Micropropagation is instrumental for the rapid multiplication of elite cassava varieties with improved traits. However, it is often impaired by transplanting stress associated with acclimatization, which occurs during the acclimatization, transfer from in vitro to soil condition. Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) could be used to reduce transplant shock symptoms through improved nutrient acquisition and physiological function. In this study, we investigated the impact of inoculating anAMF, R. irregularis, on the growth of two varieties of micropropagated cassava on plant physiological traits, the δ 13C and δ 15N isotopic signatures, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) during acclimatisation. In the early acclimatization stage, (4–8 weeks after transplanting,WAT), AMF inoculation increased height, stem diameter, and leaf number by 61%, 50%, and 57% respectively, compared to non-inoculated plants in non-sterile soil. Under subsequent water deficit at 8–10 WAT, inoculated plants were better preserved regarding height and stem thickness. After 10 weeks, AMF root colonization increased by 57% and 61% under water-deficit and well-watered conditions respectively, compared to non-inoculated plants. Total biomass, C:N and NUE increased significantly in inoculated plantlets under well-watered conditions, with lowered δ 15N and N concentrations due to N dilution from a 63% biomass increase. In water-deficient conditions, regardless of inoculation, δ 13C decreased, suggesting the dominant role of water availability in carbon assimilation. Overall, we found important benefits of AMF inoculation. Yet, to fully harness the benefits of AMF for micropropagated cassava, proper nitrogen management is essential, as the enhanced growth conferred by increased root colonization rate could lead to N deficiency.
Satoyoshi Ishizaki, Tetsuo I. Kohyama, Yuki Ota
et al.
Abstract Plant–microbe interactions in the phyllosphere provide invaluable information on plant ecology, with implications for ecosystem functioning and plant–atmosphere feedbacks. The composition of phyllosphere microbes varies significantly depending on host lineages, geographic regions, and climatic conditions. However, the factors driving these variations in interactions with plants remain poorly understood. Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) emitted by plants may be important in these interactions. Here, we quantified the composition of phyllosphere microbial communities and terpene emissions from leaves of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) trees grown in two common gardens from cuttings collected from natural populations across Japan. Amplicon sequencing revealed that microbial communities differed significantly between gardens and among host populations. Analysis of BVOC profiles showed that the camphene and total terpene emission rates were associated with bacterial composition, whereas that of ent-kaurene was marginally linked to fungal composition. The relative abundances of certain fungal genera that include the species reported to cause disease in Japanese cedar, the emission rates of most monoterpenes and a sesquiterpene β-farnesene were correlated with the climatic conditions at the origin sites of the cedar trees. These findings highlight the intricate relationships between phyllosphere microbes and terpene emission from host trees and suggest the role of climatic factors in shaping these associations.
Aparna Jyoti, Karam Chand Dhiman, Chhote Lal Maurya
et al.
The experiment was conducted during (January–December, 2021) at CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India to examine how seed treatments affect seed quality and to determine which one of the seed treatments is most efficacious in enhancing the longevity of seeds of wheat. The wheat variety (HPW 155) seeds were treated with nine various treatments containing polym., FC, IC, polym.-FC and polym.-IC combinations and a control total of ten treatments. The seeds were stored in HDPE (High-density polyethene) interwoven non-laminated bags after treatments. The seed quality attributes were evaluated at the interval of two months for the period of twelve months (25th–36th months). Amongst different seed treatments, seed coated with Polm.+vitavax 200 (containing thiram, 37.5% and carboxyl, 37.5%) @2.0 g kg-1 of seed (T6) was found superior for quality attributes viz., GP (88.33%), SG (17.86), SL (15.11 cm), SDW (10.42 mg), SVI- I (1335), SVI- II (920) and FE (69.00%) which was at par with Vitavax 200 (containing thiram, 37.5% and carboxyl, 37.5%) @2.0 g kg-1 seed (T5) at the completion of 36 months of storage in comparison to UC (T1) Hence, polymer in combination with vitavax or vitavax alone can also effectively prevent the fast deterioration of seed during the storage period as they maintain the seed quality parameters for a long duration of time.
Ismail El Bakali, Nysrine Mannani, Taha El Kamli
et al.
