Sprouting remains a serious problem during the postharvest storage of potato. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of exogenous ethylene on potato tuber sprouting. The potatoes were treated by exogenous ethylene solid releasers at a concentration of 1000 μL/L every 48 h. Obvious sprouts were observed in the untreated group (CK) after 2 d storage at 25 °C, while only a few potatoes began to sprout after 6 d storage under continuous treatment of ethylene (ET group). The contents of reducing and soluble sugars were higher in the ET group than in the CK. In addition, the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were higher in the ET group than those of the CK, while the content of malondialdehyde was reduced with ethylene treatment. Transcriptomic analysis showed that ethylene treatment increased the expression levels of stress-related genes, including those related to pathogen infection and attack, ethylene, jasmonic acid, abscisic acid, and wounding, and decreased the expression levels of genes related to auxin, gibberellin, brassinolide, the cell cycle, cell wall synthesis, and photosynthesis. Therefore, continuous ethylene treatment during storage inhibited potato sprouting by regulating stress resistance and growth. This study establishes a molecular mechanism model of the ethylene-mediated inhibition of potato sprouting, providing a theoretical basis for optimizing and developing potato bud inhibition technology during storage.
Cycads, renowned as “living fossils”, are among the most ancient extant seed plants, playing a crucial role in understanding plant evolution and sex differentiation. Despite their importance, research on their genetics and sex differentiation remains scarce. This study investigates three species, represented by six samples, collected from various regions in Fujian Province, China, using whole-genome resequencing on the Illumina platform. The sequence data underwent rigorous quality control, alignment, and variant detection, focusing on SNP and InDel distribution and annotation. Among the studied species, <i>Cycas revoluta</i> exhibited the highest number of SNPs and the greatest heterozygosity values. Based on SNP data, phylogenetic trees and principal component analysis revealed distinct clusters, with the three <i>C. revoluta</i> samples forming one cluster, while the two <i>C. szechuanensis</i> samples and the <i>C. taiwaniana</i> sample were grouped separately. Gene function using COG and GO annotations, and KEGG enrichment analysis, all highlighted differences in genomic structure and functional gene distribution between male and female <i>cycads</i>. Notably, genes associated with sex differentiation, such as MADS-box and auxin-responsive protein genes, were shown, while other transcription factors showed distinct annotations and enrichment patterns based on sex. This study improves our understanding of genetic variation, evolutionary relationships, and gene enrichment in <i>cycads</i>, providing a foundation for conservation, cultivation, and insights into sex differentiation mechanisms in these ancient plants.
Carla Libia Corrado, Livia Donati, Anna Taglienti
et al.
In agriculture, new and sustainable strategies are increasingly demanded to integrate the traditional management of viral diseases based on the use of virus-free propagation materials and resistant or tolerant cultivars and on the control of insect vectors. Among the possible Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches, organic biostimulants have shown promising results in enhancing plant tolerance to virus infections by improving plant fitness and productivity and modulating metabolic functions. In this study, the combination of two organic biostimulants, Alert D-Max and Resil EVO Q, composed of seaweed and alfalfa extracts, enzymatic hydrolysates, and micronized zeolite, was applied on the leaves and roots of zucchini squashes, both healthy and infected by zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV). Four applications were scheduled based on ZYMV inoculation timing, and plant vegetative and reproductive parameters were recorded along with the virus titre and symptom severity. The modulation of the expression of specific genes potentially involved in pattern-triggered immunity (PTI), systemic acquired resistance (SAR), and oxidative stress defence pathways was also investigated. Besides increasing the general fitness of the healthy plants, the biostimulants significantly improved the production of flowers and fruits of the infected plants, with a potential positive impact on their productivity. The repeated biostimulant applications also led to a one-tenth reduction in ZYMV titre over time and induced a progressive slowdown of symptom severity. Genes associated with SAR and PTI were up-regulated after biostimulant applications, suggesting the biostimulant-based priming of plant defence mechanisms. Due to the observed beneficial effects, the tested biostimulant mix can be an effective component of the IPM of cucurbit crops, acting as a sustainable practice for enhancing plant fitness and tolerance to potyviruses.
Muhammad KABIR, Tabinda NOREEN, Muhammad Zafar IQBAL
et al.
