Ponds are common and abundant features in nearly all landscapes typical of European lowland landscapes yet research on freshwater biodiversity has traditionally focussed on larger waterbodies such as lakes and rivers. This has led to an increased need to understand and quantify the biodiversity associated with pond habitats to better inform the active conservation and management of these small waterbodies. This thesis examines the aquatic macroinvertebrate biodiversity (alpha, beta and gamma) and conservation value of 95 ponds in Leicestershire, UK, across a variety of urban and rural landscape types and at a range of spatial scales. In addition, the relative importance of local (physicochemical and biological) and spatial (connectivity) variables in structuring macroinvertebrate communities within ponds is investigated. At a regional scale, the greatest macroinvertebrate biodiversity and conservation value was recorded within meadow ponds compared to urban, agricultural and forest ponds. Spatially, ponds were highly physically and biologically heterogeneous. Temporally (seasonally), invertebrate communities were most dissimilar in meadow and agricultural ponds but assemblages were similar in urban and forest ponds. In urban landscapes, park ponds supported a greater diversity of invertebrates than other urban or garden ponds and typically had a greater conservation value. Garden ponds were the most taxon poor of those investigated. Perennial floodplain meadow ponds supported a greater biodiversity of invertebrates compared to ephemeral meadow ponds although conservation value was similar. Despite regular inundation from the River Soar, ephemeral ponds supported distinct communities compared to perennial meadow ponds. Aquatic macrophytes supported a higher diversity of taxa than other pond mesohabitats across all landscapes studied. Physicochemical factors were identified to be the dominant influence on macroinvertebrate assemblages although, a combination of local and spatial factors best explained the variation in community composition at a regional scale and for meadow ponds. Spatial factors were not identified to significantly influence urban pond communities. This study highlights the ecological importance and conservation value of ponds in rural and anthropogenically disturbed landscapes. Recognition of the significant contribution of ponds to freshwater biodiversity at regional and landscape scales is important for future conservation of pond habitats and will help focus and direct conservation strategies to where they are needed most.

Conclusions. SBL showed its efficacy in treating the animal model of allergic rhinitis. Its mechanisms may be related to its suppressive action on PCA reaction, the production of TXB2 and the expression of eNOS, as well as its modulation of cytokines, including IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, GM-CSF and TNF-alpha, release from mast cells. The clinical trial showed that SBL had more beneficial action on the quality of life, in comparison to the placebo, in the domains of RE and BP. Some symptoms evaluations of PAR patients, including GF, NB and SF were more markedly improved in the SBL group when compared with the placebo group. Furthermore, the use of SBL, with the study dose and treatment period, was safe. However, the accurate efficacy and mechanisms of SBL are largely unknown and need further investigation. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) / Introduction. Although great progress in treatment of allergic rhinitis have made in recent years, remarkably increasing prevalence and cost in epidemiology studies strongly suggest the difficulties in the management of allergic rhinitis. Shi-Bi-Lin (SBL) is a formula modified from the traditional Chinese herbal formula Cang-Er-Zi-San (CEZS) and a classic European formula SinupretRTM. CEZS has been used for the treatment of allergic rhinitis for several centuries in East Asia communities, and SinupretRTM has been used in treating paranasal sinusitis and rhinitis widely in Europe for decades. However, its therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. We examined the efficacy and the possible mechanism of SBL in an animal model of allergic rhinitis and in cell culture study using Human Mast Cell Line (HMC-1) and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC). In addition, a clinical trial was conducted to examine its clinical efficacy and safety. / Results. In the animal study, SBL showed a potent effect in relieving the symptoms of nasal obstruction, sneezing and nasal scratching (P<0.05 or P<0.01), but had no convincing effect in decreasing the nasal discharge (P>0.05). In PCA test, IgG1 increased in a modest manner in the SBL-treated group when compared with the sham group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Eosinophil