Damage to black locust leaves (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) by the black locust gall midge (Obolodiplosis robiniae) (Haldeman, 1847) in the Włoszczowa-Jędrzejów Protected Landscape Area - research on strengthening and developing knowledge and awareness in environmental education

The prepared article by the team of authors aims to show research in the field of strengthening and developing knowledge and awareness from environmental education in the community of nature conservation services and the academic community. This paper is the result of research conducted in 2014–2015, in the Włoszczowa-Jędrzejów Protected Landscape Area, in the Świętokrzyskie Province. The material for the study was acacia robinia (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) leaves collected on two research areas, differentiated due to the influence of anthropogenic factors. As a result of the study, 5,000 black locust leaves were collected, 65% of which were found to be damaged. Research stands under the influence of strong anthropopressure were characterised by a higher number of lesions on leaves.

Variation of phenotypic and physiological traits of Robinia pseudoacacia L. from 20 provenances

To select elite Robinia pseudoacacia L. germplasm resources for production, 13 phenotypes and three physiological indicators of 214 seedlings from 20 provenances were systematically evaluated and analyzed. The leaf phenotypic and physiological coefficients of variation among the genotypes ranged from 3.741% to 19.599% and from 8.260% to 42.363%, respectively. The Kentucky provenance had the largest coefficient of variation (18.541%). The average differentiation coefficients between and within provenances were 34.161% and 38.756%, respectively. These close percentages showed that R. pseudoacacia presented high genetic variation among and within provenances, which can be useful for assisted migration and breeding programs. Furthermore, based on the results of correlations, principal component analysis and cluster analysis, breeding improvements targeting R. pseudoacacia’s ornamental value, food value, and stress resistance of were performed. Forty and 30 excellent individuals, accounting for 18.692% and 14.019%, respectively, of the total resources. They were ultimately screened, after comprehensively taking into considering leaf phenotypic traits including compound leaf length, leaflet number and leaflet area and physiological characteristics including proline and soluble protein contents. These selected individuals could provide a base material for improved variety conservation and selection.

Expansion of tree and shrub plant species into undisturbed steppe phytocenoses

The article is devoted to the study of tree and shrub plant species that spontaneously invasively colonize anthropogenically undisturbed steppe ecosystems. The species composition, number and biometric characteristics of tree and shrub plant species are determined. It was established that there are 22 species, among which 8 show the greatest invasive activity, in 6 studied natural beams. These are: Cotinus coggygria Scop., Crataegus fallacina L., Prunus divaricata Ledeb., Prunus stepposa Kotov, Pyrus communis L., Rhamnus cathartica L., Robinia pseudoacacia L., Ros corymbifera Borkh. According to the Serensen index of species composition of tree and shrub plants, comparing the slopes of beams of different exposures, it was found that steppe tracts have different similarities between the slopes, but the highest figure was observed for Balka Demurynа (80%).

Assessment of the woody plant species vital condition distributed on the devastated lands of the iron ore dump

The actuality of the research is caused by the importance of understanding the laws of natural distribution of woody and shrub plant species on devastated lands of iron ore dumps of Kryviy Rih as a theoretical prerequisite for harmonizing the ecological environment of industrial regions. The aim of the research is to assess the current vital condition of woody and shrub plant species that naturally grow on devastated lands of the iron ore dump from the standpoint of the ecosystem approach. The materials of the work were the results of our own research, which were carried out according to generally accepted methods during 2020–2021 on the territory of Petrovsky waste rock dump of Kryviy Rih iron ore basin. The assessment of the current vital condition was carried out according to the method of V. A. Alekseyev. Presently, the vegetation on Petrovsky waste rock dump, which is a model for the region, is represented by natural groups, has a fragmented character and is a sparse forest. It has been established that 32 species of woody and shrub plant species (25 genera and 15 families) naturally grow within Petrovsky waste rock dump. The current vital condition of woody and shrub plant species in the dump was assessed as «weakened» (65–71 conventional points by V. A. Alekseyev’s scale). Such numerical values of the vitality of the forest stand are 21–28% lower than the control indicators (natural groupings of Gurivka forest). Our results indicate that the ecological conditions of the devastated lands of Petrovsky waste rock dump are relatively favourable for the growth and development of woody and shrub plant species. It was found that European birch (Betula pendula Roth.), ash-leaved maple (Acer negundo L.) and acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) are quite adapted to the habitat conditions of the dump. The vital condition of these species was assessed as «healthy»: 90–95 conventional points by V. A. Alekseyev’s scale.

