Semra Soydam Aydin

Characterization of stress induced by copper and zinc on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings by means of molecular and population parameters.

Contamination of plants with heavy metals could result in damage in DNA, such as mutations and cross-links with proteins. These altered DNA profiles may become visible in changes such as the appearance of a new band, or loss of an existing band, in the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay. In this study, various concentrations of copper and zinc salts were applied to cucumber seedlings during germination. Results displayed abnormalities in germination and also changes in root elongation, dry weight and total soluble protein level. All treatment concentrations (40, 80, 160, 240, 320, and 640mg/L) used in the study caused a decrease/delay in germination of the cucumbers to different extents. Inhibition or activation of root elongation was considered to be the first effect of metal toxicity in the tested plants. Application of the metal salts and the combined solutions on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings revealed similar consequences for total soluble protein level, dry weight and ultimately in inhibitory rates as well. The data obtained from RAPD band-profiles and genomic template stability (GTS) showed results that were consistent with the population parameters. In this regard, we conclude that molecular marker assays can be applied in combination with population parameters to measure genotoxic effects of heavy metals on plants.

Comparative Genotoxicity Analysis of Heavy Metal Contamination in Higher Plants

Heavy metal pollution basically results from natural sources like volcanic eruptions, weathering of rocks and anthropogenic sources like mining. These activities are significantly increased in the past few decades as a result of burning of fossil fuels, industrial activities, automotive emissions, use of metal-enriched materials, mining, farm manures, wastewater irrigation, sewage sludge, pesticide usage, industrial and domestic wastes and many other factors. Heavy metals may enter the food chain as a result of their uptake by edible plants, thus, the determination of heavy metals in environmental samples is very important. For screening and monitoring the impacts of heavy metals, higher plants which provide useful genetic system, have been used as a biomonitor/bioindicator of cytogenetic and mutagenic effects (Constantin & Owens, 1982; Grant, 1994, Kachenko et al. 2004; Alirzaveya et al. 2006).

Presence of Dianthus roseoluteus Velen. (Caryophyllaceae) in Turkey and a New Species: Dianthus macroflorus Hamzaoğlu

Abstract The presence of Dianthus roseoluteus Velen. species in Turkey is based on specimens collected from Antalya province. After the publication of Flora of Turkey, many specimens have been collected from Thrace (Kırklareli and Edirne provinces) that belong to this species. A comparison of the specimens collected from Antalya and Thrace revealed that they were morphologically different. The literature survey verified that the specimens collected from Thrace were Dianthus roseoluteus. The species collected from Antalya province is a new species, Dianthus macroflorus Hamzaoglu, and its description, pictures, distribution, habitat, and threatened categories are given. Its general morphology and seed micromorphology are compared with the related species, Dianthus roseoluteus. In addition to phylogenetic relationships between some closely related Dianthus species that belong to section Dentati in Turkey, Dianthus macroflorus and 13 additional Dianthus species sequences obtained from GenBank were examined with DNA sequence data from the nuclear ribosomal ITS region. These analyses were supported with morphological data.