BULLETIN of the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. BIOSCIENCE Series

Types of Streptomyces actinomycetes widespread in cattle manure and their influence on the growth of spring wheat seedlings

2025-05-15T12:34:31+00:00

This article presents the cultural and morphological characteristics of actinomycetes isolated from cow dung, as well as the results of their genotyping and assessment of growth-stimulating properties in relation to the seedlings of spring wheat. In vitro inoculation of seeds was conducted with strain Streptomyces macrosporeus st.№.32, Streptomyces albogriseolus st.№37, Streptomyces pratensisst.№24, Streptomyces griseorubens st.№34, and Streptomyces flavofuscus st.№38. As a result, a high efficiency of these microorganisms in stimulating plant growth was established. Treatment of seeds with cultural filtrates of strains Str. Albogriseolus st.№37 and Str. Flavofuscus st.№38 ensured 100% seed germination, indicating the high biological effectiveness of these strains. Some strains effectively stimulated the development of the root system, while others increased seed germination or demonstrated the ability to synthesize cytokinins. Thus, treatment of wheat seeds with a suspension of strains Str. Pratensis st.№24, Str. Griseorubens st.№34, Str. albogriseolus st.№37, and Str. flavofuscus st.№38 led to a significant increase in germination. The maximum increase in root length was 1.8 times, while the length of seedlings increased 3.3 times compared to the control, indicating the feasibility of using these strains in agronomy. The most pronounced influence on seedling development was exerted by strains Str. flavofuscus st.№38, Str. albogriseolus st.№37, and Str. griseorubens st.№34, with the maximum seedling length achieved when inoculated with strain Str. flavofuscus st.№38, indicating its high growth-stimulating activity. For stimulating root growth, the optimal strains were Str. albogriseolus st.№37 and Str. flavofuscus st.№38, which ensured an increase in root length by up to 1.7 times compared to the control. In this context, the use of Streptomyces sp. strains as biopreparations represents a promising direction for environmentally friendly agriculture.

Evaluation of a novel Potentiator of Antibiotic (PA) effect on Proteus mirabilis-induced urinary tract infection (UTI) in mice

2025-06-02T11:48:01+00:00

Proteus mirabilis is able to induce clinical symptoms of the urogenital tract infection (UTI) and form crystalline biofilm made of a variety of bacteria that are highly resistant to conventional antimicrobial drugs. The presented work was designed to study the antibiotic potentiation effect of PA in mice with UTI. They were divided into 5 groups: intact, positive control, Amoxicillin group, PA group, amoxicillin and PA group. UTI was induced by inoculation of P. mirabilis (1.5×10⁹ CFU/mL), then animals received treatment for 14 days. Animals that received amoxicillin and PA displayed a normal rate of weight gain in comparison to the positive control (p < 0.01). The combined therapy also normalized in the levels of red blood cells, hematocrit, and hemoglobin, as well as white blood cells, lymphocytes, monocytes, and granulocytes (p < 0.01), indicating an alleviation of the inflammatory process. A significant rise of liver transaminases: ALT and AST, as well as in the levels of BUN and CREAT, was noted in the group of mice with UTI, no therapy (p < 0.01). However, the combined therapy of led to significant alleviation of all of these markers (p < 0.01), indicating normal function of the liver and kidneys. Finally, the histological examination revealed that the combined therapy had a nephroprotective effect, showing more intact structure, fewer degenerative processes and reduced congestion in contrast to the positive control. Thus, a novel drug PA, due to its ability to potentiate the efficacy of antimicrobial drugs, can offer a perspective approach for the treatment of infectious diseases.

