Chemical Traits Research Articles

Exploring the impact of elevated pH and short maceration on the deterioration of red wines: physical and chemical perspectives

This study explored the impact of high pH and short maceration on red wines' physical and chemical traits and stability. Specifically, wines from Petit verdot, Merlot, Malbec and Tempranillo grapes, harvested in a tropical wine-producing region, were analysed. A consistent maceration period of 96 hours was applied in all vinification trials. After six months of bottling, parameters such as colour, acetaldehyde levels, higher alcohols and phenolic compounds were assessed. The findings highlighted significant impacts of grape pH on chemical stability, influenced by the phenolic profile of each grape variety. The short maceration period reduced phenolic compound extraction in high-pH musts, leading to decreased antioxidant potential and chemical stability. Critical indicators included colorimetric parameters, acetaldehyde and free SO₂ content. Acetaldehyde levels were strongly correlated with free SO₂ consumption and colour variations, signifying oxidative processes. Wines with higher concentrations of (+)-catechin, procyanidins and monomeric anthocyanins exhibited enhanced stability, while the presence of hydroxycinnamic acids was associated with oxidative changes. Caffeic acid emerged as a potential marker of oxidative stress, particularly in grapes from warmer climates. To improve the stability of wines made from high-pH grapes, extended maceration times or increased SO₂ dosages may be required.

Hypoxylon luteogranulatum (Hypoxylaceae, Xylariales), a novel species from Thailand with distinct chemical and ecological traits

ABSTRACT During the course of our ongoing study of the diversity of Thai fungi and their secondary metabolites, numerous specimens within the Hypoxylaceae have been characterised by traditional morphology, chemotaxonomy using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection and ion mobility tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-IM-MS/MS), and molecular phylogenetic analyses. MS/MS-based analysis of the major stromatal metabolites of a newly identified taxon, Hypoxylon luteogranulatum, indicated the production of distinct compounds compared to the azaphilone and binaphthalene pigments commonly found in the Hypoxylaceae, aside from the presence of the chemotaxonomic marker binaphthalene tetrol (BNT). Further analysis suggested that one of the major metabolites had the molecular formula C13H13NO3, identical to hypoxyvermelhotin A, a yellow pigment so far exclusively found in Hypoxylon lechatii. Its identity was confirmed after purification by preparative high-performance liquid chromatography with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data, and genome analysis of H. lechatii revealed the presence of different hybrid polyketide synthases-non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (PKS-NRPS) hybrid clusters. Despite chemotaxonomic similarities with H. lechatii, we propose a new species, which is morphologically distinct from H. lechatii. Our molecular phylogenetic study provides substantial evidence distinguishing H. luteogranulatum clearly from H. lechatii and allied members within the Hypoxylaceae. Additionally, future studies are needed to better understand the ecological behaviour of H. luteogranulatum and identify the ecological role of the vermelhotin-like molecules within this putative interaction.

Engineering nanoliposomal tiotropium bromide embedded in a lactose-arginine carrier forming Trojan-particle dry powders for efficient pulmonary drug delivery: A combined approach of in vitro-3D printing and in silico-CFD modeling.

Nanocarrier-based dry powders for lung disease treatment are crucial, with in vitro and in silico research being pivotal to their success. This study introduces a method for creating Tiotropium-bromide liposomal inhalation dry powder, termed "Trojan-particles," utilizing thin-film hydration and spray-drying with lactose-arginine carriers. Encapsulating tiotropium-bromide in nanoliposomes enhances lung treatment via liposomes' unique features. This formulation was examined through in vitro-3D-printing and in silico-CFD analysis. Nanoliposomes and powder were evaluated for physicochemical attributes, aerosolization, encapsulation-efficiency (EE%), and release. Both liposomes (90 nm) and powder particles (3 µm) were spherical. Liposomes had an EE% over 95 % and a zeta-potential of -28.3 mV. The optimal formulation was tested in vitro at 30, 60, and 90 L/min using a 3D-printed airway replica. CFD analysis evaluated particle deposition in steady and realistic inhalation with monodisperse and polydisperse particles. Based on realistic airway geometry, model utilized k-ω-SST turbulence model for the continuous phase and Lagrangian-DEM for the discrete phase, analyzed through ANSYS Fluent. The 20 %-arginine nanoliposomal-tiotropium formulation outperformed others due to arginine's dispersibility and therapeutic benefits, including nitric oxide conversion. The formulation competes with commercial dry powders due to its chemical, biochemical advantages, and Trojan-based physical traits, reducing exhalation risk. Simulation data aligned with experimental findings, showing that higher inhalation flows increase particle deposition in airways due to greater inertia and turbulence. At 60 L/min, the polydisperse model matched experimental data better than the monodisperse model. Alongside improving dry powder performance via a nanoliposomal formulation, this research highlights the development of a novel CFD method for their assessment.

