Search Results (155)

Water availability strongly influences nutrient utilization and plant adaptive strategies, yet how nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) supply interact with water conditions to regulate leaf functional traits remains insufficiently understood. In this study, Robinia pseudoacacia L. seedlings were subjected to contrasting water regimes combined with N and P additions to examine leaf morphological, structural, physiological, and stoichiometric traits. The results showed that water availability significantly modulated seedling responses to N and P supply. Under well-watered conditions, nutrient addition promoted leaf growth and biomass accumulation, whereas under water deficit, seedlings enhanced osmotic adjustment and altered resource allocation. Significant interactions among water, N, and P were observed for leaf morphological, physiological, and stoichiometric traits. Soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and available phosphorus (AP) in rhizosphere soil were the soil factors most strongly associated with the variation in leaf functional traits, among which SOC exhibited the highest explanatory power. Functional trait network analysis revealed that specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratio (N:P) were identified as central hubs of the leaf trait network. Overall, drought shifted R. pseudoacacia seedlings from a resource-acquisitive strategy toward a resource-conservative and stress-tolerant strategy. This study elucidates the short-term response patterns of R. pseudoacacia seedlings to combined water and nutrient stress, providing preliminary insights for water and fertilizer management during seedling establishment in arid regions. Full article

Antioxidant profiling of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) stem bark was performed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay off-line coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DPPH–HPLC–DAD–ESI–QMS). The ethyl acetate, methanol, and n-hexane extracts exhibited similar chemical profiles for the antioxidant amphipathic phenolic compounds; however, the ethyl acetate extract was the richest in them, and n-hexane yielded several compounds in higher ratios. A total of 21 compounds displayed antioxidant activity and were further characterized by HPLC–high-resolution tandem MS (HRMS/MS). Nine compounds were identified as previously described antioxidants from the black locust stem bark, including 3-O-caffeoyl oleanolic acid (1), and the oleyl (4), octadecyl (6), gadoleyl (7), eicosanyl (9), (Z)-9-docosenyl (10), docosyl (12), tetracosyl (15), and hexacosyl (17) caffeates. Further ten caffeate and two ferulate esters were tentatively identified as 3-O-caffeoyl oleanolic, ursolic, or betulinic aldehyde (2), and hexadecyl (3), heptadecyl (5), hydroxy-hexacosyl (8), henicosyl (11), tetracosenyl (13), tricosyl (14), hexacosenyl (16), octacosenyl (18), and octacosyl (20) caffeates, and hexacosyl (19) and octacosyl (21) ferulates that were reported for the first time in R. pseudoacacia. Furthermore, this is the first report about the antioxidant activity of the previously undescribed compounds 8, 13, 16, and 18, as well as known compounds 11 and 14. Full article

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) has become an increasingly important tree species in Europe due to its rapid growth, adaptability and potential to provide durable timber under changing climatic conditions. This paper presents a review of the European specialty literature concerning the silviculture, utilization, anatomical structure, chemical composition, main physical properties, mechanical properties and technological processing of black locust wood. Particular attention is given to the relationship between wood characteristics and possible industrial applications. The literature survey indicates that black locust trees perform well on drought-prone and sandy sites and produce timber with favourable mechanical properties. Together with its durability, relatively low shrinkage, good dimensional stability, and satisfactory machinability, these attributes support its use in both indoor and outdoor products. In addition, thermal modification and appropriate drying techniques can further enhance the wood’s appearance and service performance, increasing its competitiveness as a sustainable alternative to tropical hardwood species. The synthesis of existing research highlights the significant yet still underexploited potential of black locust for the European wood industry and emphasizes the need for continued research and wider industrial promotion of the species. Full article

Obolodiplosis robiniae (Haldeman) is a specialist herbivore of Robinia pseudoacacia L., and its infestation is closely associated with tender leaf tissues. The ability of gravid females to recognize suitable host tissues is essential for successful oviposition and subsequent population development. Here, we assessed whether leaf age affects the host-selection behavior of O. robiniae and whether volatile organic compounds are associated with this process. Laboratory oviposition assays were used to compare egg deposition on tender leaves and mature leaves of R. pseudoacacia, and Y-tube olfactometer bioassays were performed to evaluate female responses to odors from the two leaf ages. Volatiles released from healthy tender leaves and mature leaves were collected using dynamic headspace sampling and characterized by thermal desorption–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Principal component analysis, orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis, and variable importance in projection scores were used to compare volatile profiles between leaf ages. Gravid females deposited significantly more eggs on tender leaves than on mature leaves in both choice and no-choice assays. Females also showed a significant olfactory preference for tender-leaf odors when directly offered a choice between volatiles from tender leaves and mature leaves, with 76.47% of responding individuals selecting tender-leaf odors and 23.53% selecting mature-leaf odors. Chemical profiling identified 28 volatile compounds across the two leaf ages, and their composition and relative abundance differed markedly. Among shared compounds, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol and α-farnesene differed significantly between tender leaves and mature leaves. Multivariate analyses further identified several candidate compounds contributing to leaf age-related volatile differences. These results indicate that leaf age influences both oviposition behavior and odor-mediated host location in O. robiniae. Leaf age-dependent volatile blends may serve as important chemical cues associated with host selection by gravid females and provide a basis for future studies on volatile-mediated management strategies. Full article

