Alina PĂUNESCU, Cristina Maria PONEPAL, Valentin Titus GRIGOREAN, Mihai POPESCU
Abstract. Histopathological
biomarkers of toxicity in frog organs are a useful indicator of
environmental pollution. The frogs were experimentally exposed to
sub-lethal concentrations (0.5mg bifenthrin/g of body weight) of
Talstar 10EC for 3 weeks. The present study proves its toxic potential
in terms of the damages in liver and kidney level. Tissues were normal
in the control group. Hepatic lesions in frog exposed to bifenthrin
were characterized by vacuolation of hepatocytes and nuclear pycnosis,
perisinusoidal and periportal fibrosis, dilatation of Disse space and
sinusoid capillaries, presence of cellular infiltrates. Kidney lesions
consisted of dilation of Bowman’s space, tubular necrosis, and
epithelial cells shows pycnotic nuclei, discrete degree of interstitial
edema.
Keywords: bifenthrin, frog, kidney, liver, pesticides, pyrethroid.
POPULATION GENETIC VARIATION IN SAINFOIN (FABACEAE) REVEALED BY RAPD MARKERS
Houshang NOSRATI, Mohammad Ali Hosseinpour FEIZI, Sona Seyed TARRAH, Ahmad Razban HAGHIGHI
Abstract. Studies on plants show that populations growing on the stressful environments indicate higher levels of genetic diversity, and that in outcrossing species majority of total genetic variation allocated to within population rather than between populations. We compared the level of genetic variation between populations growing in stressful and normal environments, and measured levels of within- and between population genetic variations in Onobrychis viciifolia L. (Sainfoin, Fabaceae) based on RAPDs. Our results show that populations growing on the stressful environment i.e. saline soils indicated either the lowest (0.2466) or highest (0.3186) within-population genetic variation based on Nei’s diversity. That disagrees with Niche-Width Variation Theory, which expects highest genetic diversity within stressful populations. Partitioning the total genetic variation by analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that 89.03% of total genetic diversity allocated to within populations while 10.97% of this variation dedicated to among populations, indicating predominantly outcrossing mode of pollination in sainfoin. The two population pairs growing under similar environmental stresses (cold climate and saline soil) showed higher genetic similarity. This may suggest that RAPDs patterns reflex selection rather than random drift.
Keywords: environmental stresses, genetic diversity, Onobrychis viciifolia, outcrossing, Sainfoin.
USING THE FILTER PAPER BRIDGE TECHNIQUE FOR INITIATION OF IN VITRO CULTURES AT MAIZE
Cristian Felix BLIDAR, Aurel ARDELEAN, Violeta TURCUŞ
Abstract. Alongside wheat, maize is one of the most important species of cereals used for food and feed as well as in the bioethanol industry. As a result of this fact, maize is today the spotlight of many researchers, constantly trying to increase the productivity of this species, particularly important in economically. The main aim of this article is to investigate the efficiency of the Blidar type filter-paper bridges in initiating the maize in vitro cultures for liquid culture media, in comparison with the conventional agarized culture media – solid culture media. In these experiments it were used modified Murashige-Skoog culture media (1962) (free of AIA and amino acids) supplemented or not with agar. The inocula consisted in caryopsis of Zea mays L. (hybrid Kiskun 4255). Based on the results of these experiments it can be underlined that growth increases for the cultivated vitroplants on liquid culture media provided with filter-paper bridges compared with those conventianlly cultivated on an agarized culture media, as following 5.34% for dry weight and 356.09% for leafs length.
Keywords: in vitro, filter-paper bridge, initiation, maize, plant biotechnology
THE INFLUENCE OF DEOXYNIVALENOL (DON) ON HEMOLEUCOGRAM COMPONENTS AT RATS
Marioara Nicoleta FILIMON, Adrian SINITEAN, Nicoleta IANOVICI, Aurica BOROZAN, Despina Maria BORDEAN, Gabi DUMITRESCU, Roxana POPESCU
Abstract. Mycotoxins are considered to be natural substances produced by fungi, infecting cereals and other agricultural products. The study was conducted on 20 male Sprague-Dowley rats which received feed with known concentration of DON. The animals were divided in 4 groups: Group I - control group, group II - 3 mg//Kgc DON, group III - 5 mg/Kgc DON, group IV - 9 mg/Kgc DON. The blood samples were taken and the main components of bloods were analyzed: erythrocytes, platelets, leucocytes, Ht. (hematocrit), Hb. (concentration hemoglobin). Variations of blood parameters give information regarding the influence of DON on functionality of cardiovascular and excretory system. Administration of DON contaminated feeds determined at Sprague-Dowley rats a decrease of erythrocytes and platelets with each increasing dose (p < 0.05), a decrease of hematocrit and concentration of hemoglobin and no significant changes (p > 0.05) were observed regarding the number of leucocytes.
