Brassica Rapa Research Articles

Effect of Priming on Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis (Bok Choy) Seeds Germination

Brassica rapa subsp. Chinensis, commonly known as Bok Choy, is a nutrient-rich vegetable with substantial antioxidant content. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of hydropriming and bio-nutri-priming using Sandwich compost leachate on seed germination, SPAD reading, and dry matter accumulation in 280 dwarf variants of Bok Choy seeds sourced from Green Eagle. The experimental process involved hydropriming with tap water, bio-nutri-priming using 0.2% Sandwich compost leachate, and a control group cultivated in soil without priming. A complete randomization design (CRD) with three replications assessed seed germination performance, SPAD, root and shoot dry matter, and root-to-shoot ratio. While there was no significant difference in the germination percentage (88.35±1.13%), the entire priming seeds exhibited a 2-day peak germination period, compared to 3 days for the non-priming counterparts. Bio-nutri-priming seeds showed faster median and mean germination times due to enhanced nutrient uptake. They further displayed high SPAD readings, suggesting a lack of toxic compounds. The dry matter production of all treated Bok Choy was similar because administered treatments did not interfere with plant growth and development. Therefore, applying bio-nutri-priming using Sandwich compost leachate positively affected seed germination performance, warranting its recommendation as a seeds priming solution.

Heterologous Expression of Two Brassica campestris CCCH Zinc-Finger Proteins in Arabidopsis Induces Cytoplasmic Foci and Causes Pollen Abortion

The membrane-less organelles in cytoplasm that are presented as cytoplasmic foci were successively identified. Although multiple CCCH zinc-finger proteins have been found to be localized in cytoplasmic foci, the relationship between their specific localization and functions still needs further clarification. Here, we report that the heterologous expression of two Brassica campestris CCCH zinc-finger protein genes (BcMF30a and BcMF30c) in Arabidopsis thaliana can affect microgametogenesis by involving the formation of cytoplasmic foci. By monitoring the distribution of proteins and observing pollen phenotypes, we found that, when these two proteins were moderately expressed in pollen, they were mainly dispersed in the cytoplasm, and the pollen developed normally. However, high expression induced the assembly of cytoplasmic foci, leading to pollen abortion. These findings suggested that the continuous formation of BcMF30a/BcMF30c-associated cytoplasmic foci due to high expression was the inducement of male sterility. A co-localization analysis further showed that these two proteins can be recruited into two well-studied cytoplasmic foci, processing bodies (PBs), and stress granules (SGs), which were confirmed to function in mRNA metabolism. Together, our data suggested that BcMF30a and BcMF30c play component roles in the assembly of pollen cytoplasmic foci. Combined with our previous study on the homologous gene of BcMF30a/c in Arabidopsis, we concluded that the function of these homologous genes is conserved and that cytoplasmic foci containing BcMF30a/c may participate in the regulation of gene expression in pollen by regulating mRNA metabolism.

Silage production potential of winter cereals and spring corn in rice‐based crop rotations

AbstractRice (Oryza sativa L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori et Paol.) is the main crop rotation in subtropical conditions of northwestern Indo‐Gangetic plains. To meet fodder demand, corn (Zea mays L.) is grown in spring (February–June) for silage making after short duration oilseed crop (Brassica rapa ssp. oleifera) in rice‐based crop rotation. To fulfill the increasing silage demands, production potential of winter cereals for silage making under rice‐based crop rotations was explored. Rice–wheat (for silage)–spring corn (for silage) (R‐W‐SpM) and rice–barley (for silage) (Hordeum vulgare L.)–spring corn (for silage) (R‐B‐SpM) crop rotations were evaluated for silage production in randomized complete block design with four replications during 2020–2021 and 2021–2022. Rice–wheat (for grains) (R‐W) crop rotation was also evaluated for economic comparison of silage production in rice‐based crop rotations. The silage yield of barley was 15.21% higher as compared with wheat, while silage yield of spring corn grown after barley and wheat was statistically similar. The quality of barley silage was better than wheat. The system silage yield (winter cereal + spring corn) was 9.61% higher in R‐B‐SpM than R‐W‐SpM crop rotation. Rice equivalent yield and gross margin of R‐B‐SpM crop rotation (based on silage yield) were 6.54% and 11.02%, respectively higher than R‐W‐SpM. Silage‐based R‐W‐SpM and R‐B‐SpM crop rotations resulted in 79.19% and 98.93%, respectively higher gross margin than R‐W crop rotation.

