An eco-physiological and biotechnological approach to conservation of the world-wide rare and endangered aquatic liverwort Riella helicophylla (Bory et Mont.) Mont.

The rare aquatic liverwort Riella helicophylla (Bory et Mont.) Mont., inhabitant of temporary shallow ponds around the Mediterranean basin, is considered threatened throughout its distribution range. In addition, little is known of its biology and ecology or of its role in such an important ecosystem where envi- ronmental conditions vary yearly in unpredictable ways. In these variable habitats, due to the seasonal fluc- tuation of water levels, there is no guarantee of yearly spore input into the spore bank. Spore germination rate and the effects of different culture media in an axenic culture establishment, as well as propagation proce- dures of R. helicophylla, were tested. New insights into the ecology and biology of R. helicophylla are given. Spore dormancy is documented, and the protocols for the in vitro culture establishment, propagation and ac- climatization of this liverwort are developed. Dry storage at 20 ± 2 °C for about three months broke the dor- mancy of spores, which subsequently germinated in a high percentage (over 90%). A two phase (solid and liquid) culture media system was developed for the purpose of achieving fully developed gametophytes. The liquid phase contained electrolytes simulating brackish water

Effect of ABA treatment on activities of antioxidative enzymes in selected bryophyte species

The effect of the signal molecule and stress phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) on activities of antioxidant enzymes was tested in three bryophyte species, viz., the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha and the phylogenetically unrelated mosses Physcomitrella patens and Atrichum undulatum. Production of reactive oxygen species increases in plants exposed to both abiotic and biotic stress. Antioxidant enzymes are very effective and usually represent the plant's first line of defence against the cytotoxic effects of these reactive oxygen species. The activities of enzymes of the antioxidative system (POX, CAT, SOD) in the tested bryophyte species are shown to be increased by treatment with lower concentrations of exogenous ABA. Higher concentrations of exogenous ABA did not significantly influence activities of the tested antioxidative enzymes. The obtained results point to possible involvement of ABA as a signal molecule in the first line of defence against stress in all three bryophyte species.Botanica Serbica (2017), 41(1): 11-1

Dynamics of soil chemistry in different serpentine habitats of Serbia

To enhance understanding of edaphic conditions in serpentine habitats, a thorough investigation of the chemical and mechanical properties of three soils from disjunct ultramafic outcrops in the central Balkans was undertaken. Soil from a nearby chemically contrasting limestone habitat was also analyzed. Three plant species differently associated with serpentine habitats (Halacsya sendtneri, Cheilanthes marantae and Seseli rigidum) were references for site and soil selection. Twenty elements were determined, and fourteen were measured in seven sequentially extracted soil fractions. The quantified soil properties included pH, levels of free CaCO3, organic matter, P2O5, K2O, N, C, S, cation exchange capacity, total organic carbon, field capacity and soil mechanical composition. The usual harsh components for plant growth in serpentine soil, such as elevated Mg:Ca ratios, high levels of Ni, Cr or Co, were significantly lower in the available fractions. There was a significant positive correlation of organic matter and field capacity, with most available Ca (70-80 %) found in the mobile, rather than the organically bound fraction

New records and noteworthy data of plants, algae and fungi in SE Europe and adjacent regions, 11

This paper presents new records and noteworthy data on the following taxa in SE Europe and adjacent regions: red algae Sheathia confusa, parasitic fungus Anthracoidea caryophylleae, mycorrhizal fugus Hydnellum caeruleum, bryoparasitic fungus Octospora erzbergeri, liverwort Cephaloziella baumgartneri, mosses Hamatocaulis vernicosus, Streblotrichum convolutum var. commutatum and Ulota crispula, monocots Ophrys bertolonii subsp. bertolonii, Ophrys scolopax subsp. cornuta and Spiranthes spiralis and dicots Androsace hedraeantha, Hieracium mrazii, Ramonda nathaliae and Triglochin palustris are given within SE Europe and adjacent region

An insight into seasonal changes of carbohydrates and phenolic compounds within the moss Polytrichum formosum (Polytrichaceae)

The same population of the polytrichaceous moss Polytrichum formosum was studied over four different periods of the year, analysing its carbohydrate and polyphenolic content and dynamics related to environmental seasonal changes. A total of 18 different types of sugars (including mono-, di-, tri- and tetra-saccharides) and four sugar alcohols were determined. Chlorogenic acid was the most represented among the 10 detected phenolic compounds. As inferred by the sugar content, sucrose, fructose and glucose were the most dominant sugars, but it is worth mentioning the abundance of trehalose and turanose at least during one of the observed seasons. The presence of four trisaccharides and one tetrasaccharide within P. formosum should be highlighted, as well as the first reports of turanose, isomaltotriose, panose and rhamnose within this species. The quantitative changes over the year clearly demonstrate carbohydrate dynamics in relation to seasonal climatic variation. Sugars are shown to be significant constitutive molecules within P. formosum, but also physiologically active compounds, i.e. signalling and energy storage and supplier molecules. We assume that phenolics have moss-supportive effects during oxidative stress and biotic interaction

