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Transcriptome scale analysis to decode the differential sucrose accumulation mechanisms in sugarcane under the effect of gibberellin.

In the present study, we analyzed GA3 (gibberellin)-treated sugarcane samples at the transcriptomic level to elucidate the differential expression of genes that influence sucrose accumulation. Previous research has suggested that GA3 application can potentially delay sink saturation by enhancing sink strength and demand, enabling the accommodation of more sucrose. To investigate the potential role of GA-induced modification of sink capacity in promoting higher sucrose accumulation, we sought to unravel the differential expression of transcripts and analyze their functional annotation. Several genes homologous to the sugar-phosphate/phosphate translocator, UTP-glucose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, and V-ATPases (vacuolar-type H+ ATPase) were identified as potentially associated with the increased sucrose content observed. A differentially expressed transcript was found to be identical to the mRNA of an unknown protein. Homology-based bioinformatics analysis suggested it to be a hydrolase enzyme, which could potentially act as a stimulator of sucrose buildup. The database of differentially expressed transcripts obtained in this study under the influence of GA3 represents a valuable addition to the sugarcane transcriptomics and functional genomics knowledge base.

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MAPK signaling pathway orchestrates and fine-tunes the pathogenicity of Colletotrichum falcatum

Colletotrichum falcatum is the causal organism of red rot, the most devastating disease of sugarcane. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway plays pivotal role in coordinating the process of pathogenesis. We identified eighteen proteins implicated in MAPK signaling pathway in C. falcatum, through nanoLCMS/MS based proteomics approach. Twelve of these proteins were the part of core MAPK signaling pathway, whereas remaining proteins were indirectly implicated in MAPK signaling. Majority of these proteins had enhanced abundance in C. falcatum samples cultured with host sugarcane stalks. To validate the findings, core MAPK pathway genes (MAPKKK-NSY1, MAPK 17-MAPK17, MAPKKK 5-MAPKKK5, MAPK-HOG1B, MAPKKK-MCK1/STE11, MAPK-MST50/STE50, MAPKK-SEK1, MAPKK-MEK1/MST7/STE7, MAPKK-MKK2/STE7, MAPKKK-MST11/STE11, MAPK 5-MPK5, and MAPK-MPK-C) were analyzed by qPCR to confirm the real-time expression in C. falcatum samples cultured with host sugarcane stalks. The results of qPCR-based expression of genes were largely in agreement with the findings of proteomics. String association networks of MAPKK- MEK1/MST7/STE7, and MAPK- MPK-C revealed strong association with plenty of assorted proteins implicated in the process of pathogenesis/virulence. This is the novel and first large scale study of MAPK proteins in C. falcatum, responsible for red rot epidemics of sugarcane various countries. Key messageOur findings demonstrate the pivotal role of MAPK proteins in orchestrating the pathogenicity of Colletotrichum falcatum, responsible devastating red rot disease of sugarcane. SignificanceOur findings are novel and the first large scale study demonstrating the pivotal role of MAPK proteins in C. falcatum, responsible devastating red rot disease of sugarcane. The study will be useful for future researchers in terms of manipulating the fungal pathogenicity through genome editing.

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Harnessing Rhizospheric Microbes for Eco-friendly and Sustainable Crop Production in Saline Environments.

Soil salinization is a global issue that negatively impacts crop yield and has become a prime concern for researchers worldwide. Many important crop plants are susceptible to salinity-induced stresses, including ionic and osmotic stress. Approximately, 20% of the world's cultivated and 33% of irrigated land is affected by salt. While various agricultural practices have been successful in alleviating salinity stress, they can be costly and not environment-friendly. Therefore, there is a need for cost-effective and eco-friendly practices to improve soil health. One promising approach involves utilizing microbes found in the vicinity of plant roots to mitigate the effects of salinity stress and enhance plant growth as well as crop yield. By exploiting the salinity tolerance of plants and their associated rhizospheric microorganisms, which have plant growth-promoting properties, it is possible to reduce the adverse effects of salt stress on crop plants. The soil salinization is a common problem in the world, due to which we are unable to use the saline land. To make proper use of this land for different crops, microorganisms can play an important role. Looking at the increasing population of the world, this will be an appreciated effort to make the best use of the wasted land for food security. The updated information on this issue is needed. In this context, this article provides a concise review of the latest research on the use of salt-tolerant rhizospheric microorganisms to mitigate salinity stress in crop plants.