Fecundity of diamondback moth females when offered honey with pyridalyl, a selective insecticide

AbstractWe previously reported that the presence of pyridalyl, a selective insecticide, in aqueous honey (50% v/v) negatively affects the survival of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella: DBM) adults. However, it remains unclear whether toxicity of pyridalyl in aqueous honey affects the fecundity of adult female DBMs. We analysed the survival and fecundity of adult DBM under the water, honey or honey + pyridalyl conditions in glass tubes containing Japanese mustard spinach (Brassica rapa: Komatsuna) leaves for 10 days. The survival of adults under the honey (50% v/v) and honey + pyridalyl (100‐fold dilution) conditions was significantly higher and lower, respectively, than under the water condition during the experimental period. The number of eggs laid by DBM females each day (fecundity) under the water condition was significantly lower than that under the honey condition throughout the experimental period, except on day 1. In contrast, the numbers under the water and honey + pyridalyl conditions were not significantly different, except on day 2 (the honey + pyridalyl condition was significantly lower). To study the effects of plants grown in pots on the survival and fecundity of DBM females, we conducted experiments using acrylic cages containing potted komatsuna plants. The survival trends under the honey, and honey + pyridalyl conditions in the cages were similar to those in the glass tubes. Fecundity was evaluated based on the total number of subsequent generations (DBM larvae and pupae) on day 10. The numbers were significantly higher in the honey condition than in the water condition. In contrast, the number in the honey + pyridalyl condition was not significantly different from that in the water condition. Given our previous findings that the longevity and fecundity of Cotesia vestalis, an effective natural enemy of DBM larvae, remained unaffected by the presence of pyridalyl in honey as a food supply, our research suggests that introducing devices providing honey infused with pyridalyl in greenhouses as a nutritional source for C. vestalis could be an effective biological control strategy for managing DBM populations within greenhouse environments.

A CRISPR/Cas9-based vector system enables the fast breeding of selection-marker-free canola with Rcr1-rendered clubroot resistance.

Breeding for disease resistance in major crops is of crucial importance for global food security and sustainability. However, common biotechnologies such as traditional transgenesis or genome editing do not provide an ideal solution, whereas transgenic crops free of selection markers such as cisgenic/intragenic crops might be suitable. In this study, after cloning and functional verification of the Rcr1 gene for resistance to clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae), we confirmed that the genes Rcr1, Rcr2, Rcr4, and CRa from Brassica rapa crops and the resistance gene from B. napus oilseed rape cv. 'Mendel' on chromosome A03 were identical in their coding regions. We also determined that Rcr1 has a wide distribution in Brassica breeding materials and renders potent resistance against multiple representative clubroot strains in Canada. We then modified a CRISPR/Cas9-based cisgenic vector system and found that it enabled the fast breeding of selection-marker-free transgenic crops with add-on traits, with selection-marker-free canola (B. napus) germplasms with Rcr1-rendered stable resistance to clubroot disease being successfully developed within 2 years. In the B. napus background, the intragenic vector system was able to remove unwanted residue sequences from the final product with high editing efficiency, and off-target mutations were not detected. Our study demonstrates the potential of applying this breeding strategy to other crops that can be transformed by Agrobacterium. Following the streamlined working procedure, intragenic germplasms can be developed within two generations, which could significantly reduce the breeding time and labor compared to traditional introgression whilst still achieving comparable or even better breeding results.

