Hasil untuk "Botany"

P.G. Beasley-Hall, S.M. Eberhard

Rhaphidophoridae, also called cave crickets, is a globally distributed insect group belonging to the katydids and allies (Orthoptera: Ensifera: Tettigoniidea). Rhaphidophorids are restricted to humid microhabitats such as caves and wet forests, but the group’s true diversity is poorly known. In Australia, 27 species are described from nine genera in the subfamily Macropathinae, with the highest diversity concentrated in the mesic island state of Tasmania. Micropathus Richards, 1964 is the most widespread genus on the island and contains five species largely restricted to subterranean habitats. Micropathus is reliant on pockets of relictual wet forest, placing species at risk of decline due to climate and land use change, and one species is listed as Critically Endangered. A recent molecular phylogeny for Macropathinae identified two additional, putatively undescribed species of Micropathus, neither of which can be adequately conserved without formal scientific names. Integrating morphological evidence alongside this phylogenetic framework, we describe Micropathus ditto Beasley-Hall sp. nov., previously thought to be a subpopulation of Micropathus tasmaniensis, and Micropathus zubat Beasley-Hall sp. nov., currently known only from the remote Forest Hills karst system. We also provide a key to Micropathus and redescribe its existing members to better reflect intraspecific morphological variation in the genus.

Imene Djaalab, Samia Haffaf, Hadria Mansour-Djaalab et al.

Animal Welfare has a significant impact on the dairy cow’s health, behaviour, productivity and milk quality. By implementing husbandry practices that respect the physical, behavioural and emotional needs of dairy cows, the dairy industry can improve the sustainability of its operations and meet rising expectations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of housing systems (free vs. tied) on dairy cow health through musculoskeletal health indicators and lameness scores. The hypothesis that dairy cows reared in free housing have a better quality of health than cows reared in restrained housing is tested. Thus, 300 dairy cows of the Holstein and Montbeliarde breeds were selected from dairy farms in five municipalities of Constantine province (eastern Algeria). The results showed that the frequency of severe lameness did not exceed 12% in stalls with restraints and more than 42% of light lameness are in free-stall housing (<i>p</i> < 0.001). These results reflect a lack of comfort in restricted housing, with an impact on dairy performances. Moreover, the monitoring of lame cows and the functional trimming of their hooves should be frequent. It is also important to implement a cull policy for unproductive cows. Finally, it is very important to provide adequate training to farmers in order to improve the well-being of dairy cows.

Somayeh Karimi Dehbakri, Abdollah Ehtesham Nia, Hasan Mumivand et al.

Abstract Background Despite the desirable qualities of strawberries, their short shelf life and susceptibility to spoilage present significant challenges. This study examined the effect of nanocellulose-based edible coatings enriched with myrtle essential oil (MEO) and α-pinene (AL) at concentrations of 0.3% and 0.6%, on the quality attributes of strawberry fruits during an 18-day storage period at 4 °C. The physico-chemical, nutritional, and sensory attributes of strawberry were evaluated at 0, 6, 12, and 18 days of storage. Results Results demonstrated that treated samples displayed lesser weight loss and greater firmness than the control group during storage. Fruits treated with Nano-MEO 0.6% demonstrated minimum weight loss and maximum firmness (1.55 N). The maximum anthocyanin content was observed in the fruits treated with MEO 0.6 %, which was approximately 2.2 times greater than that of the control. Nano-AL 0.6% exhibited the highest ascorbic acid content (85 mg. 100 g-1 FW), which was about 4.25 times greater than that of the control (20 mg. 100 g-1 FW). On the 18th day of storage, the maximum total phenol content (9.11 mg. g-1 FW) was observed in the Nano-MEO 0.6% treatment group, which was significantly different from that in the control (5.64 mg. g-1 FW). The maximum flavonoid content was observed in Nano-AL 0.3% (20 mg. g-1 FW), while the minimum concentration was found in the control (12.6 mg. g-1 FW).The highest catalase (CAT) activity (5.1 U·g⁻1 FW) was observed on the 12th day in the Nano-AL 0.6% treatment, whereas the maximum peroxidase (POD) activity (46.7 U·g⁻1 FW) was recorded on the same day under the Nano-AL 0.3% treatment. At the end of storage, Nano-MEO (0.6%) exhibited the lowest polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzyme activity (4.77 U g-1 FW), significantly lower than that observed in the control group (13.2 U g-1 FW). Conclusions In general, compared with the control and other treatments, Nano-MEO (0.6%) demonstrated the greatest overall acceptability. Therefore, the use of this treatment is recommended for maintaining the quality of harvested strawberries.