EFEITO DAS DOSES DE DEJETO LÍQUIDO DE SUÍNOS NOS ATRIBUTOS FÍSICOS, QUÍMICOS E ELETROQUÍMICOS EM UM LATOSSOLO DO CERRADO

EFFECT OF LIQUID SWINE WASTEWATER DOSES ON PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL AND ELECTROCHEMICAL ATTRIBUTES IN A CERRADO OXISOL. The addition of organic residues enhances soil and plant organic matter and nutrient content. To gauge the impact of varying liquid swine waste (LSW) levels on soil, we studied changes in a clayey Oxisol’s physical, chemical, and electrochemical traits from the Cerrado. LSW doses (0, 50, 150, 450, 600 m3 ha-1) were applied to the 0-0.20 m layer in a randomized design with three replicates. Post a 30-day incubation at 60% field capacity, the soil underwent mineralogical, physical (clay dispersed in water - CDW), chemical (sodium adsorption ratio - SAR, cation exchange capacity - CEC, base saturation - V%), and electrochemical (pH in H2O and KCl, ∆pH, point of zero charge - PZC, point of zero salt effect - PZSE, surface electric potential - ψo, and electrical conductivity - EC) analyses. The levels of exchangeable Ca, K, Mg, Na, and available P increased with increasing LSW doses. Increasing LSW doses in the soil led to an increase in EC, but soil salinization was not observed at the highest dose. With the application of LSW doses, there was a decrease in pH, ∆pH, PZSE, and an increase in CEC, PZC and ψo. Despite the increase in ψo, low clay dispersibility was observed.

Functional Traits and Species Identity Drive Decomposition Along a Successional Gradient in Upper Andean Tropical Forests

ABSTRACTLeaf litter decomposition constitutes one of the most vital processes for maintaining productivity and carbon release in ecosystems. However, this remains one of the least understood processes in upper Andean tropical forests (UATF), a highly diverse ecoregion that has undergone extensive transformation over the centuries. In this study, we aimed to determine the relationships between decomposition rates of leaf litter, leaf functional traits, and microclimatic conditions along a successional gradient of UATF. We also tested the “after‐life effect” by analyzing changes between green and senescent leaves. We performed a fully reciprocal translocation experiment with 15 representative species of UATF in a set of 14 permanent plots by using 2520 litterbags distributed across 42 experimental units (three litterbeds per plot), over 1.5 years, with four harvesting times (3, 6, 12, and 18 months). Chemical and physical traits were measured in green and senescent leaves to identify the best predictors of decomposition and to analyze the “after‐life effect.” We found that functional traits and species identity drive litter decomposition in UATF, rather than succession and microclimatic conditions of soil moisture and temperature. The relative importance of traits was prevalent in all stages of decay, despite being stronger in the early phases. Although we found an “after‐life effect” of green leaves in decomposition, changes in chemical composition from green to senescent leaves indicated substantial nitrogen resorption, which is a limiting resource in tropical montane forests. With the increasing landscape transformation in UATF, changes in plant species composition could have profound impacts by altering decomposition rates, nutrient cycling, and global carbon storage.

