Different Stages Of Plant Growth Research Articles

In vivo profiling of phytocannabinoids in Cannabis spp. varieties via SPME-LC-MS analysis

BackgroundIn vivo solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is a minimally invasive, non-exhaustive sample-preparation technique that facilitates the direct isolation of low molecular weight compounds from biological matrices in living systems. This technique is especially useful for the analysis of phytocannabinoids (PCs) in plant material, both for forensic purposes and for monitoring the PC content in growing Cannabis spp. plants. In contrast to traditional extraction techniques, in vivo SPME enables continuous tracking of the changes in the level of PCs during plant growth without the need for plant material collection. In this study, in vivo SPME utilizing biocompatible C18 probes and liquid-chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF-MS) is proposed as a novel strategy for the extraction and analysis of the acidic forms of five PCs in growing medicinal cannabis plants. ResultsThe SPME method was optimized by testing various parameters, including the extraction phase (coating), extraction and desorption times, and the extraction temperature. The proposed method was validated with satisfactory analytical performance regarding linearity (10–3000 ng/mL), limits of quantification, and precision (relative standard deviations below 5.5 %). The proposed method was then successfully applied for the isolation of five acidic forms of PCs, which are main components of growing medicinal cannabis plants. As a proof-of-concept, SPME probes were statically inserted into the inflorescences of two varieties of Cannabis spp. plants (i.e., CBD-dominant and Δ9-THC-dominant) cultivated under controlled conditions for 30 min extraction of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (Δ9-THCA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), cannabiviarinic acid (CBVA), and tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid (THCVA). Significance and noveltyThe results confirmed that the developed SPME-LC-Q-TOF-MS method is a precise and efficient tool that enables direct and rapid isolation and analysis of PCs under in vivo conditions. The proposed methodology is highly appealing option for monitoring the metabolic pathways and compositions of multiple PCs in medicinal cannabis at different stages of plant growth.

Role of organic and inorganic amendments on physiological attributes of germinating pea seedlings under arsenic stress

There are scarce data regarding the effects of soil amendments on biophysicochemical responses of plants at the early stages of growth/germination. This study critically compares the effects of ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic-acid (EDTA) and calcium (Ca) on biophysicochemical responses of germinating pea seedlings under varied arsenic levels (As, 25, 125, 250 µM). Arsenic alone enhanced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) level in pea roots (176%) and shoot (89%), which significantly reduced seed germination percentage, pigment contents, and growth parameters. Presence of EDTA and Ca in growth culture minimized the toxic effects of As on pea seedlings, EDTA being more pertinent than Ca. Both the amendments decreased H2O2 levels in pea tissues (16% in shoot and 13% in roots by EDTA, and 7% by Ca in shoot), and maintained seed germination, pigment contents, and growth parameters of peas close to those of the control treatment. The effects of all As-treatments were more pronounced in the pea roots than in the shoot. The presence of organic and inorganic amendments can play a useful role in alleviating As toxicity at the early stages of pea growth. The scarcity of data demands comparing plant biophysicochemical responses at different stages of plant growth (germinating vs mature) in future studies.