Hui-min Li, Wei Zhou, Jun-wen Zhu et al.

In the present study, we examined the morphological variations within Sanicula caerulescens and determined the identity of S. oviformis through observations of herbarium specimens (including type material) and field studies of plants in their type locality. Our findings revealed that S. oviformis, originally described from Nanchuan County in southern Chongqing, is conspecific with S. caerulescens. This species is mainly distributed in Chongqing, Guizhou, western Hunan, Sichuan and north-eastern Yunnan in China, as well as in Hà Giang in Vietnam. Key morphological characters of leaves, inflorescences and fruits confirm this synonymy. Based on these findings, we propose reducing S. oviformis to a synonym of S. caerulescens. Additionally, the geographical distribution of S. caerulescens is clarified.

Maria Celeste Dias, Márcia Araújo, Ying Ma

Olea europaea L., olive tree, has a very important role in the economy of the Mediterranean region, where 93 % of the world's olive oil is produced. This species is well adapted to the environmental conditions of this area, but the increase in the frequency of extreme climatic events, due to climate change, is affecting the yield and quality of olive products. The use of eco-friendly solutions, like plant-beneficial microorganisms, can be a sustainable agronomic tool to improve plant tolerance to stress and boost agricultural production. We aim to unravel the effects of the pre-treatment of olive plants with the bacterium Pseudomonas reactans Ph3R3 on drought tolerance. Young potted olive plants were treated with a solution of P. reactans (soil inoculation) or with distilled water, and then exposed to two watering conditions (well-watered or water deficit). Plant water status, photosynthesis, pigments, carbohydrates, oxidative stress biomarkers, and total antioxidant capacity were evaluated 61 and 191 days after the beginning of the watering treatments. The pre-treatment with P. reactans improved leaf dry biomass production, and soil C and N availability. Moreover, under drought conditions, P. reactans increased leaf water availability, N levels, and the intercellular CO2, leading to improved net CO2 assimilation rate and carbohydrates production. Also, P. reactans activated stress protective strategies (total antioxidant capacity) that helped to control oxidative stress. These data demonstrated that the benefits triggered by P. reactans pre-treatment promoted olive performance and tolerance to drought and could be a promising strategy to improve olive culture sustainability.

Maribel Herrera Ruiz, Enrique Jiménez-Ferrer, Manasés González Cortazar et al.

Especies del género Salvia, tienen propiedades antioxidantes y nootrópicas, atribuidas a diferentes metabolitos secundarios. La propagación genera nuevos individuos a partir de yemas de una planta. Se evaluó el efecto de la luminosidad sobre la morfología de plantas propagadas y medir su efecto anti-inflamatorio. Se propagaron yemas apicales de Salvia elegans en dos condiciones de luminosidad: C1= 13.91 y C2= 4.94 (uM fotones·cm2·seg) Se evaluó el crecimiento y desarrollo (densidad estomática, área y color foliar); con las plantas obtenidas de ambas condiciones, se preparó un extracto hidroalcohólico y por cromatografía de capa fina, se detectó la presencia de grupos de metabolitos. La actividad antiinflamatoria se midió en el ensayo de edema local-inducido con TPA. El mayor crecimiento y densidad estomatal de las hojas fue en la condición C1, principalmente en el haz más que en el envés.  El color de las hojas, parámetro sensible a la luminosidad, mostró diferencias entre C1 y C2, en las que se detectó ácido oleanólico y ursólico; pero sólo en C2 flavonoides. El extracto de las partes aéreas y raíces de C1 tienen mayor efecto farmacológico que C2. Las plantas producidas por hidroponia en C1 mostraron el mejor crecimiento, desarrollo y efecto antiinflamatorio.

Dongxu Xue, Yangyang Wang, Hong Sun et al.