Leaf traits and insect herbivory levels in two Mediterranean oaks and their hybrids through contrasting environmental gradients.

Insect herbivory has attracted enormous attention from researchers due to its effects on plant fitness. However, there remain questions such as what are the most important leaf traits that determine consumption levels, whether there are latitudinal gradients in herbivore pressure, or whether there are differences in susceptibility between hybrids and their parental species. In this work we address all these issues in two species of Mediterranean Quercus (Q. faginea and Q. pyrenaica) and their hybrids. Over two years, we analyzed leaf emergence and 11 leaf traits (biomechanical, chemical and morphological), as well as the levels of herbivory by insects in leaves of the three genetic groups in different locations distributed along a climatic gradient. The hybrids showed intermediate values ​​between both species in leaf emergence, chemical traits and in structural reinforcement. By contrast, they were more similar to Q. faginea in leaf size and shape. Despite their intermediate leaf traits, hybrids always showed lower losses by consumption than both parental species, which suggests that they possess inherent higher resistance to herbivores, which cannot be explained by their dissimilarities in leaf traits. Within each genetic group, differences in leaf size were the most important determinant of differences in herbivory losses, which increased with leaf size. In turn, leaf size increased significantly with the increase in mean annual temperatures across the climatic gradient, in parallel with herbivory losses. In conclusion, contrary to our expectations, hybrids maintained lower levels of herbivory than their parent species. Given the potential negative effect of leaf herbivory on C fixation, this advantage of the hybrids would imply a threat to the persistence of both pure species. More research is needed to elucidate possible alternative mechanisms that allow maintaining species integrity in the absence of reproductive barriers.

Does a whole plant conservation gradient exist within a subtropical broadleaved evergreen forest?

The coordination between leaf and root traits is crucial for plants to synchronize their strategies for acquiring and utilizing above- and belowground resources. Nevertheless, the generality of a whole plant conservation gradient is still controversial. Such testing has been conducted mainly among communities at large spatial scales, and thus evidence is lacking within communities. This is noteworthy because factors that influence leaf and root trait variation differ across scales. Here, we measured pairs of analogous leaf and first-order root traits, including morphological (leaf thickness (LT) and root diameter (RD), leaf mass per unit area (LMA) and specific root length (SRL), and leaf and root tissue density (LTD and RTD)) and chemical traits (carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) concentrations in leaf and root tissues), on the same plants from 60 woody species within a subtropical broad-leaved evergreen forest. The trade-off patterns in and correlations between leaf and root traits were examined using (phylogenetic) principal component analysis and correlation analysis. Our results revealed two dominant dimensions of leaf trait variation, the leaf economics spectrum (LES) and the LT-LTD trade-off axis. Variations in root traits were mainly accounted for by a two-dimensional root economics space (RES) (i.e., root conservation gradient (RTD-RN) and root collaboration gradient (RD-SRL)). The LES and root conservation gradient were correlated and could be integrated into one whole plant conservation gradient, independent of the root collaboration gradient and the leaf LT-LTD trade-off dimension. Leaf and root N concentrations correlated positively, independent of phylogeny, whereas analogous leaf and root morphological traits varied independently of each other. These results support the existence of a whole plant conservation gradient, but also highlight a complex integration of multiple above- and belowground adaptive strategies of plants within a forest community, which offer new insight into ecological trade-offs, species coexistence and community assembly in the forest ecosystem.

Identification of QTLs and Key Genes Enhancing Lodging Resistance in Soybean Through Chemical and Physical Trait Analysis

Lodging of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merril.) significantly reduces seed yield and quality, particularly in high-yielding environments. This phenomenon occurs when stems weaken under the weight of the plants, complicating harvesting. This study investigated the relationship between soybean stem chemical composition, physical traits, and lodging resistance to improve yield and resilience. We found that as plant density increased, stem hardness decreased, and the elasticity increased, heightening the risk of lodging. Conversely, high temperature (28 °C) boosted lignin, cellulose and pectin content in the stem cell walls, enhancing the lodging resistance. Additionally, after excluding differences in phylogenetic relationships through cluster analysis, we mapped environment-stable genes linked to lodging resistance and identified new QTLs on Chr3 and Chr16. Candidate genes associated with these QTLs were confirmed using qRT–PCR and hormone treatments across diverse soybean varieties. It was found that the expression of stem tip genes was closely related to stem node diameter. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for breeding high-yielding soybean varieties with improved lodging resistance, and advance efforts to develop resilient soybean cultivars.