In this study, a comprehensive analysis of Cannabis sativa L. cultivars was conducted, focusing on the phytocannabinoid profiles of resin from one local cultivar 'Beldiya' and four exotic cultivars over three consecutive crop years (2014–2016). The cannabinoid composition of the resin from the studied cultivars was analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled with a triple-stage quadrupole mass spectrometer (LC-MS/TSQ Endura) to evaluate the chemical variability in phytocannabinoid compounds among the cultivars and across the harvest years. A total of 13 cannabinoid compounds were identified, with five classified as major cannabinoids: THCA-A, CBDA, CBD, Δ⁹-THC, and CBN, each exhibiting mean concentrations greater than 5 %. The results showed significant chemical polymorphism among the studied cultivars, with the clustering of phytocannabinoids, indicating three distinct chemical groups based on the concentrations of the major cannabinoids. In addition, only the local Northern Moroccan cultivar Beldiya demonstrated chemical stability across the three harvest years, whereas the exotic cultivars exhibited heterogeneity from one year to another. This study enhances our understanding of Cannabis chemistry under Northern Moroccan conditions. It highlights the importance of ongoing research into Cannabis-derived products through a thorough analysis of cannabinoid content profiles in cultivars.
Stephanie M. Koontz, Federico López‐Borghesi, Stacy A. Smith
et al.
Abstract Species translocations are increasingly common in rare plant conservation. Wild populations can provide basic ecological knowledge to improve their chance of success. In the heavily fragmented Florida scrub, USA, many listed species require translocations to persist, including Dicerandra christmanii. In 1994, we began monitoring the only protected population of D. christmanii growing both in gaps (open areas) within the shrub matrix and on roadsides. In 2010, we augmented this population by adding plants and seeds to unoccupied gaps. In 2012, we introduced plants to a separate protected site to create a new population. We evaluated early translocation success using generalized linear mixed‐effect models of vital rate variation among habitat types. Survival probability increased with size, peaking at 0.6–0.8, and was lowest in augmentations and highest in introductions. Growth increased with plant size across all habitat types, except for the largest adults which experienced senescence. Naturally recruited plants in gaps showed the highest reproduction probability and fecundity at smaller sizes, but larger plants in translocations had the highest fecundity. Yearling recruitment was higher in translocated plants relative to naturally recruited plants in gaps during the initial years following outplanting. Experimental components of translocations also affected outplanting performance with positive effects of fire. These analyses suggest a high potential for translocations to become established and contribute to species recovery.
Ecology, General. Including nature conservation, geographical distribution
To obtain immediate homozygosity by androgenesis, the doubled haploid method is often used. As a result, a mapping population was created utilizing rice (Oryza sativa L.) cvs. Mahulata and IR 20 as parents in order to find QTLs/genes for drought tolerance at the vegetative stage. The effectiveness of the doubled haploids (DHs) approach, on the other hand, is largely dependent on the ability to distinguish haploids from diploids among the green regenerants. Although flow cytometry and cytological screening for pollen sterility can be used to identify haploids, these methods are expensive, time-consuming, and need a sophisticated laboratory with highly trained workers. Plant height and other spikelet features have also been used to differentiate haploids from doubled haploids. However, no systematic analysis of several morphological features for distinguishing haploids in doubled haploids has been published to date. As a result, a cost-effective approach for distinguishing haploids from true DHs obtained from anther culture is required. The goal of this work was to identify haploids using morphological features and simple microscopic examinations without the use of chemicals or complex laboratory facilities. The cross between the IR20 and Mahulata yielded a total of 198 anther culture (AC) derived plants. A group of 41 plantlets was chosen as putative haploids based on their shorter height and Cq values using qPCR-based genotyping and finally validated that, in addition to plant height, other morphological traits such as total number of leaves/plant, total number of tillers/plant, and floral characters can be used to successfully identify haploids. We report a variety of morphological signs as indicators of haploid plants, including smaller plants, higher tiller density, narrower and shorter leaf length, and partial exertion of panicle from the flag leaf sheath. Other morphological markers for identifying haploids from DHs include smaller florets and anthers, and small desiccated microspores.
The present paper describes the sacred plants and their medicinal uses in Andaman and Nicobar Islands based on intense surveys. A total of 42 sacred plant species are found in close vicinity of people of these Islands and somehow linked with God and goddess and are used in variety of ceremonies throughout the year by the various Communities.
Vinay Kumar Dhiman, Neerja Rana, Vivek Kumar Dhiman
et al.