Rapid increase in automobile density and discharge of different types of pollutants from automobile are a serious issue for whole civilized world and in Bhakkar also.Vehicle emission from automobiles released an enormous quantity of toxic pollutants likewise nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon mono oxide, heavy metals particularly lead, cadmium in environment and produced harmful effects on germination and growth of plants. This study was aim to investigate the effect of automobile polluted soil on the growth of some tree species. In present study the variation in seedling growth performance of three different selected tree species namely, Acacia nilotica L., Albizia lebbeck L. (Benth.) and Eucalyptus globulus Labill. raised in roadside polluted soils of District Bhakkar, Pakistan were recorded in the pots. Results showed that root, shoot, seedling length, number of leaves, and seedling dry weight of Acacia nilotica grown in polluted road soils of Bhakkar-Khansar road showed a significant (p<0.05) decline. Statistical analysis of recorded data showed that root growth and leaf area of Albizia lebbeck in the soil of Bhakkar-Khansar road soil significantly (p<0.05) decreased as compared to control. Similarly, a significant (p<0.05) reduction in shoot, seedling length, number of leaves, leaf area and seedling dry weight performance of E. globulus in polluted soils of Bhakkar-Notak was recorded.
A RelA/SpoT homolog, HpRSH, was identified in Haematococcus pluvialis. HpRSH was found to catalyze Mg2+-dependent guanosine tetraphosphate (ppGpp) synthesis and Mn2+-dependent ppGpp hydrolysis, respectively. The transcription of HpRSH was significantly upregulated by environmental stresses, such as darkness, high light, nitrogen limitation, and salinity stress. The intracellular ppGpp level was also increased when exposed to these stresses. In addition, the classical initiator of stringent response, serine hydroxamate (SHX), was found to upregulate the transcription of HpRSH and increase the level of ppGpp. Moreover, stringent response induced by SHX or environmental stresses was proven to induce the accumulation of astaxanthin. These results indicated that stringent response regulatory system involved in the regulation of astaxanthin biosynthesis in H. pluvialis. Furthermore, stringent response was unable to induce astaxanthin accumulation under dark condition. This result implied that stringent response may regulate astaxanthin biosynthesis in a light-dependent manner.
Algae can efficiently take up excess nutrients from waterways, making them a valuable resource potentially capable of replacing synthesized and mined fertilizers for agriculture. The capacity of algae to fertilize crops has been quantified, but it is not known how the algae-derived nutrients become available to plants. We aimed to address this question: what are the temporal dynamics of plant growth responses to algal biomass? to better propose mechanisms by which plants acquire nutrients from algal biomass and thereby study and promote those processes in future agricultural applications. Data from various sources were transformed and used to reconstruct the nutrient release from the algae Chlorella vulgaris and subsequent uptake by wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (as reported in Schreiber et al., 2018). Plants had received 0.1x or 1x dried algae or wet algae, or zero, 0.1x or 1x mineral fertilizer calculated from agricultural practices for P application and grown to 55 days in three soils. Contents of P and other nutrients acquired from algae were as high as from mineral fertilizer, but varied based on moisture content and amount of algae applied to soils (by 55 days after sowing plants with 1x mineral fertilizer and 1x dried algae had 5.6 mg P g DWshoot; 2.2-fold more than those with 0 or 0.1x mineral fertilizer, 0.1x dried algae and wet algae, and 1x wet algae). Absolute and relative leaf area growth and estimated P uptake rates showed similar dynamics, indicating that wheat acquires P from algae quickly. A model proposes that algal fertilizer promotes wheat growth after rapid transformation in soil to inorganic nutrients. We conclude theoretically that phosphorus from algal biomass is available to wheat seedlings upon its application and is released gradually over time with minor differences related to moisture content on application. The growth and P uptake kinetics hint at nutrient forms, including N, and biomass stimulation worthy of research to further exploit algae in sustainable agriculture practices. Temporal resolved phenotype analyses in combination with a mass-balance approach is helpful for understanding resource uptake from recycled and biofertilizer sources by plants.
Ibrahim M. Makhadmeh, Seba F. Gharaiebeh, Ammar A. Albalasmeh
The present study investigated the effect of using municipal treated wastewater in irrigation on plant growth and seed quality of squash as compared to fresh water. The physico-chemical properties of both water sources were investigated. Soil, fruits and seeds were tested for heavy metals presence and accumulation. A number of seed composition parameters were also measured. Growth parameters (fruit length, diameter and oven-dried weight) were increased in response to irrigation with treated wastewater as compared to control. All tested heavy metals concentrations were below the toxic limit of the Jordanian standards. Crude protein content was highest (41.28%) in naked seeds under treated wastewater treatment, whereas the lowest content (33.57%) was under freshwater treatment of the whole seeds.
