Life Sciences Commons^™

Reducing Tick Populations Through Prescribed Burning, Andrea Salazar, Herman Griese, Victoria Pickens, Cassandra Olds

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:Explore the effect of prescribed fire on tick population dynamics in the Kansas Flint Hills.

Study Description:Ticks were collected from spring (April), summer (August), or fall (September) burned pastures as well as control, unburned areas. Burning had been carried out for four consecutive years prior to this study. Tick populations were sampled every other week from March to August using material dragging and dry ice bait sampling methods. Tick species, sex, and life stage were identified morphologically and the total numbers for each burn treatment were calculated.

The Bottom Line:Consecutive burning of grazing pasture could be considered …

The Effects Of Seasonal Prescribed Burning On Flint Hills Dung Beetle (Scarabaeinae) Populations, Herman Griese, Andrea Salazar, Victoria Pickens, Cassandra Olds

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:This study aimed to determine if the season of prescribed burning impacted dung beetle communities on pastures grazed by cattle in the Flint Hills.

Study Description:Dung beetle populations at the Kansas State University Beef Stocker unit were sampled biweekly for three months over the summer grazing period to determine if beetle populations varied between spring, summer, or fall burned pastures.

Results:At least eight species of dung beetles were identified with a total of 8,646 dung beetles collected. Dung beetle populations were not different (P>0.05) between spring, summer, and fall burned pastures although peak beetle populations …

Reducing Food Scarcity: The Benefits Of Urban Farming, S.A. Claudell, Emilio Mejia

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Urban farming can enhance the lives of communities and help reduce food scarcity. This paper presents a conceptual prototype of an efficient urban farming community that can be scaled for a single apartment building or an entire community across all global geoeconomics regions, including densely populated cities and rural, developing towns and communities. When deployed in coordination with smart crop choices, local farm support, and efficient transportation then the result isn’t just sustainability, but also increasing fresh produce accessibility, optimizing nutritional value, eliminating the use of ‘forever chemicals’, reducing transportation costs, and fostering global environmental benefits.

Imagine Doris, who is …

A Vision For A Food-Secure Future Through Permaculture, Jim Gale

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

In response to the pressing challenges of food security, sustainability, and resilience, Food Forest Abundance, led by visionary CEO Jim Gale, emerges as a beacon for permaculture-based agriculture and community development. This editorial explores the organization's pivotal role in advocating for a future where individuals, families, and communities thrive through sustainable practices and localized food systems. Central to Food Forest Abundance mission is the conviction that permaculture principles can revolutionize our approach to food security, health, and wellness by uniting agricultural and community leaders.

The catalyst for this movement was the World Farmers Market Coalition report, revealing the tangible economic, …

Comparative Histological Study On The Algerian Thymus Ciliatus At Different Phenological Stages, Nina Sadou, Ratiba Seridi, Hamdi Bendif

Journal of Bioresource Management

The aim of the current study was to compare the histological observations of stems, leaves, and different secretory structures of Thymus ciliatus at three phenological stages. The anatomical observations of stems, leaves, and glandular trichomes were carried out by light microscopy. The results showed that phenological stages do not affect significantly the anatomical, whereas there was a significant increase in secretory trichomes. The glandular trichomes are distributed on the surface of the stems and the leaves. There are only two distinct types of secretory trichomes, Peltate consisting of a basal cell, a stalk cell, and an 8-celled head type, which …

Ethnobotanical Study Of Antihemorrhagic Plants In The Skikda Region (North East Of Algeria), Nabila Souilah, Hamdi Bendif, Abdelkrim Benaradj, Abdelouaheb Belaid, Scherazad Mekious

Journal of Bioresource Management

Our survey was carried out at the level of 17 Municipalities of the Province of Skikda. Questionnaire sheets were distributed to 55 herbalists and 350 locale population (informants). The processing of survey data with the local population shows us that women (52 %) have more knowledge of phytotherapy compared to men (48 %) with a fairly high level of education. For the herbalists, we found that most are men (85.45 %) aged between 31-40 years (29.09 %) and 41-50 years (25.45 %), and with level of university study (36.36 %). On the other hand, 52.73 % of herbalists said they …

Domestication Trial Of Synsepalum Stipulatum (Radlk.) Engl. In The Humid Tropical Climate Of Kinshasa, Patrick Dande, Bakapana Souza, Jeanne Kwambanda, Eustache Kidikwadi, Honoré Belesi, Constantin Lubini