Nursery practice in Dalbergia sissoo seedlings was performed in order to establish the efficacy of the rhizobial inoculants for future nurseries. The rhizospheric bacteria were isolated from different geographic locations of Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand. The nursery was set up by sowing the seeds collected from these locations. The rhizospheric bacterial inoculants isolated from D. sissoo rhizosphere were treated in the nursery for the establishment of a successful nursery. The nursery was observed for root, shoot parameters, and nodulation status showing variation in these characters with different geographic locations. From the same nursery, rhizobia were isolated from root nodules in YEMA media. Based on PGPR traits, two rhizobia, i.e., PGPR1 (DBD1) and PGPR2 (DRT5) were treated in the second nursery along with different levels of nitrogenous fertilizers. The consortium of PGPR1+PGPR2 was observed to be the best treatment that significantly increased the growth parameters, i.e., root, shoot parameters and nodulation status, and nitrogenase activity in D. sissoo seedlings.
Vincent Droissart, Laura Azandi, Eric Rostand Onguene
et al.
Abstract Commercial camera traps (CTs) commonly used in wildlife studies have several technical limitations that restrict their scope of application. They are not easily customizable, unit prices sharply increase with image quality and importantly, they are not designed to record the activity of ectotherms such as insects. Those developed for the study of plant–insect interactions are yet to be widely adopted as they rely on expensive and heavy equipment. We developed PICT (plant–insect interactions camera trap), an inexpensive (<100 USD) do‐it‐yourself CT system based on a Raspberry Pi Zero computer designed to continuously film animal activity. The system is particularly well suited for the study of pollination, insect behaviour and predator–prey interactions. The focus distance can be manually adjusted to under 5 cm. In low light conditions, a near‐infrared light automatically illuminates the subject. Frame rate, resolution and video compression levels can be set by the user. The system can be remotely controlled using either a smartphone, tablet or laptop via the onboard Wi‐Fi. PICT can record up to 72‐hr day and night videos at >720p resolution with a 110‐Wh power bank (30,000 mAh). Its ultra‐portable (<1 kg) waterproof design and modular architecture is practical in diverse field settings. We provide an illustrated technical guide detailing the steps involved in building and operating a PICT and for video post‐processing. We successfully field‐tested PICT in a Central African rainforest in two contrasting research settings: an insect pollinator survey in the canopy of the African ebony Diospyros crassiflora and the observation of rare pollination events of an epiphytic orchid Cyrtorchis letouzeyi. PICT overcomes many of the limitations commonly associated with CT systems designed to monitor ectotherms. Increased portability and image quality at lower costs allow for large‐scale deployment and the acquisition of novel insights into the reproductive biology of plants and their interactions with difficult to observe animals.
Edson Gomes de Moura Júnior, Suzana Neves Moreira, Aline Lopes
et al.
ABSTRACT Until the mid-XX century, little awareness on the ecological services or socio-environmental problems and benefits related to aquatic plants culminated in bottlenecks on their natural history, especially for the Neotropics. In this context, Acta Botanica Brasilica (ABB) organized this special issue to promote the advancement of knowledge on this ecological group in the Neotropics, supported by Sociedade Botânica do Brasil’s group of aquatic plants specialists. We selected and evaluated manuscripts gathering unprecedented findings, resulting from studies on aquatic plants, with little investigated or documented approaches, such as the improper use of methodological paradigms and aspects of biogeography, ecophysiology, morphoanatomy, structuration of communities, functional ecology, and human use. Here we present a synthesis of these reports’ findings that shall contribute to deepening the knowledge on the natural history, sustainable use, and conservation of aquatic plants and guide future research, mainly in Neotropical aquatic ecosystems. The publication of special issues on themes with insufficient knowledge to Science can reduce such gaps and expand the journal’s perspectives. Therefore, we believe that this special issue of ABB will boost the understanding of aquatic plants’ natural history as much as incentivizing journals with specific scopes of the area of Plant Biology to similar initiatives.
Bojan Antonić, Simona Jančíková, Dani Dordević
et al.
This systematic review aimed to collect data and analyze the possible use of grape pomace, a winemaking industry byproduct, in the production of fortified foods. The English articles found in Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, from January 2006 until May 2020, were used for the conduction of overview tables and meta-analysis. The systematic review emphasized the two main issues concerning grape pomace application to other food products: (i) grape pomace contains high amounts of health promoting compounds; and (ii) the use of grape pomace is influencing the waste management. The grape pomace has been used in the fortification of plant origin food, meat, fish, and dairy products, mainly due to higher polyphenols and dietary fiber contents. The fortification was declared as successful in all studied food types. The change of color, caused by polyphenolic compounds, was mainly observed as an adverse effect of the fortification. Higher levels of fortification also caused notable undesirable changes in texture. The most valuable influence of the grape pomace addition according to included papers and meta-analysis is certainly a higher nutritional quality and oxidative stability of fortified products, reflected as higher polyphenol and total dietary fiber content.
