Plants

17 pages, 1940 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Differential Regulation of Drought Responses in Two Phaseolus vulgaris Genotypes

by Cristina María López, Manuel Pineda and Josefa M. Alamillo

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1815; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121815 - 21 Dec 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3405

Drought is probably the most harmful stress affecting common bean crops. Domestication, worldwide spread and local farming practices has entailed the development of a wide variety of common bean genotypes with different degrees of resistance to water stress. In this work, physiological and [...] Read more.

Drought is probably the most harmful stress affecting common bean crops. Domestication, worldwide spread and local farming practices has entailed the development of a wide variety of common bean genotypes with different degrees of resistance to water stress. In this work, physiological and molecular responses to water stress have been compared in two common bean accessions, PHA-0683 and PMB-0220, previously identified as highly and moderately resistant to water stress, respectively. Our hypothesis was that only quantitative differences in the expression patterns of key genes should be found if molecular mechanisms regulating drought resistance are similar in the two accessions. However, results presented here indicate that the resistance to drought in PMB-0220 and PHA-0683 common bean accessions is regulated by different molecular mechanisms. Differential regulation of ABA synthesis and ABA signaling related genes among the two genotypes, and the control of the drought-induced senescence have a relevant contribution to the higher resistance level of PHA-0683 accession. Our results also suggest that expression patterns of key senescence-related transcription factors could be considered in the screening for drought resistance in common bean germplasm collections. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drought Tolerance in Common Bean)

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21 pages, 6372 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chloroplast Distribution in the Stems of 23 Eucalypt Species

by Geoffrey E. Burrows and Celia Connor

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1814; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121814 - 21 Dec 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3927

Abstract

Small diameter branchlets and smooth barked stems and branches of most woody plants have chloroplasts. While the stems of several eucalypt species have been shown to photosynthesise, the distribution of chloroplasts has not been investigated in detail. The distribution of chloroplasts in branchlets [...] Read more.

Small diameter branchlets and smooth barked stems and branches of most woody plants have chloroplasts. While the stems of several eucalypt species have been shown to photosynthesise, the distribution of chloroplasts has not been investigated in detail. The distribution of chloroplasts in branchlets (23 species) and larger diameter stems and branches with smooth bark (14 species) was investigated in a wide range of eucalypts (species of Angophora, Corymbia and Eucalyptus) using fresh hand sections and a combination of bright field and fluorescence microscopy. All species had abundant stem chloroplasts. In both small and large diameter stems, the greatest concentration of chloroplasts was in a narrow band (usually 100–300 μm thick) immediately beneath the epidermis or phellem. Deeper chloroplasts were present but at a lower density due to abundant fibres and sclereids. In general, chloroplasts were found at greater depths in small diameter stems, often being present in the secondary xylem rays and the pith. The cells of the chlorenchyma band were small, rounded and densely packed, and unlike leaf mesophyll. A high density of chloroplasts was found just beneath the phellem of large diameter stems. These trees gave no external indication that green tissues were present just below the phellem. In these species, a thick phellem was not present to protect the inner living bark. Along with the chlorenchyma, the outer bark also had a high density of fibres and sclereids. These sclerenchyma cells probably disrupted a greater abundance and a more organised arrangement of the cells containing chloroplasts. This shows a possible trade-off between photosynthesis and the typical bark functions of protection and mechanical strength. Full article

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13 pages, 2996 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Postharvest Treatments and Sunlight Exposure on the Reproductive Capability and Viability of Phyllosticta citricarpa in Citrus Black Spot Fruit Lesions

by Providence Moyo, Paul H. Fourie, Siyethemba L. Masikane, Régis de Oliveira Fialho, Lindokuhle C. Mamba, Wilma du Plooy and Vaughan Hattingh

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1813; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121813 - 21 Dec 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3614

Abstract

Citrus black spot (CBS) is caused by Phyllosticta citricarpa, which is classified as a quarantine organism in certain countries whose concerns are that CBS-infected fruit may be a pathway for introduction of the pathogen. This study evaluated the reproductive capability and viability [...] Read more.

Citrus black spot (CBS) is caused by Phyllosticta citricarpa, which is classified as a quarantine organism in certain countries whose concerns are that CBS-infected fruit may be a pathway for introduction of the pathogen. This study evaluated the reproductive capability and viability of P. citricarpa under simulated conditions in which the whole fruit, peel segments, or citrus pulp with CBS lesions were discarded. Naturally infected ‘Midknight’ Valencia orange and ‘Eureka’ lemon fruit, either treated using standard postharvest sanitation, fungicide, and wax coating treatments or untreated, were placed into cold storage for 5 weeks (oranges at 4 °C and lemons at 7 °C). Thereafter, treated and untreated fruit were incubated for a further 2 weeks at conditions conducive for CBS symptom expression and formation of pycnidia. The ability of pycnidia to secrete viable pycnidiospores after whole fruit and peel segments or peel pieces from citrus pulp were exposed to sunlight at warm temperatures (±28 °C) and ±75% relative humidity levels was then investigated. The combination of postharvest treatments and cold storage effectively controlled CBS latent infections (>83.6% control) and pycnidium formation (<1.4% of lesions formed pycnidia), and the wax coating completely inhibited pycnidiospore release in fruit and peel segments. Pycnidiospores were secreted only from lesions on untreated fruit and peel segments and at low levels (4.3–8.6%) from peel pieces from pulped treated fruit. However, spore release rapidly declined when exposed to sunlight conditions (1.4% and 0% after 2 and 3 days, respectively). The generally poor reproductive ability and viability of CBS fruit lesions on harvested fruit, particularly when exposed to sunlight conditions, supports the conclusion that citrus fruit without leaves is not an epidemiologically significant pathway for the entry, establishment, and spread of P. citricarpa. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Citrus Fungal and Oomycete Diseases)

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31 pages, 6968 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Iron and Zinc Deficiency in Maize (Zea mays L.)

by Mallana Gowdra Mallikarjuna, Nepolean Thirunavukkarasu, Rinku Sharma, Kaliyugam Shiriga, Firoz Hossain, Jayant S Bhat, Amitha CR Mithra, Soma Sunder Marla, Kanchikeri Math Manjaiah, AR Rao and Hari Shanker Gupta

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1812; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121812 - 21 Dec 2020

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 5607

Abstract

Globally, one-third of the population is affected by iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) deficiency, which is severe in developing and underdeveloped countries where cereal-based diets predominate. The genetic biofortification approach is the most sustainable and one of the cost-effective ways to address Fe [...] Read more.