Identification of Relationships Between Chemical and Agromorphological Traits in Raspberry (Rubus idaeus Linnaeus) Genotypes by Multivariate Analysis

In this study, agro-morphological characteristics of raspberry (Rubus idaeus Linnaeus) genotypes naturally grown in Çivril, the central district of Bolu province in Türkiye were determined. In the study, parameters belonging to the genotypes were determined as follows: fruit weight was between 2.52 g (Genotype 4) and 1.30 g (Genotype 2), fruit width was between 18.18 mm (Genotype 6) and 15.33 mm (Genotype 2), fruit length was between 18.45 mm (Genotype 6) and 12.87 mm (Genotype 2), seed width was between 1.30 mm (Genotype 4) and 1.10 mm (Genotype 6), seed height was between 2.37 mm (Genotype 1) and 1.84 mm (Genotype 6). In addition, in genotypes, fruit stem thickness ranged from 0.91 mm (Genotype 4) to 0.67 mm (Genotype 5), fruit stem pit depth ranged from 13.99 mm (Genotype 6) to 10.58 mm (Genotype 5), fruit stem pit width ranged from 10.08 mm (Genotype 4) to 7.82 mm (Genotype 9). Also, genotype 3 (13.80%) had the highest soluble solids content (SSC) and Genotype 9 (3.60%) had the highest titratable acidity (TA). The pH values observed in the genotypes varied between 3.06 and 3.29. Also, in color value parameters, the highest L*, a*, b*, chroma and hue° angle values were 32.22 (Genotype 8), 23.75 (Genotype 1), 12.86 (Genotype 1), 27.10 (Genotype 1) and 28.22 (Genotype 1), respectively. As a result of the study, it was concluded that various genotypes that stand out in terms of agro-morphological characteristics can be evaluated as breeding material in functional raspberry production.

Microplastics in Morocco's most consumed fisheries: Chemical characterization, ecological traits, and implications for human health

The pervasive presence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment is well established, yet many critical questions remain about their distribution and potential impacts on both ecological and human health. To assess the risks that MPs pose, especially through marine ecosystems and human consumption, monitoring their ingestion by fish in natural environments is essential. This study investigated the contamination of 12 fish species, the most commonly consumed in Morocco, collected from the Atlantic Ocean off the Moroccan coast. Analysis of 240 fish (20 individuals per species) revealed that 100 % of the samples contained microplastics. MPs were detected in the gills, gonads, and gastrointestinal tracts of all 12 species. The average abundance of microplastics per fish ranged from 20.6 to 133.2 MPs, with the forms identified as fragments (60 %), fibers (30 %), films (8 %), and pellets and foams (1 %). Additionally, omnivorous and demersal species presented the highest levels of MP contamination. Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) analysis identified seven polymers, with high-density polyethylene (34 %), polyethylene terephthalate (30 %), and polypropylene (17.5 %) being the most prevalent. The microplastics were predominantly dark or light in color, with a notable presence of red and blue particles. Fish ingest various sizes of microplastics, primarily particles smaller than 1 mm. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM/EDX) revealed that most MPs exhibited visible signs of weathering and contained inorganic components on their surfaces. The potential risk of MPs to fish, as assessed by the polymer hazard index (PHI), was categorized as level V, indicating that MPs may pose significant risks to human health. The highest estimated daily intake (EDI) of microplastics was found in children (1620 MPs/year), whereas the lowest intake was estimated in women (350 MPs/year) and men (337 MPs/year). Given the widespread presence of microplastics in commonly consumed fish species in Morocco, there is an urgent need for regulatory measures to ensure the safety of fisheries, both for domestic consumption and export. Policymakers should consider the development of guidelines for acceptable levels of microplastic contamination in fish to safeguard public health.