Yield potency assessment and characters association of promising lines of mustard (Brassica rapa L.) in southern region of Bangladesh

Mustard (<em>Brassica spp</em>.) is a major oilseed crop and the world’s third-largest source of vegetable oil. During the rabi season of 2022–2023, the experiment was carried out at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Barishal, to evaluate the performance of 12 genotypes of <em>Brassica rapa</em> L., including the check variety BARI Sarisha-14. The experiment was conducted under a randomized complete block design (RCBD) design with three replications. Analysis of variance demonstrated highly significant (p ≤ 0.01) differences for the traits viz., plant height, no. of primary branches, no. of secondary branches, and no. of seeds per siliqua, whereas no. of siliqua per plant, 1000 seed weight, and yield kg per hectare had a significant difference at p ≤ 0.05. Among the examined accessions, the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) cluster analysis identified four different clusters. Cluster II (28.91%) with only one accession had the highest average yield, followed by Cluster I (26.25%) and Cluster IV (22.68%) with the best agronomic features. Furthermore, we observed 1.6% and 11.93% greater (+) mean yield compared to the grand mean yield (1502.33 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>) for cluster I and cluster II, respectively. Correlation analysis examines the positive and highly significant association among the yield and its related traits. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a total proportion of variation of 54.86% for PC1 and 16.89% for PC2. The genotypes BC-100614(8)–7 gave a 7.20% higher yield than the check variety. Considering the statistical results, maturity period, yield, and yield contributing characters of <em>Brassica rapa </em>L. genotypes BC-100614(8)-7 (1681 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>), BC-100614(8)-1 (1594 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>) and BC-100614(7)-3 (1565 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>) were noted as promising lines among the evaluated genotypes and suggested for future breeding programs.

EMS-induced mutagenesis in Choy sum (Brassica chinensis var. parachinensis) and selection for low light tolerance using abiotic stress indices

BackgroundChoy Sum (Brassica rapa ssp. chinensis var. parachinensis), grown in a controlled environment, is vulnerable to changes in indoor light quality and displays distinct photo-morphogenesis responses. The scarcity of Choy Sum germplasm for indoor cultivation necessitates the development of new cultivars. Hence, this study attempted to develop mutants through chemical mutagenesis and select low-light-tolerant mutants by using abiotic stress tolerance indices.ResultsA mutant population of Choy Sum created using 1.5% ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) at 4 h was manually pollinated to obtain the M2 generation. 154 mutants with reduced hypocotyl length were initially isolated from 3600 M2 seedlings screened under low light (R: FR = 0.5). Five mutants that showed reduced plant height at mature stages were selected and screened directly for shade tolerance in the M3 generation. Principal component analysis based on phenotypic data distinguished the M3 mutants from the wild type. Abiotic stress tolerance indices such as relative stress index (RSI), stress tolerance index (STI), geometric mean productivity (GMP), yield stability index (YSI), and stress resistance index (SRI) showed significant (P < 0.05), and positive associations with leaf yield under shade. M3-12–2 was selected as a shade-tolerant mutant based on high values of STI, YSI, and SRI with low values for tolerance (TOL) and stress susceptibility index (SSI).ConclusionsThe results demonstrate that mutation breeding can be used to create dominant mutants in Choy Sum. Furthermore, we show that screening for low light and selection based on abiotic tolerance indices allowed the identification of mutants with high resilience under shade. This method should apply to developing new cultivars in other crop plants that can be suitable for controlled environments with stable yield performance.

Mating system is associated with seed phenotypes upon loss of RNA-directed DNA methylation in Brassicaceae.

In plants, de novo DNA methylation is guided by 24-nt short interfering (si)RNAs in a process called RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM). Primarily targeted at transposons, RdDM causes transcriptional silencing and can indirectly influence expression of neighboring genes. During reproduction, a small number of siRNA loci are dramatically upregulated in the maternally derived seed coat, suggesting that RdDM might have a special function during reproduction. However, the developmental consequence of RdDM has been difficult to dissect because disruption of RdDM does not result in overt phenotypes in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), where the pathway has been most thoroughly studied. In contrast, Brassica rapa mutants lacking RdDM have a severe seed production defect, which is determined by the maternal sporophytic genotype. To explore the factors that underlie the different phenotypes of these species, we produced RdDM mutations in 3 additional members of the Brassicaceae family: Camelina sativa, Capsella rubella, and Capsella grandiflora. Among these 3 species, only mutations in the obligate outcrosser, C. grandiflora, displayed a seed production defect similar to Brassica rapa mutants, suggesting that mating system is a key determinant for reproductive phenotypes in RdDM mutants.

A simulation model (PostPLANT-Soil) for predicting pesticide concentrations in succeeding leafy vegetables: II. Validation with experimental data on plant uptake in a growth chamber.