The lower regeneration rate of wheat calli is the main factor restricting the development of transgenic wheat plants. Therefore, improving the regeneration rate of wheat callus is a precondition for developing genetic engineering-based wheat breeding approaches. In the present study, we explored the molecular mechanism of wheat regeneration and aimed to establish an efficient system for transgenic wheat. We isolated and identified a regeneration-related gene, TaTCP-1 (KC808517), from wheat cultivar Lunxuan 987. Sequence analysis revealed that the ORF of TaTCP-1 was 1623bp long encoding 540 amino acids. The TaTCP-1 gene was expressed in various wheat tissues. Further, the level of TaTCP-1 expression was higher in calli and increased gradually with increasing callus induction time, reaching a peak on the 11th day after induction. Moreover, the expression level of TaTCP-1 was higher in embryogenic calli than in non-embryonic calli. The TaTCP-1 protein was localized to the nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane. The callus regeneration rate of wheat plants transformed with TaTCP-1-RNAi reduced by 85.09%. In contrast, it increased by 14.43% in plants overexpressing TaTCP-1. In conclusion, our results showed that TaTCP-1 played a vital role in promoting wheat regeneration, and regulated the somatic embryogenesis of wheat. These results may have implications in the genetic engineering of wheat for improved wheat production.
On December 16, 2019 all commercial motor vehicles (CMV) are mandated to carry ELDs (FMSCA, 2017a). These ELDs will replace paper logs and attach to the trucks’ engines. There, they easily record idle time, driving time, miles driven, vehicle movement, and off and on-duty time; making it easier for law enforcement to check if drivers are compliant with Hours of Service (HOS) rules. Paper logs are easily manipulated and it’s an open secret that drivers may have two types of paper logs: one for law enforcement and another for their records. The Mandate is the DOT’s latest attempt to improve road safety by ensuring that ALL CMV drivers (including those who transport citrus and citrus products) are compliant with HOS rules. Added compliance will increase road safety but will also increase travel time which can have adverse effects for transporting fresh produce. For example, unpredictable loading and unloading times, unexpected traffic, or looking for parking are included in on-duty hours and result in delayed deliveries and increase risk of losing produce. These issues could lead to an increase in costs for long-haul trips, something essential to the citrus industry since fresh fruit and juice originate in few states (California, Florida, and Texas) and are transported regionally. This article discusses the HOS rules and exemptions, as well as the cost of transporting citrus across the country.
Ali Asghar Hatamnia, Kobra Mosabaigi, Mahin Tohidi
et al.
Piriformospora indica fungi stimulates the growth and increase in the host biomass through absorption of water and minerals. In order to evaluate the effect of mycorrhizal fungus P. indica on growth and some physiological parameters of Coriandrum sativum, an experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design through treatment of plants inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi and control plants with 15 replications in 2015 under greenhouse conditions.The results of ANOVA indicated that the shoot length, root length, and dry weight of plants inoculated with fungi were significantly higher than control plants. Also results of analysis of variance showed that the application of P. indica increased the proline content, so that the proline content in the plants inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi was 2.09 times higher than control plants. In addition, the findings of the study suggested that inoculation of the plant with P. indica increased the contents of chlorophyll a (17%), chlorophyll b (51%), and carotenoids (25%) in comparison with the control plant, where the increase was only significant in chlorophyll b and carotenoids (P≤0.05). Generally, the results indicated that mycorrhizal symbiosis increased the growth and improved the physiological characteristics of coriander.
Teerawat SUWANNUAL, Sompong CHANKAEW, Tidarat MONKHAM
et al.
Thai rice cultivar RD6 is well known for its cooking and eating qualities. However it is susceptible to blast disease, a major rice disease caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. This study focused on the pyramiding of four QTLs for blast resistance located on chromosomes 1, 2, 11 and 12, from two RD6 introgression lines. Marker-assisted selection was performed and facilitated the selection with 8 microsatellite flanking markers to enable the selection in BC2F2:3 lines. All possible combinations of the four QTL alleles were assessed for blast resistance by artificial inoculation using 8 diverse isolates in a greenhouse and under field conditions using the upland short row method. The results showed that the RD6 introgression lines carrying a high number of QTLs for blast resitance achieved from pyramiding have high levels of blast resistance and broad spectrum of resistance to the blast pathogens prevalent in the region. Only one of the M. oryzae isolates, THL185, was virulent to all the breeding lines, suggesting that the identification of new blast resistance genes or QTLs and pyramiding them into RD6 for durable blast resistance and no yield penalty should be the focus of further research.
‘IPR 107’ was derived from a cross between ‘IAPAR 59’ and ‘Mundo Novo IAC 376-4’. ‘IPR 107’ is a dwarf medium sizeplant with medium precocity in ripening and with complete resistance to rust races in this time. This cultivar presents superior qualityand high yield in many coffee regions.