Mycoflora of strawberry plants

Goal. To identify fungi associated with the tissues of strawberry plants and evaluate the frequency of their isolation at different stages of plant growth.
 Methods. The research was conducted in the Right Bank Forest Steppe of Ukraine (Cherkasy Region) in 2021—2023, cv. ‘Clery’. Plant samples were taken in the phases of rosette formation (April), budding-flowering (May), fruit ripening (June) and in the post-harvest period (July-August). The analysis was carried out in laboratory conditions using macroscopic and biological methods.
 Results. During the research period, fungi belonging to 27 genera were isolated from strawberry tissues. In general, they can be divided into three groups: pathogens of leaves, which is the most numerous, berries, roots and crown. Representatives of the genera Alternaria, which were isolated from 57—100% of samples, and Fusarium (40—88%) occurred most often. Less often, but also during the entire growing season, Penicillium spp. (36—69%), Podosphaera aphanis (11—80%), Botrytis cinerea (27—67%), Paraphomopsis obscurans (24—77%) were isolated. Among the leaf diseases powdery mildew was recorded during all growing season, with a maximum in the fruit ripening phase. White leaf spot was observed starting from the budding-flowering phase, and leaf scorch was found from the fruit ripening phase. Gray rot was the most common fruit disease. The root system was more often affected by Fusarium spp.
 Conclusions. The obtained results demonstrate that during the entire growing season fungi of the genera Alternaria, Fusarium, Penicillium, as well as Podosphaera aphanis, Botrytis cinerea and Paraphomopsis obscurans were most often isolated from strawberry tissues. R.grevilleana was isolated starting from the budding-flowering phase, and D. earlianum from the fruit ripening phase. Species from the genera Podosphaera, Ramularia, Diplocarpon, Colletotrichum, Pestalotiopsis, Verticillium, Sclerotinia, Gnomoniopsis, Rhizoctonia, Coniella, Rhizopus, Septoria, Cylindrocarpon require constant control of their spread. Under favorable conditions for their development, they can cause damage to plants and a significant lack of harvest. The seasonal monitoring of fungi on strawberry provides a means for establishing the optimal periods for their control and developing effective disease protection system.

Design and research of digital twin system for multi-environmental variable mapping in plant factory

Internet of Things (IoT) technology develops rapidly and is increasingly used in the field of facility agriculture, the emergence of digital twin technology provides a possibility for the intelligent management of facility agriculture. In this study, IoT and digital twin technologies are combined to design a digital twin system for mapping multiple environmental variables in plant factories to realize the intelligent management and help plant factory managers make intelligent decision-making management schemes. The system includes a multi-environmental variable parameter acquisition system and an environment variable control system based on Arduino, a multi-environmental variable data monitoring and remote environment control system based on Android, and a multi-environmental variable mapping digital twin model. IoT and computer development technologies are used to monitor environmental parameters and control the state of various equipment in plant factories and realize the connection between things and networks. Digital twin technology maps the multi-environmental variables of plant factories to digital twin and intuitively feeds back the parameters of the multi-environmental variables to the plant factory managers, completing the connection between people and things. By combining the IoT technology with digital twin technology, a digital twin system based on multi-environmental variable mapping in plant factory is established, so that the parameters of environmental variables such as CO2, temperature and humidity in plant factory can be accurately adjusted according to the different needs of different stages of plant growth, and it can help plant factory managers to realize intelligent decision-making.

Impact of Iodine Biofortification on Tomato Bioaccessibility through Cooking, Soaking and Simulated Digestion

Background: Even though iodine is not an essential micronutrient for the plant, it is very much needed for a person's mental and physical development. Due to the presence of negative charge on iodine it is highly susceptible to leaching. Further iodine is also highly prone to volatilization loss due to biochemical and physiochemical properties of soil leading to iodine deficiency. Agronomic biofortification of iodine is one of the ways to address iodine deficiency globally. Numerous studies have focused on the process by which plants absorb iodine from the soil, but there is still paucity of knowledge on stability of biofortified iodine in fruits. Methods: In our work, we assessed iodine bioavailability (Cooking, soaking and digestion) in tomato fruit from different sources of chitosan and potassium iodate alone and combinations using main and residual crop trials. The field experiment was carried out in Thondamuthur block of Viraliyur village at Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu in 2021. Potassium iodate and chitosan were applied in the form of soil, foliar, and chitosan iodate complex at different stages of plant growth. Results: The results suggested that combination and potassium iodate and chitosan complex has increased the iodine stability in fruits of main crop and also retained the iodine in residual crop. As electrostatic interaction between chitosan and iodate prevents volatilization and gradually stabilizes the bioavailability of iodine in fruits. Our findings offer more details on iodine mobility and behaviour in fruits when it is used alone and combination with chitosan at different rates

Controlling root zone temperature improves plant growth and pigments in hydroponic lettuce.