The article introduces new materials from the Maray 4 fortified settlement (beginning of the Early Iron Age) into scientific circulation. This settlement, located in the forest-steppe of the Ishim area (south-west of Western Siberia), had a ring defence system including a shallow ditch and a rampart. The planigraphic and stratigraphic analyses of a 327 m2 excavation area revealed the remnants of three structures: two above-ground structures and one structure slightly dug into in the mainland. The remnants of the burnt above-ground dwelling provided the basis for reconstructing its appearance, which is in good agreement with the ethnographic analogues of such structures. The collection includes approximately 172 vessels; clay, stone and bronze tools; as well as osteologi-cal material (208 specimens of animal bones). These materials were analysed using comparative-typological and statistical methods. Six radiocarbon dates of charcoal found in the occupation layer in residential and defensive structures helped establish the chronology of the complex — 7th–5th centuries BC. The reconstructed dwelling had a post-frame construction with vertically installed posts connected by beams at the top. The space between the beams was filled with half-logs, poles or planks. The roof and walls were additionally insulated with a layer of bark (including birch bark), grass and soil, which was obtained from pits surrounding the structure. The total area of the house was approximately 30 m2, which was enough to accommodate up to eight people (at a rate of 4 m2 per person). The study of the defensive works revealed a discontinuous shallow ditch from which the soil for the structure located on a small rampart must have been taken. In form and ornamentation, the ceramic collection comprising four main morphological groups of vessels bears resemblance to the Zhuravlevo traditions and cera-
mics similar to that of the Baitovo culture of the Early Iron Age. Judging by the age and species composition of the paleozoological materials, cattle breeding dominated the economic activity of the inhabitants, with hunting playing a minor role. In terms of household productions, the population engaged in spinning, processing of hides and wood, ware making, as well as bronze casting. The authors expressed two points of view on the cultural affiliation of the materials from the fortified settlement in question. According to one of them, the obtained material indicates the interaction of the local late-Zhuravlevo group and the newly-arrived groups of Baitovo culture from the Tobol area. According to the other, the complex of the Maray 4 settlement is considered to have carried on Zhuravlevo traditions, which resulted in the Early Iron Age complexes (different from the Baitovo complexes of the Tobol area) forming in the forest-steppe of the Ishim area.
Lin-Lin Wang, Zhi-Qiang Zhang, Yong-Ping Yang
et al.
Dasiphora fruticosa comprises male, female and hermaphrodite plants, which are distributed sympatrically in some populations on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. To explore what governs the coexistence of these three sexual phenotypes, we investigated the DNA contents, pollen and ovule production, pollen deposition, and performed hand-pollination in both hermaphroditic and dioecious individuals of D. fruticosa. Flow cytometry confirmed that the DNA content of males and females were almost twice as much as that of the hermaphrodites. Male and female flowers produced more pollen grains and ovules than hermaphroditic flowers. Hand-pollinated treatments showed that unisexual flowers were sterile in one sexual function and bisexual flowers were fertile for both functions, but no sterile seeds were produced between unisexual and bisexual flowers. Our findings imply that polyploidy is related to gender dimorphism, and both are likely to play a strong role in the coexistence of two cryptic biological species of D. fruticosa (low ploidy hermaphroditic species and high ploidy dioecious species) in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Keywords: Gender polymorphism, Dioecy, Dasiphora fruticosa, Polyploidy, Reproductive isolation
A. V. Sosnov, M. I. Vlasov, S. V. Sadovnikov
et al.
Application of luminescent reagents for detection of toxicants including warfare agents, pesticides and their degradation products and precursors has been systematically reviewed. Methods of organophosphorus toxicants and products of their destruction (OP) detection based on lanthanide luminescent complexes (primarily Eu3+) have the similar sensitivity as the most advanced instrumental chromatographic and biochemical assays with detection level in the range of several ppts that allows to determine supertoxicants at the safety requirements concentration levels and at appropriate analysis duration from a few seconds to 10 minutes. High selectivity of toxicants identification is achieved by means of imprinted materials, modified cyclodextrins and luminescent sensor arrays. This is the basis for development of new technologies for trace analysis of toxicants and their decomposition products, including possible technology of luminescent contrast agents’ application to increase sensitivity of spectroscopic methods and remote determination of toxicants on the ground. Further possibilities to develop next generation materials for protective gear, equipment and multifunctional contact surfaces providing visualization and identification of toxicants and simultaneous catalytic self-decontamination is discussed. Relationship between technologies for improving safety and security at the crossroads of analytical chemistry of warfare agents, criminalistics, chemical safety and pharmaceutics has been demonstrated.
