Frequency of Dark Septate Endophytes Colonization in Iris germanica L.

Dark septate endophytes (DSE) are a group of fungi from phylum Ascomycota that develop inside healthy root tissue of a wide range of plants from diverse habitats. They play a role in nutrient acquisition and survival of their hosts in limiting conditions. Aim of this research was to identify the seasonal occurrence of dark septate endophytes across a cultivar gradient in urban conditions from Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Root samples from six Iris germanica cultivars were collected in spring and autumn. Microscopic assessment was conducted on 2160 root segments. Average DSE frequency in roots of Iris germanica was 14.58%. Analysis of variance revealed that influence exercised by the cultivar was not significant (p=0.37), but the interaction between cultivar and phenophase explained 53.97% of overall variance. DSE were identified in all six cultivars, indicating either to a similar susceptibility of the host genotype or lack of specificity of the fungal endophyte. Unravelling the functional roles of these fungi could contribute to a better understating of plant-fungi interactions in anthropic environments

Species of the Genus Lithops as Indoor Ornamental Plants

The plants of the genus Lithops are truly the “living stones†of Africa. The species of this genus reached an amazing adaptation by the color and the aspect of their two modified leaves which successfully mimic the substrate of their natural habitats so that they are hard to spot in the wild, and probably because of this they have been discovered by Europeans only in the XIX century. Because the species of the genus Lithops have not been naturalized outside the habitats in which they evolved, their cultivation is as much important since many species are vulnerable in their environment (Lithops francisci, Lithops hermetica, Lithops werneri) and hold importance for biodiversity conservation and because of this they can often be found as part of the succulent collections of the botanical gardens. These plants have become more popular in the last years because are not very difficult to maintain and require little space, being a suitable decorative plant for apartments or offices and at the same time the ideal plants for the busy people since the owner doesn’t have to worry if they forget to water them for some time. All these plants need is sufficient light and if the very few simple caring rules required are followed thoroughly, these living stones will know how to fully reward with an autumn bloom. This paper presents some popular species from the genus Lithops with their morphological characteristics, environmental factors requirements, cultivation techniques as well as utilization possibilities in extending their use in interior design as pot plants

Phytoremediation Potential of Iris spp.

Iris plants are widely cultivated flowering ornamentals, with a long history of traditional use in Eurasia, where this genus is reaching the highest diversity. This paper aims to provide an overview on recent advances related to the phytoremediation potential of plants from the genus Iris, in order to promote the use of these species in phytoremediation programs. According to the relevant literature, eight species from genus Iris present phytoremediation potential (I. dichotoma, I. germanica, I. halophila, I. lactea, I. latifolia, I. pseudacorus, I. sibirica, I. wilsonii). The studies addressed potential of plants to mitigate toxic metals/metalloids (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn), excess of nutrients (P, N), pesticides, petroleum hydrocarbons, pharmaceuticals as well as dyes. Most studies focused on wastewater treatment and environments contaminated due to mining activities. Main hindrances in upscaling this green technology remain mitigation of toxicity stress in plants during remediation and the disposal of resulting contaminated biomass. In this sense, use of beneficial microorganisms to alleviate phytotoxicity effects and new valorization possibilities of contaminated Iris spp. biomass have been proposed recently. Designing an entire cycle that includes phytoremediation and sustainable value chains for contaminated biomass could prove feasible and should receive more attention

Conceptual Delimitation of Heavy Metals in Environmental Science

Heavy metals have been used by humans for thousands of years. Since ancient times lead was used for pottery glazing while mercury was attributed medicinal properties. Awareness of the danger that heavy metals pose for environment and human health has been gradual. Soils normally contain almost the full range of heavy metals, originating from lithogenic source and from anthropic activity. The first use of the term “heavy metals” in scientific context dates back to 1936. In time has been used as broader concept including elements that cannot be classified as metals or even metalloids. Most definitions given in the past took into consideration only one criteria at a time in defining “heavy metals” and since 1980 many scientists expressed their dissatisfaction for the imprecise delimitation of the concept. Based on a three-way criteria a comprehensive definition limits “heavy metals” to a category of elements that concomitantly are: natural occurring metals, have atomic number >20 and elemental density >5 g/cm3. Based on this definition 51 elements from periodic table can be considered “heavy metals”, excluding some such as: Al, As, Se, Ti. Over 20 heavy metals are recognized for the serious health conditions they can induce in humans. Given the increasing pollution in last century, policy efforts are directed towards preventing and limiting heavy metals contamination of the environment, drawing thresholds and requiring remediation

Opportunities for the Utilization of Phytoremediation Biomass Rich in Heavy Metals