Keywords: mycotoxin, deoxynivalenol, rat, hemoleucogram
K. M. Abdul RAOOF, M. Badruzzaman SIDDIQUI
Abstract: The present laboratory experimental study was conducted to evaluate the allelopathic potential of Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers on seed germination and seedling growth of weed plants (Chenopodium album L. Chenopodium murale L., Cassia tora L. and Cassia sophera L.). Root and aerial root aqueous extracts of Tinospora at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0% concentrations were applied to determine their effect on seed germination and seedling growth of test plants under laboratory conditions. Germination was observed for 15 days after that the root length and shoot length was measured. Dry weight was measured after oven drying the seedlings. The aqueous extracts from root and aerial root had inhibitory effect on seed germination of test plants. Aqueous extracts from root and aerial root significantly inhibited not only germination and seedling growth but also reduced dry weight of the seedlings. Root length, shoot length of weed species decreased progressively when plants were exposed to increasing concentration (0.5, 1, 2 and 4%). Aqueous extract of aerial root shows the least inhibition. The pH of aqueous extracts of different parts of T. cordifolia does not show any major change when the concentration increases.
Keywords: Allelopathy, aqueous extract, Chenopodium album, Chenopodium murale, Cassia tora, Cassia sophera, Tinospora cordifolia.
Kuldeep YADAV, Narender SINGH
Abstract. Excised nodal explants of Spilanthes acmella (L.) Murr., ‘Toothache Plant’ proliferate rapidly in vitro on MS medium containing 0.5- 2.0 mg/l of BAP. Rapid and prolific shoot proliferation occurred. Regenerated shoots vary considerably in size (3-10 cm long) and relative stage of development, with some (50%) producing adventitious roots without transferal to a separate rooting medium. With maximum possibility of adventitious roots induction was induced from middle order nodes (3rd to 5th node from apex) obtained from 3 months old in vivo plant on full-strength MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l BAP under the photoperiod of 18-h. The possibility of adventitious roots induction directly from regenerated shoot was greatly influenced by the concentration of BAP, photoperiod, age of donor plant and nodal position on stem.
Keywords: In vitro propagation, Spilanthes acmella, Endangered, Nodal segments, Photoperiod.
Abbreviations: BAP – 6-Benzylaminopurine; MS – Murashige and Skoog (1962) basal medium.
Valeriu Ioan VINŢAN, Petru BURESCU
Abstract. În the current paper we present a phytocoenologic study of the phytocoenoses of the association Festuco drymejae- Fagetum Morariu et al. 1968 (Syn.: Fagetum sylvaticae transylvaticum facies with Festuca drymeja I. Pop et al. 1974), found in the pure European beech forests of the Orăştie river basin, lying in the central-western part of Romania. The characterisation of the association under analysis as well as the presentation of the synthetic table have been done by selecting the most representative relevées of pure European beech forests belonging to the Orăştie river basin. The phytocoenoses of these beech forests were analysed in terms of physiognomy and floristic composition, life forms spectrum, floristic elements, and ecological indices.
Keywords: phytocoenoses, association, relevée, floristic elements, life forms, ecological indices, Sarmizegetusa.
Anca Nicoleta SUTAN, Aurel POPESCU, Valentina ISAC
Abstract. Using liquid culture medium provided with filter-paper bridges, a simple plant regeneration system via organogenesis from leaf and petiole explants of two intergeneric hybrids Fragaria x Potentilla, named ‘Pink Panda’ and ‘Serenata’, has been developed. The regeneration capacity of the explants was influenced by the light condition and plant growth regulators concentration. Dark incubation during the first 6 weeks, followed by the transfer of the cultures under a photoperiod of 16 hours light/8 hours darkness, at a relatively low intensity of light was the most effective condition to successfully induce shoots regeneration in both intergeneric hybrids. The pretreatment darkness of 21 days, followed by the cultures transferring under a photoperiod of 16 hours light/8 hours darkness and a light intensity of about 40 μmol m-2 s-1 has been associated with an incapacity of calluses to form adventitious buds, regardless of the explant type or hormonal balance. Optimal shoot regeneration was obtained with BAP in a concentration of 3.0 mg/l, in combination with 1.0 mg/l IBA, added to modified Murashige-Skoog medium. Shoot regeneration frequency were as high as 54.66% in ‘Serenata’ genotype and 43.33% in ‘Pink Panda’ genotype.
