱草＞老芒麦＞冷地早熟禾＞中华羊茅;4种牧草幼苗生长对白苞筋骨草的水浸液敏感性弱于种子萌发。白苞筋骨草的化感抑制作用是高寒地区毒杂草在退化草地蔓延,并最终形成"黑土滩"次生毒杂草群落的一个因素。     

中国贝母属(Fritillaria)7种植物的核型研究

通过对7种国产贝母属（Fritillaria）植物的染色体核型进行观察和研究,报道了小白花贝母（F.albidoflora Duan&Zheng）、川贝母（F.cirrhosa Don）、伊贝母（F.pallidiflora Schrenk ex Fischer&Meyer）、华西贝母（F.sichuanica Chen）、托里贝母（F.tortifolia Duan&Zheng）、新疆贝母（F.walujewii Regel）、裕民贝母（F.yuminensis Duan）等7种植物的染色体数目及核型,其中3种为首次报道。结果显示,7种国产贝母属植物的核型均具有高度不对称性。此外,小白花贝母与已报道的黄花贝母（F.verticillata Willdenow）的核型存在明显差异,提示Flora of China将小白花贝母归并入黄花贝母的分类处理可能并不恰当,二者的关系需进一步研究。     

Allelopathic effects ofEupatorium riparium on population regulation of two species ofGalinsoga and soil microbes

Summary Allelopathic effect ofEupatorium riparium Regel, a dominant ruderal weed at higher altitudes in Meghalaya state in north-eastern India, was studied on two common sympatric annual weeds,Galinsoga ciliata (Raf.) andG. parviflora Cav. and on soil microbes. Seed germination and radicle and plumule growth of both species ofGalinsoga were suppressed by the aqueous extract and leachate ofE. riparium. Although the leaf leachate, leaf and litter extracts and litter bed caused considerable reduction in leaf area and seed and dry matter production in both species ofGalinsoga, the effect was much more pronounced onG. parviflora. The inhibitory effect was directly correlated with the concentration of the extract and leachate. The soil microbial population and growth of theGalinsoga spp. declined considerably in the experimental pots where the soil had earlier received leachate of different plant parts ofE. riparium growing in it. The presence of the partly decomposed litter ofE. riparium in the pots reduced soil microbial population and growth of the two weeds much more strongly as compared to the litter in the advanced stages of decomposition. The study also revealed that the abundance and colony growth of the two test fungiviz. Trichoderma viride andAspergillus flavus were differentially affected by the allelopathy ofE. riparium; T. viride being favoured andA. flavus inhibited.     

人参连作根际土壤中酚酸物质对人参锈腐病菌的化感效应

采用高效液相色谱法对人参连作根际土壤中的酚酸物质进行了分离鉴定,检测发现人参根际土壤中含有没食子酸、水杨酸、3-苯基丙酸、苯甲酸和肉桂酸5种酚酸物质.采用外源添加法研究该5种酚酸物质对人参锈腐病菌的化感效应.结果表明: 5种酚酸对人参锈腐病菌的菌丝生长和孢子萌发都表现出高浓度抑制、低浓度促进的作用.没食子酸、水杨酸和苯甲酸在0.5 mmol·L^-1处理浓度下,3-苯基丙酸和肉桂酸在0.05 mmol·L^-1处理浓度下,均能够显著促进人参锈腐病菌菌丝生长和孢子萌发,并显著加重人参锈腐病病害严重度.