PHYTOMELIORATIVE ROLE OF SHRUB BELT IN ROADSIDE PLANTATIONS

Along the federal roads of the Rostov region, Krasnodar Territory and the Stavropol Territory, it is increasingly possible to find clean plantations consisting of one or two tree species, with a completely destroyed bush belt. In 62 % of the plots studied, the shrub belt is represented by species of scumpia (Cotinus coggygria, 17 %), terna (Prunus spinosa, 9 %), elm (Ulmus parvifolia, 5 %), maple (Acer tataricum, 3 %), that is, resistant to anthropogenic and climatic factors steppe The bush belt in protective roadside strips plays a significant role in the accumulation of soil moisture (by 6.3 %), humus (by 2.4 %), in reducing the noise load (by 25 dB). Ancestral and overband shrubs make it possible to create a dense structure of forest strips, which fully performs protective functions both from drifts of the highway bed with snow, and to reduce the negative impact of vehicles on adjacent landscapes. The study of the phytomeliorative role of the shrub belt in existing roadside plantations is a relevant area of research for the further development of recommendations for the creation and maintenance of protective roadside plantings in the steppe zone of southern Russia.

Chylorhabditis epuraeae n. gen., n. sp. (Rhabditida: Rhabditidae) isolated from Epuraea (Haptoncus) ocularis Fairmaire collected from sap on the bark of Ulmus parvifolia Jacq. in Kyoto, Japan

Summary A new rhabditid entomophilic nematode was isolated from adult Epuraea (Haptoncus) ocularis collected from brown to light brown sap on the trunk of Ulmus parvifolia in Kyoto, Japan. The typological characters of the species, anteriorly opened peloderan bursa with nine bursal rays with the first, fifth, and eighth pairs directed dorsally, very long and two-part spicule with broad tip, and elongate conical female tail, do not fit the current nominal rhabditid genera. While phylogenetic analyses based on the near-full-length small subunit (18S) ribosomal RNA sequence tentatively suggest that the species is the sister of Buetschlinema, the typological and biological characters of the new species clearly differ from that genus, and so a new species is described herein as Chylorhabditis epuraeae n. gen., n. sp.

A new species of the elm powdery mildew species complex (Erysiphaceae) on Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia) in East Asia segregated from Erysiphe ulmi

Powdery mildews are common pathogens on wild elm trees as well as on planted ornamentals in Asia and Europe. The taxonomy of the powdery Erysiphe species on elms (Ulmus spp., Ulmaceae) is complicated by taxonomical changes and inconsistently labelled DNA data in databases and publications. Based on morphology and phylogenetic analysis of new collections from Germany and Taiwan, E. ulmi from Europe is revised, while specimens on U. parvifolia from East Asia revealed a separate clade indicating an undescribed species. Morphologically, both species can be distinguished by length of the foot cell of the conidiophore, whereas the teleomorph characteristics were not significantly distinctive.

Ulmus parvifolia Accelerates Skin Wound Healing by Regulating the Expression of MMPs and TGF-β

Ulmus parvifolia is one of the medicinal plants used traditionally for treatment of wounds. We intended to investigate the wound healing effect of the powder of Ulmus parvifolia (UP) root bark in a mouse wound healing model. We also determined the mechanisms of effects of U. parvifolia in skin and skin wound healing effects using a keratinocyte model. Animal experiments showed that the wound lesions in the mice decreased with 200 mesh U. parvifolia root bark powder and were significantly reduced with treatment by UP, compared with those treated with Ulmus macrocarpa (UM). Results from in vitro experiments also revealed that UP extract promoted the migration of human skin keratinocytes. UP powder treatment upregulated the expression of the matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 protein and significantly increased transforming growth factor (TGF)-β levels. We confirmed that topical administration of the bark powder exerted a significant effect on skin wound healing by upregulating the expression of MMP and transforming growth factor-β. Our study suggests that U. parvifolia may be a potential candidate for skin wound healing including epidermal skin rejuvenation.