Mécanismes de tolérance physiologique des plantes tolérantes à la serpentine en Serbie

Serpentine (ultramafic) soils are extremely stressful environments for plant growth due to macronutrient deficiency (N, P, K, Ca), macronutrient toxicity (Mg; extremely high Mg:Ca ratio), and micronutrient toxicity (Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn), as well as toxicity of other heavy metals (Al, Cr, Co). Serpentine soils are also often shallow, rocky, and susceptible to drought. As a result of extreme adverse physical and chemical conditions, serpentine soils support a high proportion of endemic plant species that are adapted to their harsh environment. We analysed root, stem, and leaf tissue element concentrations (Ca, Mg, Al, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, and Zn) of Halacsya sendtneri (Boraginaceae; strict serpentine endemic), Cheilanthes marantae (Pteridaceae; broad serpentine endemic/strong indicator), and Seseli rigidum (Apiaceae; weak serpentine indicator/indifferent) growing on serpentine and limestone in Serbia. Element bioaccumulation factor was calculated as the ratio of plant tissue element concentration to soil plant-available element concentration. Tissue concentrations of Ca and Mg for H. sendtneri and S. rigidum indicate that the species selectively uptake and translocate Ca to leaves, relative to Mg, to maintain adequate tissue Mg:Ca ratio. C. marantae did not exhibit selective Ca uptake or translocation, but did exhibit Mg sequestration in roots. Heavy metal exclusion and sequestration were the primary physiological tolerance mechanisms conveying serpentine tolerance in the three species. S. rigidum exhibited divergence into serpentine tolerant and limestone tolerant ecotypes, presenting a useful model species for further studies of physiological adaptation to chemically extreme soilsLes sols de serpentine (sols ultramafiques) constituent des environnements de croissance particulièrement stressants pour les plantes en raison du déficit en macronutriments (N, P, K, Ca), de la toxicité des macronutriments (Mg ; rapport Mg/Ca extrêmement élevé), de la toxicité des micronutriments (Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn) et de la toxicité d’autres métaux lourds (Al, Cr, Co). En outre, les sols de serpentine sont souvent superficiels, rocheux et sujets à la sécheresse. En raison des conditions chimiques et physiques particulièrement défavorables, les sols de serpentine abritent une grande proportion d’espèces végétales endémiques adaptées à leur environnement austère. Nous avons analysé les concentrations d’éléments (Ca, Mg, Al, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu et Zn) contenus dans les racines, les tiges et les tissus foliaires des taxons Halacsya sendtneri (Boraginaceae ; strictement endémique aux sols de serpentine), Cheilanthes marantae (Pteridaceae ; fortement endémique aux sols de serpentine/bon indicateur de serpentine) et Seseli rigidum (Apiaceae ; faible indicateur de serpentine/ indifférent au sol), poussant sur les sols serpentiniques et calcaires de Serbie. Le facteur de bioaccumulation d’éléments a été calculé en établissant le rapport entre la concentration d’éléments présents dans les tissus foliaires et la concentration d’éléments présents dans les sols et assimilables par les végétaux. Les concentrations tissulaires en Ca et Mg des taxons H. sendtneri et S. rigidum indiquent que ces espèces absorbent du Ca et le transfèrent dans les feuilles, en fonction du taux de Mg, dans le but de maintenir un rapport Mg/Ca adéquat dans les tissus. L’espèce C. marantae n’a présenté aucune absorption et translocation de Ca, mais a démontré une séquestration de Mg dans les racines. L’exclusion et la séquestration des métaux lourds étaient les principaux mécanismes de tolérance physiologique démontrant une tolérance à la serpentine chez les trois espèces. Le taxon S. rigidum a montré des divergences entre les écotypes tolérants à la serpentine et les écotypes tolérants au calcaire. Ces derniers pourront servir d’espèces modèles pour des études complémentaires sur l’adaptation physiologique des taxons aux sols présentant une composition chimique extrêm

New records and noteworthy data of plants, algae and fungi in SE Europe and adjacent regions, 11

This paper presents new records and noteworthy data on the following taxa in SE Europe and adjacent regions: red algae Sheathia confusa, parasitic fungus Anthracoidea caryophylleae, mycorrhizal fugus Hydnellum caeruleum, bryoparasitic fungus Octospora erzbergeri, liverwort Cephaloziella baumgartneri, mosses Hamatocaulis vernicosus, Streblotrichum convolutum var. commutatum and Ulota crispula, monocots Ophrys bertolonii subsp. bertolonii, Ophrys scolopax subsp. cornuta and Spiranthes spiralis and dicots Androsace hedraeantha, Hieracium mrazii, Ramonda nathaliae and Triglochin palustris are given within SE Europe and adjacent regions

New national and regional bryophyte records, 59

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