Air and root zone temperatures are important environmental factors affecting plant growth and yield. Numerous studies have demonstrated that air temperature strongly affects plant growth and development. Despite the extensive literature on air temperature, comprehensive studies on the effects of root zone temperature (RZT) on plant growth, elemental composition, and pigments are limited. In this study, we carefully observed the effects of RZT in red leaf lettuce to understand its effect on lettuce growth and pigment content. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa, red leaf cultivar 'Red Fire') was grown hydroponically in a plant factory with artificial light under three RZT treatments (15, 25, or 35 °C) for 13 days. We investigated the comprehensive effects of RZT on the production of red leaf lettuce by metabolome and ionome analyses. The 25 °C RZT treatment achieved maximum shoot and root dry weight. The 35 °C RZT decreased plant growth but significantly increased pigment contents (e.g. anthocyanins, carotenoids). In addition, a RZT heating treatment during plant cultivation that changed from 25 to 35 °C RZT for 8 days before harvest significantly increased shoot dry weight compared with the 35 °C RZT and significantly increased pigments compared with the 25 °C RZT. The 15 °C RZT resulted in significantly less pigment content relative to the 35 °C RZT. The 15 °C RZT also resulted in shoot and root dry weights greater than the 35 °C RZT but less than the 25 °C RZT. This study demonstrated that plant growth and pigments can be enhanced by adjusting RZT during different stages of plant growth to attain enhanced pigment contents while minimizing yield loss. This suggests that controlling RZT could be a viable method to improve lettuce quality via enhancement of pigment content quality while maintaining acceptable yields.

Effect of different levels of organic fertilizer on growth, yield and economic benefits of radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

An experiment was carried out at A-to-Z Agro Farm Bagatipara, Natore, Bangladesh from October to December 2020, to study the growth, yield and economic benefits of radish (Raphanus sativus L, V: Rocky 45) as influenced by different levels of organic fertilizer (Kazi organic fertilizer). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) comprising four treatments with three replications. The treatment combinations were T0 (no organic fertilizer), T1 (organic fertilizer 5 t ha-1), T2 (organic fertilizer 10 t ha-1), T3 (organic fertilizer 15 t ha-1), respectively. Data were recorded from different stages of plant growth on plant height at different days after sowing, number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf breadth, root length, root diameter, fresh weight of root per plant, gross yield and marketable yield. All the recorded parameters were statistically significant among the treatments. The tallest plant (40.92 cm) was recorded from T3 (organic fertilizer 15 t ha-1), whereas the shortest plant height plant (25.84 cm) was obtained from the control T0 (no organic fertilizer). Highest number of leaves (16.56), leaf length (33.02 cm), leaf breadth ((8.74 cm), root length (19.33 cm), root diameter (3.50 cm), fresh weight of root per plant (129.89 g), gross yield (36.37 t ha-1), marketable yield (36.37 t ha-1) and also the highest benefit cost ratio (2.67) was found in treatment T3 (organic fertilizer 15 t ha-1) whereas lowest data recorded from control T0 (no organic fertilizer). Results conclude that application of organic fertilizer 15 t ha-1 for radish cultivation gave better growth, yield and economic benefits.

Sand Burial, Rather than Salinity or Drought, Is the Main Stress That Limits the Germination Ability of Sophora alopecuroides L. Seed in the Desert Steppe of Yanchi, Ningxia, China.

Global change and environmental pollution have reawakened ecologists to the great threat of multi-stress interactions to different growth stages of plants. Sophora alopecuroides L., a dune plant, has been widely studied for its medicinal components and strong salinity tolerance. S. alopecuroides seeds, obtained from the desert steppe of Yanchi, Ningxia, China, were used to analyze the effects of sand burial, salinity, drought, and their interactions on seed germination (germination percentage, germination energy, and germination index). The results showed that sand burial and salinity stress had significant effects on the seed germination ability of S. alopecuroides, and drought stress had no significant effect, but the interaction of the three stresses had a significant effect. Under different drought-stress treatments, the interaction of no sand burial and a certain degree of salinity stress significantly improved the germination ability of S. alopecuroides, and the overall intensity of the effects of the three stresses showed that sand burial > salinity > drought. Considering the germination percentage, germination energy, and germination index of S. alopecuroides under various stress interactions, the treatment of no sand burial × 1% soil saline-alkali content × 18-20% soil water content was adopted to maximize the germination ability of S. alopecuroides. In the desert steppe area of Yanchi, Ningxia, sand burial stress was still the most limiting factor for seed germination of S. alopecuroides, and soil saline-alkali content should be increased moderately, and soil moisture should be ensured to obtain the best germination ability.

