Study on the Current Situation and Protection Countermeasures of Wild Plant Resources in Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve

[Objective] The aim was to study the current situation and protection countermeasures of wild plant resources in Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve. [Method] The current situation of wild plant resources in Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve was researched by means of route survey, sample plot survey and literature survey, and then the main impact factors of wild plant resources were analyzed by using participatory rural appraisal and problem tree analysis, finally protection countermeasures were put forward according to current situation and main impact factors. [Result] There were 2 779 species of vascular plants belonging to 214 families and 1 012 genera (including subfamilies and varieties) in Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve, among them, there existed 261 species of pteridophyte belonging to 41 families and 91 genera, 14 species of gymnosperm belonging to 6 families and 6 genera, and 2 504 species of angiosperm belonging to 167 families and 915 genera. Wild plant resources in reserve were mainly affected by planting under forest, habitat fragmentation, cutting trees, collection and utilization of no-timber products, development of animal husbandry, insufficient recognition of community residents to reserve management establishment and lots of floating population. In the future, wild plant resources in reserve could be protected through strengthening propaganda, education and management, enforcing the law strictly and other countermeasures. [Conclusion] The study could provide theoretical foundation for the protection of wild plant resources in Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve.

Nutritional evaluation of Kedrostis africana (L.) Cogn:An edible wild plant of South Africa

Objective:To evaluate the nutritional composition and elemental constituents of Kedrostis africana and their safety aspect.Methods:Proximate parameters(moisture,ash,crude fibre,crude fat,proteins,and carbohydrate and energy) were evaluated using ALASA methods,and elemental analysis by ICP-OES technique.Results:The results from nutritional analysis showed that the tuber used for this study had a low content of crude fat and high content of ash,crude protein,crude fibre,carbohydrate and energy having the recommended dietary allowances.The tuber was rich in major minerals Na,K,Ca and Mg,there was sufficient amount of trace elements Fe,Cu,and Zn while the anti-nutrients oxalate,phytate,alkaloids,and saponins were detected in amounts that are not harmful according to Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization.Conclusions:The outcome of this study suggests that this wild plant has very good nutritional potentials to meet the recommended dietary allowance and it could be a cheap source of essential nutrients that may ameliorate most nutritional challenges and can contribute remarkably to the amount of nutrient intake in human and animal diet.

Effect of UV Radiation and Other Abiotic Stress Factors on DNA of Different Wild Plant Species Grown in Three Successive Seasons in Alpine and Subalpine Regions

Plants in natural ecosystems are exposed to a combination of UV radiation,ionizing radiation(IR)and other abiotic factors.These factors change with the altitude.We investigated DNA alterations of some wild plants of different plant families in natural ecosystems at three altitudes in Rila Mountain,Bulgaria(1500,1782,and 2925 m above sea level(a.s.l.)exposed to UV radiation,IR and other abiotic stresses,to assess the tolerance of plant species to the changing environmental conditions in three successive growth seasons.For this purpose,physicochemical,cytogenetic,and molecular methods were applied.DNA damage was assessed by micronucleus test and molecular method comet assay adapted and applied by us to wild plant species from Onagraceae,Rosaceae,Boraginaceae,Saxifragaceae,Orobanchaceae,Asteraceae and Poaceae families,growing at three different altitudes.Variability in the DNA sensitivity and the level of tolerance was observed among the plant species in response to combined abiotic factors assessed by induced DNA damage and gross beta activity.The studied representatives of Poaceae were less susceptible than the other studied species at all three altitudes and showed close level of DNA injuries to that of unaffected control plant grown in laboratory conditions.The lower levels of DNA damage of these wild plant species corresponded to their lower ability to accumulate radionuclides.There was a particularly pronounced low level of DNA injuries in the plant species at the highest altitude.The level of DNA damage showed correlation with the values of some abiotic environmental factors.The results would contribute to the elucidation of the extent of adaptation of plant species to the continuously changing environment and would be useful in selecting sensitive herbaceous monitor species for environmental impact assessment at mountain and alpine sites.

The Register and Characteristics of Chinese Key Protected Wild Plants in Dabie Mountains National Nature Preserve, Hubei Province

A study was conducted on the newly promulgated key protected wild plants distributed in the Dabie Mountains National Nature Reserve in Hubei in 2021.According to statistics,Dabie Mountains National Nature Reserve of Hubei Province has a total of 41 species of wild plants under national key protection,including 7 species in the first class and 34 species in the second class.Among them,6 are cultivated species,4 in the first class,and 2 species in the second class.The characteristics of Chinese key protected wild plants in the Dabie Mountains National Nature Reserve in Hubei Province were analyzed.

