Effect of the temperature and the exclusion of UVB radiation on the phenolics and iridoids in Menyanthes trifoliata L. leaves in the subarctic

The long-term effects of UVB exclusion and temperature on the methanol extractable (ME) phenolics (flavonoids, phenolic acids) and iridoids of Menyanthes trifoliata L. (Mt) leaves were studied in northern Finland (68°N) using wooden frames covered with filters for UVB exclusion (polyester filter), control (cellulose acetate filter) and ambient (no filter) conditions. Analysis of ambient plots showed no effect of the daily mean temperature (2σ = 1.58 °C) on the leaf ME compound content and composition, but minimum temperatures decreased the flavonol content. UVB exclusion did not affect the total ME compound content but significantly decreased the proportion of flavonols concomitantly with an increase in iridoids. Due to its high iridoid content, Mt appears as an interesting model plant for studying the iridoid biosynthesis and its regulation under stress conditions.     

The effects of temperature on decomposition and allelopathic phytotoxicity of boneseed litter

Decomposition of plant litter is a fundamental process in ecosystem function, carbon and nutrient cycling and, by extension, climate change. This study aimed to investigate the role of temperature on the decomposition of water soluble phenolics(WSP), carbon and soil nutrients in conjunction with the phytotoxicity dynamics of Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. monilifera(boneseed) litter. Treatments consisted of three factors including decomposition materials(litter alone, litter with soil and soil alone), decomposition periods and temperatures(5–15, 15–25and 25–35°C(night/day)). Leachates were collected on 0, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 60 th days to analyse physico-chemical parameters and phytotoxicity. Water soluble phenolics and dissolved organic carbon(DOC) increased with increasing temperature while nutrients like SO-24 and NO-13 decreased. Speed of germination, hypocotyl and radical length and weight of Lactuca sativa exposed to leachates were decreased with increasing decomposition temperature. All treatment components had significant effects on these parameters. There had a strong correlation between DOC and WSP, and WSP content of the leachates with radical length of test species. This study identified complex interactivity among temperature, WSP, DOC and soil nutrient dynamics of litter occupied soil and that these factors work together to influence phytotoxicity.     

Plants with phytotoxic potential: Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis)

Herbicide resistance in annual ryegrass (ARG, Lolium rigidum) threatens the quality and yield of winter wheat crops in Australia, prompting research to discover novel natural plant compounds with herbicidal properties. Due to its novel nature and potentially interesting chemistry, the Australian native, Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis), was tested for its ability to suppress ARG growth and its feasibility for use in weed control strategies. The leaf extract of Wollemi pine significantly inhibited the growth of ARG and wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) in laboratory bioassays at concentrations above 1% extract. In soil trials, the 100% extract (100 g dried plant material/L) inhibited the dry weight of ARG by 25%. The addition of a wetting agent to the extract increased the suppression of ARG to 80% which was as phytotoxic as a 4-fold increase in the extract concentration (“400%” extract). Using bioassay-guided fractionation, the most phytotoxic fraction was identified and further analysed via GC/MS. Several compounds not previously identified in Wollemi pine leaf extracts have been identified, namely, 2-propylphenol, 3,4-dimethoxyphenol, 2-methoxybenzoic acid, vanillyl alcohol and isovanillic acid. These results suggest that Wollemi pine is an important potential source of compounds for the control of ARG and wild radish in winter crops.     

Cytophysiological features of Posidonia oceanica as putative markers of environmental conditions

Posidonia oceanica beds form one of the most important coastal ecosystems in the Mediterranean basin and represent a good indicator of the seawater quality, being strongly sensitive to human perturbations. The aim of the present study is to verify whether changes in cytophysiological features of this seagrass could mark early altered environmental conditions. In this context, we investigated in juvenile and intermediate leaves: (1) the presence and structure of phenolic compounds, due to their role in the defence response against biotic and abiotic stress; (2) the presence and distribution of cytokinins, because of their key role in leaf growth and senescence as well as in relation to their interaction in light signalling. Significant and measurable increases in the amount of phenols as well as changes in cytokinins distribution were detected in Posidonia leaves collected from meadows subjected to disturbed environmental conditions as compared to those of preserved ones. These results clearly indicated that these variables could be used as early biomarkers of environmental quality.