Impact of Introduced Tomato Cultivars and Chemical Fungicides on the Occurrence and Intensity of Late Blight in Western Cameroon

Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, is the main constraint to tomato production and exportation in Cameroon. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of chemical and tomato varieties in the control of tomato Late blight in the field for the improvement of tomato production in the west region of Cameroon. Seedlings of 7 tomato varieties produced in the nursery were transplanted into pits each containing 100 g of fowl droppings and 30 g of the nematicide Carbofuran 5%. From the 21st day after transplanting, the different fungicides were applied every four days. Data were collected on the incidence, severity of the disease at different stages of plant growth and development and on yields. The results showed that the AVTO1219 and AVTO1311 varieties were less sensitive to Late blight. The control plants of AVTO1219 variety showed incidences of 7.7, 11.7 and 16.7% and severities of 1.7, 14.9 and 17.2% in the vegetative, flowering and fruiting phases respectively. Control plants of CLN1462A, CLN1464A, CLN1464B, RIOGRANDE 2 and RIOGRANDE + varieties showed incidence of 100% from the flowering phase. Control plants of varieties AVTO1213 (17.29 t ha-1) and AVTO1311 (11.33 t ha-1) produced the highest yields. Bonsoin was the more effective fungicide and AVTO1311 was the more effective variety to manage disease. However, the combination of Bonsoin with the AVTO1219 and AVTO1311 varieties was most effective in controlling late blight of tomatoes in the field. These results suggest that to improve tomato production, Late blight resistant varieties should be used and effective fungicides applied as treatments.

Woody Plant Diversity of Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest of Ranchi, Jharkhand

The study was conducted to determine the composition and diversity of three different growth stages of plant in tropical dry deciduous forest in Horhap under Mahilong Range, Ranchi during the year 2018- 2019. The entire area was divided into two sites based upon the physiographic factors. The simple random sampling procedure was followed with quadrates of 10×10 m2 for trees and saplings and 2×2 m2 quadrates for seedlings were taken. A total of 1430–1810 stems ha-1 in trees, 1080–1240 stems ha-1 in saplings and 45500–56500 stems ha-1 in seedlings were encountered. The total basal area was varied between 35.97 to 48.01 m2 ha-1 for trees, 4.67 to 5.42 m2 ha-1 for saplings and 3.78– 3.88 m2 ha-1 for seedlings. Shorea robusta showed highest value of IVI in tree sapling and seedling layers. Shannon index ranged from 2.43–2.97 for trees, 3.07–3.08 for saplings and 2.21–2.26 for seedlings. The concentration of dominance was 0.24–0.33 for trees, 0.19–0.21 for saplings and 0.37–0.4 for seedlings. Equitability ranged from 0.92–0.99 for trees, 1.0 for saplings and 0.84–0.86 for seedlings. Species richness ranged from 1.79–2.53 for trees, 2.11–2.43 for saplings and 1.19–1.21 for seedlings. However there is a need for ideal silvicultural operations and scientific approach-based management practice to retain the diversity ultimately a healthy forest ecosystem.

