Biology subjects

Balogh, N.

Publications and source records attributed to Balogh, N..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2022

PADAPT 1.0 - the Pannonian Database of Plant Traits

We present PADAPT 1.0, the Pannonian Database of Plant Traits which relies on regional data sources and integrates existing data and new measurements on a wide range of traits and attributes of the plant species of the Pannonian Biogeographical Region and makes it freely accessible at www.padapt.eu. The current version covers the species of the region occurring in Hungary (cc. 90% of the regions flora) and consists of 126,337 records on 2745 taxa. There are 53 plant attributes in PADAPT 1.0 organised in six major groups: (i) Habitus and strategy, (ii) Reproduction, (iii) Kariology, (iv) Distribution and conservation, (v) Ecological indicator values, and (vi) Leaf traits. By including species of the eastern part of Europe not covered by other databases, PADAPT can facilitate studying the flora and vegetation of the eastern part of the continent. Data collection will continue in the future and the PADAPT team welcomes researchers interested in contributing with data. The main task before an updated version of the database is to include species of the Pannonian region not covered by the current version. In conclusion, although data coverage is far from complete, PADAPT meets the longstanding need for a regional database of the Pannonian flora.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2021

Septin-7 is indispensable for proper skeletal muscle architecture and function

Today septins are considered as the fourth component of the cytoskeleton with the Septin-7 isoform playing a critical role in the formation of higher order structures. While its importance has already been confirmed in several intracellular processes of different organs, very little is known about its role in skeletal muscle. Here, using Septin-7 conditional knock-down mouse model, the C2C12 cell line, and enzymatically isolated adult muscle fibers the organization and localization of septin filaments is revealed, and an ontogenesis-dependent expression of Septin-7 is demonstrated. KD mice displayed a characteristic hunchback phenotype with skeletal deformities, reduction in vivo and in vitro force generation, and disorganized mitochondrial networks. Furthermore, knock-out of Septin-7 in C2C12 cells resulted in complete loss of cell division while KD cells provided evidence that Septin-7 is essential in proper myotube differentiation. These and the transient increase in Septin-7 expression following muscle injury demonstrate its vital contribution to muscle regeneration and development.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2021

Sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) - A new pest in Eurasian sand areas?

For the effective control of an invasive species, gathering as much information as possible on its ecology, establishment and persistence in the subjected communities is of utmost importance. We aimed to review the current distribution and characteristics of Sporobolus cryptandrus (sand dropseed), an invasive C4 grass species of North American origin recently discovered in Hungary. We aimed to provide information on (i) its current distribution paying special attention to its invasion in Eurasia; (ii) the characteristics of the invaded habitats in Central Europe; (iii) seed bank formation and germination characteristics, crucial factors in early establishment; and (iv) the effects of its increasing cover on vegetation composition. Finally, we aimed to (v) point out further research directions that could enable us to understand the invasion success of this potential invasive species. Field surveys uncovered large stands of the species in Central and Eastern Hungary with most of the locations in the former, especially the Kiskunsag region. The species invaded disturbed stands of dry and open sand grasslands, closed dune slack grasslands and it also penetrates into natural open sand grasslands from neighbouring disturbed habitats. Increasing cover of Sporobolus cryptandrus caused a decline in species richness and abundance of subordinate species both in the vegetation and seed banks, but a low density of Sporobolus cryptandrus can even have a weak positive effect on these characteristics. Viable seeds of Sporobolus were detected from all soil layers (2.5 cm layers measured from the surface to 10 cm in depth), which indicates that the species is able to form a persistent seed bank (1,114 to 3,077 seeds/m2 with increasing scores towards higher abundance of the species in vegetation). Germination of Sporobolus cryptandrus was negatively affected by both litter cover and 1 cm deep soil burial. To sum up, Sporobolus cryptandrus can be considered as a transformer invasive species, whose spread forms a high risk for dry sand and steppe grasslands in Eurasia. We can conclude that for the effective suppression of the species it is necessary: (i) to clarify the origin of the detected populations; (ii) to assess its competitive ability including its potential allelopathic effects; (iii) to assess its seed bank formation potential in habitats with different abiotic conditions; and (iv) to assess the possibility of its suppression by natural enemies and management techniques such as mowing or livestock grazing.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2020

Consumption rate and dietary choice of cattle in species-rich mesic grasslands

For the improvement and maintenance of the desirable ecological value of grasslands it is necessary to manage them in a way which maintains their structure and their long-term functioning. Extensive grazing plays a crucial role in the seasonal biomass removal, thereby it prevents litter accumulation and shrub encroachment. Defoliation and biomass removal are among the most important effects of grazing on the vegetation, while the sufficient quantity and quality of plant biomass is an important ecosystem service for animal husbandry. In order to maintain the long term functioning of pastures it is important to gather information about the amount of consumed biomass and the dietary choice of the grazers. Therefore, we studied the direct effects of grazing on species-rich meadow steppes in Central-Hungary and the underlying mechanisms of dietary choice of cattle using trait-based approach. We asked the following questions: (i) What are the direct effects of grazing on the main biomass fractions (litter, moss, forbs and graminoids)? (ii) Which traits distinguish the preferred and non-preferred vascular plant species? The studied pastures were divided into two adjacent units, which were managed differently in the study year: the grazed units were managed by grazing for three months before the sampling date, while the control units remained ungrazed until the sampling. We collected above-ground biomass samples, measured leaf traits and shoot nitrogen content of plants. The consumption of the litter and moss biomass was negligible, while the reduction of the live biomass of vascular plants was 65%. Grazing significantly decreased the flowering success of plants. Cattle consumed species characterized by high specific leaf area and high nitrogen content. Based on our results we emphasize that, in order to ensure the reproduction of most plant species in the long term, it is unfavourable to graze an area every year in the same period. Instead, it is recommended to use grazing in a mosaic spatial and temporal pattern. The livestock carrying capacity of an area and the long-term management of grasslands can be carefully planned based on biomass measurements and the nutritional value of plants, which is well indicated by some easily measurable plant properties such as specific leaf area and the nitrogen content of species.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2020

Germination response of invasive plants to soil burial depth and litter accumulation is species specific

QuestionsPlant invasions are considered among the biggest threats to biodiversity worldwide. In a full-factorial greenhouse experiment we analysed the effect of soil burial depth and litter cover on the germination of invasive plants. We hypothesised that (i) burial depth and litter cover affect the germination of the studied species, (ii) the effects of burial and litter cover interact with each other, and (iii) the effects are species-specific, but dependent on seed size. MethodsWe tested the germination and seedling growth of 11 herbaceous invasive species in a full-factorial experiment using four levels of seed burial depths and litter cover. We analysed the effect of burial, litter cover, and their interactions on germination, seedling length and biomass across species and at the species level. ResultsSoil burial depth and litter cover had a significant effect on the germination of the studied species, but there were considerable differences between species. We observed a general trend of species with bigger seeds being not or less seriously affected by soil burial and litter cover than smaller-seeded species. Correlations between seed weight and effect sizes mostly confirmed this general trend, but not in the case of soil burial. ConclusionsOur findings confirmed that seed size is a major driver of species response to litter cover and to the combined effects of litter cover and soil burial, but there is no general trend regarding the response to soil burial depth. Despite its very small seeds the germination of Cynodon dactylon was not affected by soil burial. The germination of Ambrosia artemisiifolia was hampered by both soil burial and litter cover despite its relatively large seeds. Thus, specific information on species response to burial depth and litter accumulation is crucial when planning management or restoration in areas threatened by plant invasions.

ecology↗