Mining activities elevate environmental noise and represent a major disturbance in terrestrial ecosystems. Vegetation belts are often used as mitigation measures. This study evaluates the role of Robinia pseudoacacia L. forest plantations in reducing noise at the lignite complex of western Macedonia, in Greece. Field measurements of noise level (LAeq) were conducted inside and outside the plantations from spring to autumn during 2020 and 2021. Measurements were taken at five points across four sites differing in their distance from the noise source. Leaf Area Index (LAI) was recorded, and meteorological variables were measured concurrently. Linear mixed-effect models were used to assess the effects of forest presence, distance from source, climatic conditions, and LAI, while accounting for repeated measurements across sampling days and sites. Noise levels were significantly lower within plantations than outside, indicating that restored forest stands can act as buffers to mining noise. The distance of trees from the noise source and atmospheric conditions are also significant drivers of noise levels. These findings highlight the potential of post-mining plantations to provide an additional acoustic regulation service in restored industrial landscapes. Full article

The growing demand for renewable energy, together with the need to mitigate climate change and promote more sustainable agriculture systems, has stimulated interest in energy crops. In this context, invasive alien plant species (IAPS), which have progressively colonized abandoned farmland, degraded ecosystems, and marginal areas, represent a key bioresource. IAPS have a dual nature combining high ecological invasiveness and fast growing rate with notable energetic potential. These aspects have generated a still ongoing debate among farm managers, ecologists, and policymakers regarding their role within the future bioeconomy. The present study provides a review of the IAPS black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) on its real benefits as a source of bioenergy, ecological impact, and the management strategies adopted. We examine the trade-offs between containment efforts and use for renewable bioenergy production, particularly in marginal areas where few alternatives exist. This review highlights the need for stratified site-specific approaches that balance biodiversity conservation with bioresource exploitation. Finally, this study also contributes to the ongoing discussion on whether IAPS should be regarded primarily as a management challenge or a multifunctional bioresource, as in the production of bioenergy. Full article

Background: As a transcription factor superfamily unique to plants, WRKY plays broad roles in both secondary development and secondary metabolic processes. Robinia pseudoacacia is renowned for its durable and naturally durable heartwood, which holds significant commercial value. However, their potential association with heartwood formation remains largely unexplored. Results: Leveraging published genomic data from Robinia pseudoacacia, we conducted a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis that identified 85 WRKY transcription factors. An uneven distribution across 11 chromosomes was observed for the RpWRKY genes, which were systematically named RpWRKY1 to RpWRKY85 according to their genomic locations, as determined by chromosomal localization. By conducting a phylogenetic comparison between RpWRKY and AtWRKY (from Arabidopsis thaliana), the RpWRKY family was categorized into three primary clades (I, II, and III), wherein group II was additionally partitioned into subgroups designated IIa through IIe. Conserved structural features and motif patterns were observed among members of each subgroup. Purifying selection was suggested by collinearity analysis as the primary evolutionary driver of RpWRKY, leading to structural and functional diversification. Finally, four candidate genes (RpWRKY78, RpWRKY45, RpWRKY50, RpWRKY80) potentially involved in heartwood formation regulation were identified through analysis of xylem tissue-specific expression patterns. Conclusions: For this economically important tree species, the present study not only provides the first systematic characterization of RpWRKY but also identifies potential regulators of heartwood development. Thus, the present study lays the groundwork for subsequent research aimed at uncovering the molecular processes that regulate heartwood development. Full article