Effect of chitosan iodate complex biofortification on nutrient uptake in ‘shivam’ hybrid of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Iodine deficiency occurs when iodine levels in the soil are inadequate, resulting in limited crop uptake and, as a result, a population with insufficient iodine intake. Iodine deficiency can be avoided by biofortifying commonly consumed crops with iodine. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of iodine biofortification on the nutrient uptake of fruits and plants of ‘shivam’ hybrid tomato. Potassium iodate and chitosan were applied in the form of soil, foliar, and chitosan iodate complex with control comprising 16 treatments (T1 to T16) at different stages of plant growth. Iodine accumulation in tomato fruits and plants was achieved by combining foliar and iodine chitosan forms as electrostatic interaction between chitosan and iodate prevents volatilization and gradually increases the bioavailability of iodine from soil to fruits. Biofortification of iodine throughT14- Chitosan-KIO3Complex (CsKIO3) - (SA)-10Kgha-1 + FA-KIO3-0.3% @ 60 and 90 DAT the iodine content in tomato fruit at green (0.95ppm), pink (1.01ppm) and red ripen (0.99ppm) stages of tomato and introducing it in present-day daily diet may help to reduce iodine deficiency disorder. Iodine biofortification also influenced the uptake of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in plants and fruits of tomatoes.

Вплив змін клімату на плодові рослини у контексті глобальних досліджень

The purpose of this study was to analyze global achievements in the study of the direct and indirect effects of climate change on fruit plants, their phenology, yield, physiological responses to stress events, changes in pest insect populations, the spread of diseases, economic consequences, consumer habits, and outline directions for further research. The work methodology included searching and summarizing publications in popular scientific databases and journals. The analysis of scientific literature shows that temperature increase, water and temperature stress can cause a disorder in the development of plants and make important changes in the chemical composition of fruits and yield. Preserving the genetic diversity of plant species that have higher resistance to climate change is important for future breeding. Studies have also confirmed the complexity of the interaction of plants with the environment and their adaptation to abiotic stress. Physiological processes, such as photosynthesis and carbon distribution, under the influence of stressors can be manifested at different stages of plant growth, which is important for their reproductive processes. Further research into crop diversification strategies and effective land use practices to adapt to climate change are important aspects to be thoroughly explored. The development and implementation of new horticultural systems based on biotic intensification aims to ensure environmentally safe production and support. Ukraine, taking into account agro-industrial specialization, faces significant climatic risks, which can lead to serious consequences for agricultural production and the country's economy. Research results indicate the need for accelerated adaptation and development of effective measures to preserve natural resources and ensure sustainable development. Attention is drawn to the research of innovative approaches to the consumption of energy and food resources aimed at reducing gas emissions and improving environmental sustainability. Key words: weather factors, fruit crops, pests and diseases, phenology, stressful events, adaptation, genetic diversity, agriculture, economic consequences, consumer habits.