Analysis of Chemical Traits of Pollen from Nine Ericaceous Species in Southwestern China

Chemical traits (primary and secondary metabolites) are important features of plants. An increasing number of studies have focused on the ecological significance of secondary metabolites in plant parts, especially in pollen. Ericaceae species exhibit significant morphological variations and diverse colors, are widely distributed throughout China and are popular ornamental garden plants. The chemical trait of pollen in Ericaceae species and their potential ecological significance remain unclear. We selected a total of nine Ericaceae species from three nature reserves in southwestern China, which were the predominant flowering Ericaceae plants for each site, and measured their floral characteristics, nectar volume and sugar concentration. We determined the types of pollinators of these species based on a literature review and used UPLC-QTOF-MS to analyze the types and relative contents of primary metabolites (amino acids and fatty acids) and secondary metabolites (terpenoids, phenolics and nitrogenous compounds) in the pollen and other tissues, including the stems, leaves, petals and nectar. The results showed that each species exhibited unique floral characteristics. Enkianthus ruber, Pieris formosa, Rhododendron agastum, R. irroratum, R. virgatum and R. rubiginosum were pollinated by bees, and R. delavayi, R. decorum and R. excellens were pollinated by diverse animals (bees, birds and Lepidoptera). The pollen of these Ericaceae species was rich in phenolics and terpenoids, especially flavonoids. Grayanotoxin, andromedotoxin and asebotin (toxic diterpene compounds) were also detected in the pollen of some of the Ericaceae species in our study, and their response value was low. The relative contents and diversity of secondary metabolites in the pollen were higher than those in the nectar but lower than those in the leaves, petals and stems. The five chemical compounds with the highest content (four flavonoids, one triterpene) in the pollen were also detected in the stems, leaves and petals, and the response value of most of these chemicals in pollen was not significantly correlated with that in other tissues. Rhododendron species has a closer relationship with chemical traits in pollen compared with Enkianthus and Pieris species. The response value of total secondary metabolites in the pollen of species pollinated only by bees was higher than that of species pollinated by diverse animals. Our research indicates that the pollen of ericaceous species contains a wide array of metabolites, establishing a foundation for advancing the nutritional potential of the pollen of horticultural ericaceous species and deepening our understanding of its chemical and ecological significance.

QTL mapping of almond kernel quality traits in the F1 progeny of 'Marcona' × 'Marinada'.

Almond breeding is increasingly focusing on kernel quality. However, unlike other agronomic traits, the genetic basis of physical and chemical kernel quality traits has been poorly investigated. To address this gap, we conducted a QTL mapping of these traits to enhance our understanding of their genetic control. We phenotyped fruit samples from an F1 population derived from the cross between 'Marcona' and 'Marinada' for up to four years, using conventional and image analysis methods. Additionally, the 91 individuals of the population were genotyped with the almond Axiom™ 60K SNP array, and high-density linkage maps were constructed. These analyses identified several genomic regions of breeding interest. For example, two regions on chromosome one were found to contain QTLs for kernel shape and dimension, while another region at the end of the same chromosome contained QTLs for kernel fatty acid composition. Notably, QTLs for kernel symmetry and kernel shoulder, reported for the first time in this study, were also mapped on chromosome one. These QTLs will serve as a foundation for developing molecular markers linked to kernel physical and chemical quality traits in almonds, facilitating the integration of marker-assisted selection into breeding programs.