infiltration and the expression of eNOS in nasal mucosa, but not iNOS, were obviously lower in the SBL treated group (P<0.05 or P<0.01) in comparison to the sham group. The levels of thromboxane B (TXB)2 in the nasal lavage fluid, but not histamine and peptide leukotrienes (p-LTs), showed significantly lower than that of the sham group (P<0.05). In vitro study showed that SBL modulated the cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-8, Granulocyte/Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, release from human mast cell line (HMC-1). However, the mRNA expressions of these cytokines were not significantly altered. As the controls, dexamethasone, desloratadine and budesonide had more potently inhibitory effects on cytokines release from HMC-1. The component herbs generally had stimulatory effects on the cytokine release from HMC-1 and variable effects on PBMC. In the clinical trial, a total of 84 patients were recruited in the clinical trial and 77 of them completed the trial. Although no significant differences of each domain between the SBL and placebo groups were detected, findings supported the efficacy of SBL were obtained. / by Zhao Yu. / "July 2005." / Advisers: C. A. Van Hasselt; Ping-Chung Leung; Kong-Sang Woo. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-01, Section: B, page: 0172. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references. / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

<p>PGP mikroorganizmi (Plant Growth Promoting) su predmet mnogobrojnih istraživanja, čiji je glavni cilj pronalaženje adekvatnog načina njihove primene u poljoprivredi, hortikulturi, &scaron;umarstvu i za&scaron;tititi životne sredine. Cilj ovih istraživanja bio je izolacija i karakterizacija mikroorganizama sa PGP svojstvima iz rizosfere engleskog ljulja, ispitivanje sposobnosti njihovog preživljavanja nakon uno&scaron;enja u zemlji&scaron;te, kao i praćenje uticaja njihove primene na parametre prinosa i mikrobiolo&scaron;ku aktivnost u rizosferi biljke. Karakterizacija izolata roda Pseudomonas, Bacillus i Streptomyces obuhvatila je određivanje fiziolo&scaron;kih, biohemijskih i PGP osobina. Uticaj introdukcije odabranih izolata i gljive Trichoderma asperellum na brojnost i mikrobiolo&scaron;ku aktivnost u rizosferi engleskog ljulja, određivan je standardnim metodama na selektivnim hranljivim podlogama, a dehidrogenazna aktivnost spektrofotometrijskom metodom. U laboratorijskim uslovima ispitivan je efekat primene izolata na klijavost, dužinu korenka i stabaoca klice semena engleskog ljulja. U toku godine, uzimana su tri otkosa i pri tome su određivani dužina nadzemnog dela i korena biljke (cm) i prinos zelene i suve materije nadzemnog dela biljke po otkosu (t/ha). Na osnovu morfolo&scaron;kih, fiziolo&scaron;ko-biohemijskih, kao i PGP osobina koje su izolati pokazali, te na osnovu rezultata mnogobrojnih dosada&scaron;njih istraživanja, može se zaključiti da izolati P1 i P9 pripadaju vrsti Pseudomonas putida, izolat P12 Pseudomonas fluorescens, izolati B1, B3 i B6 vrsti Bacillus subtilis, a izolati A1, A2, A3 rodu Streptomyces. Brojnost pojedinih sistematskih i fiziolo&scaron;kih grupa mikroorganizama kao i enzimatska aktivnost u rizosferi engleskog ljulja, zavisila je od primenjenih inokulanata. Primena izolata Pseudomonas sp. P12 pozitivno je uticala na povećanje ukupnog broja mikroorganizama, brojnost gljiva, aminoheterotrofa i aktinomiceta. Izolat Bacillus sp. B1 uticao je na povećanje ukupnog broja mikroorganizama, brojnosti gljiva i azotobaktera. Primena izolata Streptomyces sp. A3 dovela je do povećanja broja aktinomiceta i oligonitrofila, dok je primena Trichoderma asperellum uticala pozitivno na povećanje broja aminoheterotrofa i azotobaktera. Primena izolata Pseudomonas sp. P12 i Streptomyces sp. A3 imala je najveći efekat na dehidrogenaznu aktivnost. Inokulacija je imala pozitivan uticaj na klijavost, svežu i suvu masu biljke, visinu i dužinu korena biljaka. Primena gljive Trichoderma asperellum i izolata Streptomyces sp. A3 delovala je pozitivno na klijavost, dužinu korenka i stabaoca klice. U proseku, najbolji efekat na prinos sveže i suve materije, kao i na visinu nadzemnog dela i dužinu korena biljke, imala je primena izolata Pseudomonas sp.P12 i Bacillus sp. B1.U proizvodnji krmnih trava mikroorganizmi jo&scaron; nisu na&scaron;li značajniju praktičnu primenu iako je veći i kvalitetniji prinos jedan od ciljeva stočarske proizvodnje. Rezultati ovih istraživanja su pokazali da se primenom mikroorganizama mogu postići pozitivni efekti i u proizvodnji engleskog ljulja. Zbog toga je veoma značajno da se vr&scaron;e dalja ispitivanja uzajamnog odnosa primenjenih mikroorganizama i engleskog ljulja u poljskim uslovima, kako bi se optimizirao način i vreme primene inokulanata</p> / <p>PGP microorganisms (Plant Growth Promoting) have