We validated a simulation model (PostPLANT-Soil) for predicting pesticide concentrations in succeeding leafy vegetables reported in our first paper in this series, which includes the pesticide sorption process into plant roots. As a result of the model validation with the measured data from a plant uptake study in a growth chamber, the model successfully simulated the concentration changes of pesticides in a plant shoot. However, the simulated shoot concentrations for several pesticides were overestimated compared to the measured values. The leafy vegetable (Brassica rapa) used in this study probably has a high metabolic ability for the fungicide flutolanil from the result of the uptake study under a hydroponic condition.

No fitness cost in Brassica rapa L. (wild turnip) populations associated with transgenic glyphosate and non-transgenic AHAS-inhibiting herbicides resistance

The adoption of genetically modified (GM) and non-GM Brassica napus herbicide-resistant cultivars, along with the possibility of introgression with B. rapa, has led to the emergence of new weedy biotypes. In Argentina, in 2012, natural populations of transgenic (GM) glyphosate-resistant and non-GM AHAS-inhibiting resistant B. rapa were detected. The investigation of the pleiotropic effects between herbicide resistance and fitness in these biotypes can help determine the potential persistence of these resistances in agricultural fields. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the glyphosate transgene (GT73) and AHAS Trp574Leu mutation on B. rapa vegetative and reproductive traits. Fitness components were compared between susceptible (S) and resistant (R) populations in two trials in a common garden experiment. Each assay was performed in the spring and winter season. One trial was carried out using populations with homogeneous genetic background, and the other using populations with different genetic backgrounds. Plants grown during the winter season exhibited superior performance compared to those grown in spring. No differences were found between R and S biotypes in the parameters evaluated in populations with homogeneous genetic background, except for siliques per main inflorescence where the S biotype produced more siliques than the R, although this later compensated with more seeds per silique. When comparing R and S biotypes with different genetic backgrounds, no significant differences were found in the evaluated parameters. Therefore, glyphosate and AHAS-inhibiting resistances are likely to persist in Brassica rapa populations, even in the absence of herbicide selection pressure.

Cover crop-mediated soil carbon storage and soil health in semi-arid irrigated cropping systems

Cover cropping is considered a climate-smart strategy to regenerate low-fertility soils in arid and semi-arid regions. However, the mechanisms of soil organic carbon (SOC) storage and soil health improvement in semi-arid irrigated cropping systems are poorly understood. The main goal of this study was to evaluate cover crop effects on various physical, chemical, and biological indicators of soil health in an irrigated silage corn (Zea mays L.)–sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] rotation and understanding how changes in soil health contribute to SOC storage. We evaluated various SOC and nitrogen (N) pools, and microbial community structure under cover crop mixture of grasses, brassicas, and legumes (GBL), grasses and brassicas (GB), grasses and legumes (GL), and no cover crops (NCC) control for four years. Grasses included annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and winter triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack), brassicas included turnip (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa L.) and daikon radish (Raphanus sativus var. Longipinnatus Bailey), and legumes included pea (Pisum sativum subsp. arvense L.) and berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.). Soil C pools: SOC, potentially mineralizable C, microbial biomass C, mineral-associated organic C (MAOC), and particulate organic C (POC) were greater with cover crops than without, but the effects were not consistent in all study years. Soil organic N was also greater under cover crops than under NCC. Soil C-to-N (C:N) ratio increased over the years but was similar among treatments. Cover crops used N and soil water to grow, significantly reducing soil inorganic N content and water-filled pore spaces in the first two years. However, fungal and bacterial communities grew better under cover crops with a high fungi-to-bacteria ratio than under NCC. The soil MAOC content was related to microbial community and enzyme activity while POC was affected by soil physicochemical conditions, specifically soil pH and mineral N availability, highlighting two major pathways of SOC sequestration in semi-arid cropping systems. This study showed how cover crops enhance SOC storage and soil health in semi-arid cropping systems.

Genome-Wide Identification of the NRT1 Family Members and Their Expression under Low-Nitrate Conditions in Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis).