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) has exceptional growth capacity in nutrient-poor environments and is therefore widely used for afforestation and land reclamation on degraded soils. However, drought stress can restrict sapling growth, which undermines the success of their establishment. The effect of a product containing two endophytic strains (Trichoderma afroharzianum P. Chaverri, F.B. Rocha, Degenkolb & Druzhinina TR04 and Trichoderma simmonsii P. Chaverri, F.B. Rocha, Degenkolb & Druzhinina TR05) was studied on a black locust sapling stand under severe drought in eastern Hungary. The two-year-old saplings were root-soaked before planting in sandy soil. The growth of Trichoderma-treated plants improved by late spring. Compared to the control trees, average height increased by 25.75%, and root collar diameter was 21.96% larger. Treated plants also showed 9.1% higher chlorophyll content and 11.1% Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The reduced intercellular CO₂ concentration, together with slightly lower stomatal conductance and increased transpiration rate, suggests tighter stomatal regulation and altered water-use dynamics under drought conditions. These responses indicate improved short-term drought acclimation rather than enhanced carbon assimilation capacity. Pre-planting inoculation with endophytic Trichoderma strains provides a sustainable method to enhance the early establishment and drought resilience of black locust, thereby increasing the efficacy of forest restoration by improving the survival of black locust on challenging degraded sites. Full article

The influence of growing site conditions on the chromatic properties of heartwood in black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) cultivar ‘Nyírségi’ sampled from five regions of Hungary was investigated in this study. A total of 23 boards (average age of trees: 34.5 years) representing four site types were analyzed by instrumental colorimetry using the CIE Lab system. The overall average color coordinates were L* = 69.9 ± 4.0, a* = 4.0 ± 0.8, and b* = 27.4 ± 2.3. Significant chromatic differences were observed among site types proven by statistical analysis; however, no single site type consistently increased within-site color variability. Average total color differences (ΔE*) ranged from 3.94 to 6.31 across site types, corresponding to “noticeable” to “large” visual differences. Regionally, 89.1% of 55 specimen pairs exhibited clearly perceptible color variation (ΔE* > 2), with 61.8% classified as “large” (ΔE* > 5). Within-tree comparisons revealed ΔE* values of 3.72–3.75 under poor site conditions but <2.0 on good growing sites. The a* and b* components appear with measurable variations across all sites, while the characteristic yellow hue remains distinct and stable independent of site origin due to the high b* value. Full article

The flowers of Sophora japonica L. (SJF) and Robinia pseudoacacia L. (RPF) are edible and similar in appearance. The chemical constituents of SJF and RPF were compared by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and HPLC analysis in this study. A total of 29 and 19 constituents were identified in SJF and RPF, respectively. Flavonoid glycosides were the main constituents found in both flowers. The main aglycon moieties found in SJF were quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin, whereas acacetin and kaempferol were the main ones found in RPF. Additionally, the content of flavonoids in SJF was significantly higher than that in RPF, as determined by HPLC. Rutin was the most dominant flavonoid in SJF with a content range of 72.31~88.15 mg/g, followed by quercetin (13.05~20.30 mg/g). Kaempferol-di(rhamnoside)-hexoside was the most dominant flavonoid in RPF with a content range of 25.94~30.00 mg/g. The distinct flavonoid profiles indicated the chemical non-equivalence of SJF and RPF. Therefore, RPF should not be considered a direct substitute for SJF in herbal medicine without further pharmacological and clinical validation. Full article

Light environments within plantation forests vary significantly with stand degradation. This study investigated how light-related factors change along degradation gradients in Robinia pseudoacacia L. (black locust) plantations and how these changes influence understory herbaceous vegetation and regeneration. An R. pseudoacacia plantation at the Zhongmu State-owned Forest Farm, ZhengZhou, China was studied across three degradation levels (least degraded, moderately degraded, and severely degraded). Integrated analyses were employed to assess light–vegetation relationships under different stand densities. The results indicated that canopy openness (CO), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and light transmittance increased significantly with increasing degradation severity, whereas the leaf area index (LAI) declined. Specifically, differences in LAI among degradation levels were observed in all density stands. CO, TDR, and PAR showed degradation-related differences in medium- and high-density stands, while other light variables varied under specific density–degradation combinations. Furthermore, herbaceous biomass declined, canopy cover showed a fluctuation trend, and species diversity increased. Significant correlations were observed between multiple light parameters and herbaceous attributes. Overall, variations in the light environment were closely associated with understory vegetation dynamics. Moderate degradation was linked to higher herbaceous diversity, whereas regeneration density exhibited a non-monotonic response across degradation levels, with the lowest value under moderate degradation rather than a continuous decline under severe degradation. Full article