Globally, one-third of the population is affected by iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) deficiency, which is severe in developing and underdeveloped countries where cereal-based diets predominate. The genetic biofortification approach is the most sustainable and one of the cost-effective ways to address Fe and Zn malnutrition. Maize is a major source of nutrition in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Latin America. Understanding systems’ biology and the identification of genes involved in Fe and Zn homeostasis facilitate the development of Fe- and Zn-enriched maize. We conducted a genome-wide transcriptome assay in maize inbred SKV616, under –Zn, –Fe and –Fe–Zn stresses. The results revealed the differential expression of several genes related to the mugineic acid pathway, metal transporters, photosynthesis, phytohormone and carbohydrate metabolism. We report here Fe and Zn deficiency-mediated changes in the transcriptome, root length, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and reduced rate of photosynthesis. Furthermore, the presence of multiple regulatory elements and/or the co-factor nature of Fe and Zn in enzymes indicate their association with the differential expression and opposite regulation of several key gene(s). The differentially expressed candidate genes in the present investigation would help in breeding for Fe and Zn efficient and kernel Fe- and Zn-rich maize cultivars through gene editing, transgenics and molecular breeding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Unraveling the Mechanisms of Zn Efficiency in Crop Plants: From Lab to Field Applications)

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12 pages, 1961 KiB

Open AccessArticle

New Eudesmane-Type Sesquiterpene Glycosides from the Leaves of Aster koraiensis

by Ji-Young Kim, Young Hye Seo, Im-Ho Lee, He Yun Choi, Hak Cheol Kwon, Jung-Hye Choi, Jun Lee and Dae Sik Jang

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1811; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121811 - 21 Dec 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2727

Abstract

Four new eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoids, (1R,5S,6R,7S,9S,10S)-1,6,9-trihydroxy-eudesm-3-ene-1,6-di-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (1), (1R,5S,6S,7R,9S,10S)-1,6,9,11-tetrahydroxy-eudesm-3-ene-1,6-di-O-β-d-glucopyranoside [...] Read more.

Four new eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoids, (1R,5S,6R,7S,9S,10S)-1,6,9-trihydroxy-eudesm-3-ene-1,6-di-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (1), (1R,5S,6S,7R,9S,10S)-1,6,9,11-tetrahydroxy-eudesm-3-ene-1,6-di-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (3), (1R,5S,6R,7S,9S,10R)-9-O-(Z-p-coumaroyl)-1,6,9-trihydroxy-eudesm-3-ene-6-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (6), and (1R,5S,6R,7S,9S,10R)-9-O-(E-feruloyl)-1,6,9-trihydroxy-eudesm-3-ene-6-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (7), were isolated from a 95% EtOH extract of the leaves of Aster koraiensis by repeated chromatography. Moreover, three sesquiterpenoids (2, 4, and 5) and two caffeoylquinic acids (8 and 9) having previously known chemical structures were isolated during the isolation procedure. The four new compounds (1, 3, 6, and 7) were elucidated by spectroscopic data (1D- and 2D-NMR, MS, and ECD) interpretation and hydrolysis. Moreover, the absolute configurations of 2, 4, and 5 were determined for the first time in this study. The compounds isolated were tested for their viability on nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) production on LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Among them, only 7 presented weak inhibitory effects on both NO and PGE₂ production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structurally and/or Biologically Novel Natural Products from Medicinal Plants)

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20 pages, 4207 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Seed Priming with Endophytic Bacillus subtilis Modulates Physiological Responses of Two Different Triticum aestivum L. Cultivars under Drought Stress

by Oksana Lastochkina, Darya Garshina, Sergey Ivanov, Ruslan Yuldashev, Regina Khafizova, Chulpan Allagulova, Kristina Fedorova, Azamat Avalbaev, Dilara Maslennikova and Massimo Bosacchi

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1810; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121810 - 21 Dec 2020

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 4443

Abstract

The protective effects against drought stress of the endophytic bacterium Bacillus subtilis 10-4 were measured by studying the priming response in two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)—Ekada70 (E70) and Salavat Yulaev (SY)—lines, tolerant and susceptible to drought, respectively. B. subtilis 10-4 improved germination [...] Read more.

The protective effects against drought stress of the endophytic bacterium Bacillus subtilis 10-4 were measured by studying the priming response in two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)—Ekada70 (E70) and Salavat Yulaev (SY)—lines, tolerant and susceptible to drought, respectively. B. subtilis 10-4 improved germination and growth parameters under normal conditions in both cultivars with the most pronounced effect observed in cv. E70. Under drought conditions, B. subtilis 10-4 significantly ameliorated the negative impact of stress on germination and growth of cv. E70, but had no protective effect on cv. SY. B. subtilis 10-4 induced an increase in the levels of photosynthetic chlorophyll (Chl) a, Chl b, and carotenoids (Car) in the leaves of cv. E70, both under normal and drought conditions. In cv. SY plants, bacterial inoculation decreased the contents of Chl a, Chl b, and Car under normal conditions, but pigment content were almost recovered under drought stress. B. subtilis 10-4 increased water holding capacity (WHC) of cv. E70 (but did not affect this parameter in cv. SY) and prevented the stress-induced decline in WHC in both cultivars. Notably, B. subtilis 10-4 increased endogenous salicylic acid (SA) concentration in both cultivars, especially in cv. E70. Moreover, B. subtilis 10-4 reduced drought-induced endogenous SA accumulation, which was correlated with the influence of endophyte on growth, indicating a possible involvement of endogenous SA in the implementation of B. subtilis-mediated effects in both cultivars. Overall, B. subtilis 10-4 inoculation was found to increase drought tolerance in seedlings of both cultivars, as evidenced by decreased lipid peroxidation, proline content, and electrolyte leakage from tissues of wheat seedlings primed with B. subtilis 10-4 under drought conditions. Full article

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14 pages, 1692 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physico-Chemical Characteristics and Culturable Microbial Communities of Grape Berries Change Strongly during Noble Rot Development

by Júlia Hegyi-Kaló, Ádám István Hegyi, József Geml, Zsolt Zsófi, Xénia Pálfi and Kálmán Zoltán Váczy

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1809; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121809 - 21 Dec 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3427

Abstract

Botrytis cinerea is a well-known pathogen of grapevine. However, under certain microclimatic conditions, Botrytis infection results in noble rot, an essential process in the production of the world-known Tokaji aszú wines in Hungary. We investigated the physico-chemical characteristics and culturable microorganisms associated with [...] Read more.

Botrytis cinerea is a well-known pathogen of grapevine. However, under certain microclimatic conditions, Botrytis infection results in noble rot, an essential process in the production of the world-known Tokaji aszú wines in Hungary. We investigated the physico-chemical characteristics and culturable microorganisms associated with grape berries through several noble rot phases in the two main cultivars grown in Tokaj: Vitisvinifera cv. “Furmint” and “Hárslevelű”. We measured physical and analytical parameters routinely tested in viticulture and analyzed the ITS rDNA sequence data of fungi isolated from the sampled berries. We observed significant differences in the physico-chemical parameters among the noble rot phases as well as sampling dates. The greatest variation in berry texture and microbial structure was observed in the initial phases, with variables converging as the noble rot progressed. By finding a bijection between the examined chemical properties and the factorial parameters (e.g., noble rot phase, collection time, cultivar), an appropriate sweet winemaking material can be designed. Fungal community differed significantly among cultivars, with higher number of species observed in Hárslevelű. Our results reveal that there is more to noble rot than only Botrytiscinerea and other microorganisms may play important roles in the aszú process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Mycology and Virology)

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13 pages, 4685 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of BELL Transcription Factors Involved in Nodule Initiation and Development in the Legumes Pisum sativum and Medicago truncatula

by Alexandra V. Dolgikh, Elizaveta S. Rudaya and Elena A. Dolgikh

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1808; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121808 - 20 Dec 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3163

Abstract

Single three-amino acid loop extension (TALE) homeodomain proteins, including the KNOTTED-like (KNOX) and BEL-like (BELL) families in plants, usually work as heterodimeric transcription factor complexes to regulate different developmental processes, often via effects on phytohormonal pathways. Nitrogen-fixing nodule formation in legumes is regulated [...] Read more.