Serotonergic and dopaminergic system genes and their polymorphisms associated with suicidal behavior

2025-06-10T07:34:24+00:00

Suicidal behavior is a complex, multifactorial phenomenon caused by the interaction of biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors. One of the key areas in the study of the biological basis of suicidal behavior is the study of genetic predisposition, which is confirmed by family, twin, and molecular genetic studies. A special role in the regulation of affective states and suicidal behavior is played by genes of the serotonergic (TPH1, TPH2, 5HTR2A, 5-HT1A, SLC6A4, 5-HT2C, MAOA) and dopaminergic (ANKK1, DRD2, COMT) systems. Serotonin is the main neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of mood, impulsivity, and stress response, and its imbalance is associated with depression and an increased risk of suicidal behavior. The dopaminergic system, in turn, affects motivation, cognitive processes, and stress response, and its dysfunction can contribute to the development of impulsivity and emotional instability, which also increases the risk of suicidal actions. Despite a significant number of studies aimed at studying the genetic predictors of suicidal behavior, their results remain contradictory. Differences in the sample, genotyping methods, and statistical processing of data, as well as the possible influence of epigenetic mechanisms, require a comprehensive analysis of the available data and further research into the molecular basis of suicide risk. The purpose of this review is to systematize data on genetic factors associated with suicidal behavior, based on an analysis of scientific publications over the past 12 years (2013–2024). The study of associations of gene polymorphisms can contribute to early diagnosis and the development of effective preventive intervention strategies.

Leaf miners of poplar (Populus L.) in green spaces of Pavlodar region

2025-05-30T11:11:02+00:00

The article comprehensively examines the leaf miners of poplar (Populus L.) in the green spaces of Pavlodar region. Leaf miners are the larvae of some moths, beetles, flies, and sawflies that feed on the epidermal layers of plant leaves. Many of them are pests of forestry, cultural and commercial horticulture, agriculture in general, etc. The research was conducted in the Pavlodar region during the 2019-2022 growing season, in the cities of Pavlodar, Ekibastuz, Aksu, as well as in the villages of Zhelezinka, Koktobe, and Aktogay. The damaged leaves were collected in natural and artificial plantings – parks and gardens, squares, and city streets. In the period 2019-2022, about 5,000 poplar leaves were examined in the Pavlodar region. During the study, 4 species of poplar miners belonging to the Nepticulidae and Gracillariidae families were identified in the region. They are divided into the following 3 genera: Stigmella Schrank 1802, Phyllonorycter Hubner 1822, and Phyllocnistis Zeller 1848. Today, the impact of organisms belonging to the association of miners poses a global threat to the economy and the environment.

Effect of high temperature stress on Hordeum vulgare L. growth

2025-06-10T06:58:37+00:00

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a vital cereal crop that is highly susceptible to a range of abiotic stresses, including low temperatures, drought, salinity, and particularly heat stress, which can significantly impair its growth and productivity. This study aimed to assess the impact of elevated temperature on the germination and physiological responses of the Astana 2000 barley cultivar. Seeds were germinated under controlled growth room conditions at an optimal temperature of 25°C (control) and a high temperature of 40°C to simulate heat stress. We evaluated several physiological and biochemical parameters, including chlorophyll content, malondialdehyde (MDA), and proline levels. Heat stress led to a noticeable decline in photosynthetic pigments, indicating reduced photosynthetic efficiency. In contrast, MDA and proline concentrations increased, reflecting enhanced lipid peroxidation and osmotic stress, respectively. Additionally, the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as aldehyde oxidase and catalase were significantly elevated under high temperature, suggesting an adaptive defense mechanism to counteract oxidative damage by detoxifying reactive oxygen species.

