Cytogenetic and photosynthetic responses of plants after exposure to water from a lake environment.

Plants are sensitive to environmental pollutants and are excellent organisms for genetic and physiological testing. Plant-based test systems are often used to study aquatic, aerial, and terrestrial pollution, especially Allium cepa, but studies with Tradescatia pallida specimens have gained prominence due to their sensitivity and applicability. Among the biomarkers, cytogenetic damage and chlorophyll levels are used in stress studies due to their responses to single or combined factors.

Changes in growth and reproductive phenology of Allagoptera arenaria (Arecaceae) under climate change scenarios.

Climate change has led to shifts in phenology in many species distributed widely across taxonomic groups. It is, however, unclear how we should interpret these shifts without some sort of a yardstick. We assessed climate change effects on Allagoptera arenaria, a acaulescent palm, using open top chambers (OTCs) and rain gutters in the field to mimic expected temperature and rainfall changes in this area.