Single three-amino acid loop extension (TALE) homeodomain proteins, including the KNOTTED-like (KNOX) and BEL-like (BELL) families in plants, usually work as heterodimeric transcription factor complexes to regulate different developmental processes, often via effects on phytohormonal pathways. Nitrogen-fixing nodule formation in legumes is regulated by different families of homeodomain transcription factors. Whereas the role of KNOX transcription factors in the control of symbiosis was studied early, BELL transcription factors have received less attention. Here, we report the identification and expression analysis of BELL genes in the legume plants Medicago truncatula and Pisum sativum, which are involved in regulating symbiosis initiation and development. A more precise analysis was performed for the most significantly upregulated PsBELL1-2 gene in pea. We found that the PsBELL1-2 transcription factor could be a potential partner of PsKNOX9. In addition, we showed that PsBELL1-2 can interact with the PsDELLA1 (LA) protein-regulator of the gibberellin pathway, which has a previously demonstrated important role in symbiosis development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pea-Rhizobial and Pea-Mycorrhizal Symbioses)

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25 pages, 27203 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genetic Diversity of Potyviruses Associated with Tulip Breaking Syndrome

by János Ágoston, Asztéria Almási, Katalin Salánki and László Palkovics

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1807; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121807 - 19 Dec 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5097

Abstract

Tulip breaking is economically the most important viral disease of modern-day tulip growing. It is characterized by irregular flame and feather-like patterns in the flowers and mosaic on the foliage. Thirty-two leaf samples were collected from cultivated tulip plants showing tulip breaking syndrome [...] Read more.

Tulip breaking is economically the most important viral disease of modern-day tulip growing. It is characterized by irregular flame and feather-like patterns in the flowers and mosaic on the foliage. Thirty-two leaf samples were collected from cultivated tulip plants showing tulip breaking syndrome from Hungary in 2017 and 2018. Virus identification was performed by serological (ELISA) and molecular (RT-PCR) methods. All samples proved to be infected with a potyvirus and evidence was provided that three potyvirus species could be identified in the samples: Lily mottle virus (LMoV), Tulip breaking virus (TBV) and Rembrandt tulip-breaking virus (ReTBV). Recombination prediction accomplished with Recombination Detection Program (RDP) v4.98 revealed potential intraspecies recombination in the case of TBV and LMoV. Phylogenetic analyses of the coat protein (CP) regions proved the monophyletic origin of these viruses and verified them as three different species according to current International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) species demarcation criteria. Based on these results, we analyzed taxonomic relations concerning potyviruses associated with tulip breaking syndrome. We propose the elevation of ReTBV to species level, and emergence of two new subgroups in ReTBV. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Diversity of Plant Viruses and the Epidemiology of Plant-Virus-Induced Diseases)

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16 pages, 2065 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Peptone-Induced Physio-Biochemical Modulations Reduce Cadmium Toxicity and Accumulation in Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

by Naila Emanuil, Muhammad Sohail Akram, Shafaqat Ali, Mohamed A. El-Esawi, Muhammad Iqbal and Mohammed Nasser Alyemeni

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1806; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121806 - 19 Dec 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3071

Abstract

The accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in edible plant parts and fertile lands is a worldwide problem. It negatively influences the growth and productivity of leafy vegetables (e.g., spinach, Spinacia oleracea L.), which have a high tendency to radially accumulate Cd. The present study [...] Read more.

The accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in edible plant parts and fertile lands is a worldwide problem. It negatively influences the growth and productivity of leafy vegetables (e.g., spinach, Spinacia oleracea L.), which have a high tendency to radially accumulate Cd. The present study investigated the influences of peptone application on the growth, biomass, chlorophyll content, gas exchange parameters, antioxidant enzymes activity, and Cd content of spinach plants grown under Cd stress. Cd toxicity negatively affected spinach growth, biomass, chlorophyll content, and gas exchange attributes. However, it increased malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), electrolyte leakage (EL), proline accumulation, ascorbic acid content, Cd content, and activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) in spinach plants. The exogenous foliar application of peptone increased the growth, biomass, chlorophyll content, proline accumulation, and gas exchange attributes of spinach plants. Furthermore, the application of peptone decreased Cd uptake and levels of MDA, H₂O₂, and EL in spinach by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes. This enhancement in plant growth and photosynthesis might be due to the lower level of Cd accumulation, which in turn decreased the negative impacts of oxidative stress in plant tissues. Taken together, the findings of the study revealed that peptone is a promising plant growth regulator that represents an efficient approach for the phytoremediation of Cd-polluted soils and enhancement of spinach growth, yield, and tolerance under a Cd-dominant environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Oxidative Stress: Biology, Physiology and Mitigation)

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13 pages, 941 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Arthrospira platensis Extract on Physiology and Berry Traits in Vitis vinifera

by Linda Salvi, Alberto Niccolai, Eleonora Cataldo, Sofia Sbraci, Francesca Paoli, Paolo Storchi, Liliana Rodolfi, Mario R. Tredici and Giovan Battista Mattii

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1805; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121805 - 19 Dec 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2672

Abstract

Several advantages on physiology, productivity, and grape quality have been reported for grapevine treated with seaweed extracts, but little is known about the importance of cyanobacterial-based biostimulants in viticulture. The purpose of this pioneering work was to analyze the broad-spectrum effects of the [...] Read more.

Several advantages on physiology, productivity, and grape quality have been reported for grapevine treated with seaweed extracts, but little is known about the importance of cyanobacterial-based biostimulants in viticulture. The purpose of this pioneering work was to analyze the broad-spectrum effects of the Arthrospiraplatensis F&M-C256 extract on Vitis vinifera L. cv. Pinot Nero grown in pots in optimal conditions and under water stress. To evaluate the effects, major physiological parameters of the plants and the quali-quantitative parameters of grape were analyzed. According to the results obtained in this study, ameliorating effects in leaf gas exchanges induced by A. platensis F&M-C256 treatments were detected in both irrigation regimes. Above all, A. platensis F&M-C256 allowed keeping stomata open without negative consequences in water potential in treated vines under water-stress conditions. In terms of berry traits, A. platensis F&M-C256-treated vines presented higher berry weight in comparison with untreated vines in both water regimes and improved berry composition in treated vines subjected to drought. The results of the present study demonstrated an A. platensis-dependent physiological response in case of abiotic stress, which prominently affects grape traits at harvest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biostimulants in Plants Science)

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14 pages, 2890 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Genotype × Environment Interaction for Wheat Yield Traits Suitable for Selection in Different Seed Priming Conditions

by Vera Popović, Nataša Ljubičić, Marko Kostić, Mirjana Radulović, Dragana Blagojević, Vladan Ugrenović, Dragana Popović and Bojana Ivošević

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1804; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121804 - 19 Dec 2020

Cited by 56 | Viewed by 4157

Abstract

Different seed priming treatments are widely used in order to improve the nutritional status of wheat, as well as to improve its grain yield and yield- related traits. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of seed priming with zinc oxide nanoparticles [...] Read more.

