Dynamics of Seed-Borne Rice Endophytes on Early Plant Growth Stages

Bacterial endophytes are ubiquitous to virtually all terrestrial plants. With the increasing appreciation of studies that unravel the mutualistic interactions between plant and microbes, we increasingly value the beneficial functions of endophytes that improve plant growth and development. However, still little is known on the source of established endophytes as well as on how plants select specific microbial communities to establish associations. Here, we used cultivation-dependent and -independent approaches to assess the endophytic bacterrial community of surface-sterilized rice seeds, encompassing two consecutive rice generations. We isolated members of nine bacterial genera. In particular, organisms affiliated with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Ochrobactrum spp. were isolated from both seed generations. PCR-based denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) of seed-extracted DNA revealed that approximately 45% of the bacterial community from the first seed generation was found in the second generation as well. In addition, we set up a greenhouse experiment to investigate abiotic and biotic factors influencing the endophytic bacterial community structure. PCR-DGGE profiles performed with DNA extracted from different plant parts showed that soil type is a major effector of the bacterial endophytes. Rice plants cultivated in neutral-pH soil favoured the growth of seed-borne Pseudomonas oryzihabitans and Rhizobium radiobacter, whereas Enterobacter-like and Dyella ginsengisoli were dominant in plants cultivated in low-pH soil. The seed-borne Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was the only conspicuous bacterial endophyte found in plants cultivated in both soils. Several members of the endophytic community originating from seeds were observed in the rhizosphere and surrounding soils. Their impact on the soil community is further discussed

Ritual plants of Muslim graveyards in northern Israel

This article surveys the botanical composition of 40 Muslim graveyards in northern Israel, accompanied by an ethnobotanical study of the folkloristic traditions of the use of these plants in cemeteries. Three groups of plants were found to be repeated systematically and were also recognized for their ritual importance: aromatics herbs (especially Salvia fruticosa and Rosmarinus officinalis), white flowered plants (mainly Narcissus tazetta, Urginea maritima, Iris spp. and Pancratium spp.) and Cupressus sempervirens as the leading cemetery tree. As endemic use we can indicate the essential role of S. fruticosa as the main plant used in all human rites of passage symbolizing the human life cycle. The rosemary is of European origin while the use of basil is of Indian influence. The use of white flowers as cemeteries plants reflects an old European influence and almost the same species are used or their congeners. Most of the trees and shrubs that are planted in Muslim cemeteries in Israel have the same use in ancient as well in modern European cultures. In conclusion, our findings on the occurrence of plants in graveyards reflect the geographic situation of Israel as a crossroads in the cultural arena between Asia and Europe. Most of the traditions are common to the whole Middle East showing high relatedness to the classical world as well as to the present-day Europe

Hematiet in de volksgeneeskunde

SUMMARY: Because of their colour, rarity and other physical features, minerals were valued for at least 40.000 years. Minerals and gemstones gave prestige and power to their owners and were believed to give or protect health. Their medical and apotropaic use was and still is universal. In this study we investigate mainly the medical use of hematite or bloodstone (iron oxide) in folk medicine. The first representation of medical use was found in the tomb of the Egyptian sculptor Apy (1200 BC): hematite paste was used to cure eye diseases. Also many Greek and Roman sources show the use of hematite in connection with eye diseases and complaints involving blood loss (a.o. Evax-Damigeron, Celsus. Pline the Elder, Dioscorides, Galen). During the Middle Ages many antidotaria and lapidaria were published (Nicolaus Salernitanus, Marbod de Rennes, Jacob van Maerlant, Johannis de Cuba, Teifaschi). Albertus Magnus (ca. 1208-1280) demystified the healing power of minerals and gemstones by formulating a rational explanation for their properties. These lapidaria and medical books were written in Greek, Latin or Arabic, but knew very early translations and many reprints into a striking number of vernacular tongues. This is illustrating the need and demand for more accessibility to medical information in times where all social groups were touched by plagues and epidemics. From the sixteenth century on, a critical approach involving experiments tried to get an insight into the mechanism of nature (Joannes van Helmont) and rejected the iatromathematical medicine which was based on magic of sympathy and antipathy of the stars, planets, minerals, etc... Although not everybody believed in the curing properties of minerals like hematite, it will be at the end of the eighteenth century that stones will disappear from the European pharmacopoeias. The German encyclopaedist Zedler (1706-1751) and the French pharmacist Panckoucke (1788-1844) do not reject the curing potential of all minerals: both do believe in the curing properties of hematite and its derivates. Nevertheless the use of minerals still has addicts not only during the twentieth century (Süssenguth), but even today (homeopathy, lithotherapy, modem witches, alternative healing systems, etc.). The internal use of hematite as potential source of iron to the body is questionable. Medical publications consider that hematite - as well as other iron minerals - is not, or at a negligible level, taken up by the gastric system. Important in this respect is autosuggestion; the psychological influence of the healer may also play an important role