Contamination with heavy metals (HM) represents an environmental and health concern. One green solution to this problem is phytoremediation that uses plants to mitigate the contamination. Through phytoextraction, heavy metals are translocated and taken up by the plants and then stored in various organs (both aboveground and underground). Repeated disposal of harvested biomass can speed up the decontamination process. The resulting biomass can have various concentrations in heavy metals depending on the level of contamination. The fate of phytoremediation biomass rises further environmental problems. Market opportunities for safe valorization of the biomass might contribute at extending this technology to larger scales. To achieve this, the selection of plant species should consider besides the accumulation capacity also the potential economic value (aromatic and energy crops, pulp-paper crops, timber trees or ornamentals). Biomass can be used for the obtaining of safe essential oils, energy (thermal, electric), biofuels, biochar and organic acids with various uses. New emerging directions are phyto-mining for retrieval of certain valuable metals as well as the utilization of soils rich in Fe, Zn and Se for crop biofortification. The existing opportunities are dependent on contaminants, their level and plant selection. Phytoremediation strategy should take in consideration the valorization channels and possibilities from a commercial perspective in order to help integrate this green technology into a sustainable value-chain

Dyeing Potential of Linen Fabric with Iris Flower Extracts

Iris flowers have been used for pigments in Europe at least since Middle Ages. Natural coloring agents have many potential uses today and represent safer alternatives to synthetic ones which are common sensitizers posing concern especially for allergy-prone people. In this study, aqueous extract from flowers of Iris pallida and four Iris germanica cultivars were tested on natural linen fabric and resulting colors assessed with RHS chart. Most intense colors were obtained from Iris germanica ‘Black Dragon’, ranging from purple in case of simple flower extract to blue when alum was added. Red flowers produced also a shade from spectrum purple-blue because apparent red is determined by delphinidin with its associated co-pigments having high capacity to bound to fibers and carotenoids that wash off in absence of mordants. Large flowers with high pigment concentration of many current Iris germanica cultivars imply increased efficiency for obtaining valuable coloring agents, with significant potential for eco-friendly textiles.

A Survey on Knowledge and Use of Passiflora Species in Cluj-Napoca, Romania

The present study aims the degree of the Passiflora genus knowledge on the population level in Cluj-Napoca, after imports of ornamental plants. The study was based on a short questionnaire with 8 questions, applied to a sample of randomly selected respondents. The results obtained demonstrated that Passiflora, although an exotic plant recently appeared in the local flower market, has been remarked and appreciated among the indigenous ornamental plants. From the data obtained, recommendations can be issued for introducing Passiflora genus in the assortment of flowering plants grown in Romania and to promote them among the local producers of ornamental plants in order to be marketed locally and nationally

Herbaceous Companion Plants for Iris in Cluj County

Irises are beloved spring garden plants that do not require much care. Apart from their decorative value in landscape they also bring environmental benefits because they contribute to the improvement of soil stability while some species such as Iris pseudacorus was proven to have phytoremediation capacity. In order to achieve the highest possible result for the customer or public by using these species in green spaces, the following aspects must be taken into consideration: plant hardiness, location, landscape color scheme and plant associations. The aims of this study were to identify the potential use of Iris plants in green urban areas from Cluj County, and to establish suitable plant associations with other low-maintenance herbaceous flowering plants for easy landscaping

THE IMPORTANCE AND USE OF THE SPECIES DRACOCEPAHLUM MOLDAVICA

Moldavian dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) is an aromatic plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family, found in Siberia and the Himalaya massif (where it originates) in Central and Eastern Europe, North America (Istudor, 2001). The name of the "monastic basil", derived from the fact that in our country the monks used the leaf of the plant to obtain "melissa water".The genus name, Dracocephalum, comes from the Greek drakondragon and kephale-head, alluding to the shape of the corolla (Ravarut, 1961).The useful part of this species is herba (aerial part of the plant) harvested at the beginning or during flowering according to use.The following compounds are found in the Moldavian dragonhead herb: 0.20.7% volatile oil, similar to melissa oil (El-Gengaichi and Wahaba, 1995; Grigorescu et al., 2001), rich in citral a and b (up to 80%), geranil acetate, linalool, nerol. The entire plant has the taste and pleasant smell of lemon.The main uses of the species are: in natural medicine for its stomach, cholesterol, antiseptic, antibiotic, soothing, relaxing, astringent, tonic, flavoring, refreshing properties. Other uses are: as a flavoring for fish preserves, jams, candies, syrups, liqueurs; in perfumery, cosmetics, scent of soaps and detergents.Through this bibliographic work I aim to highlight biology and the technology of cultivation of the Moldavian dragonhead

The effects of supplementary mycorrhization regarding some vegetative characteristics at Iris germanica L.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can establish associations with over 80% of land plants. Most important beneficial effects for plants are: phosphorus availability, increased resistance to abiotic and biotic stress. Studies regarding the effects of mycorrhization on ornamental plants in our local pedoclimatic conditions are almost inexistent. The aim of this study was the evaluation of mycorrhizal inoculum effect over some vegetative characteristics for six Iris germanica cultivars. The experimental field was settled in Botanical Garden of UASVM Cluj-Napoca. For each cultivar were established two treatments: non-inoculated and inoculated with mycorrhizae. Results indicate that regarding the percentage of buds that entered vegetation in spring was higher for inoculated plants compared to non-inoculated plants. Inoculated cultivars ‘Sultan’s Palace’ and ‘Pinafore Pink’ had a higher number of shoots grown in spring than number of buds present in autumn. For most of the studied cultivars the mycorrhizae products exercised beneficial effects regarding the entering in vegetation of buds, or stimulating formation of new buds. This phenomenon is attributed both to mycorrhizal fungi and auxins added to inoculum