Different seed priming treatments are widely used in order to improve the nutritional status of wheat, as well as to improve its grain yield and yield- related traits. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of seed priming with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on the yield related traits, such as, field emergence, plant height, spike length and grain yield per plant of four winter wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.) during two vegetation seasons of 2018/2019 and 2019/2020. The seeds of each wheat genotypes were primed with different concentrations of ZnO NPs (0 mg L⁻¹, 10 mg L⁻¹, 100 mg L⁻¹ and 1000 mg L⁻¹) for 48 h in a dark box by continuous aeration and were sown in soil pots with 60–70% moisture content until full maturity. The additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) models were used to study the genotype environment effects. The results indicated that the plants response to ZnO nanoparticles significantly increased all of the observed traits of the wheat, while its maximum rates reduced the traits of the wheat. The AMMI analysis revealed the very complex nature of the variation observed in the trial and showed the significant effect of the G×E interaction, in which the first main component was significant for all components. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wheat Crop Improvement (by Transgenic and Conventional Breeding Methods))

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27 pages, 6034 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

The Role of Vegetation on the Dynamics of Water and Fire in the Cerrado Ecosystems: Implications for Management and Conservation

by Carlos A. Klink, Margarete N. Sato, Giovanna G. Cordeiro and Maria Inês M. Ramos

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1803; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121803 - 18 Dec 2020

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 5868

Abstract

The Cerrado is the richest savanna and is undergoing one of the planet’s most rapid land transformations for pasture and agriculture; around 45% of the biome has been deforested. Agriculture is of strategic importance to Brazil, but it also modifies ecosystems and jeopardizes [...] Read more.

The Cerrado is the richest savanna and is undergoing one of the planet’s most rapid land transformations for pasture and agriculture; around 45% of the biome has been deforested. Agriculture is of strategic importance to Brazil, but it also modifies ecosystems and jeopardizes habitats and biodiversity. Well-managed agricultural lands can have a favorable impact on environmental conservation. In this paper, we reviewed our current knowledge about water ecology and fire management to show that an ecosystem services perspective can bring about a conciliation of agriculture production with conservation by supporting effective land use decision-making and the optimization of public policy. The landscape/watershed scale seems to be the most relevant for decision-making on how to achieve production and conservation results. This scale appears to be an appropriate level for engaging with stakeholders. Fire frequency and timing (season) combination are determinant of individuals’ survivorship. The combination determines vegetation recovery, and it is important to maintain high biodiversity, especially for the herbaceous layer, but it is a limitation to woody vegetation recovery. A pragmatic and conciliatory land use agenda must be based on scientific knowledge and support innovative decision-making solutions for policy-makers and stakeholders, particularly farmers and donors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Life in Cerrado)

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22 pages, 23248 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Removal of Nitrogen and Phosphorus from Thickening Effluent of an Urban Wastewater Treatment Plant by an Isolated Green Microalga

by Costanza Baldisserotto, Sara Demaria, Ornella Accoto, Roberta Marchesini, Marcello Zanella, Linda Benetti, Francesco Avolio, Michele Maglie, Lorenzo Ferroni and Simonetta Pancaldi

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1802; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121802 - 18 Dec 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4783

Abstract

Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms and are considered excellent candidates for a wide range of biotechnological applications, including the removal of nutrients from urban wastewaters, which they can recover and convert into biomass. Microalgae-based systems can be integrated into conventional urban wastewater treatment plants [...] Read more.

Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms and are considered excellent candidates for a wide range of biotechnological applications, including the removal of nutrients from urban wastewaters, which they can recover and convert into biomass. Microalgae-based systems can be integrated into conventional urban wastewater treatment plants (WW-TP) to improve the water depuration process. However, microalgal strain selection represents a crucial step for effective phytoremediation. In this work, a microalga isolated from the effluent derived from the thickening stage of waste sludge of an urban WW-TP was selected and tested to highlight its potential for nutrient removal. Ammonium and phosphate abatements by microalgae were evaluated using both the effluent and a synthetic medium in a comparative approach. Parallelly, the isolate was characterized in terms of growth capability, morphology, photosynthetic pigment content and photosystem II maximum quantum yield. The isolated microalga showed surprisingly high biomass yield and removal efficiency of both ammonium and phosphate ions from the effluent but not from the synthetic medium. This suggests its clear preference to grow in the effluent, linked to the overall characteristics of this matrix. Moreover, biomass from microalgae cultivated in wastewater was enriched in photosynthetic pigments, polyphosphates, proteins and starch, but not lipids, suggesting its possible use as a biofertilizer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fundamental and Applied Research for the Effective Deployment of Phytoremediation)

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25 pages, 4427 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Symbiotic Microorganisms, Nutrient Uptake and Rhizosphere Bacterial Community in Response of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Genotypes to Elevated Al Concentrations in Soil

by Andrey A. Belimov, Alexander I. Shaposhnikov, Darya S. Syrova, Arina A. Kichko, Polina V. Guro, Oleg S. Yuzikhin, Tatiana S. Azarova, Anna L. Sazanova, Edgar A. Sekste, Vladimir A. Litvinskiy, Vladimir V. Nosikov, Aleksey A. Zavalin, Evgeny E. Andronov and Vera I. Safronova

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1801; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121801 - 18 Dec 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3554

Abstract

Aluminium being one of the most abundant elements is very toxic for plants causing inhibition of nutrient uptake and productivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of microbial consortium consisting of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF), rhizobia and PGPR for [...] Read more.

Aluminium being one of the most abundant elements is very toxic for plants causing inhibition of nutrient uptake and productivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of microbial consortium consisting of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF), rhizobia and PGPR for counteracting negative effects of Al toxicity on four pea genotypes differing in Al tolerance. Pea plants were grown in acid soil supplemented with AlCl₃ (pH_KCl = 4.5) or neutralized with CaCO₃ (pH_KCl = 6.2). Inoculation increased shoot and/or seed biomass of plants grown in Al-supplemented soil. Nodule number and biomass were about twice on roots of Al-treated genotypes after inoculation. Inoculation decreased concentrations of water-soluble Al in the rhizosphere of all genotypes grown in Al-supplemented soil by about 30%, improved N₂ fixation and uptake of fertilizer ¹⁵N and nutrients from soil, and increased concentrations of water-soluble nutrients in the rhizosphere. The structure of rhizospheric microbial communities varied to a greater extent depending on the plant genotype, as compared to soil conditions and inoculation. Thus, this study highlights the important role of symbiotic microorganisms and the plant genotype in complex interactions between the components of the soil-microorganism-plant continuum subjected to Al toxicity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pea-Rhizobial and Pea-Mycorrhizal Symbioses)

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17 pages, 3483 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification, Characterization, and Stress Responsiveness of Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase Genes in Highland Barley

by Ruijun Feng, Xiaomin Wang, Li He, Shengwang Wang, Junjie Li, Jie Jin and Yurong Bi

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1800; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121800 - 18 Dec 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2975

Abstract

G6PDH provides intermediate metabolites and reducing power (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, NADPH) for plant metabolism, and plays a pivotal role in the cellular redox homeostasis. In this study, we cloned five G6PDH genes (HvG6PDH1 to HvG6PDH5) from highland barley and characterized [...] Read more.