Dynamics of organic matter reserves in the lerh wormwood–wheatgrass (Artemisia lerchiana, Agropyron sibiricum) community

2025-06-12T08:54:56+00:00

The article presents the results of a study of the lerh wormwood–wheatgrass community (Artemisia lerchiana, Agropyron sibiricum), which grows on poorly washed heavy loamy dark brown soils. The floral composition and dynamics of organic matter reserves of the studied community are described. The research work was carried out according to the methodology of L.E.Rodin, N.I.Bazilevich, N.P.Remezov. Morphological features, the content of organic matter and the chemical composition of the soil of the plant community have been studied. There are 29 species in the flora of the lerh wormwood–wheatgrass community (Artemisia lerchiana, Agropyron sibiricum). The projective coverage is 50-60%, and the true coverage is 40-45%. The plant community under the influence of environmental factors undergoes transformation, which is expressed in a decrease in species diversity, a decrease in biological productivity, a change in the cycle of chemical elements and the replacement of valuable forage species with weeds. The conducted research has practical benefits and can be used in assessing the productivity of pastures, assessing the current state of vegetation and soil cover, determining the level of anthropogenic influence and in organizing work to preserve the biological diversity of plant communities.

Forest conditions for the regeneration of Pinus sylvestris L. in burnt areas (island pine forests of Amankaragai and Kazanbasy, Kostanay Region)

2025-06-10T08:52:48+00:00

The initial stages of natural reforestation were studied in burned and fire-affected areas of the island-type pine forests of Amankaragai and Kazanbasy in the second year after large-scale wildfires. The studied sites included the following: control plots (areas unaffected by fire); burn (areas affected by a mixed-severity fire, with remaining standing trees); gorelnik (areas affected by crown fires, with approximately 10% of trees remaining); and cleared burn (areas where fire-damaged forest was harvested and removed in spring 2023). The highest density of natural regeneration was observed in the Kazanbasy pine forest, located in the Bora Mountain ridge – 53.2 thousand seedlings per hectare; and in the cleared burn area – 16.4 thousand seedlings per hectare. In the cleared burn area of the Amankaragai forest, vegetation succession followed a steppe-type pattern, with no signs of forest regeneration. The main obstacle to reforestation is the development of herbaceous cover dominated by long-rhizomatous species whose renewal buds lie deeper than 6–10 cm in the soil and are not damaged by high fire temperatures. In the island-type pine forests of Amankaragai and Kazanbasy, herbaceous vegetation is a strong competitor for moisture, being more adapted to the arid steppe climate, and can completely suppress tree seedling development. Successful reforestation of burned areas in the island-type pine forests of Kostanay Region is possible only if the ecological conditions of forest stands and the silvicultural background are taken into account. Special attention should be paid to the assessment of local microclimatic conditions.

Species diversity of the family Poaceae Barnhart in the flora of the Betpakdala Desert (Ulytau region)

2025-06-11T09:46:32+00:00

This article presents the results of a comprehensive study of the species composition of the Poaceae Barnhart family in the flora of the Betpakdala Desert. The research is based on a critical review of published literature, examination of herbarium specimens from collections housed at AA and MW, and extensive fieldwork conducted by the authors. As a result, an updated checklist of Poaceae taxa for the region has been compiled. It includes 106 species distributed across 44 genera, 17 subtribes, 14 tribes, 7 supertribes, and 6 subfamilies. The taxonomic arrangement follows the contemporary classification system adopted by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group IV (APG IV), and species names are aligned with the nomenclature recognized in the Plants of the World Online (POWO) database. For each species, the checklist provides detailed information on its taxonomic placement, latin binomial with author citation, life form, ecological grouping based on water availability and substrate type, habitat conditions, and flowering period. The genera with the highest species richness in the region are Stipa L. (11 species), Puccinellia Parl. (9), Poa L. (8), Bromus L. (8), and Leymus Hochst. (7). The article also includes a comparative analysis of the Poaceae species composition of Betpakdala with adjacent regions, including the Central Kazakh Upland, the Ulytau Mountains, and the Moyinkum Desert. Using the Sørensen similarity coefficient, it was determined that the highest floristic similarity exists between Betpakdala and Moyinkum, with a similarity index of 0.7. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of grass diversity in Central Kazakhstan’s arid ecosystems.