Technological characterization of tropical woods from the genus Eperua (Fabaceae)

ABSTRACT In the Amazon basin, effective forest management plans are essential for sustainability, as they promote the exploration of new species. The Fabaceae family, which is abundant in tropical forests, includes tree species with timber potential, but gaps remain in understanding their properties. This study investigated the chemical and physicomechanical properties of Eperua from the Brazilian Amazon. Trees were randomly collected from native forests in Amazonas/Brazil. The samples were analyzed to determine their chemical and physicomechanical traits. The results revealed that Eperua falcata had high concentrations of extractives and lignin (15% and 27%, respectively), whereas Eperua leucantha and Eperua purpurea presented relatively high holocellulose contents, reaching up to 66%. The physicomechanical properties indicated a low moisture content (dry matter > 90%) and densities ranging from 620 to 900 kg m−3. All the samples had anisotropy values <1.8%. E. falcata and E. schomburgkiana presented the highest values for higher heating value, modulus of elasticity, rupture, and hardness. The analysis of the chemical composition, along with the physical and mechanical properties of the woods from the genus Eperua, reveals significant potential for applications in sustainable construction and high added-value products, particularly in sectors requiring durability and resistance, such as civil construction and furniture manufacturing.

Abundance of Human Pathogenic Microorganisms in the Halophyte Salicornia europaea L.: Influence of the Chemical Composition of Shoots and Soils

Salicornia europaea L. is a halophilic plant species belonging to Chenopodiaceae, whose shoots are used as a vegetable. Since the shoots can be eaten raw, the objective of the present study was to investigate possible controls on the abundance of human pathogenic microorganisms (HPMOs) in the shoots as a health risk. For this reason, the molecular-chemical composition of shoots, site-specific soil organic matter (bulk and rhizosphere), and soil pH and salinity were analyzed. Plant and soil samples were taken from two test sites with differing salinity levels in France (a young and an old marsh). We hypothesized that the chemical traits of plants and soils could suppress or promote HPMOs and, thus, serve as risk indicators for food quality. The chemical traits of shoots and bulk and rhizosphere soil were measured through thermochemolysis using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The densities of cultivable HPMOs (Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes) were determined in plant shoots, rhizosphere soil, and bulk soil using selective media. Negative correlations between lignin content in the shoots and the abundance of S. enterica, as well as between lignin content in bulk soil and the abundance of E. coli, are explained by the lignin-based rigidity and its protective effect on the cell wall. In the shoot samples, the content of lipids was positively correlated with the abundance of E. coli. The abundance of E. coli, S. enterica, and L. monocytogenes in bulk soil decreased with increasing soil pH, which is linked to increased salinity. Therefore, soil salinity is proposed as a tool to decrease HPMO contamination in S. europaea and ensure its food safety.

Coordination between leaf pH and other leaf traits are divergent among life-forms and eco-geographic regions in plants of northern China

Abstract As a key functional trait affecting many physiological processes, leaf pH is closely related to other leaf traits at local scale. Nevertheless, whether and how leaf pH is linked with other leaf functional traits across geographic scales remains unclear. A field survey in northern China was conducted to investigate the relationships between leaf pH and some key leaf structural (specific leaf area, SLA; leaf dry matter content, LDMC) and chemical traits (elemental concentrations; total dissolved solids, TDS; practical salinity), as well as the effects of environmental factors on these relationships. Our results showed that the trait coordination may vary in degree or direction across eco-geographic regions (arid vs non-arid regions) and life-forms (woody vs herbaceous plants). Generally, leaf pH was negatively related to SLA, but positively related to TDS and salinity. However, leaf pH and LDMC were negatively correlated in arid regions but positively correlated in non-arid regions; leaf pH covaried with N (similarly, with Ca, Mg, and Na) in the same direction for both herbaceous and woody plants in arid regions, but not in non-arid regions. The relationships of leaf pH with leaf Ca and Fe concentrations were mainly influenced by climatic factors, while those with leaf P, Ca and Mn concentrations mostly affected by soil factors. Our findings highlight the divergent coordination between leaf pH and other leaf traits across life-forms and eco-geographic regions, and may shed light on the in-depth understanding of the role of acid-base balance in plant eco-physiological processes and ecological adaptation over biogeographic scales.

Application of metabolomics in quality control of traditional Chinese medicines: a review.

