Botany Commons^™

Water-Driven Reactivation Of Photosystem Ii In Plagiochasma Appendiculatum, Vineet Soni, Upma Bhatt, Yashwant Sompura

Turkish Journal of Botany

Plagiochasma appendiculatum, a desiccation-tolerant liverwort, offers a unique system for unraveling the biophysical dynamics of photosynthetic recovery upon rehydration. This study employed high-resolution chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlF) kinetics to clarify the sequential reactivation of photosystem II (PSII) during the desiccation-to-rehydration transition. Upon desiccation, the OJIP transient collapsed into a linear trace, indicating complete photochemical arrest and inactivation of PSII reaction centers (RCs). Rehydration triggered a biphasic recovery, including an initial rapid phase (0–30 min) marked by sharp increases in F0 and Fm , indicative of PSII–LHCII supercomplex reassembly and thylakoid membrane restoration, followed by a stabilization phase (30–125 min) wherein …

Effects Of Calcium And Magnesium Ions On Wheat (Triticum Aestivum) Chromosome Structure Visualized Using Light And Scanning Elec​Tron Microscopes, Andi Salamah, Fitri Amalia Nurchasanah, Vycka Fikriyani Fairuz, Astari Dwiranti

Turkish Journal of Botany

Divalent cations, particularly calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+), are essential for maintaining chromosomal architecture, yet their roles in plants remain poorly characterized. This study investigated the effects of Ca2+ and Mg2+ on the chromosomal structure of wheat (Triticum aestivum, 2n = 6x = 42), a widely used model in plant cytogenetics. Root-tip chromosomes were isolated enzymatically and treated with BAPTA (a Ca2+-specific chelator), EDTA (a broad cation chelator), and buffer solutions containing either 5 mM Mg2+ (XBE5) or no Mg2+ (XBE). Chromosomes were stained with aceto-orcein for light microscopy and processed for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Microscopic observations revealed that …

Systematic Implications Of Seed Morphology In Oxytropis (Galegeae: Fabaceae) From Pakistan, Amjad Khan, Amir Sultan, Raees Khan, Rozina Rozina, Shahab Ali, Ali Bagheri, Rifat Ullah Khan, Abdul Samad Mumtaz, Tariq Ullah, Ghalia Saleem Aljeddani, Hasil Khan

Turkish Journal of Botany

Oxytropis is a taxonomically challenging genus within the tribe Galegeae of the family Fabaceae. Despite its systematic importance, the seed morphology of Oxytropis has been poorly investigated. In the present study, we examined the seed morphology of 18 Oxytropis species representing 10 sections from the Pakistan, with the aim of evaluating the diagnostic value of seed traits using both light and scanning electron microscopy. The current investigation revealed two distinct seed shapes, namely cordiform and prolonged reniform, across the studied taxa. Seed length ranged from 1.75 mm in O. crassiuscula to 2.3 mm in O. duthieana, while seed width varied …

Unveiling The Diversity Within Salvia Caespitosa Sensu Lato (Lamiaceae): Three New “Hidden” Endemic Species From Türkiye​, Ferhat Celep, Musa Doğan, Gali̇p Akaydin, Ahmet Kahraman, Ersi̇n Karabacak, Ömer Çeçen, Meti̇n Armağan, Chun-Lei Xiang, Bryan T. Drew

Turkish Journal of Botany

Documenting species, particularly those that are threatened or endangered, is fundamental to biodiversity conservation. However, many taxa remain scientifically unrecognized, being either undiscovered or unpublished. While some plants can be easily recognized as new species, other identifications are obscured by morphological, taxonomic, and nomenclatural complexity. Detecting cryptic or “hidden” species is therefore essential to understanding biodiversity and plant evolution. Our revisionary studies on Salvia demonstrate that the morphologically complex Salvia caespitosa is not a single species but instead comprises at least four distinct species, three with narrow distributions. This conclusion is supported by integrative evidence from extensive field studies, herbarium …