Predicted Functional Shifts Due to Type of Soil Microbiome and Watering of Two Wild Plants in Western Region of Saudi Arabia

The present study aimed to predict differential enrichment of pathways and compounds in the rhizosphere microbiomes of the two wild plants(Abutilon fruticosum and Nitrosalsola vermiculata)and to predict functional shifts in microbiomes due to water.Amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA region V3–V4 was done and gene-based microbial compositions were enrolled in PICRUSt to predict enriched pathways and compounds.The results indicated that“ABC transporters”and“Quorum sensing”pathways are among the highest enriched pathways in rhizosphere microbiomes of the two wild plants compared with those of the bulk soil microbiomes.The highest enriched compounds in soil microbiomes of the two wild plants included five proteins and three enzymes participating in one or more KEGG pathways.Six of these eight compounds showed higher predicted enrichment in rhizosphere soil microbiomes,while only one,namely phosphate transport system substrate-binding protein,showed higher enrichment in the surrounding bulk soil microbiomes.In terms of differentially enriched compounds due to watering,only the dual-specific aspartyl-tRNA(Asn)/glutamyl-tRNA(Gln)amidotransferase subunit A showed higher enrichment in rhizosphere soil of the two wild plants after 24 h of watering.Two of the highly enriched compounds namely branched-chain amino acid transport system ATP-binding protein and branched-chain amino acid transport system substrate-binding protein,are encoded by genes stimulated by the plant’s GABA that participates in conferring biotic and abiotic stresses in plants and improves the plant’s growth performance.The 3-Oxoacyl-[ACP]reductase,a member of the short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase/reductase(SDR)superfamily,participates in fatty acids elongation cycles and contributes to plant-microbe symbiotic relationships,while enoyl-CoA hydratase has a reverse action as it participates in“Fatty acid degradation”pathway.The methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein is an environmental signal that sense“Bacterial chemotaxis”pathway to help establishing symbiosis with plant roots by recruiting/colonizing of microbial partners(symbionts)to plant rhizosphere.This information justifies the high enrichment of compounds in plant rhizosphere.The dual-specific aspartyl-tRNA(Asn)/glutamyl-tRNA(Gln)amidotransferase subunit A contributes to the plant ability to respond to watering as it participates in attaching the correct amino acid during translation to its cognate tRNA species,while hydrolyzing incorrectly attached amino acid.These two actions reduce the influence of oxidative stress in generating misfolded proteins and in reducing fidelity of translation.

Study on Resource Status and Protection Countermeasures of Wild Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations(PSESP)in Xinjiang

In recent years,the protection of PSESP has gradually become a hot issue in biodiversity research.Through the investigation and analysis of PSESP in Xinjiang,it is shown that:①there are 75 species of PSESP in Xinjiang,including 22 species of trees,18 species of shrubs and 35 species of herbs.The habitats are mainly in extremely cold,extremely dry or extremely narrow conditions such as snow line,desert,mountain,wetland and so on.②53 species(70.67%)are listed as national or autonomous region protected plants,and 22 species of PSESP are not listed in the protection;there are 70 species of PSESP listed in the red list,accounting for 93.33%.③The PSESP in Xinjiang are mainly distributed in the Altai Mountains,western Tianshan Mountains,Pamir Plateau and Karakoram Mountains;they are distributed in all kinds of nature reserves,forest parks,wetland parks and other natural ecological protection areas in Xinjiang.Ammopiptanthus nanus(M.Pop.)Cheng F.,Cistanche tubulosa(Schenk)Wight,Calligonum roborovskii A.Los.and Prunus cerasifera Ehrhart have not been found in the literature,indicating that they are distributed in protected areas.In order to provide a theoretical basis for the conservation of biodiversity in Xinjiang,this paper puts forward some suggestions on the protection of PSESP.

Some Wild Plants Consumed as Vegetables in Sanliurfa

This study was carried out to identify wild plants which are widely consumed as vegetables by local communities in Sanhurfa and neighboring provinces. The data were collected in different ways such as face to face interview with who collect these plants for directly consuming and marketing, and used for different purposes. As results of study, evaluation was done through data which were collected on characteristics of some plants usage fields, local and scientific names, and economic importance. Some species were determined （Gundelia tournefortii L., Ornithogalum narbonense L., Mentha pulegium L., Malva neglecta L., Nasturtium officinale R. Br., Anchusa azurea Miller., Arum dioscoridis Sm., Ferula orientalis L., Eryngium billardieri Delar., Capsella bursa-pastoris （L.） Medik. and Apiurn nodiflorum （L.） Lag. etc.） which are naturally grown and more intense in Sanhurfa.

