This review provides data on the possibilities for commercial use of algae of the green streptophyte genus Klebsormidium. It is one of the basal algal progenitors of land plants and shows many mechanisms and features which allow its adaptation to different environmental stresses associated with land colonization. This has led to formation of structures and compounds with countless possible applications in biotechnology and nanotechnology, starting from food to pharmaceuticals and biofuels. Therefore, the present work aims to provide: (1) a review on this yet neglected topic for the first time; (2) reliable identification using the polyphasic taxonomic approach of three local Klebsormidium strains isolated from soils of two protected areas in Bulgaria (Kresnendko Defile and National park Rila). It also outlines the cultivation advantages of Klebsormidium broad tolerance to harsh conditions and its reproductive features (easy disintegration and possibility to produce resting stages). The possibility to use inoculum of akinetes in soil algalization as biofertilizers is proposed. The results from standard microscopical identification and molecular data (ITS and rbcL, used separately and in combination), combined in the applied polyphasic approach led to distinguishing between geographically distinct strains collected at different altitudes. After identification of two strains (ACUS 00001 and ACUS 00014) as belonging to Klebsormidium dissectum and of ACUS 00207 as belonging to Klebsormidium klebsii, the similarity of the latter taxon with K. nitens is discussed. ARTICLE HISTORY

Broomrapes (Orobanche spp.) are the most devasting parasitic weeds, causing extensive damage to many important agricultural crops worldwide. Despite the tremendous economic impact of broomrapes on the agriculture little is known of the pattern of the genetic variation within this group until now and particularly in Bulgaria and other SouthEastern European countries. The present paper describes the application of six RAPD markers for the study of Orobanche species-O. cumana Wallr. / O. cernua Loefl. and O. ramosa L. using seed samples originating from different agro-ecological regions in SouthEastern Europe and middle East. Genetic variation among some of O. cumana Wallr. / O. cernua Loefl. samples representing populations originating from different geographical regions was detected.

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