been the subject of many research projects, whose main goal is to find appropriate methods of their use in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and environmental protection. The aim of this study is the isolation and characterization of microorganisms with PGP characteristics from the rhizosphere of perennial ryegrass, testing their ability to survive after entering the soil, and monitoring the impact of their application on yield parameters and microbial activity in the rhizosphere of plants. Characterization of Pseudomonas, Bacillus and Streptomyces included determination of the physiological, biochemical and PGP characteristics. Impact of the introduction of selected isolates and fungi Trichoderma asperellum on quantity and microbial activity in the rhizosphere of ryegrass was determined by using the standard method of selective media; dehydrogenase activity by the spectrophotometric method. The effects of the implementation of isolates on germination, seedling length sprouts seeds of perennial ryegrass were studied under laboratory conditions. During the year, three cuttings were taken. At each of the three cuttings, length of stem and roots of plants (cm) and yields of fresh and dry matter of the plant (t / ha) were measured.<br />Based on morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics and PGP characteristics observed in the isolates, and based on the results of many previous studies, it can be concluded that (1) P1 and P9 isolates belong to the species Pseudomonas putida, (2)Pseudomonas fluorescens P12 isolate, isolates of B1, B3, B6, belong to the species Bacillus subtilis, and (3) A1, A2 and A3 isolates belong to the ordo Streptomyces. The quantity of systematic and physiological groups of microorganisms and enzymatic activity in the rhizosphere of ryegrass depended on the applied inoculants. Application of Pseudomonas sp. P12 had positive effects on increasing the total number of microorganisms, fungi, aminoheterotrophs and actinomycetes. Isolate Bacillus sp. B1 affected the increase of the total number of micro-organisms in the fungi and Azotobacter. Application of Streptomyces sp. isolates A3 led to an increase in the number of actinomycetes and oligonitrophyls, while the application of Trichoderma asperellum had positive impact on increasing the number aminoheterotrophs and Azotobacter. Application of Pseudomonas sp. P12 and Streptomyces sp. A3 had the greatest effect on dehydrogenase activity. Inoculation had a positive effect on germination, fresh and dry weight of plant, height and rootlength of plants. Introduction of fungus Trichoderma asperellum and Streptomyces sp. A3 isolate acted positively on germination, length of seedling of germs. On average, the best effects on the yield of fresh and dry matter, the height of the stem of the plant and the length of the root were attained by the application of Pseudomonas sp.P12 and Bacillus sp. B1 isolates. Microorganisms have not yet found significant practical use in the production of forage grasses, even though more qualitative yield has been sought in livestock production. The results of this study demonstrate that positive results in the production of perennial ryegrass can be achieved by the use of microorganisms. Therefore, it is very important to carry out further studies of the relationship between applied microorganisms and ryegrass under field conditions in order to optimize the method and time of application of inoculants.</p>

Cool season perennial grasses are the foundation of equine nutrition in the transition zone. The objective of this study was to evaluate forage quality using ADF, NDF, IVTDMD, CP, WSC, and ESC and changes in vegetative swards seasonally, diurnally, across species (Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, orchardgrass, and perennial ryegrass) and cultivar. This study was conducted in 2015 and 2017 and plots were maintained vegetatively with two to four week mowing. Morning and afternoon sample collection occurred monthly during the growing season. Samples were flash frozen; freeze dried, ground, and scanned using Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) to predict forage quality. There was a significant year effect; therefore year was analyzed separately. Generally, ADF and NDF were highest for Kentucky bluegrass (30 and 52%), lowest for perennial ryegrass (25 and 46%), and tall fescue and orchardgrass were inconsistent. Crude protein was variable across species and season, ranging 10 to 25%. ADF and NDF concentrations were higher in the morning; IVTDMD, WSC, and ESC were higher in the afternoon; and CP was similar diurnally. In conclusion, forage quality in vegetative cool season grass pastures was sufficient to meet the nutritional needs of most equines, but varied seasonally, diurnally, across species, and cultivar.