Study on the Tolerance Mechanism of Alkaline Soil-Tolerant Wild Plants

The soil in many agricultural areas, including large parts of China, is becoming increasingly alkaline as a result of exploitation of soil resources. The soil becomes alkaline as a result of hydrolysis of two carbonates (NaH-

Wild Ornamental Plant Resources and Their Application to City Gardening in Hainan Province

This paper deals with the wild ornamental plant resources which are suitable for the application to gardening in Hainan Province and with the significance and the influencing factors in the application and extension of these resources to gardening. The strategies for the application of the wild ornamental plant resources have been established as the result of this research.

Investigation and Analysis of Wild Potted Plant Resources in Xinyang

Author of this paper studied the varieties, resource types, ornamental value and utilization value of wild potted plants in Xinyang based on field investigation, and discussed the utilization ways and protective measures of potted plant resources. The results showed that Xinyang was rich in wild potted plants, with 74 families, 137 genera, and 379 species. Among them, angiosperms were the most common group, with 46 families, 92 genera, and 232 species. Bryophytes and ferns were also common in Xinyang, with 9 families, 22 genera, and 80 species as well as 13 families, 16 genera, and 58 species respectively. According to the purpose, wild potted plant resources can be grouped into three types: tree potted plants, landscape potted plants, and moss potted plants; according to the ornamental part, wild potted plant resources can be classified into five types: foliage plants, flowering plants, fruit-effect plants, synthetic plants, and special plants. Building up the ranks of penjing creators, giving full play to its advantages based on local resources, and producing penjing with local flavor, is the direction for future development of Xinyang penjing.

Chemical Composition, Phenolics, Anthocyanins Concentration and Antioxidant Activity of Ten Wild Edible Plants

Plants were collected and prepared for chemical analysis, total phenolics, anthocyanins concentrations, and free radical scavenging activity. Results showed that, protein concentration of Malva parviflora (22.9%) was the highest among the plants. Ruta chalepensis had high levels of fat and carbohydrates (4.2% and 51.7%, respectively), but had the lowest level of ash (8.7%). Mineral concentrations varied and found to have appreciable amounts of Ca, Na, K, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn and P. Total phenolic ranged from 163.1 (Tetragonolobus palaestinus) to 1328.8 mg GAE/100g (Ruta chalepensis). Anthocyanins ranged between 18.1 (Gundelia tournefortii) and 100.1 mg/100g (Rumex acetosella). These plants differed in free radical scavenging activity. It was concluded that these plants could be considered as natural sources for antioxidants and valuable natural resources as a new addition to the diet of inhabitants.

Effect of Plant Density on Wild Oat Competition with Competitive and Non-Competitive Wheat Cultivars

Wild oat （Avena ludoviciana） is one of the worst weeds in wheat fields. The effect of wheat density on wild oat competition with more or less competitive wheat cultivars （Triticum aestivum） was investigated at the Experimental Farm of Plant Pests and Diseases Research Institute, Karaj, Iran. The experiment was established as a factorial combination of wheat varieties Roshan as non-competitive and Niknejad as competitive; three wheat densities （recommended density, recommended＋25%, and recommended＋50%, corresponding respectively with 300, 375, and 450 plants m-2 for Roshan and 400, 500, and 600 plants m-2 for Niknejad） and four wild oat densities （0, 25, 50, and 75 plants m-2） were selected for this experiment. Hyperbolic equations were used to describe relationship between yield and weed density. Increase in wheat density reduced wild oat biomass. Maximum wild oat biomass was achieved at the highest density of the wild oat together with the lowest wheat density. The results showed that higher densities of wheat are able to suppress wild oat dry matter production. Inter-specific competition in Niknejad was 1.7 times more than that in Roshan. Maximum yields of Niknejad and Roshan in the presence of wild oat were obtained at recommended density＋25% and recommended density, respectively. Increase in wheat density leads to a decrease in wheat yield due to an increase in intra-specific competition. Increase in wild oat density results in the reduction of wheat yield through decrease in fertile tiller per plant and spike m-2.