Journal of Bioresource Management

The present study deals with the domestication trial of Synsepalum stipulatum (Radlk.) Engl. in the humid tropical climate of Kinshasa and aims at contributing to the domestication of the species. To achieve this, proceeded with two methodological approaches: observation and experimentation. The results obtained show that the effect of three seeds treatments: drying of the seeds on the sun, seeds unpulped in the bag kept under the shade for 14 days and no treatment on the germination of Synsepalum stipulatum seeds was evaluated on two types of substrates: potting soil and clay soil. The absence of seed treatment resulted …

Aversion Properties Of Retrorsine, Retrorsine Nitrogen Oxide And Frosted Senecio Latifolius, Leendert D. Snyman

Poisonous Plant Research (PPR)

Two pilot trials, investigating the aversive properties of retrorsine and retrorsine nitrogen oxide and that of frosted Senecio latifolius, were executed. Retrorsine and retrorsine-NO (the toxic principles of Senecio retrorsus), unlke sceleratine-NO (the toxic principle of another hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid containing plant, namely S. latifolius), were not capable of establishing aversion when given to a sheep. Frosted S. latifolius given to a sheep also did not induce aversion. However, a sheep averted to S. latifolius (non-frosted) refused eating frosted S. latifolius.

Biowall Development For The West Lafayette Public Library, Dhanurja De Silva, Yalin Lu, Siqi He, Ajay Dalal, Bill Hutzel

Purdue Journal of Service-Learning and International Engagement

A group of multidisciplinary Purdue students are working together to design, assemble, and install a Biowall in the Children’s section of the West Lafayette Public Library. A Biowall is a plant-based filter that improves Indoor Environmental Quality by cleaning indoor air and adding a natural aesthetic to the building space. Purdue has been developing Biowall technology since 2012, and this project involves redesigning it to fit into the available space at the library. The new Biowall design incorporates a watering mechanism that allows for children to get actively involved in maintaining the Biowall and learning about sustainability. This project also …

Sceleratin Nitrogen Oxide As Aversive Agent In Conditioning Livestock To Avoid Senecio Latifolius, Leendert D. Snyman

Poisonous Plant Research (PPR)

Sceleratine nitrogen oxide, when administered together with a dichloromethane extract of Senecio latifolius, successfully conditioned cattle and sheep to avoid milled freeze dried S. latifolius mixed with maize meal. This treatment was effectively applied in conditioning steers to refuse eating S. latifolius grown in pots.

Isolation Of The Toxic Principle Of Senecio Latifolius By Means Of The Sensory Receptors Of Sheep, Leendert D. Snyman

Poisonous Plant Research (PPR)

The aversive substance of Senecio latifolius was isolated by means of the sensory receptors of sheep averted to S. latifolius. Chemical fractions refused due to the presence of the aversive substance sensed by the sheep were fractionated until a purified substance had been isolated. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis of the purified substance showed it to be sceleratine nitrogen oxide, the toxic principle of S. latifolius.

Analysis Of The Potential Of Rice And Corn In Supporting Food Availability, Luh Pastiniasih, Ketut Sumantra, Ni Putu Pandawani, Putu Edi Yastika

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

A region’s agricultural sector plays a strategic role in fulfilling its food needs with ideal nutrition. The potential of cereal commodities, specifically rice and corn, was identified based on the production level and competitiveness by district in Buleleng Regency, Indonesia. The regency’s potential to provide and support food security was also determined through a quantitative descriptive analysis of the Location Quotient (LQ), Shift Share Analysis (SSA), Localization Coefficients, and Levels of Food Availability by utilizing secondary data on cereal commodity production and population numbers over the course of 10 yr (2012–2021). Results showed that Sawan, Seririt, and Sukasada districts were …

The Impact Of Environmental Factors And Management On The Fitness Of Carlina Acaulis Subsp. Caulescens (Lam.) Schübl. Et G. Martens In Mountain Mesic Meadows, Daniel Pruchniewicz, Ȃngela Lomba, Ludwik Żołnierz, Agnieszka Dradrach, João Pradinho Honrado

Turkish Journal of Botany

The stemless carline thistle (Carlina acaulis subsp. caulescens) is a plant species commonly found at lower altitudes in the Central European mountains. Although it is still relatively frequent in the area, there has been a decrease in its numbers in the last decades. This research aims to determine the impact of the management of mountain mesic meadows and habitat factors on the morphometric variability of C. acaulis and species composition patterns of accompanying vegetation. The study was carried out in the central part of the Sudetes Mountains (SW Poland) on a network of 42 plots randomly established within mesic grasslands. …

Pollen Morphology Of Scabiosa L. And Lomelosia Raf. (Caprifoliaceae) Taxa In Türkiye, Ahmet Aksoy, Bayram Atasagun