Nutritive Values Of Three Edible Green Seaweeds Collected From Dar Es Salaam Coast, Tanzania, Amelia S. Buriyo, Denis Gahunde, Kristian M. Kitali, David C. Simiyu

Tanzania Journal of Science

Tanzania is endowed with different seaweed (macroalgae) species, found abundantly along the coastline. Most of these hold a great potential as nutritious food sources with promising applications in food industry. These seaweeds could be highly utilized for effective management of the high levels of malnutrition in the country. Nonetheless, the nutritional potential of most seaweeds occurring in Tanzania is still unknown. Understanding the nutritional value of the commonly available edible seaweeds, could be an important step towards promoting them as food supplements in the country. In this study, the nutritive values (crude proteins, total carbohydrates, lipids, crude fibre, vitamins, and …

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Oregon Daisy (Erigeron Oreganus), Nora Dunkirk, Sue Vrilakas

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for Oregon Daisy (Erigeron oreganus) using NatureServe methodology, 2026.

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Bensonia (Bensoniella Oregana), Nora Dunkirk, Sue Vrilakas, Gabriel Campbell

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for Bensonia (Bensoniella oregana) using NatureServe methodology, 2026.

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Deschutes Milkvetch (Astragalus Tegetarioides), Nora Dunkirk, Gabriel Campbell, Sue Vrilakas

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for Deschutes Milkvetch (Astragalus tegetarioides) using NatureServe methodology, 2026.

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Mt. Hood Bugbane (Actaea Laciniata), Nora Dunkirk

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for Mt. Hood Bugbane (Actaea laciniata) using NatureServe methodology, 2026.

Afforestation Strategies In Semi-Arid Mediterranean Ecosystems: Experimental Evidence From Chmistar, Lebanon, Ahmad Saker, Mohammad Saleh, Wael Mostafa, Safaa Baydoun, Jamilah Borjac, Dalia El-Badan

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

The success rate of broadleaf tree growth in semi-arid Mediterranean environments is reduced in afforestation operations constrained by water scarcity, shallow soil depth, and intense competition from herbaceous vegetation. This study, conducted between 2022 and 2024 in Chmistar, East Lebanon, using a completely randomized block design, aimed to evaluate the impact of three planting broadleaf trees techniques (traditional digging pits , hoedad tools, and auger digging) and four effective vegetation control (herbicide application, mowing,  mulching, and no control) on the early growth of three native broadleaf tree species (Pistacia palaestina, Quercus calliprinos, and Quercus infectoria ).

The …

Exploring The Relationship Between Tree Dbh And Lichen Cover On Coast Redwood, Grace M. Personeus, Sierra Gittleman, Alisa A. Zarattini

IdeaFest: Interdisciplinary Journal of Creative Works and Research from Cal Poly Humboldt

We investigated the relationship between Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) and lichen cover on coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) to see if larger trees had higher percentages of cover. We measured cover using 10 cover classes on the southeastern and southwestern sides of trees in a secondary growth forest. We found a significant relationship between DBH and cover, yet no significant difference between the two sides measured. We suggest that further research with a larger sample size and more varied age classes will provide further insight into the relationship.

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Willamette Navarretia (Navarretia Willamettensis), Nora Dunkirk

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for Willamette Navarretia (Navarretia willamettensis) using NatureServe methodology, 2026.

Scientific Note: Here The Whole Time: A Revised Understanding Of White Alumroot (Heuchera Alba, Saxifragaceae) In The Susquehanna River Valley., Anais Barnes, Madeline Wickers, Scott Schuette, Tanisha M. Williams, Ryan Folk, Christopher T. Martine

Faculty Journal Articles

Heuchera alba and H. pubescens (Saxifragaceae) are closely related species of alumroot endemic to the Appalachian region of eastern North America that can be difficult to distinguish morphologically. Heuchera pubescens has been understood to occupy a range from Kentucky to Pennsylvania, with the distribution of H. alba restricted to Virginia and West Virginia—plus a recently-recorded extension into Pennsylvania discovered with the help of social media. The uncovering of H. alba in Pennsylvania has challenged historical perceptions of Heuchera distributions in the state, particularly as this relates to the current concept of H. pubescens which may be in need of revision. …

