Identification and Analysis of Components of Glucosinolates in Succulent Roots and Leaves of Fruity Radish (Raphanus sativas L.)

The components of glucosinolates( GSL) in the succulent roots and leaves of three kinds of fruity radish( Xinlimei,Super Zhengyan,and Shawo) were identified and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography( HPLC). Results showed that there were nine kinds of glucosinolates in the succulent roots and leaves of three kinds of fruity radish,including six kinds of aliphatic glucosinolates( 4-methyl sulfinyl-3-butenyl glucosinolates,2-allyl glucosinolates,4-methyl sulfinyl butyl glucosinolates,5-methyl sulfinyl amyl glucosinolates,4-methyl n-butyl glucosinolates,4-methyl thio-3-butenyl glucosinolates) and three kinds of indole glucosinolates( 4-methoxy methyl indole glucosinolates,3-methyl indole glucosinolates,1-methoxy methyl indole glucosinolates),but there were significant differences in the content of glucosinolates between different varieties and organs. The total content of glucosinolates in succulent roots of three kinds of fruity radish was22 472. 84,13 585. 86,and 28 200. 70 μg/g DM respectively,and more than 95% were aliphatic glucosinolates. The content of glucosinolates in succulent roots was 4. 56,2. 71,and 4. 55 times of that in leaves of three kinds of fruity radish. Main aliphatic glucosinolates in succulent roots and leaves of three kinds of fruity radish were 4-methyl sulfinyl-3-butenyl glucosinolates,accounting for 90. 11%-93. 92% and63. 03%-73. 72% of total content of glucosinolates.

Effect of light on seed germination and seedling shape of succulent species from mexico

Aims Light requirements for cactus seed germination have been considered to be associated with their adult plant height and seed mass,but this has not been thoroughly studied for other succulent species.In order to understand seed photosensitivity from desert species belonging to Asparagaceae(subfamily Agavoideae)and Cactaceae,we performed a germination experiment with and without light for 12 species and 2 varieties from 1 species from the Southern Chihuahuan Desert.We also determined if adult growth is totally determined by seedling‘growth form’in cacti.Methods We performed a germination experiment using light and darkness for 13 species from Southern Chihuahuan Desert:10 rosette species(Asparagaceae),as well as 1 globose,1 columnar and 2 varieties from 1 depressed-globose species(Cactaceae).The response variables were seed germination percentage and relative light germination(RLG).In addition,in order to determine if adult-globose cacti could have cylindrical seedlings,we calculated the shape index(height/width ratio)for Coryphanta clavata and Mammillaria compressa.Important Findings All species were considered neutral photoblastic.Eleven species had similar seed germination in both light and dark conditions,and three taxa(M.compressa and the two varieties of Ferocactus latispinus)showed higher germination with light than without it.Agave salmiana,M.compressa and the two varieties of F.latispinus had higher RLG than the other species.Seed mass was an important factor because with higher seed mass there was lower dependence to light.These findings support the hypothesis that small seed mass and light requirements have coevolved as an adaptation to ensure germination.One adult-globose cactus species,M.compressa,and one adult-columnar species,C.clavata,had small seeds and neutral fotoblasticism.Seedlings from these two species exposed to light were cylindrical and those under darkness conditions were columnar.Perhaps seeds from this species are able to germinate in the dark because they produce columnar seedlings with the ability to emerge from greater soil depths where sunlight cannot penetrate.

Effects on antioxidant enzyme activities and osmolytes in Halocnemum strobilaceum under salt stress