Plant metabolites are the components endowing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with therapeutic effects, and, simultaneously, they are the primary targets for quality control. From germplasm selection and origin determination to field management, growth duration, harvesting and processing, and, finally, storage and transportation, each step profoundly influences TCM quality. The complexity of these plant or herb metabolites poses numerous quality control challenges. Metabolomics, as a comprehensive and systematic approach, has demonstrated value in this field. This technique not only meets the requirements for studying the complex mechanisms of TCM but also has significant advantages in identifying the TCM components, including active components. Therefore, in this article, several key factors affecting the chemical characteristics and quality traits of TCM, including their origin, harvesting period, medicinal parts, and processing methods, are researched. Additionally, the current challenges of integrating metabolomics with other omics technologies (transcriptomics, spatial metabolomics, etc.) are discussed. Furthermore, a future development trends and prospects are highlighted. With the continuous deepening of research and ongoing updates in technological capabilities, metabolomics will play an increasingly important role in the quality control of TCM, providing more scientific and robust support for quality assurance and safety evaluation.

Physiological, morphological and chemical changes in pea seeds under different storage conditions

The loss of germination, viability, and vigor of seeds under storage conditions are the main causes of the need to multiply the seed material for leguminous crops. For crop establishment, seeds obtained in propagation fields are usually used, and the coating comes from the basic seed. In the case of leguminous species, the seeds quickly lose their viability, and in accordance with international regulations, for legumes, the number of seeds increases only in the first year of propagation. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the effects of variations in the storage period, temperature and humidity on the morphophysiological and chemical traits of two pea seed varieties (Gloriosa and Kelvedon Wonder). The pea seeds were harvested at the end of June 2017, 2018 and 2019 and stored for 32, 20 and 8 months at T = 4 °C and H = 8%; T = 4 °C and H = 12%; T = 8 °C and H = 8%; T = 8 °C and H = 12%; and T = 22 °C and H = 65%. The results of the morphological, chemical, and biochemical analyses showed that the highest germination rate; hypocotyl length; radicle length; lipid content; dietetic fiber content; caloric value; and Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe and Zn contents were detected in the Gloriosa and KW seeds stored for 8 months at 4 °C and 8% humidity. Analysis of the experimental data by statistical methods revealed that increasing the storage time had an individual significant negative influence only on the germination rate of both pea varieties and on the hypocotyl length and radicle length of the KW variety, while humidity and temperature variation had individual significant influences on the lipid content. The significant effects of humidity and temperature on the germination rate, hypocotyl length and root length of KW plants were also determined. For the remaining morphophysiological and chemical traits of pea seeds, the individual and combined effects of the factors were not statistically significant. Furthermore, the comparison of means using the Tukey test showed that storage conditions related to temperature and humidity generally used by farmers (T = 22 °C × H = 65%) did not significantly affect the majority of the nutritional properties of the pea seeds. However, maintaining pea seeds under these conditions for a longer period of time significantly affects seed germination and vigor.

Wood microbiome variation and interactions with fungal symbionts of invasive ambrosia beetles

The microbiomes of plants can modulate the impacts of pests, including through interactions with microbiomes of pathogen vectors such as ambrosia beetles. While physical and chemical traits of plant hosts are known to affect beetle-carried microbes, how beetle and host microbiomes interact is seldom explored. We aimed to determine whether wood-inhabiting endophytes mediate host susceptibility to Fusarium dieback, an emergent tree disease complex that includes ambrosia beetle vectors. We studied three competent host tree species (Persea americana, Salix spp., Platanus racemosa) common in disease hot spots in agricultural and wildland habitats. Using culturing methods, we compared wood microbiomes of 319 attacked and 133 non-attacked trees across a network of 47 beetle-infested and 41 non-infested plots in southern California, USA. We conducted 1,148 in vitro assays to evaluate antagonism by wood-inhabiting endophytic fungi (60 species) and bacteria (40 species) to the Fusarium pathogens, finding 15 fungal and 11 bacterial species with clear antagonism to the pathogen. Such wood endophytes may potentially protect tree hosts as biological control agents. Antagonistic microbes were more common in attacked trees than in non-attacked trees, suggesting the abundance of antagonistic fungi and bacteria in the wood is insufficient to determine host susceptibility to attack or they are enriched in attacked trees. Wood-inhabiting microbial communities were consistently different between cultivated P. americana and wildland tree species, as there were some differences based on host attack status. Differences between attacked and non-attacked trees were reflected in different microbial consortia rather than the abundance of individual, antagonistic microbial species.

