Kerim Güney

Antimicrobial activity of endemic Crataegus tanacetifolia (Lam.) Pers and observation of the inhibition effect on bacterial cells.

Up to now an increasing number of antibiotic‐resistant bacteria have been reported and thus new natural therapeutic agents are needed in order to eradicate these pathogens. Through the discovery of plants such as Crataegus tanacetifolia (Lam.) Pers that have antimicrobial activity, it will be possible to discover new natural drugs serving as chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of nosocomial pathogens and take these antibiotic‐resistant bacteria under control. The objective of the present study was to determine antimicrobial activity and the activity mechanism of C. tanacetifolia plant extract. The leaves of C. tanacetifolia, which is an endemic plant, were extracted using methanol and tested against 10 bacterial and 4 yeast strains by using a drop method. It was observed that the plant extract had antibacterial effects on Bacillus subtilis, Shigella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes among the microorganisms that were tested. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) results obtained at the end of an incubation of 24 h were found to be ≥6.16 mg ml−1 for B. subtilis, <394 mg ml−1 for Shigella, and ≥3.08 mg ml−1 for L. monocytogenes and S. aureus and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were found as ≥24.63 mg ml−1 for B. subtilis, ≥394 mg ml−1 for Shigella, ≥6.16 mg ml−1 for L. monocytogenes, and ≥98.5 mg ml−1 for S. aureus. According to the MBC results, it was found that the plant extract had bactericidal effects and in order to explain the activity mechanism and cell deformation of bacterial strains treated with plant extract, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used. The results of SEM showed that the treated cells appeared shrunken and there was degradation of the cell walls. This study, in which the antibacterial effect of C. tanacetifolia was demonstrated, will be a base for further investigations on advanced purification and effect mechanism of action of its active compounds. Copyright

Effects of IAA, IBA, NAA, and GA3 on Rooting and Morphological Features of Melissa officinalis L. Stem Cuttings

This study analyzed the potential of producing Melissa officinalis L. using stem cuttings. Four different hormones (IAA, IBA, NAA, and GA3) were applied to the cuttings, with and without buds, in two doses (1000 mg/L and 5000 mg/L), and after 60 days, 10 morphological characteristics of newly generated plants were detected, and a statistical analysis was carried out. The results of the study show that the cuttings with at least one bud must be used in order to produce M. officinalis using stem cuttings. Even though the auxin group hormones (IAA, IBA, and NAA) do not have an apparent effect on rooting percentage, these hormones were detected to affect the morphological characteristics of the newly generated plants, especially root generation. GA3 application has a considerable effect on stem height.

Effects of Some Hormone Applications on Germination and Morphological Characters of Endangered Plant Species Lilium artvinense L. Seeds

Lilies are economically important plants because of their large and attractive flowers. Thus, many wild species of lilies have been cultivated to produce Lilium bulbs or flowers. This work was conducted to analyse the effect of hormone applications on Lilium artvinense (Syn: Lilium ponticum K. Koch., Lilium ponticum var. artvinense (Miscz.) P. H. Davis and D. M. Hend., Lilium carniolicum var. artvinense (Miscz.) P. H. Davis and D. M. Hend and Lilium pyrenaicum var. artvinense (Miscz.) V.A. Matthews) seeds on germination percentage and seedlings morphological traits. In the research, 1000, 3000 and 5000 ppm doses of IAA, IBA, NAA and GA3 hormones were applied to L. artvi‐ nense seeds and approximately 180 days later, the number of roots, root length, offset stem height and diameter were assessed. As a result, while the control group except 5000 ppm NNA application achieved an increase in the percentage of germination (40%) of all the applications. Germination frequency up to 100% was obtained using 5000 ppm GA3. Effects of hormone applications on other key morphological characters (rooting percentage, root height, number of scions, scion height and width) are described in terms of growth rate between 1.27 and 2.44.

Silvicultural Characteristics of Some Stand Structures in the Subalpine and High Montane Altitudinal Zones on the North Aspect of Ilgaz Mountain

In this study investigates the actual forest stand structures in the subalpine and high montane altitudinal forest zones on the north aspect of Ilgaz Mountain. Moreover, silvicultural conditions are evaluated. Investigation on forest stand structures is conducted on 12 sample plots (3 sample plots for subalpine, 9 sample plots for high mountain forest zone). In the sample plots number of trees, volume, mixture, basal area, height, age, dbh-height are examined. In addition, the identification of the herbaceous plant species and cluster structures have been realized. After investigating the factors having affect to stand structure, natural regeneration and ecological condition were assessed. Therefore, there are sgnificant differences between stand structures on forest zones. It was seen that tree hight (max. 15m), tree number (max. 260/ha), stand volume (max. 102.530 m/ha) and stand basal area (max 21.80m/ha) were significantly lower than sample plots on montane forest. Existance of cluster structures were determined on upper limit of high and subalpine forest zone. It was observed that tree number changes between 5–20 and 3–10 for Fir and Scot pine, respectively. The wideness of cluster changes according to tree number. In the studuy area acompanying flora in the stands were examined.

The Effect of Some Indoor Ornamental Plants on CO2 Levels During the Day

The aim of the present study is to determine the effect of yucca (Yucca elephantipes Regel), dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia amoena Gentil), and spathiphyllum (Spathiphyllum floribundum Schott) as common types of indoor plants on CO2 levels in the environment. The study was conducted in a closed environment where air inlet/outlet was absent. As a result, the plants were found to affect the level of CO2 in the environment to different extents; and while Dieffenbachia began to respire at around 13:00 hrs, yucca and spathiphyllum continued to photosynthesize until 19:00. While dieffenbachia and spathiphyllum could not lower the CO2 level in the environment to below 500 ppm, yucca could decrease it to 475 ppm in a day. The results of the study demonstrated that CO2 levels in photosynthesis during the day were 8.3, 5.8, and 1.4 times more in yucca, spathiphyllum, and dieffenbachia, respectively, in comparison with CO2 levels released through respiration.