Few studies have investigated effects of increased background ozone in the absence of episodic peaks, despite a predicted increase throughout the northern hemisphere over the coming decades. In this study Leontodon hispidus was grown with Anthoxanthum odoratum or Dactylis glomerata and exposed in the UK to one of eight background ozone concentrations for 20 weeks in solardomes. Seasonal mean ozone concentrations ranged from 21.4 to 102.5 ppb. Ozone-induced senescence of L. hispidus was enhanced when grown with the more open canopy of A. odoratum compared to the denser growing D. glomerata. There was increased cover with increasing ozone exposure for both A. odoratum and D. glomerata, which resulted in an increase in the grass:Leontodon cover ratio in both community types. Carry-over effects of the ozone exposure were observed, including delayed winter die-back of L. hispidus and acceleration in the progression from flowers to seed-heads in the year following ozone exposure.

Berkheya coddii Roessler (Asteraceae) is a hyper-accumulator of nickel, which can be used in phytomining and phytoremediation. Chrysolina pardalina Fabricius (Chrysomelidae) is a phytophagous leaf beetle, which may be useful in controlling population levels of B. coddii after it has been introduced into a new habitat. The aim of this study was to investigate the response of C. pardalina to topical application of dimethoate. Data recorded included the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the concentration of glutathione (GSH), and the activity of selected enzymes connected with GSH metabolism. Assays were carried out several times during the first 24 h after exposure to dimethoate. At the dosages used in this study, dimethoate was not as toxic as expected. AChE activity was significantly decreased 14 and 24 h after application. GST activity was significantly decreased 24 h after application. GSTPx activity was significantly decreased 2, 14 and 24 h after application. GR activity was significantly increased 4 h after application. GSH concentration was significantly increased 24 h after application. Long-term exposure to high levels of nickel may have caused adaptive changes in the enzymes that enable C. pardalina to deal with other stressors, including organophosphate pesticides. Long-term exposure to high levels of nickel may have caused adaptive changes in the enzymes that enable Chrysolina pardalina to deal with other stressors, including organophosphate pesticides.

The effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on the distribution and concentration of elements in roots of Ni-hyperaccumulating plant Berkheya coddii was studied. Micro-PIXE (particle-induced X-ray emission) analysis revealed significant differences between AMF-inoculated and non-inoculated plants as well as between main and lateral roots. The accumulation of P, K, Mn and Zn in the cortical layer of lateral roots of inoculated plants confirmed the important role of AMF in uptake and accumulation of these elements. Higher concentration of P, K, Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn in the vascular stele in roots of AMF-inoculated plants than in the non-inoculated ones indicates more efficient translocation of these elements to the aboveground parts of the plant. These findings indicate the necessity of including the influence of AMF in studies on the uptake of elements by plants and in industrial use of B. coddii for Ni extraction from polluted soils.

The effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on growth and element uptake by Ni-hyperaccumulating plant, Berkheya coddii, was studied. Plants were grown under laboratory conditions on ultramafic soil without or with the AM fungi of different origin. The AM colonization, especially with the indigenous strain, significantly enhanced plants growth and their survival. AMF affected also the elemental concentrations that were studied with Particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). AMF (i) increased K and Fe in shoots, Zn and Mn in roots, P and Ca both, in roots and shoots; (ii) decreased Mn in shoots, Co and Ni both, in shoots and roots. Due to higher biomass of mycorrhizal plants, total Ni content was up to 20 times higher in mycorrhizal plants compared to the non-mycorrhizal ones. The AMF enhancement of Ni uptake may therefore provide an improvement of a presently used technique of nickel phytomining.

In previous studies, it was demonstrated that photocatalysis by TiO₂ nanoparticles can be effective for decomposition of pollen grains and pollen allergen extracts (PAEs) for Cupressus arizonica and Platanus hybrida species. In this work, the chemical and photochemical processes of five types of PAEs belonging to family Asteraceae, tribe Astereae, and family Poaceae, tribes Poeae and Triticea, were studied. It was confirmed that the PAEs suffered almost complete decomposition, which likely led to gaseous final products. For the species of Poeae tribe, i.e., Poa pratensis, Festuca pratensis, and Avena sativa, an unusual surface chemical modification of the photocatalyst consisting in the appearance of new bands on fine core level spectra of Ti 2p, C 1s, and O 1s was observed. These changes were associated with possible doping of TiO₂ with C and N by pollen extracts. This was accompanied by a red shift of absorption spectra. The results suggest that some components of Poeae pollen can be grafted on TiO₂ surface and they can activate the photocatalyst in the visible range. These findings can open a new pathway to eco-friendly chemical engineering of photocatalysts using organic biological compounds.

The ecological restoration of mining areas has always been emphasized in ecological research. This study has investigated herb species diversity of plantations in a reclamation area of the Antaibao opencast coal mine in China after 6 years, aiming to investigate the changes over time and spontaneous succession patterns. One hundred fifty-six species of naturally colonizing herb belonging to 26 families and 86 genera in the six plantations were chosen. Most of 24 herb-dominant species belong to Gramineae, Compositae, and Papilionaceae. Species diversity, meteorology, and soil were recorded. Over time, although the dominant degree of Gramineous has decreased and the degree of Labiatae and Polygonaceae has increased, it still indicated that Gramineae, Compositae, and Papilionaceae occupied an important position in the herb community and played an important role in natural vegetation recovery in reclamation area of the Antaibao opencast coal mine. The diversity of herb species showed significant differences between different plots and years. Correlation analysis indicates that the most important factors for herb species diversity are soil bulk density, average winter temperature, and the mean autumn rainfall.