氮磷添加对草甸草原土壤氮磷转化功能基因丰度的影响

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 氮磷添加对草甸草原土壤氮磷转化功能基因丰度的影响 DOI: 10.5846/stxb202112093495 作者: 作者单位: 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家自然科学基金项目（31772653，31861143001） Responses of soil nitrogen and phosphorus transformation functional genes abundances to nitrogen and/or phosphorus additions in a meadow steppe Author: Affiliation: Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:氮添加是提高退化草地生产力的主要养分管理措施，而过量的氮输入会导致土壤酸化、增加硝酸盐淋溶损失和温室气体排放。旨在明确草原割草利用下土壤氮、磷转化功能基因丰度对氮磷添加的响应规律，为定向调控打草场土壤氮、磷转化过程，提高养分利用效率，减少温室气体N2O排放提供科学依据。2018-2020年在呼伦贝尔草甸草原打草场设置了5个施氮水平（0、1.55、4.65、13.95、27.9 g N m-2 a-1）和3个磷水平（0、5.24、10.48 g P m-2 a-1），裂区试验设计，在植物不同生长时期测定土壤氨氧化（amoA-AOA和amoA-AOB）、反硝化（narG、nirK、nirS和nosZ）和磷转化（phoD）基因丰度。结果表明，土壤氮转化基因丰度受到氮、磷添加的调控，而氮、磷添加对土壤磷转化功能基因丰度无显著影响（P>0.05）。氮添加可提高amoA-AOB基因丰度，增加氨氧化细菌调控土壤总硝化速率的相对重要性，因此能增加硝酸盐淋溶损失潜势。高氮处理下添加磷可降低amoA-AOB基因丰度，降低硝酸盐淋溶损失潜势。反硝化基因nirK和nosZ的丰度受植物生长季节的影响，氮添加仅对8月份nirK和nosZ基因丰度有显著的促进作用，增加气态氮损失潜势。土壤氮的过量输入可在一定程度促进土壤氨氧化和反硝化进程，增加硝酸盐淋溶和气态氮损失的风险。磷添加可能会在一定程度上降低土壤硝酸盐淋溶损失的风险，对提高氮的利用效率具有重要作用。 Abstract:Nitrogen (N) addition is a primary nutrient management practice to improve the productivity of degraded grasslands. Excessive N input leads to soil acidification, the increase of nitrate leaching loss and greenhouse gas emissions. This study aims to understand the response characteristics of the abundances of soil N and phosphorus (P) transformation functional genes to nitrogen and phosphorus additions, and provide reference for directionally regulating the transformation process of soil nitrogen and phosphorus, improving nutrient utilization efficiency, and reducing greenhouse gas N2O emissions in grassland which is used mostly for haymaking. We conducted a spit-plot experiment of nutrient additions that included five N levels (0, 1.55, 4.65, 13.95, 27.9 g N m-2 a-1) and three P levels (0, 5.24, 10.48 g P m-2 a-1) and their interactions in Hulunber meadow steppe for three years (2018-2020). The abundance of genes involved in soil ammonium oxidation (amoA-AOA and amoA-AOB), denitrification (narG, nirK, nirS and nosZ) and organophosphate transformation (phoD) processes at different growth stages of plants were determined. The abundances of soil N-cycle genes were regulated by N and P additions, while the abundances of soil organophosphate transformation gene maintained constant in response to N and P additions. N addition increased the abundance of amoA-AOB and increased the relative importance of ammonia oxidizing bacteria in regulating soil nitrification rate, resulting in increasing the potential of nitrate leaching loss. P addition reduced the abundance of amoA-AOB under high N treatments, thereby decreased the potential of nitrate leaching loss. The abundance of denitrification genes (nirK and nosZ) in response to N addition varied with plant growth seasons. N addition significantly promoted the abundance of nirK and nosZ in August, thereby increasing gaseous N loss potential. Excessive N input might promote the process of soil ammonia oxidation and denitrification, and increase the potential of nitrate leaching loss and gaseous N loss. P addition may reduce the potential of nitrate leaching loss and play a potential role in improving N utilization efficiency. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Efficiency of foliar fertilization of spring wheat variety of String myronivska by zinc and manganese in Polissia of Ukraine

The results of foliar fertilization of spring wheat crops of Struna myronivska variety with aqueous solutions of zinc, manganese and their chelated analogues in EDTA (zinc and manganese complexates) at different stages of plant growth and development are presented. The research was conducted on sodmedium podzolic gley sandy soils of Polissia contaminated by radionuclides after the Chernobyl accident. On the average, in 2014–2016 yy. the foliar fertilization of crops at different stages of growth and development of plants the yield of grain and straw of spring wheat did not increased. However, a statistically significant effect of fertilization was observed in the arid conditions of 2015, caused by almost complete absence of precipitation during the second and third decades of May and the first decade of June against the background of high average daily temperatures. Foliar fertilization of crops with zinc solution and chelated forms of trace elements (EDTA) in drought conditions increased wheat grain yield by more than 30 % compared to the control. Foliar fertilization of wheat plants with manganese solution increased grain yield by at least 30 % regardless of the stage of plants growth and development at the time of spraying. Similar patterns were observed for straw. Under ordinary weather conditions (2014 and 2016) foliar fertilization did not increase wheat yield. It is also shown that with increasing yield of wheat grain due to foliar fertilization of crops with aqueous solutions of zinc, manganese and their chelated analogues (EDTA), the concentration of iron, manganese, copper and zinc decreases. The increase in the level of straw yield due to fertilization is negatively correlated with the concentration of zinc and boron in it (r = −0.57). Key words: soil, iron, potassium, wheat, manganese, copper, radiocaesium, zinc.

