Seasonal changes in nutritional quality of Phlomis fruticosa (L.) in a semi-mountainous rangeland of Epirus, Greece
Phlomis fruticosa L. is a dwarf plant which belongs to the Lamiaceae (Labiaceae) family and forms pure or mixed plant communities. In Epirus, Phlomis fruticosa plant communities constitute an important grazing source for sheep, goats and cattle. The objective of this research was to estimate the nutritive value of the different parts of Phlomis fruticosa per phonological stage. It was conducted in a representing Phlomis fruticosa plant community at Ioannina plateau. The procedure involved sample collection from April 1992 to April 1993, which they were separated to leaves, stems and flowers and they were subjected to chemical analyses for the determination of CP, NDF, ADF, hemicelluloses, cellulose, lignin and in vitro digestibility of organic matter (IVOMD). The results show that Phlomis fruticosa has relatively high levels of CP (12.4 – 20.1%), NDF (41.3 – 61.4%) and lignin (8.8 – 18.2%) in leaves, but low IVOMD (0.400 – 0.517), while stems have lower (P<0.05) content in CP (4.9 – 9.6%), IVOMD (0.419 – 0.460) and higher content in NDF (57.7 – 73.1%) and lignin (12.8 – 21.8%). Flowers were found to have lower content in lignin (7.1 – 15.0%), while their content in CP (10.3 – 11.5%), NDF (55.3 – 57.4%) and IVOMD (0.321 – 0.547) was lower (P<0.05) than leaves and higher (P<0.05) than stems. The low IVOMD of Phlomis fruticosa is attributed besides its high content in lignin to the presence of phenolic compounds. Consequently, the research for the utilization of Phlomis fruticosa crude protein must be oriented to the selection of Phlomis fruticosa types which are grazed more than the others so that its intake capability by the domestic animals is improved.
Impact of wildfires on aboveground biomass in shrublands of Lagadas county in northern Greece
Large forested areas are destroyed by wildfires in Greece each year. A significant part of these areas comprises rangelands that are degraded considerably. events lead to low biodiversity, soil erosion, water runoff and low soil productivity. The present study was carried out in an area of 563.2 ha, located at Lagadas county, which was burnt in 2007. The dominant shrub species of the area are kermes oak (Quercus coccifera) and wild pear (Pyrus spinosa). In burned and unburned shrublands of three cover types, namely open (10-40%), medium (41-70%), and dense (71-100%) the aboveground biomass of both herbaceous and woody species was estimated at the end of the second growing season since the wildfire. It was found that the herbaceous biomass was increased considerably two years after the fire apparently due to the reduction of woody plants. Woody biomass however was lower in the burnt than in the unburnt area. Nevertheless, the total biomass was the same in burned and unburned areas because of the higher yield of herbaceous vegetation which balanced the reduction of the woody biomass. Also, medium shrublands produced significantly more herbaceous biomass than the open ones as the latter were exposed to heavier grazing by livestock.
The resistance of species of the genus Aegilops in abiotic and biotic stress
Plant species of the genus Aegilops belong to Graminae. They are defined as Mediterranean – W. Asian species, consisting of diploid, tetraploid and exaploid species, and bearing many similarities to Triticum sp. Many abiotic and biotic factors influence metabolism and growth of Aegilops species defining in a major way their existence. Recent studies reveal that species of the Aegilops genus exhibit resistance in many abiotic (salinity, drought) and biotic factors (diseases and fungi), bringing into operation many sophisticated ecophysiological and morphological mechanisms, setting Aegilops as a very important and precious genus for further improvement of other herbaceous species grown under abiotic and biotic stress. This study reviews the resistance of Aegilops sp. to biotic and abiotic stresses placing special emphasis on the respective eco-physiological mechanisms. The various practical and theoretical implications of this resistance are discussed.
Evaluation of the forage legumes sulla and persian clover in the Arta region
In winter and early spring in Mediterranean areas, the winter forage crops are characterised by low growth rates and small yields which result in limited feed to the ruminants. The aim of the present study was to compare the dry matter production and leaf:stem weight ratio of the two forage legumes, Sulla (Hedysarum coronarium) and Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum) in winter, under three different sowing times. During February-July there were two and four harvests for Sulla and Persian clover respectively. In general, the late-sown plants for the two forage crops had lower dry matter production and LSWR compared to the early-sown ones. For all sowing times the early harvests had higher forage yields than the late ones.
Floristic diversity of the marsh of Metamorphosi Sotiros in Municipality of Karditsa
Agricultural lands, rangelands, settlements, and narrow stripes of riparian vegetation alongside the river Pinios are the dominant land cover types of the lowlands of Thessaly region. The areas and microsites that are still hosting primary ecological elements are very few. The study area is the marsh of “Metamorfosi Sotiros” (Prefecture of Karditsa) that hosts five Natura 2000 habitat types.With respect to their use, three vegetation types are distinguished: 1) grasslands, 2) reedbeds, and 3) a mixed (intermediate) type with terrestrial vegetation. The objectives of the study were to indicate the levels of floristic diversity, in a comparative manner, of these land use types, and to explore the structural components of floristic diversity by using a series of diversity indices. It was found that the grassland sustains the highest species abundance, while the mixed type sustains the highest species richness. The need to include this specific area under the protection status of the Natura 2000 network -is further discussed.