In this study, the effects of soil conditioners on the growth and development of melons and the rhizosphere soil environment were explored. The optimal amount of added soil conditioner was screened to solve the practical production problems of high-quality and high-yield thin-skinned melon. The melon variety “Da Shetou” was used as the material. Under the conditions of conventional fertilization and cultivation technology management, different soil conditioners were set up for potted melons. The effects of Pastoral soil (CK), 95% Pastoral soil + 5% volcanic ash soil conditioner (KT1), 85% Pastoral soil + 15% volcanic ash soil conditioner (KT2), 75% Pastoral soil + 25% volcanic ash soil conditioner (KT3), 65% Pastoral soil + 35% volcanic ash soil conditioner (KT4), and 55% Pastoral soil + 45% volcanic ash soil conditioner (KT5) on melon yield, quality, and rhizosphere soil characteristics were investigated. The soil microbial community was analyzed using Illumina MiSeq technology. Compared to CK, KT1, KT3, KT4, and KT5, the KT2 treatment could improve the single fruit yield of melon, increasing it by 4.35%, 2.48%, 2.31%, 5.92%, and 2.92%. Meanwhile, the highest contents of soluble protein, soluble solid, and soluble sugar in the KT2 treatment were 1.89 mg·100 g⁻¹, 16.35%, and 46.44 mg·g⁻¹, which were significantly higher than those in the control treatment. The contents of organic matter, total nitrogen, alkali-soluble nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, available potassium, and available phosphorus in melon rhizosphere soil were the highest in the KT2 treatment. Through Alpha diversity analysis, it was found that the Chao1 index, Shannon index, and ACE index were significantly higher in the KT1 treatment than in the control, while, among all groups, the Simpson index and coverage were not significantly different. The dominant bacteria in the six treated samples were mainly <i>Actinobacteriota</i>, <i>Proteobacteria</i>, <i>Cyanobacteria</i>, <i>Chloroflexi</i>, <i>Acidobacteria</i>, <i>Bacteroidetes</i>, <i>Myxomycota</i>, <i>Firmicutes</i>, <i>Gemmatimonadota</i>, <i>Verrucomicrobia</i>, and <i>Planctomycetes</i>, which accounted for 96.59~97.63% of the relative abundance of all bacterial groups. Through redundancy analysis (RDA), it was found that the organic matter, electrical conductivity, available phosphorus, and nitrate nitrogen of melon rhizosphere soil were the dominant factors of bacterial community change at the dominant genus level. In summary, 15% ash soil conditioner applied on melon was the selected treatment to provide a theoretical reference for the application of soil conditioner in facility cultivation.

Ye Tian, Xinyan Xu, Munazza Ijaz et al.

IntroductionPantoea ananatis has emerged as a significant plant pathogen affecting various crops worldwide, causing substantial economic losses. Bacteriophages and their endolysins offer promising alternatives for controlling bacterial infections, addressing the growing concerns of antibiotic resistance.MethodsThis study isolated and characterized the Pantoea phage PA1 and investigated the role of PA1-LRP in directly damaging bacteria and assisting endolysin PA1-Lys in cell lysis, comparing its effect to exogenous transmembrane domains following the identification and analysis of the PA1-Lys and the PA1-LRP based on whole genome analysis of phage PA1. Additionally, this study also explored how hydrophobic region of PA1-LRP (HPP) contributes to bacterial killing when combined with PA1-Lys and examined the stability and lytic spectrum of PA1-Lys under various conditions.Results and discussionPhage PA1 belonging to the Chaseviridae family exhibited a broad host range against P. ananatis strains, with a latent period of 40 minutes and a burst size of 17.17 phages per infected cell. PA1-Lys remained stable at pH 6-10 and temperatures of 20-50°C and showed lytic activity against various Gram-negative bacteria, while PA1-Lys alone could not directly lyse bacteria, its lytic activity was enhanced in the presence of EDTA. Surprisingly, PA1-LRP inhibited bacterial growth when expressed alone. After 24 h of incubation, the OD600 value of pET28a-LRP decreased by 0.164 compared to pET28a. Furthermore, the lytic effect of co-expressed PA1-LRP and PA1-Lys was significantly stronger than each separately. After 24 h of incubation, compared to pET28a-LRP, the OD600 value of pET28a-Lys-LRP decreased by 0.444, while the OD420 value increased by 3.121. Live/dead cell staining, and flow cytometry experiments showed that the fusion expression of PA1-LRP and PA1-Lys resulted in 41.29% cell death, with bacterial morphology changing from rod-shaped to filamentous. Notably, PA1-LRP provided stronger support for endolysin-mediated cell lysis than exogenous transmembrane domains. Additionally, our results demonstrated that the HPP fused with PA1-Lys, led to 40.60% cell death, with bacteria changing from rod-shaped to spherical and exhibiting vacuolation. Taken together, this study provides insights into the lysis mechanisms of Pantoea phages and identifies a novel lysis-related protein, PA1-LRP, which could have potential applications in phage therapy and bacterial disease control.