Spectral Characteristics of Spring Wheat Pests Using Hyperspectral Data: Diagnostics and Adaptation Features of Colouring

2025-06-13T11:32:47+00:00

Using hyperspectral imaging, the spectral characteristics of six pest species (Chorosoma schillingii, Loxostege sticticalis, Tettigonia viridissima, Chaetocnema aridula, Calliptamus italicus, and Laodelphax striatella) associated with spring wheat in northeastern Kazakhstan were investigated for the first time, complementing the few existing studies on this topic. Spectral analysis revealed how these insects reflect, transmit, and absorb light, providing insights for the future application of such data in pest recognition tasks under field conditions. The analysed species exhibited spectral responses within the 500-780 nm range. The analysed species exhibited pronounced spectral responses in the 500-780 nm range, corresponding both to peak reflectance values and the spectral window suitable for diagnostic purposes. A high reflectance coefficient was characteristic of light-coloured and smooth body surfaces, while darker, uneven, and rougher regions tended to scatter light, thereby reducing overall reflectance. Among the studied specimens, Chorosoma schillingii showed the highest reflectance due to the combination of a smooth body structure and light pigmentation, which also contributed to strong reflectance in the near-infrared region. The lowest reflectance coefficient was recorded in Chaetocnema aridula, explained by the absorption of light by dark pigments. Despite the generally light-coloured exoskeletons of most other species, their reflectance coefficient remained low due to the matte texture of the cuticle. Insect colouration not only aids in camouflage against vegetation but also serves as an adaptation to environmental conditions. Light pigmentation contributes to solar reflectance and prevents overheating, while darker colouration may offer protection against ultraviolet radiation. The variation in colouration across different body parts reflects functional adaptations to specific ecological conditions.

Phytochemical and elemental composition of the Linaria cretacea Fisch ex Spreng (Plantaginaceae)

2025-06-17T18:18:00+00:00

The article presents the results of a phytochemical study of a rare species of the Republic of Kazakhstan Linaria cretacea Fisch ex Spreng. Specific biologically active compounds contained in the inflorescences, roots, and leaves of plants have demonstrated their pharmacological properties and biological activity, confirming that various phytochemical groups and individual compounds have beneficial effects. Of the total number of organic compounds detected in ethanol extracts, falcarinol (with a relative content of 16,51%) and thymol (with a relative content of 0,57%) in L. cretacea were identified with a high degree of confidence (65-90%). These compounds are valuable biologically active substances used in medicine. Being unsaturated compounds, they can be classified as natural antioxidants. For example, falcarinol is found in the roots of American ginseng. Thymol, which is part of the structural elements of cell membranes, is also a phenolic antiseptic with pronounced antimicrobial and antifungal activity against various microorganisms. The results obtained are promising and can be further used to develop a technology for obtaining valuable biologically active substances from Linaria cretacea Fisch ex Spreng biomass.

Prospects for the use of plant-derived extracts as inducers of productivity and sustainability of agricultural crops

2025-06-30T13:04:21+00:00

Nowadays, modern agriculture, faced with declining economic output and deteriorating environmental conditions, requires sustainable productivity growth. One promising direction is to find alternatives to traditional agrochemicals. Plant extracts are a promising solution offering multifunctional benefits due to the diversity of secondary metabolites. This review discusses the chemistry of extracts and production methods, including traditional maceration/percolation and more rapid methods for heat-sensitive compounds. Particular attention is paid to the phytostimulatory and biostimulatory effects of extracts, such as stimulation of cell division, modulation of stress-related genes, improvement of mineral nutrition by stimulating rhizosphere microbiota, increasing photosynthetic efficiency, and activation of salicylic and jasmonic acid pathways. Antimicrobial and allelopathic properties are also discussed. Key challenges such as biochemical instability, dosing issues, and lack of standardized protocols are highlighted. Solutions are proposed, including the development of formulated products, the use of omics analysis, and the creation of databases. Ultimately, it is emphasized that extracts are versatile tools for sustainable farming systems that require further standardization and integration with digital technologies to unlock their full potential.