Keywords: ornamental strawberry, liquid culture, callus, organogenesis, shoot regeneration
Cristina MOISE, Camelia SAND
Abstract. Macrolepidoptera fauna of Sibiu and its surroundings is studied for over 124 years by the naturalists Saxons. The collected material is preserved in the form of individual collections at the Natural History Museum in Sibiu. In addition to our material collected by us since 2001, data from these collections were a valuable documentary material for the present work. Our considerations on Macrolepidoptera flight periods are based on research conducted during the year 2011 from March to November in the protected area Dumbrava Sibiului. The natural conditions and the characteristics of the investigated area were revealed in several previous articles that could be found in the reference list. This paper lists the species collected systematically in the climatic conditions of the year 2011. Eevery species is presented besides collecting date day and month, to facilitate national and international comparisons, also the endangered degree conform established data recommended by IUCN in 2000 and 2001.
Keywords: Forest "Dumbrava Sibiului", butterflies, biodiversity, IUCN 2001.
Cristian BANCIU, Anca AIFTIMIE-PĂUNESCU
Abstract. The present study belongs to the international efforts for plant conservation in the areas endangered by human activities. Ruscus aculeatus L. is one of the threatened plants (rare on the national red list of vascular plants from Romania) that grows in the Natural Park Comana, Southern Romania. Seeds, fragments of phylloclades, apical and lateral shoots and parts of rhizome, from plants grown in the natural habitat have been used for in vitro plant regeneration and multiplication. After successfully rooting and acclimatization of the regenerated plantlets, histological studies have been performed in order to compare the regenerants from in vitro cultures with plants from natural habitat. The results indicated that this plant species can be multiplicated, rooted and acclimatized on synthetic medium (MS supplemented with NAA, 2,4D, IAA, kinetin and BAP) with a good efficiency and the regenerants develop a few structural modification under vitroculture conditions, with no major consequences for a normal physiology and plant acclimatization.
Keywords: Ruscus aculeatus L., in vitro culture, morpho-anatomy.
PRODUCTION AND PURIFICATION OF a-AMYLASE FROM Aspergillus niger 33-19 CNMN FD 02A MUTANT FORM
Alexandra CILOCI, Cezara BIVOL, Maria STRATAN, Veaceslav REVA, Steliana CLAPCO, Janeta TIURIN, Svetlana LABLIUC
Abstract. From mutant micelial strain Aspergillus niger 33-19 CNMN FD 02A, through alcohol ethylic precipitation of cultural liquid, amylolytic preparation Amilonigrin AS was isolated with 10x degree of purity and a specific activity of 138.3U/mg proteins. α-Amylase from 20mM Tris-HCl extract of Amilonigrin AS was purified to homogeneity by PD-10 column gel filtration and HiTrapTM Q column ion exchange chromatography. A trial for the purification of α-amylase resulted in an enzyme specific activity of 199.68U/mg protein with purification fold 8.9. The analyses of purified α-amylase for molecular weight was carried out by SDSPAGE electrophoresis, with revealed two polypeptide bands estimated to be 66 and 40.5kDa, probably being two α-amylase izoforms.
Keywords: Aspergillus niger, α-amylase, enzyme purification, ion exchange chromatography, SDS-PAGE
REGULARITY OF MITOSIS IN DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF WINTER BREAD WHEAT UNDER THE ACTION OF HERBICIDES
Tatyana Eugenivna KOPYTCHUK, Alexander Lvovivh SECHNYAK
Abstract. The influence of the most widespread herbicides on winter wheat in Ukraine was studied by anaphase test. Treatment with herbicides reduced the germination of the seeds and disturbed the regularity of mitosis in all varieties of wheat. The range of violations of mitosis was demonstrated by the formation of chromosomal aberrations and dysfunctions of cell cytoskeleton which occurred while processing herbicides. Varietal differences between investigated wheat by sensitivity to herbicides were discovered. The most resistant to herbicides was variety Fantasya Odesskaya, and the most sensitive – Nikoniya, while the most harmful herbicide for wheat was Napalm.
Keywords: wheat, herbicides, mutagenic activity, anaphase test
ORNITHOLOGICAL RESEARCHES ON THE GOLEŞTI DAM LAKE (ARGEŞ COUNTY, ROMANIA) DURING 2003 – 2010
Denisa CONETE, Adrian MESTECĂNEANU, Radu GAVA
Abstract. 199 bird species were observed in the Goleşti Dam Lake, from the middle hydrographical basin of the Argeş River, during 2003 – 2010 (minimum – 64 in January and maximum – 141 in April). Their distribution regarding the constancy, dominancy and Dzuba index of ecological signification were considered. There are two eudominant species (Anas platyrhynchos and Aythya ferina) and two dominant species (Aythya fuligula and Larus ridibundus). The variation in the number of individuals during the year is strongly determined by the temperature variation that leads to the diminishing or increasing of the food resources. In winter, when the temperatures were low in the north (and the waters froze), the birds arrived in great number in our area but only a few of them remained in the area for breeding.
Keywords: bird species, ornithological researches, Goleşti Dam Lake, Argeş River, Romania.