Mayra del C. Fragoso-Medina, Armando Navarrete-Segueda, Eliane Ceccon et al.

Tropical rainforests offer a diverse array of real or potential forest products (FP). However, the ongoing conversion of these forests to agriculture raises concerns about the future availability and sustainability of FP. In this study, we examined the changes in availability (tree density and above-ground biomass) and species richness of native trees, recognized by local communities as sources of FP, with the forest-to-agriculture conversion in a Mesoamerican tropical rainforest region. Specifically, we tested hypotheses on whether species with FP had a higher, equal, or lower reduction in the availability, diversity, and probability of persistence than species without FP with the forest conversion. We interviewed landowners to identify tree species with FP and documented management practices and regulations for using these species. In fourteen 1 km2 landscapes, encompassing the entire range of forest-to-agriculture conversion (from 0 % to ∼100 % old-growth forest cover), we analyzed changes in the availability and richness of species with and without FP. In each landscape, we randomly established 30 plots (each 706.8 m2, totaling 420 plots and 29.7 ha sampling area) covered by old-growth forest, secondary forest, or agricultural fields (mostly cattle pastures). Over four years, we surveyed all trees with a diameter at breast height ≥ 10 cm in these plots. With the forest conversion, assemblages of tree species with FP exhibited a higher reduction in aboveground biomass than species without FP. However, assemblages of species with FP exhibited a significantly lower reduction in abundance, species richness, and a higher probability of persistence than assemblages of species without FP. Furthermore, we found evidence of implementing forest management practices favoring the preservation of species with FP in agricultural lands. Thus, we conclude that people intentionally foster the persistence of valuable species in their agricultural fields, which could have important implications for the structure and composition of future regenerating forests on abandoned agricultural lands. In the long term, this might lead to an overabundance of locally valuable species, as observed in old-growth tropical rainforests that native people ancestrally managed.

Elián L. Guerrero, Gustavo Delucchi, Julio A. Hurrell

Los bosques de Celtis tala, o talares, de la provincia de Buenos Aires (Argentina), constituyen un frágil ecosistema amenazado por invasiones biológicas. Entre las especies exóticas reportadas como invasoras o transformadoras del paisaje en los talares, Ligustrum lucidum constituye la principal amenaza. En este trabajo se evalúa el grado de naturalización de Pterocarya stenoptera C. DC. (Juglandaceae), nueva en los talares de la Reserva Privada El Destino, ubicada dentro de la Reserva de Biósfera Parque Costero del Sur. Se estudió el uso local de la especie, el posible origen y tipo de dispersión, y se estableció su extensión y cantidad de renovales por metro cuadrado en los sectores invadidos. Se describe a la especie y se provee una clave dicotómica para diferenciar los géneros de Juglandaceae presentes en la provincia de Buenos Aires, todos ellos exóticos. Pterocarya stenoptera posiblemente haya sido cultivada en los jardines de la Estancia El Destino, desde donde se dispersó hacia los talares vecinos por anemocoria. Se encontraron tres sectores bien delimitados con gran cantidad de renovales. Esta especie, de reciente naturalización, posee medios de dispersión eficientes y una gran biomasa de semillas que le han permitido volverse un árbol dominante en algunos sitios, superando en cantidad de renovales a la invasora (transformadora) Ligustrum lucidum. Se prevé que el avance de Pterocarya stenoptera sobre el talar irá en aumento a menos que se planifique algún tipo de contención sobre la especie. En este marco, sostenemos que es necesario y posible planificar acciones para su manejo y control.

Yi Zhang, Jie Zhang, Shuaiyu Zou et al.

Abstract Background Human-guided crop domestication has lasted for more than 10,000 years. In terms of the domestication and breeding of vegetables, cellulose content in edible tissues is one of the most important traits. Primulina eburnea is a recently developed calcium-rich vegetable with a high soluble and bioavailable calcium content in its leaves. However, the high cellulose content in the leaves hampers the taste, and no research has been reported on the genetic basis of cellulose biosynthesis in this calcium-rich vegetable. Results We identified 36 cellulose biosynthesis-involved genes belonging to eight gene families in the P. eburnea genome. The cellulose accumulated decreasingly throughout leaf development. Nineteen genes were considered core genes in cellulose biosynthesis, which were highly expressed in buds but lowly expressed in mature leaves. In the nitrogen fertilization experiment, exogenous nitrogen decreased the cellulose content in the buds. The expressing pattern of 14 genes were consistent with phenotypic variation in the nitrogen fertilization experiment, and thus they were proposed as cellulose toolbox genes. Conclusions The present study provides a strong basis for the subsequent functional research of cellulose biosynthesis-involved genes in P. eburnea, and provides a reference for breeding and/or engineering this calcium-rich vegetable with decreased leaf cellulose content to improve the taste.