Invasive plant species have the potential to damage crops, industries, environment and public health, hence scientists, academicians, leaders of industry and land managers are realizing that invasive species are serious environmental threats for the 21st century. Parthenium weed is an annual herb in the family Asteraceae which is native to northern Mexico and southern USA. It is spreading across the length and breadth of our country. It gets easily established in almost all the places such as wasteland, roadsides, forests, railway tracks, crop fields, etc. Its high germination ability throughout the year, an enormous seed bank, rapid spread, colonization and extreme adaptability in a wide range of habitats is responsible for its wide spread occurrence. Parthenium hysterophorus L. was reported to be one of the seven most dangerous weeds of the world. It has achieved a major weed status in India and Australia within a relatively short period due to its fast multiplication, rapid growth and its ability to compete with other native flora. There are many ways like mechanical, chemical, cultural and biological to control it, but it cannot be controlled by using a single approach. Integrated approach should be the better way to manage this noxious weed. The aim of this review is to provide general information about the physiology, distribution, ill effects and management of Parthenium.

Adjoining areas of urban environment has undergone rapid alteration in structure, composition and ecological changes, which makes them a dynamic entity. During the present investigation, herbaceous vegetation were studied in east, west, north and south directions of Ambikapur township at various seasons during March 2017 to April 2018. A total of 18 species representing 11 families were recorded at various directions of Ambikapur township in different seasons. Asteraceae was the predominant family in the study area. Highest species counts were recorded during summer season. Among the herbaceous vegetation, more than two-thirds of the herb species were exotic in nature, revealing the anthropogenic role towards loss of indigenous species. Highest species density was recorded in north direction (152,000 herb/ha during rainy, 104,000 herb/ha in winter and 184,000 herb/ha in summer) and lowest in south direction (90,000 herb/ha during rainy, 72,000 herb/ha in winter and 88,000 herb/ha in summer) in all seasons. Higher Shannon diversity (2.71 in rainy, 2.69 in winter and 3.07 in summer) and richness (0.67 in rainy, 0.52 in winter and 0.66 in summer after west direction) were recorded in the north direction. Total biomass, C storage and CO₂ mitigation were found to be highest towards north direction in all seasons. Argemone mexicana, Cassia tora, Ocimum tenuiflorum and Sida acuata are the most suitable species in terms of C storage, CO₂ mitigation under urban setup. Beside, some weed species also reflected significant potential. CO₂ mitigation by herb species can act as complimentary system towards climate cane adaptation beside other vegetal layers. Such studies are also very much effective towards development of greenery in an urban setup leading to climate mitigation process.

The statistics from Europe and the USA have proven a high risk for skin diseases associated with plant contact. Therefore, plant-induced dermatitis is of increasing attention in dermatology. The focus of this paper was to present the current knowledge on aspects of contact allergy related to Asteraceae (Compositae) species. The Asteraceae family is one of the largest in the world with members across all continents. The PubMed/Medline databases have been searched. The Asteraceae representatives consist of diverse secondary metabolites, which exhibit various advantageous effects in humans. In particular, sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) may cause sensitization resulting in skin irritation and inflammation. In this study, we tried to reveal the allergenic potential of several Asteraceae species. The Asteraceae-related allergy symptoms involve eczema, hay fever, asthma, or even anaphylaxis. Furthermore, the evidence of severe cross-reactivity with food and pollen allergens (PFS) in patients sensitive to Asteraceae allergens have been announced. Further identification and characterization of secondary metabolites and possible allergens in Asteraceae are necessary for the better understanding of Asteraceae-related immune response. The Asteraceae allergy screening panel (the SL mix and the Compositae mix of five plant species) is a promising tool to improve allergy diagnostics and therapy.

Mine tailings are a characteristic of landscapes where mineral extraction has occurred and provide a prime opportunity for vegetation succession. In this study, soil heavy metal concentrations, plant composition and biodiversity, heavy metal accumulation, and their relationships were studied in the tailings of the Pingle Mn mine (abandoned for over 15 years) in South China. The total heavy metal concentrations ranged from 440 to 15,590 mg kg⁻¹ for Mn, 5.01 to 20.7 mg kg⁻¹ for Cd, 101 to 319 mg kg⁻¹ for Pb, 546 to 1693 mg kg⁻¹ for Zn, and 116 to 180 mg kg⁻¹ for Cu. According to soil contamination assessment by single contamination indexes and the Nemerow multifactor index, the tailing soil had a heavy pollution level. According to ecological risk assessment by monomial potential ecological risk factors and potential ecological risk indexes, the tailing soil presented a high ecological risk level, to which Cd was the key contributor. A total of 13 plant species from 2 families (Gramineae and Compositae) successfully colonized the tailings. Importance values based on relative height, relative coverage, relative abundance, and relative frequency indicated that Neyraudia reynaudiana K. and Paspalum orbiculare F. were the dominant species. The species were multi-metal-tolerant species, and most of them were shoot accumulators, as their translocation factor values were above 1. Plants exhibited the highest bioconcentration factor for Pb, and the average values for roots, stems, and leaves were 2.56, 1.45, and 1.70, respectively. There were positive relationships (P < 0.01) between soil Mn, Cd, Zn, and Cu and plant Pb; similar results were found for soil heavy metals and leaf/stem Mn. The species composition in the tailings of the Pingle Mn mine was reflective of long-term vegetation succession, and the results obtained in this study provide insight for selecting plant species and reconstruction practices for Mn wasteland restoration.