Chronology of the use of woody plants in landscaping of Kryvyi Rih

Aim. Analysis of the chronological sequence of involvement of woody plants in landscaping of the city of Kryvyi Rih to develop conceptual foundations for their more effective use. Methods. Chronology of species implementation of woody plants in landscaping of the city were studied until the year 2000 on the basis of archival documents, scientific publications, as well as studies of the dendroflora of Kryvyi Rih. Results. In total, 185 species and forms of woody plants belonging to 82 genera were used in the landscaping of the city until the year 2000. In the period between 1870–1910, only 26 species were involved. In the postwar period (1945–1950), the number of species planted in the city was already 38 species, it increased significantly up to 78 species in the 1960s, and the maximum number of species - 90 was used in the landscaping of the city in the 1970s. In the first half of the twentieth century the most common species were members of the genus Acer L., among them A. negundo L., as well as Robinia pseudoacacia L.; species of the genera Ulmus L. and Fraxinus L. 1970–1980 years can be called the era of species of the genus Populus L. Conifers were solitarily planted in the city in the 1950s and 1960s, these are species of the genus Thuja L.and Juniperus L. In the late 1970s and 1980s, species of the genera Picea A. Dietr., Pinus L. and Taxus L. were massively introduced in the city. Today, such species as Picea pungens Engelm., as well as forms of P. pungens f. coerulea and P. pungens f. glauca is most represented among conifers in plantations, slightly less – Pinus pallasiana D. Don and P. sylvestris L. At this time and in the following years, Juniperus sabina L. is widespread in the city. Conclusions. In the urban environment of the XX century, the species, with a high level of vitality, primarily among deciduous Acer, Betula L., Catalpa Scop., Crataegus L., Fraxinus, Gleditsia L., Malus Mill., Morus L., Padellus Vass., Populus, Prunus L., Pyrus L., Quercus L., Rhus L., Sophora L., Tilia L., Ulmus proved to be stable and among coniferous — species of the genera Picea, Pinus, Taxus, Juniperus and Thuja, which are promising for further use.

The Properties of Black Locust Robinia pseudoacacia L. to Selectively Accumulate Chemical Elements from Soils of Ecologically Transformed Areas

The black locust Robinia pseudoacacia L. is a common species that originated from North America. In Europe, it is an invasive and introduced plant. Due to its low habitat requirements and ecological plasticity, this species colonizes new anthropogenically transformed areas quickly. This study investigated the chemical composition of selected tissues of Robinia pseudoacacia L. in five various habitats with different levels of anthropopression conditions in southern Poland. The presented research aimed to compare the chemical composition of black locust parts tissues (leaves, branches, and seeds) and the soil under its canopy. To determine the heavy metal contamination and enrichment in soil, the geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor, contamination factor, pollution load index, and potential ecological risk index were calculated. The results showed that all examined soils are considerably or very highly contaminated and the main heavy metals, which pollute the studied samples, are cadmium (1.3–3.91 ppm), lead (78.17–157.99 ppm), and zinc (129.77–543.97 ppm). Conducted research indicates that R. pseudoacacia leaves are the primary carrier of potentially toxic elements. Due to low bioaccumulation factor (BAF) values, it is clear that black locusts do not accumulate contaminants in such amounts that it would pose risk to its use in degraded area reclamation. The obtained results showed that R. pseudoacacia is able to grow in a wide range of habitats and could be applied for greening urban habitats and disturbed ecosystems caused by industry.

Allelopathic Effects of Extract Robinia pseudoacacia L. and Chenopodium album L. on Germination of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Allelopathy can have an important applicaiton in areas of agriculture, especially in integrated protection from weeds, by using of allelopathic crops in different ways. In this research allelopathic effects of invasive species acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and white goosefood (Chenopodium album L.) are explored on germination of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Water extracts of dry leaves of white goosefoot and acacia are prepared according tothe method : Norsworthy (2003). Experiment has been made in controlled laboratory conditions. Results of this research show that acacia and white goosefood have negative allelopathy potential and they act inhibitory on germination of tomatoes. Research of allelopathy and allelopathic relationships of weed species and agricultural cultures represents a big challenge for those people who are working in food production, and at the same time can be an instrument of ecologically sustainable agriculture.

Biomass Yield and Economic, Energy and Carbon Balances of Ulmus pumila L., Robinia pseudoacacia L. and Populus × euroamericana (Dode) Guinier Short-Rotation Coppices on Degraded Lands under Mediterranean Climate

The steadily increasing demand for energy and concerns about climate change have prompted countries to promote the use of renewable energy sources, including lignocellulosic biomass. In this context, this work aims to assess the biomass production for energy purposes in crops with short rotation, as well as its effect on soil properties. Deciduous tree species were used, mainly Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila L.), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and a hybrid poplar clone (Populus × euroamericana (Dode) Guinier, clone ‘AF2′). Four field trials were implemented, under two different types of Mediterranean climate, where highly productive taxa were tested, in addition to the mixed planting of a nitrogen-fixing species with a non-fixing one. Short-rotation coppices (SRCs) of these taxa yield about 12–14 t ha−1 year−1 of high-quality dry woody biomass, when fertilizers and irrigation water are supplied; generate 205–237 GJ ha−1 year−1 net and earnings of about EUR 1.5 per EUR 1 invested; and sequester into the soil 0.36–0.83 t ha−1 year−1 of C and 57 kg ha−1 year−1 of N. Therefore, these species raised as SRCs could improve degraded soils if the crop is properly managed, resulting in favorable economic, energy and CO2 emission balances. The use of mixed plantations can bring economic and environmental gains, and the biomass transformation into high-quality chips or pellets gives it added value.