G6PDH provides intermediate metabolites and reducing power (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, NADPH) for plant metabolism, and plays a pivotal role in the cellular redox homeostasis. In this study, we cloned five G6PDH genes (HvG6PDH1 to HvG6PDH5) from highland barley and characterized their encoded proteins. Functional analysis of HvG6PDHs in E. coli showed that HvG6PDH1 to HvG6PDH5 encode the functional G6PDH proteins. Subcellular localization and phylogenetic analysis indicated that HvG6PDH2 and HvG6PDH5 are localized in the cytoplasm, while HvG6PDH1, HvG6PDH3, and HvG6PDH4 are plastidic isoforms. Analysis of enzymatic activities and gene expression showed that HvG6PDH1 to HvG6PDH4 are involved in responses to salt and drought stresses. The cytosolic HvG6PDH2 is the major isoform against oxidative stress. HvG6PDH5 may be a house-keeping gene. In addition, HvG6PDH1 to HvG6PDH4 and their encoded enzymes responded to jasmonic acid (JA) and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments, implying that JA and ABA are probably critical regulators of HvG6PDHs (except for HvG6PDH5). Reactive oxygen species analysis showed that inhibition of cytosolic and plastidic G6PDH activities leads to increased H₂O₂ and O₂⁻ contents in highland barley under salt and drought stresses. These results suggest that G6PDH can maintain cellular redox homeostasis and that cytosolic HvG6PDH2 is an irreplaceable isoform against oxidative stress in highland barley. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Physiology and Environmental Stresses)

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16 pages, 3132 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Expression of a Hyperthermophilic Cellobiohydrolase in Transgenic Nicotiana tabacum by Protein Storage Vacuole Targeting

by Manuel Benedetti, Valeria Vecchi, Zeno Guardini, Luca Dall’Osto and Roberto Bassi

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1799; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121799 - 18 Dec 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2627

Abstract

Plant expression of microbial Cell Wall Degrading Enzymes (CWDEs) is a valuable strategy to produce industrial enzymes at affordable cost. Unfortunately, the constitutive expression of CWDEs may affect plant fitness to variable extents, including developmental alterations, sterility and even lethality. In order to [...] Read more.

Plant expression of microbial Cell Wall Degrading Enzymes (CWDEs) is a valuable strategy to produce industrial enzymes at affordable cost. Unfortunately, the constitutive expression of CWDEs may affect plant fitness to variable extents, including developmental alterations, sterility and even lethality. In order to explore novel strategies for expressing CWDEs in crops, the cellobiohydrolase CBM3GH5, from the hyperthermophilic bacterium Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus, was constitutively expressed in N. tabacum by targeting the enzyme both to the apoplast and to the protein storage vacuole. The apoplast targeting failed to isolate plants expressing the recombinant enzyme despite a large number of transformants being screened. On the opposite side, the targeting of the cellobiohydrolase to the protein storage vacuole led to several transgenic lines expressing CBM3GH5, with an enzyme yield of up to 0.08 mg g DW⁻¹ (1.67 Units g DW⁻¹) in the mature leaf tissue. The analysis of CBM3GH5 activity revealed that the enzyme accumulated in different plant organs in a developmental-dependent manner, with the highest abundance in mature leaves and roots, followed by seeds, stems and leaf ribs. Notably, both leaves and stems from transgenic plants were characterized by an improved temperature-dependent saccharification profile. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the International Conference on Biophysics of Photosynthesis: From molecules to the field)

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29 pages, 3212 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Phylogeny and Phylogeography of Potentilla multifida L. agg. (Rosaceae) in Northern Eurasia with Special Focus on Two Rare and Critically Endangered Endemic Species, P. volgarica and P. eversmanniana

by Ivan A. Schanzer, Alina V. Fedorova, Olga V. Shelepova and Guzyaliya F. Suleymanova

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1798; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121798 - 18 Dec 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2372

Abstract

The results of a molecular genetic study of Potentilla multifida agg. using two plastid markers (ndhC-trnV and psbA-trnH) and a nuclear ITS marker suggested that this group comprises a number of relatively young and incompletely differentiated species widely distributed in Northern [...] Read more.

The results of a molecular genetic study of Potentilla multifida agg. using two plastid markers (ndhC-trnV and psbA-trnH) and a nuclear ITS marker suggested that this group comprises a number of relatively young and incompletely differentiated species widely distributed in Northern Eurasia. The sequences were analyzed using tree-based (maximum likelihood) and network-based (statistical parsimony network) approaches. The plastid data suggested incomplete lineage sorting, characteristic of the group as a whole. The nuclear ITS results demonstrated quite a different pattern, with mostly conspecific accessions shaping monophyletic clades. The majority of the Potentilla sect. Multifidae species studied possess few, usually closely related plastid haplotypes, or are even monomorphic. In contrast, P. volgarica, a narrow endemic from the Volga River valley, presents plastid haplotypes belonging to two distantly related groups. Such a pattern of genetic diversity in P. volgarica may be explained by a long persistence of the species within an extremely small distribution range, on the right bank of the Volga River, most likely representing a contemporary refugium. The genealogy of plastid markers in P. volgarica suggests that this species is ancestral to P.eversmanniana, another narrow endemic from the S Urals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolutionary Genomics)

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18 pages, 932 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Salinity-Induced Changes of Photosynthetic Performance, Lawsone, VOCs, and Antioxidant Metabolism in Lawsonia inermis L.

by Basma Najar, Laura Pistelli, Ilaria Marchioni, Luisa Pistelli, Beatrice Muscatello, Marinella De Leo and Andrea Scartazza

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1797; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121797 - 18 Dec 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2506

Abstract

The present study aimed to elucidate the salinity influence on the bioactive metabolites of Lawsonia inermis L. (henna) plants. Young henna plants were cultivated under salinity stress with two NaCl concentrations (75 mM and 150 mM) in controlled environmental conditions and the leaves [...] Read more.

