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Pollen grains of 7 species of the genus Rubus L. were investigated using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). 14 different pollen characters were described, illustrated and compared in the present st-udy. All pollen grains were monad, tricolporate, radially symmetrical, isopolar, and medium in size. As for pollen sh-ape, 3 forms were recognized in the same specimens: prolate, perprolate and prolate-spheroidal. Endopore was located in the middle of colpi. The sculpture of the grains was confirmed to have striate pattern. The size of perforation and the orientation of the muri were compared and appeared to indicate the differences between the species. R.caesius, R. disc-olor, R. dolichocarpus and R. hirtus appear to have steriate-scabrate sculpture; in contrast, R. hyrcanus Juz., R. persicus Boiss. and R. sanctus Schreber. appear to have meandrical and fingerprint-like sculpture. Perforations are of two types. They are either large or often extending to tectal ridges or minute holes. Characters of pollen grains were proved their usefulness for separating taxa at the specific level. It seems that there is a link between the diversity of pollens and the vegetation habitats.

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Nutlets of 20 taxa of Phlomoides, representing most of the currently recognized sections were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The basic shape of nutlets in most taxa studied is broadly ovate, but ovate, triangular and oblong ones can also be found in few species. Regarding the sculpturing pattern of nutlet surface, four basic types can be distinguished: reticulate, scalariform, ruminate and rugose. The reticulate type is the most common among the studied species, but the variation in alignment, size and shape of its composing cells provide further evidence that are useful as diagnostic characteristics. However, the type of sculpturing is more useful for separating species within the sections, rather than correlating them to each other. For example, sect. Filipendula show four different types of sculpturing. Therefore, nutlet microsculpturing is not useful in separating large natural groups like sections in this genus. It seems also that contrary to other genera of Lamiaceae, nutlet characters are of low phylogenetic value in this genus.
 

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Impranil DLN is a class of plastics belonging to the polyurethane family with high application in textile industries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of native strain to degrade impranil DLN. In this study, yeast strains were isolated from different areas and purified in minimal medium containing 1% impranil. Isolate NS-10 was selected as the superior strain capable of degrading impranil and identified through PCR and ITS gene. Esterase, urease and protease assays were carried out for the superior strain. Finally, the biodegradation of impranil was investigated. In total, 40 yeast strains were isolated and isolate NS-10 was selected as a superior strain based on impranil removal assay. NS-10 strain was identified as Sarocladium kiliense with 100% homology. Enzymatic assays showed that the S.kiliense could produce esterase, urease and protease. In addition, it could produce significant clear zones on impranil plates. Degradation rate for impranil was 100% for 10 g/l within 14 days. Finally, S.kiliense was taken to medium containing pure polyurethane film and the capacity of degradation was investigated by the scanning electron microscopy. Our results indicated that S.kiliense is capable of degrading impranil. These results could contribute to a better insight into the mechanism of plastic biodegradation.
 
 

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Nutlets of 20 taxa of the tribe Marrubieae were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and detailed descriptions of nutlet micromorphological features for all examined taxa are provided. The nutlets exhibited variation in size, shape, color and surface sculpturing. The nutlets shape of most species studied is ovate, but rounded, broad ovate, elliptic, lanceolate, triangular and oblong can also be found in a few species. Six basic types of the sculpturing pattern of nutlet surface can be distinguished: reticulate, foveolate, scalariform, ruminate, pusticulate and colliculate-granulate. The most common type of nutlet sculpturing among the studied species is reticulate, but the variation in size and shape of their composing cells provided useful diagnostic characters. Our investigation revealed that the type of sculpturing was more useful in taxon delimitation among Marrubium species and allies at the species rank.