Rigorous statistical examination of the population dynamics of a number of long-lived perennial plant species permitted an interpretation of changes in those populations and the establishment of potentially important causal agents. Survival and recruitment of six species from the mulga-zone rangelands of Western Australia varied across three climatically different periods following the removal of domestic livestock. Two species' populations (Eragrostis xerophila and Maireana glomerifolia) had their rates of increase reduced by kangaroo and euro grazing. Both survival and recruitment of Eragrostis xerophila were reduced by this grazing while Maireana glomerifolia suffered reduced recruitment during all periods. These negative effects were most pronounced during the post-drought period of more "normal" rainfall. Three other species populations responded positively to grazing. Recruitment and survival of Eremophila spectabilis, were affected by grazing, particularly on a poor condition site, while differences in recruitment were more important for Eremophila leucophylla. Frankenia pauciflora had increased recruitment and survival during the postdrought period. The sixth species (Ptilotus obovatus) suffered increased mortality and reduced recruitment during the post-drought period. Relative rates of change in management related groups of 18 species, including the six examined in more detail, were presented as a viable addition to the analysis of trend in rangeland vegetation. Grazing by kangaroos significantly reduced the rate of recovery of destocked rangeland pastures. Site and seasonal factors affected all species populations examined. Site induced differences affected survival of all six species examined, highlighting the difficulty of replicating large scale experiments in rangeland vegetation. Different seasonal sequences (very wet, very dry, and more "normal") produced different species population responses. Populations of most species increased during the very wet, and more "normal", post-drought period, but declined, or remained static, during the drought. Potentially competitive relationships were examined at one site where the complexity of juvenile plant survival responses to seasonal conditions, treatment and to neighbor-free-space suggest potential competition, but more importantly reflect a need for more detailed study. A re-examination of Danthonia caespitosa population data collected by O.B. Williams in rangeland areas of New South Wales indicates the importance of grazing by merino sheep, seasonal conditions, and the cohort within which a plant is recruited. The extreme variability of the data highlights the need for experimental designs that take account of the frequency and importance of causal agent impact, and are related to the dynamism of the population.

Equisetum arvense is an evolutionary old species that is common as a perennial weed in Europe, North America and Australia. It reproduces vegetatively via rhizomes and tubers and due to this it spreads efficiently below ground after initial establishment. The aim of this study was to increase the knowledge of performance during early growth of the species. This included differences between clones along a gradient throughout Sweden, development of tubers and rhizomes, local adaptation and the overall variation within the species. Rhizomes of E. arvense were collected from three different places in each of four regions, up to 1000 km apart, in Sweden. Clones from the twelve places were planted in spring for a common garden study. During summer the plants were watered when needed and during late summer the plants were harvested every second week until late autumn. Data recorded were tuber and rhizome biomass, aboveground biomass, number of tubers and three different tuber characteristics. The results showed clone specific phenotypes, but no gradient response or adaptation to regions, e.g. the clone with the highest and the clone with the lowest tuber biomass in relation to the rhizome biomass were from the same region. During early growth, the plants developed continuously with rapid increase of belowground biomass after development of aboveground photosynthetic parts. Tuber productions differed a lot between clones. The relationship between tubers and rhizomes may affect the clone’s possibility to be competitive in different environments. Management advice may need to be based on clone specific knowledge.