The present study aimed to elucidate the salinity influence on the bioactive metabolites of Lawsonia inermis L. (henna) plants. Young henna plants were cultivated under salinity stress with two NaCl concentrations (75 mM and 150 mM) in controlled environmental conditions and the leaves were investigated to check their adaptative responses. The modulation of photosynthetic performance to salinity stress was demonstrated by gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. The partial stomatal closure triggered an enhanced water-use efficiency, and a proline accumulation was observed, leading to an osmotic adjustment. The increased capacity to dissipate the excess excitation energy at photosystem II as heat was associated with changes in chlorophylls, anthocyanins, and carotenoids. The higher antioxidant activity at 150 mM salt level suggested its scavenger role on reactive oxygen species (ROS) dissipation and photoprotection. The reduced CO₂ uptake and the higher metabolic costs necessary to sustain the henna tolerance mechanism against high NaCl concentration negatively affected lawsone production. Leaf volatile organic compounds (VOCs) showed changes in the amount and composition of VOCs with increasing salinity level. Overall, this study revealed efficient physiological and biochemical adaptations of henna leaves to salt stress despite an altered production of important economic metabolites such as lawsone. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Physiology and Environmental Stresses)

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15 pages, 1581 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gibberellic Acid Modifies the Transcript Abundance of ABA Pathway Orthologs and Modulates Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium) Fruit Ripening in Early- and Mid-Season Varieties

by Nathalie Kuhn, Claudio Ponce, Macarena Arellano, Alson Time, Boris Sagredo, José Manuel Donoso and Lee A. Meisel

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1796; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121796 - 18 Dec 2020

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3562

Abstract

Several phytohormones modulate ripening in non-climacteric fruits, which is triggered by abscisic acid (ABA). Gibberellins (GAs) are present during the onset of ripening in sweet cherry fruits, and exogenous gibberellic acid (GA₃) application delays ripening, though this effect is variety-dependent. Although [...] Read more.

Several phytohormones modulate ripening in non-climacteric fruits, which is triggered by abscisic acid (ABA). Gibberellins (GAs) are present during the onset of ripening in sweet cherry fruits, and exogenous gibberellic acid (GA₃) application delays ripening, though this effect is variety-dependent. Although an ABA accumulation delay has been reported following GA₃ treatment, the mechanism by which GA modulates this process has not been investigated at the molecular level in sweet cherry. Therefore, the aim of this work is to analyze the effect of GA₃ on the fruit ripening process and the transcript levels of ABA pathway orthologs in two varieties having different maturity time phenotypes. The early-season variety had a rapid transition from yellow to pink fruit color, whereas pink color initiation took longer in the mid-season variety. GA₃ increased the proportion of lighter colored fruits at ripeness in both varieties, but it produced a delay in IAD—a ripening index—only in the mid-season variety. This delay was accompanied by an increased transcript abundance of PavPP2Cs, which are putative negative regulators of the ABA pathway. On the other hand, the early-season variety had increased expression of PavCYP707A2—a putative ABA catabolic gene–, and reduced transcript levels of PavPP2Cs and SnRK2s after the GA₃ treatment. Together these results show that GA modulates fruit ripening, exerting its action in part by interacting with the ABA pathway in sweet cherry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physiological Responses of Tree Fruits to Environmental and Management Factors)

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16 pages, 3521 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biochemical and Genetic Responses of Tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) Microplants under Mannitol-Induced Osmotic Stress In Vitro

by Lidiia Samarina, Alexandra Matskiv, Taisiya Simonyan, Natalia Koninskaya, Valentina Malyarovskaya, Maya Gvasaliya, Lyudmila Malyukova, Gregory Tsaturyan, Alfiya Mytdyeva, Marcos Edel Martinez-Montero, Ravish Choudhary and Alexey Ryndin

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1795; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121795 - 17 Dec 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3610

Abstract

Osmotic stress is a major factor reducing the growth and yield of many horticultural crops worldwide. To reveal reliable markers of tolerant genotypes, we need a comprehensive understanding of the responsive mechanisms in crops. In vitro stress induction can be an efficient tool [...] Read more.

Osmotic stress is a major factor reducing the growth and yield of many horticultural crops worldwide. To reveal reliable markers of tolerant genotypes, we need a comprehensive understanding of the responsive mechanisms in crops. In vitro stress induction can be an efficient tool to study the mechanisms of responses in plants to help gain a better understanding of the physiological and genetic responses of plant tissues against each stress factor. In the present study, the osmotic stress was induced by addition of mannitol into the culture media to reveal biochemical and genetic responses of tea microplants. The contents of proline, threonine, epigallocatechin, and epigallocatechin gallate were increased in leaves during mannitol treatment. The expression level of several genes, namely DHN2, LOX1, LOX6, BAM, SUS1, TPS11, RS1, RS2, and SnRK1.3, was elevated by 2–10 times under mannitol-induced osmotic stress, while the expression of many other stress-related genes was not changed significantly. Surprisingly, down-regulation of the following genes, viz. bHLH12, bHLH7, bHLH21, bHLH43, CBF1, WRKY2, SWEET1, SWEET2, SWEET3, INV5, and LOX7, was observed. During this study, two major groups of highly correlated genes were observed. The first group included seven genes, namely CBF1, DHN3, HXK2,SnRK1.1, SPS, SWEET3, and SWEET1. The second group comprised eight genes, viz. DHN2, SnRK1.3, HXK3, RS1, RS2,LOX6, SUS4, and BAM5. A high level of correlation indicates the high strength connection of the genes which can be co-expressed or can be linked to the joint regulons. The present study demonstrates that tea plants develop several adaptations to cope under osmotic stress in vitro; however, some important stress-related genes were silent or downregulated in microplants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Tissue Culture for Studying the Environmental Cues and Signals)

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20 pages, 2025 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nanopore RNA Sequencing Revealed Long Non-Coding and LTR Retrotransposon-Related RNAs Expressed at Early Stages of Triticale SEED Development

by Ilya Kirov, Maxim Dudnikov, Pavel Merkulov, Andrey Shingaliev, Murad Omarov, Elizaveta Kolganova, Alexandra Sigaeva, Gennady Karlov and Alexander Soloviev

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1794; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121794 - 17 Dec 2020

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 5854

Abstract

The intergenic space of plant genomes encodes many functionally important yet unexplored RNAs. The genomic loci encoding these RNAs are often considered “junk”, DNA as they are frequently associated with repeat-rich regions of the genome. The latter makes the annotations of these loci [...] Read more.