Nitrate transporters (NRTs) actively take up and transform nitrate (N) to form a large family with many members and distinct functions in plant growth and development. However, few studies have identified them in the context of low nitrate concentrations in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. Pekinensis), an important vegetable in China. This study focuses on the identification and analysis of the nitrate transporter 1 (NRT1) gene family as well as various aspects, including its phylogenic distribution, chromosomal position, gene structure, conserved motifs, and duplication pattern. Using bioinformatics methods, we identified and analyzed 84 BrNRT1 genes distributed on ten chromosomes. Furthermore, we conducted an analysis of the expression profile of the NRT1 gene in various tissues of Chinese cabbage exposed to varying nitrate concentrations. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that BrNRT1s members are distributed in six distinct groups. Based on an analysis of gene structure and conserved motifs, it can be inferred that BrNRT1 exhibits a generally conserved structural pattern. The promoters of BrNRT1 were discovered to contain moosefs (MFS) elements, suggesting their potential role in the regulation of NO3- transport across the cell membrane in Chinese cabbage. A transcriptome study and a subsequent RT-qPCR analysis revealed that the expression patterns of some BrNRT1 genes were distinct to specific tissues. This observation implies these genes may contribute to nitrate uptake and transport in various tissues or organs. The results offer fundamental insights into investigating the NRT1 gene family in Chinese cabbage. These results provide basic information for future research on the functional characterization of NRT1 genes in Chinese cabbage and the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying low nitrogen tolerance in Chinese cabbage.

Fitness and cold tolerance of Spodoptera frugiperda fed on corn and two winter crops

AbstractFall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda is a major migratory and polyphagous pest. Overwintering, migrating and colonizing characters of FAW are closely related to vegetation and host adaptation. In this study, we investigated oviposition preference, feeding preference of FAW, as well as fitness, cold tolerance of FAW larvae fed on spring and summer crop (corn) and two winter crops (cabbage, Brassica campestris and rape, B. napus). The results showed that FAW could complete their life cycle by feeding on cabbage and rape, although fitness was not as good as corn. FAW fed on cabbage had higher survival, female pupal mass and host suitability index than rape while larvae preferred to feed on rape leaves and females preferred to lay eggs on rape plants. In addition, FAW larvae fed on cabbage had the shortest recovery time from chill coma compared to corn and rape, indicating that cold tolerance of FAW larvae was improved by feeding on cabbage. Consequently, cabbage could be an ideal host for FAW which needed to survive and reproduce in winter. These results improve our understanding of host selection and adaption of FAW, as well as lay a foundation for predicting winter breeding areas of FAW.

Elemental concentrations in green vegetables from the perspective of urolithiasis risk

Although green vegetables are valuable sources of essential elements, and are safe in that they lack harmful elements, they are high in oxalic acid, increasing the risk of urolithiasis. We performed elemental analyses on spinach (Spinacia oleracea L), Malabar nightshade (Basella alba), and water Morning Glory (Ipomoea aquatica), which contain large amounts of oxalic acid, and compared the data to those of Japanese mustard spinach (Brassica rapa var. perviridis), which is the second most commonly consumed green vegetable (after spinach) in Japan. We focused on concentrations of Ca, Mg, and Sr that suppress the formation of ureteral stones (calculi). The calcium concentration in spinach was [Formula: see text]g/g in leaves and [Formula: see text]g/g in stalks, and the level in Japanese mustard spinach were [Formula: see text]g/g in leaves and [Formula: see text]g/g in stalks. The overall Sr concentration in Japanese mustard spinach was thus 10-fold higher than in spinach, but the Mg concentration was lower than that in spinach. The concentrations of Ca and Sr in Malabar nightshade and water Morning Glory were 3- to 5-fold higher than in spinach. As the former vegetables are consumed much less often than spinach, the risk of urolithiasis is low. We explored how the concentrations of these elements changed after boiling.