The seedlings of Halocnermum strobilaceum were cultivated in 0.5% hoagland nutrient solution containing 0.0%, 0.9%, 2.7% and 5.4% of NaC1 as well as composite salt （Na^＋, Ca^2＋, K^＋, Si^4＋） for 20 days; all the contents are in weight ratio. Succulent level, inorganic ions （Na^＋, K^＋）, organics such as betaine, proline, malondialdehyde, and antioxidant enzyme activities including superoxide dismutase （SOD）, catalase （CAT）, peroxidase （POD）, betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase （BADH） were measured to reveal its salt tolerance mechanism. When the composite salt concentration reaches 5.4%, SOD activity level, and MDA content is five times the control group; when it reaches 2.7%, the succulent level of seedlings, and the content ofK＋ in roots is nearly two times the NaCl treatment; the dry weight is more than three times the control group; with the NaCl treatment, MDA is three times the contrast; when the salt concentration is 2.7%, POD reaches the maximum. Results indicate that Si^4＋, K^＋, and Ca^20 from composite salt in the roots of H. strobilaceum improved the water-holding capacity. The activities of antioxidant enzyme were raised by the accumulation ofproline and betaine, which increased the salt tolerance. The absorption of K^＋ promoted the high ratio of K^＋/Na^＋ and alleviated the damage of cell membranes of H. strobilaceum, which is associated with osmotic contents such as betaine and proline.

A look into the past, present and future potential distributions of Talinopsis frutescens, a North American endemic lineage closely related to Cactaceae

Talinopsis frutescens(Anacampserotaceae,a family that is close related to Cactaceae)is a succulent species endemic to North America.The aim of this study was to explore,using Ecological Niche Modeling(ENM),changes in potential distribution ranges considering different climate scenarios:past conditions during the Last Inter Glacial(LIG)and the Last Glacial Maximum(LGM),the present and projections for 2070(RCP 2.6 to 8.5).A pattern of contraction is observed during the LIG,which agrees with other studies focused in species from arid environments.This pattern was followed by a migration towards the south during the LGM and a possible recent expansion to the north as is observed in the present scenario.All future projections show the same contraction and fragmentation patterns,resulting in three discontinuous areas:the northern part of the Chihuahuan Desert,the southern-central part of the Mexican Plateau,and the smallest one in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley.Our projections for future scenarios agree with other studies and support that global climate change tends to alter the current distribution of arid environment species.

Applicable Garden Ground Cover Plants in Arid Valleys of Ganzi Tibetan Area

The native and introduced ground cover plants were screened by field survey,cultivation test and configuration effect evaluation in arid valleys of Ganzi Tibetan area.A total of 205 species belonging to 140 genera,67 families were selected as applicable types.Among them,there were 53 species of evergreen shrubs,36 species of deciduous shrubs,17 species of woody vines,99 species of herbaceous plants;27 species of color-leafed plants,8 species of succulent plants.And 79 species were recommended as the best ground cover plants.Higher plants in Ganzi Tibetan area were increased to 5,362 species,1147 genera,244 families through screening.

Impact of the Future Changing Climate on the Southern Africa Biomes, and the Importance of Geology

The Southern African biomes are complex biotic communities, with its distinctive plant and animal species, and are maintained under the suitable climatic conditions of the region. It includes the Fynbos Biome and the Succulent Karoo Biome, which forms the smallest of the world’s six Floristic Kingdoms, and they are of conservation concern. The other six biomes are Albany Thicket, Desert, Grassland, Indian Ocean Coastal belt, Nama-Karoo, Savanna. The biomes are not only threatened by agricultural expansion, overgrazing, and mining;but also by future climate changes and droughts. This study investigates the how to best model the possible vulnerable biome areas, under future climate changes, and how Southern African geology plays a huge role in the restriction of the biome shifts. It provides evidence regarding the importance of the study to understanding the climate change impacts and the geological variables on the Southern African biomes, in terms of possible future biome habitat loss.