Turkish Journal of Botany

Pollen morphology of 34 taxa belonging to genera Scabiosa and Lomelosia were investigated using a light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Pollen grains of Scabiosa and Lomelosia taxa are tricolpate and triporate, respectively. Pollen shapes vary from oblate to prolate. The exine surface ornamentation can be divided into five types, namely echinate, echinatemicroechinate, echinate-gemmate, echinate-microechinate/gemmate and microechinate-gemmate. Pollen grain sizes were classified as very large in three species of Lomelosia and large in the rest. Statistical analyses revealed some quantitative morphological features, such as equatorial axes, L (polar view amb), and t (apocolpium) as the primary characters for …

Beta-Carbonic Anhydrase Gene Expression Levels Change Depending On The Drought Severity In Both The Leaves And Roots Of Arabidopsis Thaliana, Sertan Çevi̇k, Oğuzhan Kurt, Ayşi̇n Güzel Değer, Ferit Kocaçinar, Rıza Bi̇nzet

Turkish Journal of Botany

In this study, it was aimed to determine the relationship between β carbonic anhydrase (βCA) gene expression levels and drought stress severity. For this purpose, the expression levels of six βCA genes in the roots and leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana were investigated under mild, moderate, and severe drought conditions. In addition, changes in the biomass, leaf water content, photosynthetic efficiency, CA enzyme activity, free proline content, and lipid peroxidation were also determined. The results showed that all of the β CA gene expression levels and CA enzyme activity increased in the leaf under mild drought conditions; however, the expression levels …

A Comprehensive Ethnobotanical Survey Of Medicinal Plants For 80 Villages In Trabzon (Türkiye), Sila Ozlem Sener, Kami̇l Çoşkunçelebi̇, Sali̇h Terzi̇oğlu, Aleyna Nalçaoğlu, Tuğçe Peli̇n Gençkaya, Ufuk Özgen, Merve Yüzbaşioğlu Baran

Turkish Journal of Botany

The current study targeted to perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of medicinal plant taxa used in folk medicine in Trabzon. Due to its historical significance, diversity of plant species, and hosting a wide range of cultures, the Turkish city of Trabzon has significant ethnobotanical potential. Ethnobotanical data including family name, scientific name, local name, used parts, therapeutic uses, preparation methods, administration routes, and cited locations were gathered by face-to-face interviews with 645 participants mostly over 50 years old. The quantitative analyses were executed by the determination of frequency values of citation (FC), use value (UV), fidelity level (FL), and informant …

Ethnobotany Of Medicinal Plants Used In Dermatology In Türkiye: A Review, Serpi̇l Demi̇rci̇ Kayiran, Meryem Parlak, Di̇dem Yilmaz Oral

Turkish Journal of Botany

Medicinal plants are increasingly used to treat skin diseases and as cosmetics. Türkiye has a rich diversity of medicinal flora, and patients have a choice of ethnomedicines to manage various dermatology problems. This comprehensive review aims to summarize the primary information available on the dermatological properties of medicinal plants in Türkiye and provide a baseline for the detection of new plant species having efficacy against skin conditions. In this review, clinical and experimental data were researched using relevant search terms in scientific literature databases like PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Scopus, EBSCO, ProQuest, Cochrane Library, and HighWire Press. …

Genome-Wide Identification Of Qtls Associated With Iron Deficiency Tolerance In Soybean Reveals Gata12 As The Integrator Of Iron Signaling In Roots, Amir Maqbool, Ahmet Şahi̇n, Allah Bakhsh, Emre Aksoy

Turkish Journal of Botany

Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient required for plant growth and development. However, its deficiency causes substantial yield losses, particularly in alkaline soils. Soybean (Glycine max) serves as an ideal model to study Fe deficiency chlorosis (IDC) due to its inefficient Fe uptake from the soil. Although the quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with IDC tolerance were determined in soybean, the specific genes within these QTL regions remain unidentified. In this study, it was aimed to identify and analyze the expression levels of genes present in IDC-responsive soybean QTL under Fe deficiency. Through this investigation, 6593 genes were identified within …

Biochar Influences On Phytochemical Composition And Expression Genes Of Curly Kale At Different Treatment Times, Joyce Dedei Anteh, Esraa Almugrabi, Antonina Mostyakova, Olga Timofeeva

Turkish Journal of Botany

his study examined the effect of biochar application to the soil at different times on the phytochemical composition (phenolic compounds, carotenoids, vitamin C, sugars, proteins, MDA, and antioxidant activity) and expression of HCT, F3’H and CHS genes (which are involved in the accumulation of phenolic compounds) in cabbage kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala). Biochar was prepared from chicken manure, using the method of rapid pyrolysis at a temperature of 400 °C. The retention time at the maximum temperature was 4 h, and the heating rate was 10 °C min–1. The biochar fertilizer was applied to 5–7 day-old kale seedlings …