Soil Health Analysis (Lesson 2), Mara Johnson, Madhav P. Nepal, Jiyul Chang

iLEARN Teaching Resources

In this lesson, students will build on the previous lesson (reading and analyzing the Three Sisters chapter from Braiding Sweetgrass) by experimenting on soil in their schoolyard. Students will collect soil samples from multiple locations around their school grounds and evaluate soil texture, structure, infiltration, color, organic matter, and pH. Students Through field observations and laboratory analysis, students examine how soil characteristics influence plant growth and ecosystem health. Students connect modern soil science with Indigenous agricultural knowledge, particularly the Three Sisters planting system described in Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. By exploring how healthy soil supports sustainable agriculture, …

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Straggling Gilia (Allophyllum Gilioides), Lindsey K. Wise

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for Straggling gilia (Allophyllum gilioides) using NatureServe methodology, 2026.

Investigating Cryptic Diversity In The Hawaiian Endemic Plant, Psychotria Mariniana (Rubiaceae), Uyen Thi Hoang Nguyen

Master's Theses

Islands, with their isolation and steep environmental gradients, serve as natural laboratories for studying speciation. Molecular phylogenetic and population genetic methods utilizing Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) have revolutionized our ability to document patterns of genetic divergence and diversity. Cryptic diversity, genetically distinct populations that were previously unrecognized as unique, and cryptic speciation, where divergent genetic populations may be deserving of status as unique species, have been observed in many taxa. The Hawaiian Islands provide an ideal setting for studying divergence and speciation due to their extreme isolation, known ages, and volcanic origin. Previous work has investigated the evolutionary relationships of the …

Nitrogen Limitation Adaptation (Nla) Modulates Phosphorus And Iron Homeostasis During Boron Toxicity In Arabidopsis Thaliana, Doğa S. Kayihan, Ümi̇t Bariş Kutman, Emre Aksoy, Ceyhun Kayihan

Turkish Journal of Botany

Boron (B) toxicity is a major abiotic stress factor that impairs plant growth and disrupts nutrient homeostasis. The Nitrogen Limitation Adaptation (NLA) gene has been implicated in nutrient regulation; however, its role under B toxicity remains unclear. In this study, the physiological, biochemical, and nutrient responses of wild-type (Col-0) and nla mutant Arabidopsis thaliana were investigated under mild (1 mM H3 BO3 ; 1B) and severe (2 mM H3 BO3 ; 2B) B toxicity conditions. Excess B reduced fresh weight and photosynthetic pigment levels in both genotypes; however, nla mutants exhibited lower malondialdehyde accumulation under 1B, indicating a delayed oxidative …

Genetic Variation In Crops Of The Second Millennium Bce Revealed By Ancient Dna Analysis, Asi̇ye Uluğ, Funda Özdemi̇r Deği̇rmenci̇, Çi̇ğdem Kansu, Christina Luke, Christopher H. Roosevelt, Zeki̇ Kaya

Turkish Journal of Botany

For millennia, the Anatolian plateau has functioned as a major migratory corridor between Africa, Asia, and Europe and has subsequently been shaped by shifting settlement patterns, ranging from small communities to complex urban and imperial systems. These processes were closely associated with the development and diversification of agricultural practices. Archaeobotanical investigations at Kaymakçı, a Middle and Late Bronze Age (ca. 3500 years BP) site located in the middle Gediz Valley of western Anatolia, have provided substantial evidence of crop cultivation in the region. In this study, genetic variation in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), bitter vetch (Vicia …

Cover And Contents

Turkish Journal of Botany

No abstract provided.

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Wiens' Dwarf Mistletoe (Arceuthobium Abietinum Ssp. Wiensii), Lindsey K. Wise

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for Wiens' dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium abietinum ssp. wiensii) using NatureServe methodology, 2026.