Gene editing of authentic Brassica rapa flavonol synthase 1 generates dihydroflavonol-accumulating Chinese cabbage

Abstract Flavonols are the major class of flavonoids of green Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis). The B. rapa genome harbors seven flavonol synthase genes (BrFLSs), but they have not been functionally characterized. Here, transcriptome analysis showed four BrFLSs mainly expressed in Chinese cabbage. Among them, only BrFLS1 showed major FLS activity and additional flavanone 3β-hydroxylase (F3H) activity, while BrFLS2 and BrFLS3.1 exhibited only marginal F3H activities. We generated BrFLS1-knockout (BrFLS1-KO) Chinese cabbages using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing and obtained transgene-free homozygous plants without off-target mutation in the T1 generation, which were further advanced to the T2 generation showing normal phenotype. UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS analysis revealed that flavonol glycosides were dramatically decreased in the T2 plants, while dihydroflavonol glycosides accumulated concomitantly to levels corresponding to the reduced levels of flavonols. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed that the early steps of phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthetic pathway were upregulated in the BrFLS1-KO plants. In accordance, total phenolic contents were slightly enhanced in the BrFLS1-KO plants, which suggests a negative role of flavonols in phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis in Chinese cabbage. Phenotypic surveys revealed that the BrFLS1-KO Chinese cabbages showed normal head formation and reproductive phenotypes, but subtle morphological changes in their heads were observed. In addition, their seedlings were susceptible to osmotic stress compared to the controls, suggesting that flavonols play a positive role for osmotic stress tolerance in B.rapa seedling. In this study, we showed that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated BrFLS1-KO successfully generated a valuable breeding resource of Chinese cabbage with distinctive metabolic traits and that CRISPR/Cas9 can be efficiently applied in functional Chinese cabbage breeding.

Transcriptome Shock in Developing Embryos of a Brassica napus and Brassica rapa Hybrid.

Interspecific crosses that fuse the genomes of two different species may result in overall gene expression changes in the hybrid progeny, called 'transcriptome shock'. To better understand the expression pattern after genome merging during the early stages of allopolyploid formation, we performed RNA sequencing analysis on developing embryos of Brassica rapa, B. napus, and their synthesized allotriploid hybrids. Here, we show that the transcriptome shock occurs in the developing seeds of the hybrids. Of the homoeologous gene pairs, 17.1% exhibit expression bias, with an overall expression bias toward B. rapa. The expression level dominance also biases toward B. rapa, mainly induced by the expression change in homoeologous genes from B. napus. Functional enrichment analysis revealed significant differences in differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to photosynthesis, hormone synthesis, and other pathways. Further study showed that significant changes in the expression levels of the key transcription factors (TFs) could regulate the overall interaction network in the developing embryo, which might be an essential cause of phenotype change. In conclusion, the present results have revealed the global changes in gene expression patterns in developing seeds of the hybrid between B. rapa and B. napus, and provided novel insights into the occurrence of transcriptome shock for harnessing heterosis.

The effects of pH on phosphorus utilisation by chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) is known to secrete organic anions. We investigated its effectiveness in obtaining P over a range of pH values.MethodsWe grew two cultivars of chickpea, supplied with either ammonium or nitrate nitrogen, at 10 levels of applied P, and at four initial pH values. We measured plant weight, P concentration in the tops, and rhizosphere pH. We compared the results with those previously obtained for lucerne (Medicago sativa), mustard (Brassica campestris) and rice (Oryza sativa).ResultsAbove an initial pHCaCl2, of about 5, rhizosphere pH decreased; below this value it increased. The changes in pH were proportional to the amounts of P applied. They were greatest at high levels of applied P. Best growth occurred when the initial pHCaCl2 was 5.9 and when the rhizosphere pHCaCl2 was close to 5. Plots of growth against plant shoot P concentration showed little effect of low pH suggesting that aluminium toxicity was only of minor importance. Nevertheless, plant weight was severely depressed by low pH.ConclusionsThe mechanism of P uptake for chickpea seems to differ from that for lucerne, mustard and rice. The way that the charge on the phosphate ions is balanced seems to depend on the soil pH. Further, uptake is much more markedly depressed by at low pH.

Aqueous Extract of Brassica rapa L.'s Impact on Modulating Exercise-Induced Fatigue via Gut-Muscle Axis.