Research objective The study was designed to investigate biomass production of tall fescue, cocksfoot, and reed canary grass and the quality of raw material for biogas as influenced by sward fertilization with different rates of nitrogen and different number of cuts per season and to establish the effect of fertilization with digestate on cocksfoot biomass production and quality. Research tasks: • to estimate the productivity of tall fescue, cocksfoot and reed canary grass, fertilized with different nitrogen rates, for biogas; • to assess the effect of cutting frequency and fertilization rate of tall fescue, cocksfoot and reed canary grass on the quality composition of biomass for biogas and biogas potential; • to estimate agroecological value of perennial grasses; • to determine the energy potential of biomass of the tested perennial grasses used for biogas production and to identify the energy balance of raw material preparation for biogas. Research subject - tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.). Originality of the research work. One of the potential raw materials for biogas production is biomass of perennial grasses. Each grass species differs in growth rhythm and rate, demand for nutrients, and other characteristics, therefore the amount of biomass is highly dependent on specific growing conditions and cultivation technologies that have to ensure the quality of raw material best suited... [to full text] / Tyrimo tikslas – ištirti nendrinių eraičinų, paprastųjų šunažolių ir nendrinių dryžučių biomasės kiekį bei žaliavos biodujoms kokybę pagal skirtingas azoto normas tręštuose žolynuose, taikant nevienodą pjūčių skaičių per sezoną ir nustatyti tręšimo biosubstratu įtaką paprastųjų šunažolių biomasės kiekiui bei kokybei. Tyrimo uždaviniai: • įvertinti biodujoms auginamų nendrinių eraičinų, paprastųjų šunažolių ir nendrinių dryžučių produktyvumą, juos tręšiant skirtingomis azoto normomis; • nustatyti nendrinių eraičinų, paprastųjų šunažolių ir nendrinių dryžučių pjūčių dažnumo ir tręšimo azotu įtaką biomasės biodujoms kokybinei sudėčiai bei dujų potencialui; • nustatyti tirtų daugiamečių žolių auginimo agroekologinę vertę; • įvertinti biomasės naudojimo biodujų gamybai energinį potencialą ir žaliavos paruošimo biodujoms energijos balansą. Tyrimo objektas – nendrinis eraičinas (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), paprastoji šunažolė (Dactylis glomerata L.), nendrinis dryžutis (Phalaris arundinacea L.) Mokslinis naujumas. Viena iš potencialių žaliavų biodujų gamybai yra daugiamečių žolių biomasė. Tačiau kiekviena žolių rūšis nuo kitų skiriasi savitu augimo ritmu, trukme, maisto medžiagų poreikiu ir kitomis savybėmis, todėl biomasės kiekis labai priklauso nuo konkrečių augimo sąlygų ir auginimo technologijų, o kokybė turėtų būti tokia, kad būtų tinkamiausia pagal numatomą žaliavos panaudojimo paskirtį. Šio tyrimo metu nustatyta, kad vidutinių platumų klimato zonos šiaurinėje dalyje... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

The aims of this study were to develop a genetic linkage map of perennial ryegrass, identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for herbage and seed production traits, and to identify DNA markers associated with QTL for use in marker-assisted selection (MAS). Major traits identified for herbage production were leaf elongation rate (LER), leaf lamina length (LL), tiller number (TN) and tiller weight (TW), and for increased seed production were seed yield per head (SdYH), reproductive tiller number (RT), reproductive tillers with matured heads (TMH), florets per head (FH), spikelets per head (SH), florets per spikelet (FS), floret site utilization (FSU) and seed weight (TSW). A genetic linkage map spanning 582 centimorgans (cM) was constructed with EST-SSR (simple sequence repeat markers derived from expressed sequence tags) and used to identify QTL for herbage dry weight (DW) and seed yield per plant (SdYP), and their key component traits. Significant genotype by environment effects were encountered for herbage yield, with fewer QTL identified in spring than in autumn. For some traits, ranking of genotypes differed greatly between seasons and different QTL were identified. QTL for DW were identified on linkage groups (Lg) 1 and 6. The QTL on Lg 6 co-located with QTL for TN, while that on Lg 1 co-located with LER and LL. Markers at Lg 1 QTL (qDW-03-1.1) may be more useful for increasing herbage production by MAS because selection for high LER and long LL has been suggested to increase herbage production in perennial ryegrass. QTL for SdYP were identified on Lg 2 and Lg 6. The QTL on Lg 6 co-located with QTL for SdYH, FSU and TSW, while that on Lg 2 co-located with FH, SH and FS. For seed production, markers at Lg 6 QTL (qSdYP-03-6) may be very useful because this QTL co-located with QTL for SdYH, FSU and TSW, and SdYH has been identified previously as a key selection criterion for increasing seed yield. Marker-trait validation confirmed markers pps0495 and pps0698 identified by QTL analysis to be potentially useful for selecting for fast leaf appearance and long LL, respectively, in perennial ryegrass.