The intergenic space of plant genomes encodes many functionally important yet unexplored RNAs. The genomic loci encoding these RNAs are often considered “junk”, DNA as they are frequently associated with repeat-rich regions of the genome. The latter makes the annotations of these loci and the assembly of the corresponding transcripts using short RNAseq reads particularly challenging. Here, using long-read Nanopore direct RNA sequencing, we aimed to identify these “junk” RNA molecules, including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and transposon-derived transcripts expressed during early stages (10 days post anthesis) of seed development of triticale (AABBRR, 2n = 6x = 42), an interspecific hybrid between wheat and rye. Altogether, we found 796 lncRNAs and 20 LTR retrotransposon-related transcripts (RTE-RNAs) expressed at this stage, with most of them being previously unannotated and located in the intergenic as well as intronic regions. Sequence analysis of the lncRNAs provide evidence for the frequent exonization of Class I (retrotransposons) and class II (DNA transposons) transposon sequences and suggest direct influence of “junk” DNA on the structure and origin of lncRNAs. We show that the expression patterns of lncRNAs and RTE-related transcripts have high stage specificity. In turn, almost half of the lncRNAs located in Genomes A and B have the highest expression levels at 10–30 days post anthesis in wheat. Detailed analysis of the protein-coding potential of the RTE-RNAs showed that 75% of them carry open reading frames (ORFs) for a diverse set of GAG proteins, the main component of virus-like particles of LTR retrotransposons. We further experimentally demonstrated that some RTE-RNAs originate from autonomous LTR retrotransposons with ongoing transposition activity during early stages of triticale seed development. Overall, our results provide a framework for further exploration of the newly discovered lncRNAs and RTE-RNAs in functional and genome-wide association studies in triticale and wheat. Our study also demonstrates that Nanopore direct RNA sequencing is an indispensable tool for the elucidation of lncRNA and retrotransposon transcripts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Cereal Crops Breeding)

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15 pages, 742 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Changes in Fatty Acids Content in Organic Rosehip (Rosa spp.) Seeds during Ripening

by Jurgita Kulaitienė, Brigita Medveckienė, Dovilė Levickienė, Nijolė Vaitkevičienė, Violeta Makarevičienė and Elvyra Jarienė

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1793; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121793 - 17 Dec 2020

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3555

Abstract

Studies on the determination of the optimal harvest time of rosehips are very limited. Therefore, the aim of this research was to ascertain the effect of the ripening stage on the quality and content of fatty acids of organic rosehip seeds. A two-factor [...] Read more.

Studies on the determination of the optimal harvest time of rosehips are very limited. Therefore, the aim of this research was to ascertain the effect of the ripening stage on the quality and content of fatty acids of organic rosehip seeds. A two-factor field experiment with two rosehip species and cultivars (Rosa rugosa, Rosa canina, and Rosa rugosa cv. ‘Rubra’, Rosa rugosa cv. ‘Alba’) was conducted during two growing seasons (2018–2019) on an organic farm. The fruits were harvested five times per season. The fatty acid composition of rosehip seeds was determined using a Gas Chromatograph with Split/Splitless Injector Liners. The highest amounts of fat were recorded in all rosehip seeds at ripening stage IV. The most dominant fatty acids in the seed samples were polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (73.88–79.52%), followed by monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) (14.67–18.89%) and saturated fatty acids (SUFAs) (5.22–7.36%). The highest amount of PUFAs was established in Rosa rugosa cv. ‘Alba’ seeds harvested at fully ripe stage V. It can be concluded that the rosehip seeds may be utilized as a source of fatty acids, especially PUFAs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Resources of Berry and Medicinal Plants)

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13 pages, 1888 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Different Extraction Protocols on Brassica oleracea var. acephala Antioxidant Activity, Bioactive Compounds, and Sugar Profile

by Nikola Major, Bernard Prekalj, Josipa Perković, Dean Ban, Zoran Užila and Smiljana Goreta Ban

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1792; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121792 - 17 Dec 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3417

Abstract

The extraction of glucosinolates in boiling aqueous methanol from freeze dried leaf tissues is the most common method for myrosinase inactivation but can be hazardous because of methanol toxicity. Although freeze drying is the best dehydration method in terms of nutritional quality preservation, [...] Read more.

The extraction of glucosinolates in boiling aqueous methanol from freeze dried leaf tissues is the most common method for myrosinase inactivation but can be hazardous because of methanol toxicity. Although freeze drying is the best dehydration method in terms of nutritional quality preservation, the main drawbacks are a limited sample quantity that can be processed simultaneously, a long processing time, and high energy consumption. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of applying high temperature for myrosinase inactivation via hot air drying prior to the extraction step, as well as the effects of cold aqueous methanol extraction on total antioxidant activity, total glucosinolates, total phenolic content, and sugar profile in 36 landraces of kale. The results from our study indicate that cold aqueous methanol can be used instead of boiling aqueous methanol with no adverse effects on total glucosinolate content. Our results also show that hot air drying, compared to freeze drying, followed by cold extraction has an adverse effect on antioxidant activity measured by DPPH radical scavenging, total glucosinolate content, as well as on the content of all investigated sugars. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural and Functional Analysis of Extracts in Plants)

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15 pages, 2941 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Allocation of Resources to Cyanogenic Glucosides Does Not Incur a Growth Sacrifice in Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench

by Muhammad N. Sohail, Cecilia K. Blomstedt and Roslyn M. Gleadow

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1791; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121791 - 17 Dec 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3277

Abstract

In plants, the production of secondary metabolites is considered to be at the expense of primary growth. Sorghum produces a cyanogenic glycoside (dhurrin) that is believed to act as its chemical defence. Studies have shown that acyanogenic plants are smaller in size compared [...] Read more.

In plants, the production of secondary metabolites is considered to be at the expense of primary growth. Sorghum produces a cyanogenic glycoside (dhurrin) that is believed to act as its chemical defence. Studies have shown that acyanogenic plants are smaller in size compared to the wildtype. This study aimed to investigate whether the small plant size is due to delayed germination or due to the lack of dhurrin derived nitrogen. A novel plant system consisting of totally cyanide deficient class 1 (tcd1) and adult cyanide deficient 1 (acdc1) mutant lines was employed. The data for germination, plant height and developmental stage during seedling development and final plant reproductive fitness was recorded. The possible role of phytohormones in recovering the wildtype phenotype, especially in developmentally acyanogenic acdc1 line, was also investigated. The data on plant growth have shown that the lack of dhurrin is disadvantageous to growth, but only at the early developmental stage. The tcd1 plants also took longer to mature probably due to delayed flowering. None of the tested hormones were able to recover the wildtype phenotype. We conclude that the generation of dhurrin is advantageous for plant growth, especially at critical growth stages like germinating seed by providing a ready source of reduced nitrogen. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Physiology and Metabolism)

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12 pages, 2156 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Exogenous Salicylic Acid Modulates the Response to Combined Salinity-Temperature Stress in Pepper Plants (Capsicum annuum L. var. Tamarin)

by Ginés Otálora, María Carmen Piñero, Jacinta Collado-González, Josefa López-Marín and Francisco M. del Amor

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1790; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121790 - 17 Dec 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3113

Abstract

Growers in the cultivated areas where the climate change threatens the agricultural productivity and livelihoods are aware that the current constraints for good quality water are being worsened by heatwaves. We studied the combination of salinity (60 mM NaCl) and heat shock stress [...] Read more.