Ecology of Indigenous Plants in Abandoned Agricultural Areas in Tabuk Region, Saudi Arabia

Due to drought, low soil fertility, little rain fall, elevated levels of evapotranspiration, salinization of the soil and a lack of ground water, the problem of desertion of agricultural areas has developed in KSA in recent years (e.g. Tabuk region). In the Saudi Arabia, agricultural land abandonment’s negative impact on the composition of perennial vegetation, soil quality, and the structure of population was investigated. In the several abandoned fields of the research region, eleven species of perennial plants pertaining to nine families, eleven genera were found. Following the use of the ordination of detrended correspondence analysis (DCA), four plant communities were found. Zygophyllum hamiense, Prosopis farcta, Seidlitzia rosmarinus, Traganum nudatum. The indicators were Pulicaria undulate, Calligonum comosum. Populations of Calligonum comosum and Zygophyllum hamiense were found to be either negatively skewed or inversely J-shaped, indicating fast-growing populations with strong reproductive potential, according to demographic research. Traganum nudatum, Prosopis farcta and S. Rosmarinus, on the other hand, have a nearly symmetrical size-frequency distribution (like a bell in shape). The current research highlights the importance of managing deserted agricultural fields in order to restore and improve range lands having adapted native plants to regional conditions like little water demand.

Leaf Traits and Histochemistry of Trichomes of Conocarpus lancifolius a Combretaceae in Semi-Arid Conditions

Leaf traits, structure and water status of Conocarpus lancifolius, a Combretaceae were investigated under semi-arid conditions. The leaf traits examined included leaf area and thickness, stomatal distribution, sclerophylly, succulence and relative water content. Additionally, the types of secretory structures, histochemistry of trichomes, and chemical nature of the cuticlular waxes were evaluated. Leaves showed xerophytic characteristics including a high degree of sclerophylly, thick cuticle and outer epidermal cell wall, low relative water content and high trichome density on younger leaves. The species has two types of trichomes;a secretory, short-stalked capitate trichome and a non-secretory trichome with a bulbous base and a pointed tip. The leaves also have a pair of extrafloral nectaries on both sides of the distal end of the petiole, 3-4 pairs near the leaf apex and two secretory ducts or cavities on mature leaves that secreted polysaccharides, epicuticlar waxes and polyphenols. Compared to young leaves mature leaves had almost 3 times total cuticular wax deposit or load. The most abundant fatty acids were palmitic, stearic, nondecanoic, behenic and arachidic acids. The leaf traits and structures are discussed in relation to semi-arid habitat.

Marine influence controls plant phenological dynamics in Mediterranean Mexico

Aims To assess the role of moisture in phenological timing in the mediterranean coastal flora of Baja California,and specifically to assess the role of coastal fog and ocean-derived moisture in plant phenology.Moisture seems to be the primary driver of flowering times and durations at the arid end of the mediterranean-climate region,where rainfall is often sporadic(temperature and day length can be expected to play a much lesser role as they are not growth limiting).We aimed to understand:What factors drive climatic variation between sites?Are there general flowering patterns allowing us to identify phenological categories?Do flowering patterns vary in relation to site-specific weather?and most importantly,does maritime influence on weather affect flowering dynamics in coastal mediterranean ecosystems?Methods The southernmost extent of the California Floristic Province(in Baja California,Mexico)is a biological diversity hotspot of high endemism and conservation value,with two steep moisture gradients:rainfall(N-S)and coastal fogs(W-E),providing an ideal study system.We installed five weather stations across the moisture gradients,recording data hourly.We monitored flowering phenology in the square kilometer surrounding each weather station from 2010 to 2013.About 86 plant taxa were monitored across the five sites,every 6-8 weeks.Averaged climatic data is presented with general trends in flowering,and specific flowering syndromes were observed.Data for flowering intensity across the sites was analyzed using a principal components analysis.Important Findings Data analysis demonstrates a general seasonal pattern in flowering times,but distinct differences in local weather and phenology between the five study sites.Three flowering syndromes are revealed in the flora:(i)water responders or spring bloomers,(ii)day-length responders or fall-blooming taxa and(iii)aseasonal bloomers with no seasonal affinity.The two moisture gradients are the strongest drivers of flowering times.Inland sites showed higher phenological variation than coastal sites where seasonality is dampened by ocean-derived moisture,which extends and buffers perennial plant phenology and is a probable driver of local endemism.Phenological controls vary globally with climate and geography;moisture is the primary driver of phenology in mediterranean climates and fog is an important climatic variable in coastal Mexico.