Phenotypic, Stress Tolerance and Plant Growth Promoting Characteristics of Rhizobial Isolates from Selected Wild Legumes of Semiarid Region, Tirupati, India

Rhizobia are vital for nitrogen input, fertility of soil and legume plant growth. Knowledge on rhizobial diversity from arid and semiarid areas is important for dry land agriculture in the context of climatic change and for economic utilization. This study provides morphological, biochemical, stress tolerance and plant growth promoting characteristics of fifteen rhizobial isolates from the nodules of same number of wild legumes and one isolate from cultivated Arachis hypogea from semi-arid region, Tirupati. The bacterial isolates were confirmed as rhizobia based on colony morphology and biochemical tests. Based on the colour change of YMA-BTB medium, eight isolates were identified as slow growers and six were fast growers. The isolates differed in growth pattern, colony morphology, antibiotic resistance at higher concentrations and uniformity in utilization of carbon and nitrogen sources. The isolates are tolerant to NaCl up to one percent, displayed normal growth at temperatures 28℃ - 30℃, at neutral pH and poor growth at pH 5and 9. The isolates varied in the production of EPS and IAA, positive for phosphate solubilization and siderophore formation. This functional diversity displayed by the isolates can be utilised for the legume crop production by cross inoculation.

Lack of Evidence for Local Adaptation of the Endangered Karner Blue Butterfly to Its Sole Larval Hostplant—The Wild Lupine

Local adaptation is an important process that drives the evolution of populations within species, and it can be generally expressed by the higher fitness of individuals raised in their native habitats versus in a foreign location. The influence of local adaptation is especially prominent in species that subsist in small and/or highly isolated populations. This study evaluated whether the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly, Lycaeides melissa samuelis (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) is locally adapted to its exclusive larval host plant, the wild lupine (Lupinus perennis). To test for local adaptation, individuals from a laboratory-raised colony were reared on wild lupine plants from populations belonging to either their native (Indiana) or a foreign (Michigan and Wisconsin) region. For this purpose, lupine plants from the different populations were grown in a common garden in growth chambers, and one Karner blue larva was placed on each plant. Fitness traits related to growth and development were recorded for each butterfly across populations. Days from hatching to pupation and eclosion showed gender-specific significant differences across wild lupine populations and plant genotypes (within populations). The percent survival of butterflies (from hatching to eclosion) also differed among plants from different populations. These results indicate that wild lupine sources can affect some developmental traits of Karner blue butterflies. However, growth-related traits, such as pupal and adult weight of individuals reared in plants from native populations did not differ from those of foreign regions. The apparent absence of local adaptation to wild lupine suggests that, at least, some individuals of this species could be translocated from native populations to foreign reintroduction sites without experiencing decreased fitness levels. However, future studies including more populations across the geographical range of this butterfly are recommended to evaluate other environmental factors that could influence adaptation on a wider spatial scale.

Influences of Different Habitats on Asexual Propagation of Wild Gastrodia elata f. glauca being Domesticated in Ganzi

[Objective] The influences of different habitats on asexual propagation of wild Geg(abbreviation for Gastrodia elata Bl. f. glauca S. Chow) being domesticated in Ganzi prefecture was studied. [Method] The research trial was carried out in the following three kinds of habitats at the same time: the plastic greenhouses, the birch forest of shady slope and the shrubbery of sunny slope, and the results were analyzed with group data average hypothesis test method. [Result] The overall tuber(the juvenile tuber, the immature tuber and the mature tuber) yield and the mature tuber yield were both very significantly higher in the plastic greenhouses than in the other two types of habitats, and respectively reached 9.52 and 6.70 kg/m2; the mature tuber drying rate was dramatically or very dramatically lower in the plastic greenhouses than in the other two types of habitats, and was 23.84%; the stabilities of the overall tuber yield, the mature tuber yield and the drying rate were all reduced in the order of greenhouses, birch forest and shrubbery; and the dry mature tuber yield of the plastic greenhouses was the highest in the three kinds of habitats, and was 1.60 kg/m2. [Conclusion] A good habitat had to be created or chosen in the domesticating cultivation of the wild Geg in Ganzi prefecture. The preferred choice was the plastic greenhouse, the alternative one was the deciduous broadleaved forest of shady slope. The imitating wild planting of the wild Geg should be done in the warm moist deciduous broad-leaved forest of shady slope.

Exploitation of Wild Flowers and the Sustainable Development of Flowers Industry in China

This article introduced the new methods on the research of the wild flowers and plants idioplasmic resources, elaborated the introduction and domestication and exploitation of wild flowers and plants idioplasmatic resources and the sustainable development of flowers and plants industry in China, and put forward some proposals on the existing question and the prospects for the development.