Growers in the cultivated areas where the climate change threatens the agricultural productivity and livelihoods are aware that the current constraints for good quality water are being worsened by heatwaves. We studied the combination of salinity (60 mM NaCl) and heat shock stress (43 °C) in pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L. var. Tamarin) since this can affect physiological and biochemical processes distinctly when compared to separate effects. Moreover, the exogenous application of 0.5 mM salicylic acid (SA) was studied to determine its impacts and the SA-mediated processes that confer tolerance of the combined or stand-alone stresses. Plant growth, leaf Cl⁻ and NO₃⁻ concentrations, carbohydrates, and polyamines were analyzed. Our results show that both salinity stress (SS) and heat stress (HS) reduced plant fresh weight, and SA only increased it for HS, with no effect for the combined stress (CS). While SA increased the concentration of Cl⁻ for SS or CS, it had no effect on NO₃⁻. The carbohydrates concentrations were, in general, increased by HS, and were decreased by CS, and for glucose and fructose, by SA. Additionally, when CS was imposed, SA significantly increased the spermine and spermidine concentrations. Thus, SA did not always alleviate the CS and the plant response to CS cannot be directly attributed to the full or partial sum of the individual responses to each stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Salinity Stress in Plants and Molecular Responses)

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8 pages, 238 KiB

Open AccessPerspective

A Perspective on Adventitious Root Formation in Tree Species

by Carmen Díaz-Sala

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1789; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121789 - 17 Dec 2020

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 3370

Abstract

Adventitious root formation is an organogenic process, regulated at several levels, that is crucial for the successful vegetative propagation of numerous plants. In many tree species, recalcitrance to adventitious root formation is a major limitation in the clonal propagation of elite germplasms. Information [...] Read more.

Adventitious root formation is an organogenic process, regulated at several levels, that is crucial for the successful vegetative propagation of numerous plants. In many tree species, recalcitrance to adventitious root formation is a major limitation in the clonal propagation of elite germplasms. Information on the mechanisms underlying the competence for adventitious root formation is still limited. Therefore, increasing our understanding of the mechanisms that enable differentiated somatic cells to switch their fates and develop into root meristematic cells, especially those involved in cell developmental aging and maturation, is a priority in adventitious root-related research. The dynamic cell wall–cytoskeleton, along with soluble factors, such as cellular signals or transcriptional regulators, may be involved in adult cell responses to intrinsic or extrinsic factors, resulting in maintenance, induction of root meristematic cell formation, or entrance into another differentiating pathway. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adventitious Root Formation in Tree Species)

14 pages, 1123 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

An Insight into the Factors Influencing Specificity of the SUMO System in Plants

by Moumita Srivastava and Ari Sadanandom

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1788; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121788 - 17 Dec 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4113

Abstract

Due to their sessile nature, plants are constantly subjected to various environmental stresses such as drought, salinity, and pathogen infections. Post-translational modifications (PTMs), like SUMOylation, play a vital role in the regulation of plant responses to their environment. The process of SUMOylation typically [...] Read more.

Due to their sessile nature, plants are constantly subjected to various environmental stresses such as drought, salinity, and pathogen infections. Post-translational modifications (PTMs), like SUMOylation, play a vital role in the regulation of plant responses to their environment. The process of SUMOylation typically involves an enzymatic cascade containing the activation, (E1), conjugation (E2), and ligation (E3) of SUMO to a target protein. Additionally, it also requires a class of SUMO proteases that generate mature SUMO from its precursor and cleave it off the target protein, a process termed deSUMOylation. It is now clear that SUMOylation in plants is key to a plethora of adaptive responses. How this is achieved with an extremely limited set of machinery components is still unclear. One possibility is that novel SUMO components are yet to be discovered. However, current knowledge indicates that only a small set of enzymes seem to be responsible for the modification of a large number of SUMO substrates. It is yet unknown where the specificity lies within the SUMO system. Although this seems to be a crucial question in the field of SUMOylation studies, not much is known about the factors that provide specificity. In this review, we highlight the role of the localisation of SUMO components as an important factor that can play a vital role in contributing to the specificity within the process. This will introduce a new facet to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying such a dynamic process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of the Ubiquitin System in Plant Stress Responses)

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29 pages, 10341 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Seed Morphology in Silene Based on Geometric Models

by José Javier Martín-Gómez, Agnieszka Rewicz, José Luis Rodríguez-Lorenzo, Bohuslav Janoušek and Emilio Cervantes

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1787; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121787 - 16 Dec 2020

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 5799

Abstract

Seed description in morphology is often based on adjectives such as “spherical”, “globular”, or “reniform”, but this does not provide a quantitative method. A new morphological approach based on the comparison of seed images with geometric models provides a seed description in Silene [...] Read more.

Seed description in morphology is often based on adjectives such as “spherical”, “globular”, or “reniform”, but this does not provide a quantitative method. A new morphological approach based on the comparison of seed images with geometric models provides a seed description in Silene species on a quantitative basis. The novelty of the proposed method is based in the comparison of the seed images with geometric models according to a cardioid shape. The J index is a measurement that indicates the seed percentage of similarity with a cardioid or cardioid-derived figures used as models. The seeds of Silene species have high values of similarity with the cardioid and cardioid-derived models (J index superior to 90). The comparison with different figures allows species description and differentiation. The method is applied here to seeds of 21 species and models are proposed for some of them including S. diclinis, an endangered species. The method is discussed in the context of previous comparison with the measures used in traditional morphometric analysis. The similarity of seed images with geometric figures opens a new perspective for the automatized taxonomical evaluation of samples linking seed morphology to functional traits in endangered Silene species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Linking Seed Biology to Plant Preservation: New Advances and Perspectives)

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19 pages, 334 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Sweet Basil Functional Quality as Shaped by Genotype and Macronutrient Concentration Reciprocal Action

by Michele Ciriello, Antonio Pannico, Christophe El-Nakhel, Luigi Formisano, Francesco Cristofano, Luigi Giuseppe Duri, Fabiana Pizzolongo, Raffaele Romano, Stefania De Pascale, Giuseppe Colla, Mariateresa Cardarelli and Youssef Rouphael

Plants 2020, 9(12), 1786; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121786 - 16 Dec 2020

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3010

Abstract

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is among the most widespread aromatic plants due to its versatility of use and its beneficial health properties. This aromatic plant thrives in hydroponics, which is a valid tool to improve the production and functional quality of crops, [...] Read more.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is among the most widespread aromatic plants due to its versatility of use and its beneficial health properties. This aromatic plant thrives in hydroponics, which is a valid tool to improve the production and functional quality of crops, but nevertheless, it offers the possibility to de-seasonalize production. A floating raft system was adopted to test the production and quality potential during autumn season of three different genotypes of Genovese basil (Aroma 2, Eleonora and Italiano Classico) grown in three nutrient solutions with crescent electrical conductivity (EC: 1, 2 and 3 dS m⁻¹). The aromatic and phenolic profiles were determined by GC/MS and HPLC analysis, respectively. The combination Aroma 2 and the EC 2 dS m⁻¹ resulted in the highest production, both in terms of fresh weight and dry biomass. The 2 dS m⁻¹ treatment determined the major phenolic content, 44%, compared to the other two EC. Italiano Classico showed a higher total polyphenolic content in addition to a different aromatic profile compared to the other cultivars, characterized by a higher percentage of Eucalyptol (+37%) and Eugenol (+107%) and a lower percentage of linalool (−44%). Correct management of the nutritional solution combined with adequate genetic material managed an improvement in the production and the obtainment of the desired aromatic and phenolic profiles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Physiology and Metabolism)

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Plants, Volume 9, Issue 12 (December 2020) – 188 articles

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