Reproductive success and clonal genetic structure of the rareArnica montana (Compositae) in The Netherlands

In a medium-sized population ofArnica montana, a threatened species in The Netherlands, the breeding system, reproductive success and genetic clonal structure were studied. Pollination experiments suggested thatA. montana is largely self-incompatible. Inbreeding depression was observed for seedling weight but not for fruit weight and germination rate. Although genetic variation is rather low in this population, the data suggest an outcrossing mating system. Analysis of the genotype of all mapped rosettes in a plot of 100 m² indicated that dense clusters often consist of identical genotypes, suggesting a clonal structure. Open clusters frequently contained several different genotypes. This may be caused by limited fruit dispersal, since seedlings were found mainly within or in the near surroundings of the clusters.     

Natural CO2 springs in Italy: a resource for examining long-term response of vegetation to rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations

It is estimated that more than 100 geothermal CO₂ springs exist in central-western Italy. Eight springs were selected in which the atmospheric CO₂ concentrations were consistently observed to be above the current atmospheric average of 354μmol mol^-1. CO₂ concentration measurements at some of the springs are reported. The springs are described, and their major topographic and vegetational features are reported. Preliminary observations made on natural vegetation growing around the gas vents are then illustrated. An azonal pattern of vegetation distribution occurs around every CO₂ spring regardless of soil type and phytoclimatic areas. This is composed of pioneer populations of a Northern Eurasiatic species (Agrostis canina L.) which is often associated with Scirpus lacustris L. The potential of these sites for studying the long-term response of vegetation to rising atmospheric CO₂ concentrations is discussed.     

Habitat characteristics and the effect of various nutrient solutions on growth and mineral nutrition ofArnica montana L. grown on natural soil

Arnica montana, one of the character species of the replacement plant communityViolion caninae on sandy acid humic podzol, is declining in the Netherlands since 1950. Locally, it is even extinct.This process of decline may be attributed to (i) autonomic succession; (ii) increased rate of acidification of the soil and/or (iii) change in competitive relations amongArnica and more productive plant species, such as the successive dominantDeschampsia flexuosa. This paper examines the last two hypothesized factors, supposedly being regulated by atmospheric input of N-input, by (a) describing the habitat characteristics of a seemingly still healthy individual-rich population ofArnica and (b) growingArnica andDeschampsia in mixed humic podzol soil (mainly A₁ horizon) fertilized with variously-composed nutrient solutions in order to assess the nutrient supplying capacity of the podzol soil and species-specific nutritional demands related to their respective growth capabilities.The results suggest that an increased rate of soil acidification yielding extra supply of ionic Al and Mn is presumably of less importance. The implications of growth rate differences amongArnica andDeschampsia as related to their nutritional demands are likely far more important.Arnica grows more slowly thanDeschampsia in fertilized humus podzol. The latter species has a much more efficient use of nutrients. Furthermore, both species differ in K-nutrition if NH₄ ⁺ is the dominant N-source, a situation normally occurring in acid podzolic soils.Deschampsia possesses the capability to adapt its metabolic nutrition (avoiding nutritional imbalances) to a wide range of nutrient supplies thereby maintaining a rather constant level of growth.Arnica, on the contrary, lacks this capability. These results are discussed in the framework of competitive relations among co-occurring plant species in the plant communityViolion caninae. It is concluded that maintenance ofArnica and likely other character species of that alliance — all characterized by a low growth rate — will only be achieved when the plant community is properly managed by trampling, mowing or light levels of grazing (low stocking rate). Of prime importance is to maintain a low and relatively open vegetation structure at a relatively low level of nutrient supply.     

Two new species of Viola (Violaceae) from the Intermountain West,U.S.A.

Viola lithion andV. franksmithii are rock-dwelling endemics that belong to the North American perennial, caulescent, simple-leaved, blue-, purple-, or white-flowered group of species.Viola lithion, from the White Pine and Pilot mountain ranges of eastern Nevada and adjacent Utah, belongs to sectionChamaemelanium subsectionCanadenses. It most closely resembles the reniform-leaved, Olympic MountainV. flettii, together with which it possibly shares an ancestry with the widespread and allopatricV. canadensis. Viola franksmithii, restricted to the Logan Canyon drainage of the Bear River Range in northern Utah, belongs to sectionRostellatae subsectionRosulantes. It comes closest morphologically toV. howellii of the Coast Range, but likely evolved from the widespreadV. adunca or a common ancestor.     