Bernhard A. Huber, Guanliang Meng, Jiří Král et al.

The southern South American genus Guaranita includes tiny spiders (body length ~1 mm) that lead reclusive lives under ground-objects and run rapidly when disturbed. As a result, they have been poorly collected and studied. Here we report on a recent collection of Guaranita spiders from Argentina, describing one new species (G. auadae Huber sp. nov.) and the previously unknown female of G. dobby Torres et al., 2016. In addition, we provide CO1 barcodes for all (now five) known species, first SEM data, and first chromosome data for the genus. The diploid number of Guaranita goloboffi Huber, 2000 (2n♂ = 11) is among the lowest in araneomorph spiders with monocentric chromosome structure.

Judith Fehrer, Yann J. K. Bertrand, Matthias Hartmann et al.

Native American hawkweeds are mainly mountainous species that are distributed all over the New World. They are severely understudied with respect to their origin, colonization of the vast distribution area, and species relationships. Here, we attempt to reconstruct the evolutionary history of the group by applying seven molecular markers (plastid, nuclear ribosomal and low-copy genes). Phylogenetic analyses revealed that <i>Chionoracium</i> is a subgenus of the mainly Eurasian genus <i>Hieracium</i>, which originated from eastern European hawkweeds about 1.58–2.24 million years ago. Plastid DNA suggested a single origin of all <i>Chionoracium</i> species. They colonized the New World via Beringia and formed several distinct lineages in North America. Via one Central American lineage, the group colonized South America and radiated into more than a hundred species within about 0.8 million years, long after the closure of the Isthmus of Panama and the most recent uplift of the Andes. Despite some incongruences shown by different markers, most of them revealed the same crown groups of closely related taxa, which were, however, largely in conflict with traditional sectional classifications. We provide a basic framework for further elucidation of speciation patterns. A thorough taxonomic revision of <i>Hieracium</i> subgen. <i>Chionoracium</i> is recommended.

Shengbao Wei, Anchun Peng, Xiaomin Huang et al.

Identifying the contributions of climate factors and soil fertility to crop yield is significant for the assessment of climate change impacts on crop production. Three 20-year field experiments were conducted in major Chinese wheat-maize cropping areas. Over the 20-year period, crop yield and soil properties showed significantly dissimilar variation trends under similar climate changes at each experimental site. The correlation between climatic factors and crop yield varied greatly among the fertilization regimes and experimental sites. Across all the fertilization regimes and the experimental sites, the average contribution rates of soil properties to wheat and maize yield were 45.7% and 53.2%, respectively, without considering climate factors, and 40.4% and 36.6%, respectively, when considering climate factors. The contributions of soil properties to wheat and maize yield variation when considering climate factors were significantly lower than those without considering climate factors. Across all experimental sites and all fertilization regimes, the mean contribution rates of climate factors to wheat and maize yield were 29.5% and 33.0%, respectively. The contribution rates of the interaction of climate and soil to wheat and maize yield were 3.7% and −0.9%, respectively. Under balanced fertilization treatments (NPK and NPKM), the change in the contribution rate of soil properties to wheat or maize yield was not obvious, and the average contribution rates of the interaction of climate and soil to wheat and maize yield were positive, at 14.8% and 9.5%, respectively. In contrast, under unbalanced fertilization treatments (CK and N), the contribution rates of soil properties to wheat or maize yield decreased, and the average contribution rates of the interaction of climate and soil were negative, at −7.4% and −11.2%, respectively. The above results indicate that climate and soil synergistically affected crop yields and that, with the optimization of the fertilization regime, positive interactions gradually emerged.

A. F. Hill

David D. Cass

Barley embryo sacs were examined using light and electron microscopy before and during fertilization. One synergid degenerates after pollination with loss of nuclear and cytoplasmic organization and cell wall material between synergid and central cell. Some wall between egg and central cell is also lost. After pollen tube discharge into the degenerate synergid, the male gametes leave the synergid entering a pocket of central cell cytoplasm separated from the synergid only by membranes. This could provide for efficient gamete transmission and possible recognition through specific membrane contacts.