Residual effect of biofortified iodine in soil, plant, crop yield and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

When iodine levels in the soil are inadequate, resulting in limited crop uptake and as a result, a population with insufficient iodine intake. Iodine deficiency can be avoided by biofortifying commonly consumed crops with iodine. Tomato is the best crop for biofortification study as it is having the capacity to store excess iodine in pholoem. The field experiment was carried out in Thondamuthur block of Viraliyur village at Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu in 2021. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of biofortication of iodine in residual tomato growth, yield, quality and iodine content. Potassium iodate and Chitosan were applied in the form of soil, foliar and Chitosan iodate complex at different stages of plant growth. The results revealed that the soil fertilization of potassium iodate alone resulted in lower uptake of residual iodine in fruits because the iodine was susceptible to high volatilization and less phyto-availability. While foliar spray alone increased the residual iodine content in roots and stem. However, residual higher iodine accumulation in the tomato fruits was achieved through the combination of foliar and iodine Chitosan forms. As electrostatic interaction between Chitosan and iodate prevents volatilization and gradually increases the bioavailability of iodine from soil to fruits. Based on the discussion, biofortification of iodine through potassium iodate Chitosan complex paved the way for the improvement of growth, yield, quality and iodine content in fruits. Hence, biofortification of iodine through iodate Chitosan complex increased the iodine content in tomato fruit and introducing it in our daily diet may be helpful to reduce iodine deficiency disorder.

Seasonal response of Suaeda salsa to hydrological connectivity in intertidal salt marshes through changing trait networks

Hydrological connectivity could greatly influence wetland plant traits and spatial patterns. However, it remains poorly understood how the whole plant or community responds to the changes in hydrological connectivity through plant traits at different stages of plant growth. Here we constructed the hydrological connectivity index (HCIs) and plant trait network (PTNs) in three seasons to identify the relationships between HCIs and PTNs in the intertidal salt marshes. The results showed that the relationships between plant traits were enhanced from spring to fall and PTNs were becoming tighter and more complex, and the characteristics of “tight inside and loose outside” of PTNs gradually eased. In the same season, PTNs became tighter and more complex from low to high tidal flats. Results of evaluating plant traits by their node parameters showed that the branch number of the total PTN in spring got the highest score, followed by the branch number node of the PTN in the high tidal flat in fall and the density node of the PTN in the high tidal flat in spring. Generally, a nonlinear relationship between HCIs and PTN parameters was observed; the middle tidal flat with moderate hydrological connectivity was the most suitable place for Suaeda salsa to grow with branch number as a central regulating trait of Suaeda salsa, while Suaeda salsa would develop adaptive strategies by forming different trait modules in the areas with low or high hydrological connectivity. Understanding the relationships between PTN and hydrological connectivity can guide us in choosing an appropriate site to begin plant rehabilitation and make wetland restoration more efficient.

Phase sensitivity of some broad-leaved weed species to the herbicide Flex

The effect of herbicide Flex, AS (active ingredient fomesafen 250 g/l) on annual weed species common in soybean crops was studied. The studies were conducted under greenhouse conditions in 2019-2021. The sensitivity of ragweed Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Asian copper leaf Acalypha australis L., common lamb's quarters Chenopodium album L., common dayflower Commelina communis L., China jute Abutilon theophrasti Medik, trailing hollyhock Hibiscus trionum L., St.-Paul’swort Sigesbeckia pubescens Makino, green amaranth Amaranthus retroflexus L., elsholtzia Elsholtzia pseudocristata Levl. et Vaniot, and Siberian cocklebur Xanthium sibiricum Patrin ex Widd was determined. Weed treatment with Flex at rates of 0.75, 1.0, 1.25 and 1.5 l/ha was carried out three times a season at different stages of plant growth and development. The level of sensitivity of weed species to herbicide was judged by the decrease in height and weight of the aboveground organs of the experimental plants compared to the control. It was found that Flex herbicide completely destroys plants of all tested species in the early stages of growth and development (1-4 true leaves). When treating weeds that have formed 3-10 leaves, ragweed, green amaranth, Asian copper leaf, trailing hollyhock and Siberian cocklebur remain highly sensitive to the drug action (reduction of the aboveground weight up to 94-100%). Application of Flex on overgrown plants leads to a significant decrease in its activity against all studied weed species. When used in the third term, the herbicide is effective only on the green amaranth, suppressing the mass of the plants by 76-86%.