Although plant restoration is essential for improving soil structure and stability, there are still few systematic assessments of its impacts across various restored vegetation species, especially in environmentally sensitive areas like the East Qinling Mountains. In order to provide a scientific foundation for optimizing restoration tactics and enhancing soil erosion control and ecosystem services in the area, this study attempts to assess the impacts of different recovered plant types on soil aggregate stability and to clarify the underlying mechanisms. The Pinus tabuliformis Carrière, Quercus variabilis Blume, Robinia pseudoacacia L., Pinus tabulaeformis-Quercus variabilis mixed forest, Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco and abandoned grassland were the six vegetation types represented by the sixteen plots. Farmland was used as a control. Soil samples were taken from three depths (0–5 cm, 5–20 cm, and 20–40 cm) and evaluated for root biomass, soil organic matter (SOM), and water-stable aggregate dispersion. Mean weight diameter (MWD), fractal dimension (D), macroaggregate content of diameter > 0.25 mm (R_0.25), and percentage of aggregate disruption (PAD) were used to evaluate aggregate stability. One-way ANOVA, LSD multiple comparisons, and Spearman correlation analysis were among the statistical analyses. In comparison to grassland and farming, forested regions, particularly mixed forests, showed considerably higher proportions of macroaggregates (>0.25 mm) and superior aggregate stability (higher MWD and R_0.25, lower D and PAD). Increased litter and coarse root inputs, which encouraged big water-stable aggregates (WSAs) and reinforced their positive connection with SOM, were the driving forces behind this development. Robinia pseudoacacia L. and Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco displayed the highest SOM concentration and root biomass (1201.45 and 679.66 g/m², respectively). At all depths, mixed forests showed the most stable soil structure. In contrast to agriculture, vegetation restoration dramatically changed the mechanical composition of the soil, increasing the differentiation of particle-size fractions across soil layers and decreasing the amount of surface clay. Soil aggregate stability is greatly enhanced by vegetation restoration, with mixed forests offering the greatest advantages because of their varied root systems and increased input of organic matter. These results emphasize how crucial it is to choose the right vegetation types for restoration efforts in order to improve soil structure, reduce erosion, and promote ecological sustainability in the East Qinling Mountains. Full article

This study evaluates the ecological impact of Robinia pseudoacacia L. (black locust) invasion on native chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) groves on Mount Amiata (Central Italy), focusing on both plant and macrofungal community dynamics. Surveys were conducted over a three-year period (2022–2024) across 16 plots to assess shifts in taxonomic alpha diversity, species richness, and trophic guild structure. Our results demonstrate that while R. pseudoacacia stands exhibit a higher Shannon–Wiener index for plants, native chestnut groves host significantly greater species richness and higher taxonomic distinctiveness across both biological groups. A major shift in fungal functional structure was observed with chestnut-dominated plots characterized by a predominance of ectomycorrhizal species (58.3%), whereas invaded stands were heavily dominated by saprotrophic fungi (73.4%). Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) further confirmed a clear separation in community composition between the two forest types, indicating that R. pseudoacacia invasion leads to a homogenization of the forest biota and a potential decline in ecosystem health, as evidenced by the sharp reduction in mycorrhizal diversity. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring macrofungal communities as sensitive bioindicators of the ecological degradation caused by invasive woody species. Full article

The pseudoacacia species (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) are flowering plants that produce nectar and can be the sources of unifloral honey. Robinia is native to North America and is invasive in several European countries. The aim of this work was to determine and compare the physicochemical parameters, proline content, and antioxidant capacity of pseudoacacia honey collected from different locations in two central European countries (Hungary and Slovakia). The botanical origin of each honey sample was verified by melissopalynological analysis. The color intensity was determined using the Pfund scale. The antioxidant activity was determined with different spectrophotometric methods (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP). The content of the total polyphenols, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and proline was quantified using spectrophotometric methods. The electrical conductivity, refractive index, and optical rotation were analyzed according to European Pharmacopoeia, 12th edition. Our study shows that the antioxidant capacity, and proline and phenolic content of unifloral pseudoacacia honeys can vary according to the geographical origin, polyphenol content, and the pollen profile in honey samples. Full article

The study investigated Robinia pseudoacacia L. planted in the early 20th century in the urban environment of Kraków (SW Poland). Growth responses for the 1920–2019 period were analyzed against changing climatic conditions and pollution levels. In the second half of the 20th century, atmospheric pollution rose sharply owing to local and regional industrial expansion. From the 1950s, the increase in emissions coincided with higher basal area increment (BAI), which can serve as a vitality index. Growth response homogeneity also increased, indicating similar reactions of individual trees to annual climatic variability, and the climate signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the BAI chronology rose. Only after peak emission periods did these indices decline abruptly. R. pseudoacacia, in general, enhanced growth when the previous year to the growth year fulfilled the following: July–September was cool and wet; December, February, and March were mild; November, February, and April–August were rainy; June–July was cool; and September–October was warm. These relationships changed over time. Recent climatic warming combined with stable precipitation and a strong reduction in emissions has promoted R. pseudoacacia growth over the past two decades. This species can therefore be considered in urban greening plans as a stable and resilient provider of cooling, carbon storage, rainwater regulation, and other ecosystem services. Full article