Evren Cabi

High-antibacterial activity of Urtica spp. seed extracts on food and plant pathogenic bacteria.

The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate antibacterial activities of methanol (MetOH) and aqueous (dw) leaf (L), root (R) and seed (S) extracts of Urtica dioica L. (Ud; stinging nettle) and Urtica pilulifera L. (Up; Roman nettle) on both food- and plant-borne pathogens, with total phenolic contents and DPPH radical scavenging activities (DRSA). MetOH extracts of leaves and roots of U. dioica had the highest DRSA. Extracts with high antibacterial activity were in the order Up-LMetOH (13/16) > Ud-SMetOH (11/16) > Up-SMetOH (9/16). Results obtained with Up-SMetOH against food spoiling Bacillus pumilus, Shigella spp. and Enterococcus gallinarum with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) in 128–1024 μg/ml range seem to be promising. Up-SMetOH also exerted strong inhibition against Clavibacter michiganensis with a considerably low MIC (32 μg/ml). Ud-SMetOH and Up-LMetOH were also effective against C. michiganensis (MIC = 256 and 1024 μg/ml, respectively). Ud-SMetOH and Ud-RMetOH had also antimicrobial activity against Xanthomonas vesicatoria (MIC = 512 and 1024 μg/ml, respectively). Results presented here demonstrate high-antibacterial activity of U. pilulifera extracts and U. dioica seed extract against phytopathogens for the first time, and provide the most comprehensive data on the antibacterial activity screening of U. pilulifera against food-borne pathogens. Considering limitations in plant disease control, antibacterial activities of these extracts would be of agricultural importance.

Poa densa (Poaceae), an overlooked Turkish steppe grass, and the evolution of bulbs in Poa

Abstract: Poa densa Troitsky is a characteristic species of the high steppe to low alpine vegetation of Turkey. It was overlooked in the Flora of Turkey, and although subsequently reported from a few stations in W part of C Anatolia, is actually relatively common and widespread across the semi-arid C and N steppes. Here we provide a key to related species, a full description, photographs, 2C value of nuclear DNA content, and a distribution map, and discuss its classification in the genus. The synonym Festuca conferta is lectotypified. DNA phylogenetic analysis and morphology data indicate P. densa is allied to species of P. subg. Poa sect. Macropoa, rather than to the P. bulbosa complex of P. subg. Ochlopoa sect. Arenariae, and support multiple origins of the basal bulb in the genus Poa. Citation: Cabi E., Soreng R. J., Gillespie L. & Amiri N. 2016: Poa densa (Poaceae), an overlooked Turkish steppe grass, and the evolution of bulbs in Poa. — Willdenowia 46: 201–211. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3372/wi.46.46201 Version of record first published online on 28 July 2016 ahead of inclusion in August 2016 issue.

Alopecurus goekyigitiana (Poaceae, subtribe Alopecurinae sensu stricto),a new species from Turkey based on morphological and molecular investigation

Alopecurus goekyigitiana, a new species from the Taurus Mountains of Turkey, is described and illustrated. Phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequence data support its relationship within Alopecurus sect. Colobachne with A. gerardi (plastid), or with the complex of A. davisii, A. lanatus, and A. vaginatus (nuclear ribosomal spacers). The new species differs from the above taxa by various combinations of characters, in having slender rhizomes and a mat-forming habit, indumentum of lower sheaths sparsely sericeous, glabrescent, culm leaf blades absent or vestigial, basal blades filiform, a dorsal awn on the lemma that is vestigial or up to 2 mm long, erect (not geniculate), and the palea absent. Notes on its ecology and conservation status are presented. A distribution map for the new species and its closest allies in Turkey is provided.

Pollen morphology of the genus Cota J.Gay (Asteraceae) in Turkey

Abstract Pollen morphology of 22 Cota taxa naturally distributed in Turkey was investigated to describe their pollen features and to evaluate the diagnostic value of pollen characters for systematic purposes using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Pollen grains of Cota are radially symmetrical and isopolar. Their shape is oblate-spheroidal with the polar axes 21.6–34.56 μm and the equatorial axes 23.04–33.6 μm. The pollens are trizonocolporate. The outline is elliptic in equatorial view and triangular in polar view; amb intersemiangular. Exine sculpturing is echinate. Inter-spinal region exhibits perforate and microreticulate–perforate ornamentations. Numerical analysis revealed that dimensions of the pollen grains and surface ornamentation are the most reliable characters for delimiting the taxa within the genus.