An ultrasensitive probe-free electrochemical immunosensor for gibberellins employing polydopamine-antibody nanoparticles modified electrode

Gibberellins (GA3) is an ubiquitous plant hormone, which plays a regulatory role in different growth stages of plants, so it is of great significance to develop a sensitive quantitative analysis method for GA3. In this study, carboxylated graphene oxide- carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes-Fc (GO-MWNT-Fc) composite material and PDANPs-antibody (PDANPs-Ab) were sequentially modified to screen-printed electrodes (SPEs), and an ultrasensitive probe-free immunosensor for GA3 was developed. Fc was applied to generate electrochemical signals. GO-COOH and MWNT-COOH can increase the catalytic ability of the sensor and bind the PDANPs-Ab nanoparticles. PDANPs nanomaterial were synthetized by a facile self-polymerization and used to bind with antibody, so as to increase the antibody loading of the sensor. The as-prepared immunosensor has the widest detection range (100 aM-1 mM) and lowest detection limit (17.4 aM) for GA3 up to date. To our knowledge, it is the first electrochemical immunosensor for GA3. By changing the GA3 antibody to ABA antibody, a sensitive and selective immunosensor for ABA was also fabricated. This immunosensor platform is simple, sensitive, and low cost. It opens broad prospect in on-site applications for biosensors in detecting of various biomolecules in precision agriculture.

Multi-stage resistance to Zymoseptoria tritici revealed by GWAS in an Australian bread wheat diversity panel.

Septoria tritici blotch (STB) has been ranked the third most important wheat disease in the world, threatening a large area of wheat production. Although major genes play an important role in the protection against Zymoseptoria tritici infection, the lifespan of their resistance unfortunately is very short in modern wheat production systems. Combinations of quantitative resistance with minor effects, therefore, are believed to have prolonged and more durable resistance to Z. tritici. In this study, new quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified that are responsible for seedling-stage resistance and adult-plant stage resistance (APR). More importantly was the characterisation of a previously unidentified QTL that can provide resistance during different stages of plant growth or multi-stage resistance (MSR). At the seedling stage, we discovered a new isolate-specific QTL, QSt.wai.1A.1. At the adult-plant stage, the new QTL QStb.wai.6A.2 provided stable and consistent APR in multiple sites and years, while the QTL QStb.wai.7A.2 was highlighted to have MSR. The stacking of multiple favourable MSR alleles was found to improve resistance to Z. tritici by up to 40%.

Genome wide identification of AGC kinase genes and their expression in response to heat and cold stresses in barley

AGC kinases are highly conserved regulators in a variety of cellular processes such as differentiation, proliferation, and growth. They are known to play important roles in stress and hormonal responses, including ROS signaling. AGC kinases are the main class of protein kinases in plants, having central functions in different stages of plant growth. In the present study, the analysis of phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, chromosomal locations, synteny analysis, gene ontology, subcellular localization, and gene expression of AGC kinase identified 28 AGC kinase genes in barley. Phylogenetic tree grouped them into seven subfamilies, as supported by exon-intron organization. Gene duplication and synteny indicated that tandom and block duplication events played an essential role in the expansion of AGC kinase gene families in barley. The Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis performed for HvAGC kinase gene were largely expressed in different tissues of roots, stems, and leaves in Azaran and Jolgeh cultivars under heat and cold stresses. The results of chromosomal localization showed that the AGC kinases were located on all chromosomes of barley except chromosome 1. Genome evolution of species was surveyed using identification of orthologous and paralogous genes. Identifying overlaps between orthologous clusters can enable us to study the function and evolution of proteins in different species. To our knowledge, this is the first detailed report of using AGC kinases for bioinformatics analysis in barley. Results revealed a broad understanding of the AGC kinase gene family in barley, which will be valuable for improving barley varieties’ response to heat and cold stresses. Also, HvNDR6.2 gene can utilized as molecular markers under cold stress in the three organs.