Shah A^1*, S Rahim^1,5 , KH Bhatti², A Khan¹, N Din¹, M Imran¹, M Mohsin³, M Ishtiaq⁴, A Nabila¹, A Ansari¹, S Hussain¹, M Zafar⁵, M Mushtaq⁵, E Mumtaz¹, J Iqbal⁶

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.1, pp. 34-44, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.034

Abstract Sargodha district is one of the least studied regions of Pakistan regarding its ethnobotanical values. This paper is the first report related to the documentation and conservation status of the tree species in the Sargodha district, and their folk ethnobotanical uses. An interview base survey was conducted in the study area in 2010-2013. The ethnobotanical data revealed the use of 100 tree species (6 gymnosperms, 94 angiosperms) belonging to 77 genera (6 gymnosperms, 71 angiosperms) and 39 families (4 gymnosperms, 35 angiosperms), with the Fabaceae ranking first with 19 tree species, followed by the Moraceae (12 species). Tree species like… More >

Huang FL^1,2, GL Zhu^2,3, YS Chen^1,2, FJ Meng⁴, M Peng^1,4, XF Chen^1,2, ZB He³, ZY Zhang³, YJ Chen^1,2

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.1, pp. 26-33, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.026

Abstract Oil content and fatty acid composition were investigated on 12 castor varieties and strains by using the soxhlet extraction method and capillary gas chromatography. This was made to provide a reference and theoretical basis for castorbean breeding with high oil content, determine variability of seed compounds for breeding purposes, and broaden chemical material choices. Results revealed that crude fat percentage in seeds ranged from 18.91 to 35.84% with an average of 25.91%; the absolute content of ricinoleic acid varied between 171.65 g/kg and 314.03 g/kg with an average of 222.43 g/kg, and kernel crude fat percentage was between 24.28 and… More >

Ayerdi Gotor A^1,5*, M Berger¹, F Labalette², S Centis³, J Daydé¹, A Calmon^1,4

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.1, pp. 14-25, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.014

Abstract Sunflower oil is naturally rich in both unsaturated fatty acids and numerous minor components, with high levels of α-tocopherol and phytosterols that could play an important role in plant protection. These micronutriments, tocopherols and phytosterols, also exhibit health benefits for humans including reducing both cardiovascular diseases and aging disorders. α−Tocopherol represents more than 95% of total sunflower tocopherol and has the greatest vitaminic activity. Furthermore, this oil contains high amounts of β-sitosterol which is a promising health beneficial phytosterol. The objective of this study was to compare the content and composition of fatty acids, tocopherols and phytosterols in sunflower oil… More >

López-Calderón MJ¹, U Figueroa-Viramontes^2*, M Fortis-Hernández¹, G Núñez-Hernández², E Ochoa-Martínez², JI Sanchez-Duarte²

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.1, pp. 8-13, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.008

Abstract An experiment with increasing rates of fertilizer and manure in silage corn was established to evaluate the agronomic crop response and to estimate the manure nitrogen availability. The treatments were designed to deliver 0, 67, 100 and 133% of the crop nitrogen requirements (CNR), using ammonium sulphate and manure as N source. Dry matter (DM) yield was similar among treatments receiving N, but those values were greater than those found in the control. Nitrogen extraction at harvest was not statistically different in treatments with fertilizer or manure, but it was higher in these treatments than in the control without N… More >

Jiménez-Juárez JA^1,2, G Arámbula-Villa³, E de la Cruz-Lázaro^1*, MA Aparicio-Trapala¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.1, pp. 1-7, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.001

Abstract Maize (Zea mays L.) tortilla is the major staple food for the Mexican population. Nine tropical maize genotypes were evaluated. All samples had white grains, a common characteristic in tropical maize, and therefore they were appropriate for nixtamalized flour industry. Grain, flour, masa and tortilla characteristics of each maize genotype were evaluated. Length, width, thickness, weight of 1000 grains and hardness of grain were determined. Moisture content, proteins, fat, ash, mean particle size, water absorption index, enthalpy, and flour temperature were also evaluated. Adhesiveness and cohesiveness were evaluated in masa. Moisture content, protein, capacity to puff up, roll making, tension… More >

Díaz-Miguel M¹, J Castro², PA García³

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.83, pp. 423-429, 2014, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2014.83.423

Abstract The construction of a ski slope implies a strong environmental impact as a result of the removal of the vegetation cover. The need to protect the soil requires a rapid restoration of vegetation, which is often done with commercial seed mixtures that can cause a negative impact on these high mountain ecosystems. Thus, the use of seeds of native species is essential, especially in areas rich in endemic species. The compaction of snow as a result of the preparation of the ski slopes causes the soil to freeze. This hinders the germination of seeds, especially those of shrub species. This… More >

Gul B¹, M Islam², S Ahmad³, S Gul¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.83, pp. 415-421, 2014, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2014.83.415

Abstract The effect of fire on growth and nutritive value of Saccharum griffithii Munro ex Boiss-ravennae (Linn.) Murr. hybrid, a low palatable perennial grass in the semi-arid region of the highlands of Balochistan, Pakistan, was evaluated during 2008 and 2009. Prescribed fire treatments were applied in February 2008 and 2009 at the dormant stage of vegetation. Different growth parameters (tiller height, tiller number/plant), forage production (fresh, dry) and nutritive value (crude protein, ash) were compared with control (unburnt) plots. Fire increased the number of tillers, and the fresh and dry forage production in both years. Fire also improved the crude protein… More >

Qian J^1,2, Z Wang¹, Z Liu¹, W Kuang^1,2, CA Busso³

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.83, pp. 407-414, 2014, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2014.83.407

Abstract Understanding the changes in the total bud bank, and its contribution to community regeneration, in response to grassland enclosure to livestock grazing, is crucial for grassland management. Despite its importance, the contribution of the total bud bank and that of different bud types to community regeneration as a whole have been rarely explored. The vegetative offspring recruited from different bud types was investigated in grasslands having different enclosure durations to livestock grazing on a typical steppe of Inner Mongolia, China. Total vegetative offspring density was significantly higher (p<0.05) under continuous grazing than in fenced grasslands, but no significant changes were… More >

Blazquez FR^1,2,3, DV Peláez^1,3,4, RJ Andrioli¹, OR Elia^1,2,3

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.83, pp. 397-405, 2014, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2014.83.397

Abstract The interaction between woody and grass species in semi-arid rangelands of central Argentina was assessed through the evaluation of the impact of woody species on grass growth over a 2-y period. The study comprised two morpho-physiologically different woody species and two cool-season perennial grass species highly preferred by domestic livestock. The study involved the assessment of total green length (TGL) and number of green leaves (NGL) per tiller in grasses growing beneath the canopy of woody species and in open rangeland areas. Soil temperature, pH and water, nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter content were estimated at the same study sites.… More >

Pérez Cuadra V, V Cambi

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.83, pp. 389-396, 2014, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2014.83.389

Abstract The halophytic community of Salitral de la Vidriera (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina) has species with different morphoanatomical functional traits. The aim of this study was to compare these traits in four species, two Asteraceae (Baccharis spartioides and B. tenella) and two Frankeniaceae (Frankenia juniperoides and F. pulverulenta). Leaves and stems were treated under traditional techniques for anatomical study. Leaves the of Asteraceae and F. pulverulenta were amphistomatic while in F. juniperoides they were hypostomatic. All species showed trichomes and only the Frankeniaceae had salt glands. The mesophyll was isolateral in Asteraceae, and dorsiventral in Frankeniaceae; the number of foliar vascular… More >