Influence Of Rootstock Age And Gibberellin On The Survival Rate Of Clove (Syzygium Aromaticum L. Merr. & Perr.) Grafting, Ireng Darwati, Rudi Suryadi, Nurliani Bermawie, Octivia Trisilawati, Devi Rusmin, Sri Wahyuni, Siswanto Siswanto, R Vitri Garvita

Turkish Journal of Botany

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) is a cross-pollinated crop with significant genetic variation in planting materials derived from seeds. Vegetative propagation through grafting is a valuable strategy to achieve genetically identical characteristics in progeny. This study investigates the influence of rootstock age and hormone (gibberellin) treatments on the grafting union and survival rate of top clove grafting under greenhouse conditions. The experiments followed a randomized block design with three replications, each containing 10 samples, and involving two factors: rootstock age (4, 6, and 8 weeks old) and gibberellin (GA3 ) concentrations (0 and 1 mg L–1). The variables observed include success percentage, …

Trichoderma Indica: A New Species In The Longibrachiatum Clade From Western Ghats, India, Ajay Lagashetti, Sanjay Singh, Paras Nath Singh

Turkish Journal of Botany

Trichoderma is a hyperdiverse genus that comprises species showing a wide range of applications. In this study, we have found an isolate of the genus Trichoderma from a soil sample collected from Vetal Hill, Pune, Maharashtra State, India. The isolate was found to be morphologically distinct compared to other isolates of the Longibrachiatum clade showing longer phialides and shorter conidia. Moreover, a phylogenetic analysis based on combined sequence data of the second-largest nuclear RNA polymerase subunit (rpb2), and the translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1-α) confirmed the uniqueness of the present isolate, showing an independent branch supported by strong bootstrap values …

A New Species Of Parasola Section Conopileae (Psathyrellaceae) From Pakistan, Zaman Khan, Muhammad Awais Arshad, Abdul Rehman Niazi, Abdul Nasir Khalid

Turkish Journal of Botany

The genus Parasola is sparsely documented in Pakistan with almost all of its reports from lowlands or northern areas of the country. In this study, we describe a new species, Parasola cinnamomescens, from the Thal Desert, a subtropical region located in Punjab Province, Pakistan. Evidence from morphology and DNA sequence data encompassing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 = ITS) and D1/D2 domain of the large subunit of nuclear ribosomal DNA (28S) reveals that this species is divergent from all previously known species and confirms its placement in Parasola sect. Conopileae. It is recognized by convex to hemispherical or broadly conical …

Ethnomedicinal Importance Of Family Lamiaceae And Family Rosaceae Among Local Communities Of Dir Kohistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, Midrar Ullah, Atta Ullah, Akhtar Aman, Hamid Hussain Afridi, Muhammad Afzal Naeem

Journal of Bioresource Management

The present study was conducted to document the medicinal uses of Family Lamiaceae and Rosaceae in Dir Kohistan during the summer of 2016. Field visits were arranged to different resource-based areas of Dir Kohistan and plants were identified according to their phytogeographic locations. The study revealed that nine species of the family Lamiaceae and seven species of the family Rosaceae are used by the local community for the treatment of human ailments. They utilized these plants through personal experiences and ancestral prescriptions. The plants were used for different health disorders like kidney pain, lung infections, jaundice, as carminative, antimicrobial, antifungal, …

Evaluation Of Phytochemicals And The Role Of Oxidative Stress Pathways During Fruit Development In Strawberries (Fragaria×Ananassa), Fahimeh Mokhtari Shojaee, Elham Mohajel Kazemi, Houshang Nosrati, Maryam Kolahi, Mehdi Haghi

Turkish Journal of Botany

Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa) are one of the Rosaceae family, considered economically and nutritionally important berry fruits. Phytochemicals are crucial ingredients that contribute to characteristics such as the fruit?s aroma and flavor. The current study investigated the phytochemical characteristics of strawberry fruit at three developmental stages (green, white, and red). HPLC measurements determined the glucose, fructose, and sucrose concentrations significantly increased in the red fruit, whereas glucose was identified as the major sugar in ripe fruit (2.8 g.g-1FW). Evaluation of the phenylpropanoid pathway implied that the amount of total phenol and flavonoid following phenylalanine ammonia-lyase enzyme activity decreased …

Determination Of The Genetic Diversity, Population Structure, And Some Ecological Preferences Of The Endemic Muscari Adilii, Ali̇ Murat Keser, Ahmet Emre Yaprak, Gül Ni̇lhan Tuğ

