Browsing by Author "Alay M."

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3

Effect of tree age on chemical compounds of ancient anatolian black pine (Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana) needles in Northwest Turkey
(2018-06-01) Turfan N.; Alay M.; Sariyildiz T.
Plant primary and secondary metabolites are chemical compounds synthesized for essential functions, such as growth and development (primary metabolites), and specific functions, such as pollinator attraction or defense against herbivory (secondary metabolites). Their concentrations in plants are genetically determined, but are also affected by environmental factors. Among these factors, plant age has been reported to influence plant chemical compounds under similar environmental conditions. We aimed to investigate the chemical compounds of ancient Anatolian black pine (Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana) needles from trees of different ages. Needles of over 500-, 200-, 100-, 50-, and 25-year-old black pine trees growing under similar environmental conditions were sampled and analyzed for photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids), proline, total soluble protein, glucose, sucrose, total soluble sugar, peroxidation level (MDA-malondialdehyde), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and antioxidants such as ascorbate peroxidase (APX), cata-lase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. Significant differences for chemical composition associated with age were found. In general, results showed that over 500-year-old Anatolian black pine had the highest proline, total soluble protein, H2O2, sucrose, total soluble carbohydrates, APX, CAT and SOD concentrations, whereas they had the lowest chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll, total carotenoid and glucose concentrations. However, 200-year-old trees had the highest glucose, but the lowest chlorophyll b, proline, H2O2 and total soluble carbohydrates. 50-and 25-year-old trees together showed the highest chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll, total carotenoid and MDA, but lowest total soluble protein and sucrose. In conclusion, these results provide valuable insight into the chemical composition of Anatolian black pine needles in relation to their age, and can be used for complementing studies on tree growth-defence relationships.
First record of the natural infection of Chondrus tournefortianus (Mollusca: Pulmonata) by Dicrocoeliidae (Digenea) larval stages in Kastamonu, Turkey
(2016-01-01) Gürelli G.; Alay M.
The prevalence of larval stages of Dicrocoeliidae in the land snail, Chondrus tournefortianus (Férussac, 1821), found in Kastamonu, Turkey, was investigated and some of its morphological and histological features were determined. The snail samples were collected in spring and autumn. C. tournefortianus has been reported for the first time as being an intermediate host in the life cycle of Dicrocoeliid (Trematoda: Digenea) species. The prevalence of the infection in Kastamonu, Turkey was 2.27%, with the highest value occurring in October.
Investigation of Some of the Bioactive Chemicals and the Elemental Profile of Monumental Plane Trees in the Abana-Harmason Region
(2022-02-01) Alay M.; Turfan N.
This study aimed to conduct an ecophysiological investigation of monumental plane trees (Platanus orientalis L.) located in the Abana district of Kastamonu province. To this end, we measured the amounts of some bioactive chemicals in the leaves of the trees and young plane trees in the immediate vicinity, in addition to enzyme activities and nutrient contents. The data show that the oldest trees have the highest contents of chlorophyll and carotenoid pigment, proline, and protein, in addition to APX activity, and that the contents of glucose and pyruvic acid, in addition to the chlorophyll a to chlorophyll b ratio and CAT and SOD activities are higher in young trees. K, P, S, Cl, Zn, Ni, and Cu ions show the highest value in monumental trees, but Mg, Ca, Na, Si, and Fe show the highest value in young trees. The results show that photosynthetic pigments, proline, protein, hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ), sucrose, and K, P, S, Cl, Zn, and Cu have had a positive effect on the growth physiology of monumental plane trees. The findings indicate that understanding the ecophysiology of plane trees may help in ensuring the long-term and damage-free survival of these trees.