Erythrina Stavila, Katja Loos^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.3, No.4, pp. 268-280, 2015, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2015.634102

Abstract The selective and specific features of enzymes have drawn an enormous amount of attention for use as in-vitro catalysts in polymerization reactions. Various studies on the enzymatic synthesis of polyesters, polycarbonates, polysaccharides, polypeptides, and polyamides have been performed and some have been implemented on an industrial scale. Particularly in the synthesis of polyester and polyamides, lipases are the most used enzymes as catalysts for their polymerization. Polyamides are considered to be one of the largest engineering polymer families used in the automotive, electrical and electronics, and consumer goods industries; thus the enzymatic synthesis of polyamides will More >

William Eberts, Matthew T. Siniawski^*, Timothy Burdiak, Nick Polito

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.3, No.4, pp. 259-267, 2015, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2014.634137

Abstract Single-ply biocomposite laminates were fabricated with two different woven fabrics and a bio-based resin using a wet layup technique at room temperature. A highly elastic, stockinette weave bamboo fiber fabric and a thicker, inelastic plain weave bamboo fabric were both investigated. The elastic fabric was pre-strained at 25% intervals, ranging from 0–100% of its original length. Samples made with E-Glass and S-Glass, two common glass fiber reinforcements, were also fabricated using the bioresin as benchmarks. The ultimate strength and modulus of elasticity characteristics of the composites were determined using the ASTM D3039/ D3039M-08 standard test… More >

Zhang J¹, C Zhou², YF Yang¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.2, pp. 417-422, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.417

Abstract Spatial expansion of clonal plants and growth of their modules are of concern in the field of plant ecology. After measuring a large number of samples, we analyzed the module components and the growth patterns of vegetatively propagated Agropyron michnoi clones in the Songnen Plain on Northeast China. The results showed that the plasticity of clonal growth was large; the coefficients of variation of both extensive areas and the quantitative characters of modules were more than 20%. The numbers of ramets, seedlings, and buds and the cumulative length of the rhizomes showed exponentially and linearly increasing More >

Bernacki FG¹, PL Albornoz^1,2, M Valoy¹, M Ordano^1,3

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.2, pp. 478-487, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.478

Abstract Solanaceae is a family with nearly 2400 species of cosmopolitan distribution. Vassobia breviflora is the only species of the genus present in Argentina. The goal of this work was to review and characterize the anatomy of the flower and fruit of V. breviflora from samples collected in populations of Yungas in the argentine Northwest. Conventional anatomical techniques were applied. The results showed that most flower, fruit and seed structures did not differ from those previously reported regarding the structural organization described for other species of the Solanaceae family. However, for the first time, we described the androecium, More >

Mashile SP^1,2, MP Tshisikhawe¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.2, pp. 473-477, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.473

Abstract This paper looked at the leaf architecture characteristics of Vachellia tortilis to determine if either there is or not an effect of the tropic line on plants. Vachellia tortilis leaves were sampled along a national road (N1) in Limpopo province. Sampling points were set 10 km apart away from the Tropic of Capricon in opposite directions. Leaf morphology revealed that leaves of V. tortilis are bipinnately compound with alternate arrangement. The venation pattern of the pinnules was eucamptodromus and brochidodromous with imperfect reticulation. Areoles were imperfect and pentagonal or irregular in shape. More >

Alomá Moreno O¹ y MJ Freuler²

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.2, pp. 466-472, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.466

Abstract The present study of the Orchidaceae family was carried out in Guamuahaya’s mountain range, from 2000 to March 2013. Fifteen districts were explored after 33 expeditions in the Province of Cienfuegos. Ninety two plant species were identified in the studied area, taking into account the ecological parameters of the mountainous areas of Cienfuegos and Cumanayagua municipalities. More >

Müller FL^1,2, LF Cyster¹, LM Raitt¹, J Aalbers¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.2, pp. 461-465, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.461

Abstract An increase in bioavailable tin in the environment could result in bioaccumulation thereof in agricultural crops, and therefore, have adverse health consequences on humans that eat these crops. The aims of the current study were thus to assess the uptake of Sn by spinach plants, and the subsequent effects this will have on the uptake of Na, Zn, K, Ca, and Mg as well as the growth of spinach plants. Spinach plants were grown in sand culture and received tin at concentrations of 0.02, 0.2, 2 and 20 mg/L along with a nutrient solution. The More >

Hernández-Cruz AE¹, E Sánchez^2*, P Preciado-Rangel¹, M L García-Bañuelos², A Palomo-Gil¹, A Espinoza-Banda¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.2, pp. 454-460, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.454

Abstract In the production of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), nitrogen fertilization is one of the most costly crop practices, but important to reach high yields. However, high nitrogen (N) content in plants does not always translate into a high fibre production. One way of assessing the efficiency of the N fertilizer is through the enzymatic activity of the nitrate reductase (NR). This is a key enzyme in N assimilation, whose activity is regulated by a number of endogenous and exogenous factors that determine yield. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of N fertilization… More >

Yang FW, XQ Feng

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.2, pp. 444-453, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.444

Abstract Abscisic acid (ABA) plays a series of significant physiology roles in higher plants including but not limited to promote bud and seed dormancy, accelerate foliage fall, induce stomatal closure, inhibit growth and enhance resistance. Recently, it has been revealed that ABA also has an important regulator role in the growth, development and ripening of fruit. In higher plants ABA is produced from an indirect pathway from the cleavage products of carotenoids. The accumulation of endogenous ABA levels in plants is a dynamic balance controlled by the processes of biosynthesis and catabolism, through the regulation of… More >

Sabatino M^1,2, AE Rovere¹, N Maceira²

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.2, pp. 435-443, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.435

Abstract Eryngium regnellii Malme belongs to the largest genera in the Apiaceae family, with 250 species worldwide and 65 represented in South America. It is a herbaceous species typical of hill plant communities, which, along with remnant grassland patches, are the most relevant natural habitats for the maintenance of diversity in the Southern Pampas. Eryngium regnellii is key to the maintenance of pollination mutualisms, being a generalist (displaying a diverse assemblage of pollinators) and ubiquitous species (present in all studied sierras). However, fragmentation of the Pampean landscape due to agricultural intensification has led to the loss of natural… More >