Seagrass Tolerance to Simulated Herbivory Along a Latitudinal Gradient: Predicting the Potential Effects of Tropicalisation.

The polewards range expansion of tropical herbivorous fish into temperate latitudes is leading to overgrazing of marine habitats and community phase shifts in some regions. Here, we test the potential effects of increased herbivory on the temperate habitat-forming seagrass Posidonia australis. We used a series of simulated herbivory experiments to predict the potential impacts of climate-mediated increases in seagrass consumption along P. australis entire latitudinal range (~9° latitude) in eastern Australia (1700 km of coastline). We subjected treatment plots to two levels of simulated herbivory (10% or 80% of leaves clipped) and compared them to unclipped controls. We measured seagrass leaf growth rates and tissue chemical traits: carbohydrates in rhizomes, leaf phenolics, and nutrients (carbon, nitrogen, and C:N ratio) in leaves and rhizomes. At the warmest range-edge population, we also tested how responses to increased herbivory may vary between summer and winter, or with repeated clipping events. Clipped shoots maintained growth rates similar to unclipped controls despite losing up to 80% of leaf biomass. This was consistent along the full latitudinal range and after repeated simulated herbivory at the northernmost location. One-off clipping events impacted plant architecture, increasing the number of subdividing shoots. At the species range edge, leaves grew more in winter than in summer, and clipping tended to lower seagrass growth only in winter; however, higher levels of shoot subdivision were produced over summer than in winter. Plant chemical traits could not explain consistently the growth patterns observed despite some traits varying with latitude (e.g., leaf nitrogen content decreased with latitude and C:N ratio increased) and/or simulated herbivory. Synthesis: P. australis growth is not affected by increases in simulated herbivory and may be relatively resilient to future increases in seagrass consumption, suggesting that this species could be a relative 'winner' under future climate change conditions that lead to enhanced herbivory.

Genotypic Variation and Potential Mechanisms of Resistance against Multiple Insect Herbivores in Cranberries.

Plant genotypes often exhibit varying resistance levels to herbivores. However, the impact of this genotypic variation on resistance against multiple herbivores remains poorly understood, especially in crops undergoing recent process of domestication. To address this gap, we studied the magnitude and mechanism of resistance in 12 cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) genotypes to three leaf-chewing herbivores - Sparganothis fruitworm (Sparganothis sulfureana), spotted fireworm (Choristoneura parallela), and spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) - along a domestication gradient (native 'wild' genotypes, 'early hybrid' genotypes, and 'modern hybrid' genotypes). Like cranberries, S. sulfureana and C. parallela are native to the United Sates, while L. dispar is an invasive pest. We measured the survival and growth of larvae on each genotype, as well as variation in plant performance (height and biomass) and leaf defensive chemical traits (C/N ratio, total phenolics, total proanthocyanidins, and flavonols levels) in these genotypes to elucidate potential resistance mechanisms. We found differences in C. parallela and L. dispar larval performance across genotypes, with larvae performing better on the modern hybrid genotypes, while S. sulfureana showed no differences. Morphological and chemical traits varied among genotypes, with total phenolics being the only trait correlated with C. parallela and L. dispar larval performance. Notably, the wild genotypes 'McFarlin' and 'Potter' had higher total phenolics and were more resistant to both herbivores than the modern hybrids 'Demoranville' and 'Mullica Queen.' This research contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the impact of crop domestication on multiple insect herbivores, offering insights for future breeding efforts to enhance host-plant resistance against agricultural pests.