Local Knowledge on Plants and Domestic Remedies in the Mountain Villages of Peshkopia(Eastern Albania)

Ethnobotanical studies in the Balkans are crucial for fostering sustainable rural development in the region and also for investigating the dynamics of change of Traditional Ecological Knowledge(TEK),which has broad-sweeping implications for future biodiversity conservation efforts.A survey of local botanical and medical knowledge and practices was conducted in four mountainous villages of the Peshkopia region in northeast Albania,near the Macedonian border.Snowball sampling techniques were employed to recruit 32 informants for participation in semi-structured interviews regarding the use of the local flora for food,medicinal,veterinary and ritual purposes.The uses of 84 botanical taxa were recorded as well as a number of other folk remedies for the treatment of both humans and livestock.Comparison of the collected data with another ethnobotanical field study recently conducted among Albanians living on the Macedonian side of Mount Korab shows a remarkable divergence in medicinal plant uses,thus confirming the crucial role played by the history of the last century in transforming TEK.Most noteworthy,as a legacy of the Communist period,a relevant number of wild medicinal taxa are still gathered only for trade rather than personal/familial use.This may lead to unsustainable exploitation of certain taxa(i.e.Orchis and Gentiana spp.) and presents some important conservation challenges.Appropriate development and environmental educational frameworks should aim to reconnect local people to the perception of limitation and renewability of botanical resources.

A method to evaluate the bioactive function of fruit extracts of Chinese wild Citrus with microtubular activity

China is one of the most important centers of origin for Citrus genetic resources. Due to the high content of secondary metabolites, mining wild Chinese Citrus for novel medical applications is promising. In this study, extracts of Chinese wild species from different taxonomical groups were screened for potential effects on microtubules （MTs） in vitro. MT density as a readout for nucleation, and frequency distribution over MT lengths as a readout for elongation and decay were determined by quantitative image analysis via a standardized coverslJp assay using fluorescently labelled neurotubulin. Extract from peels of Citrus ichangensis Swing. strongly increased the density of MTs; whereas, extract from peels of Cfurs limon （L.） Burm.f. exerted the opposite effect. Extract from pulp of Citrus limonia Osbeck promoted MT elongation, and in addition induced a small population of very long MTs. These data suggest that wild Chinese Citrus harbour compounds that act specifically on different aspects of MT nucleation, elongation, and decay.

Protease Inhibitors in Wild Relatives of Pigeonpea against the Cotton Bollworm/Legume Pod Borer, <i>Helicoverpa armigera</i>

Cotton bollworm/legume pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera is one of the most damaging pests worldwide. Be-cause of the difficulties associated with chemical control of this pest, emphasis has been placed on developing transgenic plants with resistance to H. armigera. Since toxin genes from the bacterium, Bacillus thuringien-sis (Bt) have been deployed on a large scale, there is need to scout for alternate genes which could be deployed alone or in combination with the Bt genes for pest management. Therefore, we evaluated the wild relatives of pigeonpea, which have shown high levels of resistance to this pest, for the protease inhibitors (PIs) under in vivo and in vitro inhibitions. Accessions belonging to Cajanus albicans, C. cajanifolius, C. sericeus, Flemingia bracteata, and Rhynchosia bracteata showed complete inhibition of H. armigera gut proteinases (HaGPs). Some of the C. scarabaeoides accessions (ICPW 116, 152, 278 and 280) exhibited partial inhibition at low concentrations of the PIs. All accessions of wild relatives of pigeonpea showed high to moderate level of inhibition at pH 7.8. Cultivated pigeonpea, ICPL 87 exhibited monomorphism in terms of trypsin inhibitor (TI) and chymotrypsin inhibitor (CTI) isoforms, contrary to the diverse inhibitory profiles of wild pigeonpeas. Cajanus albicans, C. platycarpus, C. scarabaeoides, and R. bracteata showed more number of TI and CTI bands than the cultivated pigeonpea. Protease inhibitor isoforms of wild relatives of pigeonpea showed significant variation in number, band pattern, and protein specificities towards trypsin, chymotrypsin, and H. armigera gut proteinases (HaGPs) as compared to the cultivated pigeonpea. The PIs from the wild relatives of pigeonpea showed considerable potential against the HaGPs, and could be considered as potential candidates for use in genetic transformation of crops for pest management, including H. armigera.

Study on Young Panicle Culture in vitro From Wild Rice of Different Genomes

Researches have been made on young panicle culturein vitro from wild rice of different genomes. Main results are as follows: 1. The induction frequencies of young panicle culturedin vitro from wild rice varied largely a relation to its genome. The optimal induction period of callus is the stamen and pistil differentiation stage of young panicle development. 2. Plantlets were regenerated through two ways: first, culture method, the induced calli were transferred onto differentiation medium; second, regenerate plantlets directly from young panicles of wild rice that were cultured on the differentiation medium. 3. The regeneration rate of green plantlets that obtained through cryopreservated calli inO. meyeriana was 10 times higher than that of control.