Turkish Journal of Botany

The population structure and genetic diversity of M. adilii and some edaphic and climatic preferences of the species were investigated. Although the chemical characteristics such as pH, EC, and gypsum were similar for the three subpopulations, the physical qualities and lime content of the soil were different from each other. In terms of bioclimate, the Nallıhan station (Nallıhan Bird Sanctuary) has a lower annual average temperature and precipitation value, and monthly average values during the germination and flowering periods, than the Beypazarı station (Hırkatepe and Çoban Ahmet Fountain). Amplification with 16 ISSR markers produced 377 bands from 84 individuals belonging …

Nuclear Dna Content And Ploidy Levels Of Living Apple Germplasm Collection In Türkiye, Emel Kaçal, Yaren İpek Şi̇mşek, Turgay Seymen, Şeri̇f Özongun, Meti̇n Tuna

Turkish Journal of Botany

One of the key uses of flow cytometry is the estimation of nuclear DNA content and ploidy level, which has proven a reliable and effective approach in many studies. The primary goal of this research is to estimate the nuclear DNA content and ploidy level of the apple genetic resource collection maintained in the Fruit Research Institute?s living Malus collection for the first time using flow cytometry (for autochthonous varieties). Fresh apple leaf tissues were used for the flow cytometry analysis. For each genotype, nuclear DNA analysis was performed on three individual plants. Propidium iodide (PI) is used as a …

Increasing Temperatures Can Pose An Opportunity To Recover Endemic And Endangered Oriental Sweetgum Tree (Liquidambar Orientalis Mill.) From Extinction, Okan Ürker, Nurbahar Usta Baykal, Eren Ada

Turkish Journal of Botany

Evidence suggests that past climatic oscillations caused many species to drastically change their distribution range and had significant impacts on their survival capabilities. There is significant evidence suggesting that today's changing climate threatens many species to face a rapid extinction period in the coming decades and centuries. Understanding the changing range patterns provides significant input on biodiversity and conservation biology studies. However, warming climatic conditions may also present an opportunity for some species to expand their habitats?particularly those adapted to warmer environments. In this study, we asked how near-future climate change will affect the distribution range of the oriental sweetgum …

Pollen Morphology Of Some Tanacetum L. (Asteraceae) Taxa And Its Systematic Value, Murat Kurşat, İsmai̇l Çelti̇k, Bi̇rol Başer, Fahretti̇n Özbey, İrfan Emre

Turkish Journal of Botany

Pollen grains of 24 Tanacetum taxa from Türkiye were examined by light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Detailed pollen morphological characteristics are provided for these taxa. According to the 24 analyzed taxa, T. parthenifolium has the smallest pollen grains, and T. aurem var. aurem possesses the largest ones. The basic shape of the pollen grains in most taxa is oblatespheroidal. However, suboblate pollen grains are recorded for T. balsamitoides, T. aurem var. aurem, and T. tomentellum. The polar axis ranges from 16.56 to 26.14 µm, and the equatorial diameter ranges from 17.64 to 30.12 µm in this study. …

A New Scrophularia (Scrophulariaceae) Species Without Staminodes In The Enigmatic ?Canina Clade? From The Western Taurus (Türkiye), Candan Aykurt, Mertcan Gülben, Bariş Özüdoğru, Duygu Sari, İsmai̇l Gökhan Deni̇z, Burçi̇n Çingay

Turkish Journal of Botany

The new species of Scrophularia was discovered among the screes and stony slopes of the Alakır Valley (Antalya) located in the Western Taurus. The most remarkable morphological feature of the species is its flowers without staminodes. With this feature, the species is unique among the representatives of the ?Canina? clade in Türkiye. The new species is closely related to S. floribunda endemic to Türkiye and East Aegean Islands (Greece) according to our phylogenetic analyses based on the nuclear ITS and chloroplast trnL-F regions. Apart from its corollas without staminodes, the new species differs from its morphologically similar …

Two New Species Of Tulostoma (Agaricales, Basidiomycota) From The Neotropics, Alexandro Lima, Gislaine Melanda, Paulo Marinho, T A, María Paz Martín, Iuri Baseia

Turkish Journal of Botany

Tulostoma catimbauense and T. deltaconcavum, both collected from Neotropical region, in the Vale do Catimbau National Park, Brazil, are proposed as new to science. Detailed macro- and micromorphological descriptions, including scanning electron microscopy of the basidiospores, are provided. ITS nrDNA sequence analyses were used to investigate the phylogenetic position of these taxa in the genus Tulostoma. Discussions about related species were carried out.