Exercise-induced fatigue is a common physiological response to prolonged physical activity, often associated with changes in gut microbiota and metabolic responses. This study investigates the potential role of Brassica rapa L. in modulating these responses. Using an animal model subjected to chronic exercise-induced stress, we explored the effects of Brassica rapa L. on fatigue-related biomarkers, energy metabolism genes, inflammatory responses, intestinal integrity, and gut microbiota composition. Our findings revealed that Brassica rapa L. exhibits significant antioxidant activity and effectively modulates physiological responses to fatigue. It influences gene expression related to the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle in muscle tissue through the AMPK/PGC-1α/TFAM signaling pathway. Furthermore, Brassica rapa L. has been found to alleviate inflammation by inhibiting lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infection and suppressing the activation of the NF-κB pathway. It also maintains intestinal integrity and controls Gram-negative bacterial growth. A correlation analysis identified several pathogenic bacteria linked with inflammation and energy metabolism, as well as beneficial probiotic bacteria associated with improved energy metabolism and reduced inflammation. These findings underscore Brassica rapa L.'s potential for managing prolonged exercise-induced fatigue, paving the way for future therapeutic applications. The results highlight its impact on gut microbiota modulation and its role in nutrition science and sports medicine.

A hybrid simulation framework for predicting virus impacts on Chinese cabbage yields

AbstractSustainable production of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L.) is essential for the economy and food security in South Korea. However, climate change poses significant threats to its growth and quality. Changes in precipitation patterns, such as drought and heavy rain, can affect the development of crop, leading to stunted growth or disease. This can lead to significant losses in crop yield. In this study, a hybrid modeling system was developed to predict the incidence of viral disease and evaluate impacts of combination of virus infection and environmental variabilities (including climate and location) on marketable cabbage yields. The crop growth model was successfully developed using a limited number (n = 7) of previous studies (root mean square error 0.25–0.33 Mg ha−1, R2 = 0.87–0.99). The developed hybrid modeling system was composed of a virus incident model and a crop growth model. According to simulated results, all study locations had around 20% incidence rates. However, based on the simulation results, the rates of viral disease incidence varied depending on the climate of each year. Among several climatic factors, precipitation had the greatest effect on virus outbreaks. Jeju Island, which had relatively high rainfall, had a higher disease incidence rate than other provinces. According to shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs), in SSP245 (an intermediate development pathway), the yield of 1.58 Mg ha−1 was reduced to 1.26 Mg ha−1 due to a 25% viral disease outbreak. In SSP585 (a high development pathway), with an incidence of 23%, the yield was reduced by 0.2 Mg ha−1. These results will be useful for efficiently cultivating crops under various climatic conditions and seeking management methods to minimize damage from viral disease.

Evaluation of a Series of Turnip Mosaic Virus Chimeric Clones Reveals Two Amino Acid Sites Critical for Systemic Infection in Chinese Cabbage.

Two infectious clones of turnip mosaic virus (TuMV), pKBC-1 and pKBC-8, with differential infectivity in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis), were obtained. Both infected Nicotiana benthamiana systemically, inducing similar symptoms, whereas only virus KBC-8 infected Chinese cabbage systemically. To identify the determinants affecting infectivity on Chinese cabbage, chimeric clones were constructed by restriction fragment exchange between the parental clones and tested on several Chinese cabbage cultivars. Chimeric clones p1N8C and p8N1C demonstrated that the C-terminal portion of the polyprotein determines systemic infection of Chinese cabbage despite only three amino acid differences in this region, in the cylindrical inclusion (CI), viral protein genome-linked (VPg), and coat protein (CP). A second pair of hybrid constructs, pHindIII-1N8C and pHindIII-8N1C, failed to infect cultivars CR Victory and Jinseonnorang systemically, yet pHindIII-1N8C caused hypersensitive response-like lesions on inoculated leaves of these cultivars, and could systemically infect cultivars CR Chusarang and Jeongsang; this suggests that R genes effective against TuMV may exist in the first two cultivars but not the latter two. Constructs with single amino acid changes in both VPg (K2045E) and CP (Y3095H) failed to infect Chinese cabbage, implying that at least one of these two amino acid substitutions is essential for successful infection on Chinese cabbage. Successful infection by mutant KBC-8-CP-H and delayed infection with mutant HJY1-VPg-E following mutation or reversion suggested that VPg (2045K) is the residue required for infection of Chinese cabbage and involved in the interaction between VPg and eukaryotic initiation factor eIF(iso)4E, confirmed by yeast two-hybrid assay.