Jul 2026· Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution· 0 citations· 114 references
TL;DR
This review compiles and synthesizes information on the morphological, anatomical, phytochemical, physical, and mechanical properties of the species, as well as its reproductive biology, propagation techniques, agroforestry applications, carbon sequestration potential, and genomics, to support the sustainable utilization and long-term conservation of D. strictus.
Abstract
Dendrocalamus strictus
(Roxb.) Nees is one of the most ecologically and economically important bamboo species in India, inhabiting approximately 53% of the bamboo-bearing area. Owing to its high biomass productivity, drought tolerance, carbon sequestration potential, versatile utility, and adaptability to degraded environments,
D. strictus
has emerged as an important species for supporting rural livelihoods, land restoration, and climate change mitigation. This review compiles and synthesizes information on the morphological, anatomical, phytochemical, physical, and mechanical properties of the species, as well as its reproductive biology, propagation techniques, agroforestry applications, carbon sequestration potential, and genomics. The available literature indicates that
D. strictus
is highly suitable for the reclamation of degraded lands and for soil and water conservation. Solid culms and favorable mechanical properties make it a promising substitute for timber in diverse applications. Among the existing propagation methods, tissue culture has emerged as the most efficient technique for large-scale plantation establishment. Plantations of
D. strictus
exhibit high carbon sequestration potential, often outperforming those of other bamboo species and teak, thereby highlighting its significance in climate change mitigation and land restoration initiatives. Agroforestry systems integrating
D. strictus
with crops such as ginger, turmeric, chickpea, and sesame have also demonstrated ample ecological and economic benefits. However, several knowledge gaps continue to hinder the effective utilization of this species. Although gregarious flowering events have been documented, the underlying mechanisms and regulation of flowering remain poorly understood, limiting improvement programs and effective plantation management. Furthermore, the polyploid nature of the species, coupled with the lack of comprehensive genomic resources, constrains investigations into the genetic basis of adaptive traits, evolutionary history, genetic diversity, epigenetic regulation, molecular drivers of flowering, advanced breeding strategies, and gene-editing applications. This review highlights the current state of knowledge, identifies critical research gaps, and provides a foundation for integrating silvicultural and genomic strategies to support the sustainable utilization and long-term conservation of
D. strictus
.
Amazonian biodiversity is home to species with great potential for integrating environmental conservation, biotechnological innovation, and sustainable development. Among them, Eugenia patrisii Vahl (Myrtaceae) stands out for its many applications, including fruit production, the restoration of degraded areas, and the extraction of essential oils of economic interest. In cultivation conditions, it exhibits intraspecific variations manifested in different phenotypes. Thus, the objective was to characterize the species’ biotechnological potential and its phenotypes, with an emphasis on the morphophysiology and biochemistry of fruits, seeds, and germination, as well as the antioxidant activity of the leaf essential oil. First, a literature review was conducted on the potential of Eugenia species to provide raw materials and establish crops; subsequently, sowing was carried out, and the germination and initial growth of the seedlings were monitored using descriptive, quantitative, and comparative approaches for seven phenotypes (F1 through F7), Subsequently, the nutritional content of the fruit pulp and the mobilization of primary reserves of carbohydrates, amino acids, and proteins from the seeds of the distinguished phenotypes—F2, F3, and F6—were analyzed, and, finally, the essential oil was extracted from the leaves of the species, and its composition and electron-scavenging activity against ABTS and DPPH radicals were described. The literature review revealed gaps regarding germination, chemical composition, and biological activity, particularly for Eugenia patrisii. From the germination and post- germination experiments, 28 traits were described, which were used to assess the divergence among the seven phenotypes (F1 through F7), including the biometry and morphoanatomy of fruits, seeds, and seedlings, as well as germination parameters; this information is previously unpublished for this species. For these criteria, F2, F3, and F6 performed distinctly compared to the others, forming a separate group, indicating intraspecific resources for the selection of species for silviculture. In contrast, F7 fell short of the others for the same parameters, failing even to produce seedlings for analysis. Regarding the mobilization of primary seed reserves, it was possible to identify distinct strategies for the synthesis and degradation of carbohydrates and proteins among the F2, F3, and F6 phenotypes, which sometimes adopt a conservative metabolic strategy and sometimes a dynamic one. The nutritional composition of the fruits revealed that the pulp had a high carbohydrate content—which significantly distinguished F2—and a high protein content—which set F6 apart from the other two—suggesting their potential for use in different types of dietary supplements. The extracted essential oil had a yield of 2.48%, while its chemical composition was notably dominated by sesquiterpenes (95.2%), particularly oxygenated sesquiterpenes (47.9%). The major constituent was β- elemene, at 21%, followed by compounds belonging to the cardinol skeleton group, while for the DPPH assay, the inhibition percentage was 51.4 ± 0.6%, and the ABTS assay indicated a TEAC value of 254 ± 2.0, suggesting moderate to strong antioxidant activity, with oxygenated sesquiterpenes being directly correlated with this potential. Furthermore, this study provides new insights into the morphology and physiology of E. patrisii, filling important gaps in our knowledge of the species. The results expand the available scientific basis and provide a foundation for its conservation, domestication, and sustainable use, while also strengthening research aimed at utilizing other native Amazonian fruit trees.