Developmental and Environmental Effects on Sesquiterpene Lactones in Cultivated Arnica montana L.

The amount of sesquiterpene lactones and the lactone profile of Arnica montana L. in flowering and seed formation stages in vitro and in vivo propagated from seeds of German, Ukrainian, and Austrian origin and grown in two experimental fields were studied. It was found that in vitro propagated 2‐year plants in full flowering stage accumulated higher amount of lactones in comparison to in vivo propagated 3‐year plants and to the seed formation stage, respectively. Helenalins predominated in in vivo propagated 2‐year or in vitro propagated 3‐year plants. 2‐Methylbutyrate (2MeBu) was the principal ester in the samples with prevalence of helenalins, while isobutyrate (iBu) was the major one in the samples with predominance of 11,13‐dihydrohelenalins. The results revealed that the environmental conditions on Vitosha Mt. are more suitable for cultivation of A. montana giving higher content of lactones.     

东北地区被子植物新资料

东北地区位于中国东北部,地处欧亚大陆东缘,地域辽阔,环境复杂,植被类型多样,是我国北方植物种类较为丰富、植物区系起源演变发展的重要地区。该研究根据野外实地调查及资料分析,报道了东北地区2种新分布植物,分别是野生堇菜(Viola arvensis)、线叶毛膏菜(Drosera anglica)。野生堇菜为东北地区新归化种,分布于哈尔滨市帽儿山,该种在我国台湾地区有分布,原产于非洲北部、亚洲西南部和欧洲;线叶毛膏菜为中国新记录种,分布于东北长白山区。该属在东北地区还有1种,即圆叶茅膏菜(D.rotundifolia)。两者的主要区别:前者叶为线状匙形,花柱3,每个花柱2分裂至中部;后者叶片近圆形,花柱3,每个花柱深裂至基部。凭证标本保存于东北林业大学植物标本室(NEFI)。这些新资料种的发现,对于丰富东北地区植物种类及对本地区植物多样性的研究具有重要意义。     

蔓茎堇菜和柔毛堇菜多糖的抑菌抗氧化活性

利用乙醇沉淀法提取蔓茎堇菜Viola diffusa和柔毛堇菜V.principis多糖并分别进行抑菌及抗氧化试验。结果表明,蔓茎堇菜和柔毛堇菜多糖提取率分别为7.0%和8.3%。不同倍数体积无水乙醇沉淀提取的多糖抑菌和抗氧化能力不同。抑菌效果显示,蔓茎堇菜多糖对大肠杆菌和枯草芽孢杆菌的抑菌圈分别可达8.46mm和8.59mm,柔毛堇菜对大肠杆菌和枯草芽孢杆菌的抑菌圈均可达9.13mm,但两种堇菜多糖对黑曲霉和啤酒酵母未呈现抑制活性;抗氧化研究发现,蔓茎堇菜多糖抗氧化活性为243.64U·mL^-1,柔毛堇菜多糖抗氧化活性为411.78U·mL^-1。由此可见,无论是抑菌还是抗氧化活性方面,柔毛堇菜极显著优于蔓茎堇菜(P<0.01)。蔓茎堇菜和柔毛堇菜多糖都具有一定的抑菌抗氧化活性,均可作为食药两用植物资源进行开发利用。     

RAPD在三色堇(Viola wittrockiana)自交系遗传关系研究及杂种优势预测中的应用

用RAPD技术分析了18个三色堇(Viola wittrockiana)自交系的遗传多样性。21个随机引物扩增了167条带,其中127条具多态性,显示自交系间存在较大的遗传变异。用UPGMA法可将自交系聚为五大类,其分类结果与花径和材料来源地基本一致。以其中的5个自交系进行双列杂交试验,研究了RAPD遗传距离与三色堇杂交后代10个性状杂种优势的关系,实验结果表明:RAPD遗传距离仅与花数达到0.1的显著水平,而与其它8个性状杂种优势的相关性不显著;用RPAD遗传距离预测三色堇的花数杂种优势具有一定的可靠性,但用于对其它性状杂种优势的预测目前是不可行的。