Population dynamics of plants is the study of the recruitment and longevity of plants. Of the many tropical pasture legumes now in use, only Siratro (Macroptilium) is understood in simple mixtures. Walker (1980) found that rapid changes occurred in the populations of some tropical perennial legumes in response to grazing by cattle. The study investigated initial effects of cattle grazing on the dynamics of five perennial, tropical legumes in association with two contrasting grass species.

Appendix content (raw data and statistics; sequences) unavailable online, but available with print copy / Epichloë/Neotyphodium endophytes are a group of clavicipitaceous fungi that form symbiotic associations with temperate grasses. The asexual N. lolii form asymptomatic mutualistic associations with ryegrass whereas the sexual E. typhina behaves similar to a mutualist during the vegetative phase of plant growth but switches to epiphytic growth and formation of an external stroma upon development of the floral inflorescence. The aim of this project was to study the metabolic interaction between these endophytes and their perennial ryegrass host. The role of endophyte thiamine biosynthesis in host colonisation and stroma development was chosen, because of the key role this coenzyme plays in primary cellular metabolism and because thiamine biosynthetic genes are induced in several fungal-plant interactions. The orthologue (thil) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae THI4 was isolated from N. lolii and E. typhina by PCR using degenerate primers designed to conserved regions of known thiazole biosynthetic genes. This gene is expressed in planta and in culture, and is alternatively spliced, with distinct patterns of the isoforms expressed under different nutritional conditions. Mutant with a deletion in the E. typhina thil gene was constructed and shown to have reduced hyphal density and branching compared to the wild-type on defined media lacking thiamine. Both thiamine and thiazole complemented this defect. Artificial inoculation of the mutants into plants showed that the thil mutant retained the ability to colonise the perennial ryegrass host and form stromata. However, the mutant had some differences in host colonisation and growth, including reduced hyphal branching and reduced detrimental effects on the host. In addition, glycogen-like deposits, which were abundant in the wild-type hyphae, were not evident in the mutants. Unexpectedly, both the thil mutant and wild-type strains formed some stromata on vegetative tissue. Electron microscopic examination revealed that the cells of epiphytic hyphae found on the vegetative tillers typically were enlarged, lacking in cytoplasm and highly vacuolated, an ultrastructure similar to that found for hyphae growing in reproductive tillers. The mutants retained the ability to form conidia on the outer layer of the stromata. Extensive vascular colonisation and hyphal ramification in the mesophyll were common characteristics of stromata bearing regions. Although the morphology and ultrastructure of stromata formed on vegetative tillers is very similar to those on reproductive tillers, one significant difference was the presence of abundant glycogen-like deposits in hyphae of vegetative tillers. Furthermore, there were dramatic differences in the levels of glycogen-like deposits in hyphae in different regions of the vegetative tillers, indicating that the energy demand changes during stroma development. This is the first report of E. typhina forming stromata on non-inflorescence tillers.