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Advancements and prospects of CRISPR/Cas9 technologies for abiotic and biotic stresses in sugar beet.

Sugar beet is a crop with high sucrose content, known for sugar production and recently being considered as an emerging raw material for bioethanol production. This crop is also utilized as cattle feed, mainly when animal green fodder is scarce. Bioethanol and hydrogen gas production from this crop is an essential source of clean energy. Environmental stresses (abiotic/biotic) severely affect the productivity of this crop. Over the past few decades, the molecular mechanisms of biotic and abiotic stress responses in sugar beet have been investigated using next-generation sequencing, gene editing/silencing, and over-expression approaches. This information can be efficiently utilized through CRISPR/Cas 9 technology to mitigate the effects of abiotic and biotic stresses in sugar beet cultivation. This review highlights the potential use of CRISPR/Cas 9 technology for abiotic and biotic stress management in sugar beet. Beet genes known to be involved in response to alkaline, cold, and heavy metal stresses can be precisely modified via CRISPR/Cas 9 technology for enhancing sugar beet's resilience to abiotic stresses with minimal off-target effects. Similarly, CRISPR/Cas 9 technology can help generate insect-resistant sugar beet varieties by targeting susceptibility-related genes, whereas incorporating Cry1Ab and Cry1C genes may provide defense against lepidopteron insects. Overall, CRISPR/Cas 9 technology may help enhance sugar beet's adaptability to challenging environments, ensuring sustainable, high-yield production.

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Silicon as a beneficial nutrient for productivity augmentation and abiotic/biotic stress tolerance in sugarcane

Climate change-induced biotic and abiotic stresses pose significant challenges to sugarcane cultivation, threatening global production. Losses in sugarcane production and productivity are exacerbated under abiotic and biotic stress conditions. The application of silicon, an abundant and versatile element, has emerged as a promising solution, either as soil fertilizer or foliar spray. The silicon supplementation on sugarcane exposed to abiotic and biotic stressors has gained attention due to the substantial enhancement of sugarcane yield and related traits. Notably, silicon application imparts resistance against water stress, cold temperatures, arthropod invasion, and fungal infections in sugarcane crops. Through an in-depth analysis of existing studies, this review underscores the consistently positive effects of silicon fertilization on sugarcane, offering insights into its mechanisms of action and potential applications. Emphasizing the need for continued investigation, it discusses avenues for refining silicon-based interventions, optimizing application methods, and integrating silicon supplementation with other agricultural practices. Additionally, the review addresses gaps in current knowledge, encouraging further studies to elucidate the molecular and physiological basis of silicon-mediated stress tolerance in sugarcane. This review paper offers valuable insights to researchers, agronomists, and policymakers, guiding the development of sustainable strategies to ensure the resilience and productivity of sugarcane crops in the face of evolving environmental challenges.

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Rhizoctonia root-rot diseases in sugar beet: Pathogen diversity, pathogenesis and cutting-edge advancements in management research

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), primarily grown in temperate regions for sugar and biofuel production, is vulnerable to several diseases including foliar and root diseases. These diseases result in significant yield losses and impact grower profitability. Of all the diseases, Rhizoctonia causing diseases in sugar beet roots have always been a challenging problem for achieving high sugar beet production and yield. Heavy crop losses ranging from 30% to 60% or at times complete failure has been recorded in sugar beet depending on the disease severity and pathogen incidence. Rhizoctonia spp., a soil-borne saprophytic fungus, is a common and highly damaging pathogen causing root and crown rot diseases globally, as well as losses during storage. Managing these diseases is crucial. Resistant varieties and genome editing have helped, along with fungicides and biological measures. This comprehensive review provides an updated understanding of Rhizoctonia root rot diseases in sugar beet, covering various aspects such as pathogen diversity, pathogenesis, and anastomosis groups of this fungus. Furthermore, it sheds light on the advancements in management research for Rhizoctonia diseases, including the exploration of biotechnological approaches and biological control methods. These innovative strategies hold the potential for sustainable disease management, reducing reliance on conventional fungicides and minimizing environmental impacts.

Open Access
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