Cymbopogon species are known for their characteristic aroma and grow in different regions of the world. In India, 45 species are being grown for producing lemongrass essential oil (EO). Globally, grasslands are among the most widely distributed terrestrial biomes, including all herbaceous vegetation, and Cymbopogon types (low hills) are one of them. This review addresses the different physiological trait variations for adaptations influenced by climatic factors and the rate of biomass accumulation and carbon sequestration, EO yield, quality, and chemical compositions. EO extracted from different Cymbopogon species used in managing stored grain pests and pathogens to decrease the harmful effects and risk of synthetic insecticides on human beings and their surroundings is also reviewed. Previous studies on Cymbopogon species had primarily focused on pharmaceutical applications, cosmetics, aromatherapy, food preservation, and agriculture. Thus, the comprehensive review is done to understand the different environmental interactions, productivity, and carbon sequestration in aromatic grass biomass that can potentially contribute to the socio-economic. Enhancement of our nation and mitigate the present scenario of global warming, as well as aromatic grass as potent biopesticides to overcome the post-harvest lost in the world.
Keywords: Biomass, Carbon sequestration, Cymbopogon stability analysis, Environmental factors, EOs, Pathogens, Pests
M. A. Devi, T. B. Singh, J. K. Shukla et al.· Journal of Medicinal and Aro...· 0 citations
This review focussed on recent scientific insights to explain the ability of different tree species to lower water tables, thereby improving the soil health and environment. Biodrainage has emerged as an innovative and sustainable biological approach to mitigate waterlogging and soil salinity, which were two major impediments to agricultural productivity. It was proven beyond doubt as a practical and eco-friendly alternative to conventional drainage methods in poorly drained areas. Fast-growing, deep-rooted, and high-transpiring species such as Eucalyptus, Casuarina, and Acacia have demonstrated significant efficacy in managing excess soil moisture in affected landscapes. Adopting these species facilitated natural drainage and contributed positively to soil properties and microbial activity. Furthermore, it gained momentum as a low-cost, self-sustaining, and renewable solution that integrated well with agroforestry systems and sustainable land use practices. It could help reclaim saline soils, and supported resilient farming systems besides improving resource-use efficiency, stabilizing crop productivity under stress conditions thus generating additional economic returns through tree-based outputs. In the context of global sustainability frameworks, this green concept aligned with key Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). However, its effectiveness depended on appropriate tree species selection, site-specific soil and ground water conditions, and long-term management practices. Therefore, systematic evaluation of tree species was essential to optimize biodrainage performance and ensured sustainable land and water resource management.
J. P. Sundar, C. Ramesh, L. G. Reddy et al.· International Journal of Eco...· 0 citations
Aegilops geniculata Roth is a tetraploid wild relative of wheat distributed throughout the Mediterranean Basin, where it grows in a wide range of habitats. Due to its genetic diversity, ecological plasticity and adaptation to Mediterranean ruderal environments, the species has attracted increasing interest as a genetic resource for wheat improvement and as a potential component of sustainable agroecosystems. Beyond use in agriculture, its ecological characteristics also suggest applications in Nature-based Solutions, including revegetation of degraded, low-input, semi-arid ecosystems. This review aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge on the taxonomy, genetics, morphology, distribution, ecology, reproductive biology and conservation of Ae. geniculata. This work is complemented by original experimental data on agronomic traits and an assessment of ex situ conservation efforts. Evidence highlights the species’ value as a source of drought- and stress-adaptive traits for wheat improvement, plus promising cover crop traits (rapid establishment, stable biomass production and flexible germination behavior). Remaining knowledge gaps include population genomics, conservation of undercollected populations and field-scale agronomic performance to better clarify the potential of this species as a cover crop. This work supports further investigation of Ae. geniculata as both a valuable crop wild relative and a promising cover crop for Mediterranean agroecosystems.
Micol Orengo, F. Guzzon, A. Corli et al.· Sustainability· 0 citations