Oren Shelef, Philip G. Hahn, Zoe Getman-Pickering
et al.
Accumulating evidence supports the importance of belowground interactions for plant performance, ecosystem functioning, and conservation biology. However, studying species interactions belowground has unique challenges relative to the aboveground realm. The structure of the media and spatial scale are among the key aspects that seem to strongly influence belowground interactions. As a consequence, our understanding of species interactions belowground is limited, at least compared to what is known about interactions aboveground. Here we address the general question: Do the ecological concepts that have been developed largely in aboveground systems apply to understanding species interactions in the rhizosphere? We first explore to what extent ecological concepts related to species interactions are considered in rhizosphere studies across various subdisciplines. Next, we explore differences and similarities above- and belowground for fundamental concepts in ecology, choosing topics that are underrepresented in rhizosphere studies but represent a swath of concepts: species diversity, island biogeography, self-organization and ecosystem engineering, trophic cascades, and chemical communication. Finally, we highlight to overcome major challenges of current methodologies to study rhizosphere interactions in order to advance the understanding of belowground interactions in an ecological context. By synthesizing literature related to rhizosphere interactions, we reveal similarities, as well as key differences, in how fundamental ecological concepts are used and tested in above- and belowground studies. Closing the knowledge gaps identified in our synthesis will promote a deeper understanding of the differences above- and belowground and ultimately lead to integration of these concepts.
Aluminum (Al) is the main limiting factor for crop production in acidic soils. Efflux of organic acids is one of the mechanisms that determine Al-tolerance, and an Al-activated citrate transporter (multidrug and toxic compound extrusion) MATE1 gene is involved in different species. The contribution of the rye MATE1 gene (ScMATE1) depends on the rye (Secale cereale L.) cultivars and the crosses analyzed; there is no information about different rye species. The cDNA sequences, phylogenetic relationships, Al-tolerance, citrate exudation, and expression of the ScMATE1 gene were analyzed in several cultivars and wild species/subspecies of the Secale genus. Genotypes highly tolerant to Al were found within this genus. For the first time, sequences of the cDNA of the ScMATE1 gene were isolated and characterized in wild ryes. At least two copies of this gene were found likely to be related to Al-tolerance. The sequence comparison of 13 exons of ScMATE1 revealed variability between species, but also inter- and intra-cultivars. Variations were found in the Al-induced expression of ScMATE1 gene, as well as its contribution to Al-tolerance. The pattern of citrate exudation was inducible in most of the species/subspecies studied and constitutive in few. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that ScMATE1 is orthologue of two genes (HvMATE1 and TaMATE1) involved in the Al stress response in barley and wheat, respectively, but not orthologue of SbMATE, implicated in Al-tolerance in sorghum. ScMATE1 is involved in the response to Al stress in ryes, but its contribution to Al-tolerance is complex, and like in other species, there are tolerant and sensitive alleles in the different cultivars and species studied.
Bulbophyllum is the largest genus of the orchid family, with about 2000 species that are mainly pollinated by flies. Flowers of many Bulbophyllum species under the Sections Sestochilos and Beccariana specifically attract Dacini fruit flies, Bactrocera and Zeugodacus species, as pollinators. Non-nectar producing and non-resupinate solitary flowers of Bu. pratervisum emit specific and pleasant floral fragrances to specifically attract and reward male fruit flies. Slippery surfaces on their lateral sepals aid in pollination. Although pollinia removal by male fruit flies has been observed frequently, deposition of pollinia to complete pollination (by two males of Ba. albistrigata and Z. caudatus) has only been observed recently. Field observations show two previously unreported movements of floral parts – a) petals and medial sepal during daily closing and reopening of flowers, and b) the spring-loaded and hinged lip during removal and deposition of pollinia by a male fruit fly. Additionally, a third (novel) movement has been observed, either when the flower closes for the night to protect the stigma, or after a fly has deposited the pollinia onto the stigma, the 'acute tooth' on each column wall folds inwards specifically to secure the newly deposited pollinia.