Paraphalaenopsis, a genus of perennial herbs from the family Orchidaceae, contains a number of ornamental species. However, there is no information on the chloroplast genomes of Paraphalaenopsis, which limits our studies of this genus. In this study, we reported the chloroplast genomes of three species of Paraphalaenopsis (P. labukensis, P. denevel, and P. laycockii ‘Semi-alba’) and performed comprehensive comparative analysis. These three chloroplast genomes showed a typical quadripartile structure. Their lengths ranged from 147,311 bp to 149,240 bp. Each genome contained 120 unique genes, including 74 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Comparative analysis revealed major differences in sequence divergence in the three chloroplast genomes. In addition, six hypervariable regions were identified (psbM-trnDGUC, psbB, ccsA, trnKUUU, trnSGCU-trnGUCC, rps16-trnQUUG) that can be used as DNA molecular markers. Phylogenetic relationships were determined using the chloroplast genomes of 28 species from 12 genera of Aeridinae. Results suggested that Paraphalaenopsis was a clade of Aeridinae that was sister to the Holcoglossum-Vanda clade, with 100% bootstrap support within Aeridinae. The findings of this study provided the foundation for future studies on the phylogenetic analysis of Aeridinae.
A new orchid species, Bulbophyllum contortum (Malaxideae, Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae) from Zhenyuan, Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated here. Detailed morphological comparisons indicate that B. contortum is similar to B. lemnisactum and B. lemniscatoides, but it differs in the shape and size of pseudobulbs, inflorescence shape, flower colour and shape and size of the sepalar appendages.
A new orchid species, Bulbophyllum versicolor (Malaxideae, Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae), from Malipo, Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated here. Detailed morphological study indicates that B. versicolor is similar to B. japonicum, but it differs in the shape and size of leaf and flower and flower colour. Molecular analyses based on the nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrITS) and plastid DNA (matK, atpI-atpH and trnL-F) reveal that B. versicolor is a new species and genetically similar to B. japonicum.
Spent mushroom substrates, Tremella fuciformis (Tf), Flammulina velutipes (Fv), and Lentinula edodes (Le), were used to produce biochar at different temperatures (300 °C, 400 °C, 500 °C, 600 °C, and 700 °C). Elemental compositions and surface properties of derived biochar were determined. The yield and volatile matter (VM) of the biochars decreased as the pyrolysis temperature increased with Le300 having the highest yield (47.4%). The highest VM was obtained in Tf300 (79.6%). The biochars were alkaline, with Fv700 having the highest pH (11.6). Pyrolysis temperature and feedstock influenced nutrient composition of biochars and highest values were obtained in: Tf300 (N=2.07%), Fv700 (P=12.0 g/kg), Le700 (K=21.9 g/kg), Fv600 (CEC=32.3 cmol/kg), Fv700 (Ash=33.4%) and Le700 (C=58.6%). Heavy metals in the Fv biochar were highest but within their tolerable limits. Fourier transform infrared spectra showed various functional groups on the biochar surfaces with C-O being dominant (except on Le biochar). X-ray diffraction revealed that SiO2 and CaCO3 were present on biochar surfaces. The Fv biochars had the largest surface area with Fv400 having the highest value (210.6 m2g-1) while Le400 had the highest average pore diameter (159.7 Å). These properties render the biochars suitable as soil amendment and in environmental remediation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.