Environmental Plasticity Research Articles

Evolution of prokaryotic colonisation of greenhouse plastics discarded into the environment

Current knowledge on the capacity of plastics as vectors of microorganisms and their ability to transfer microorganisms between different habitats (i.e. air, soil and river) is limited. The objective of this study was to characterise the evolution of the bacterial community adhered to environmental plastics [low-density polyethylene (LDPE)] across different environments from their point of use to their receiving environment destination in the sea. The study took place in a typical Mediterranean intermittent river basin in Larnaka, Cyprus, characterised by a large greenhouse area whose plastic debris may end up in the sea due to mismanagement. Five locations were selected to represent the environmental fate of greenhouse plastics from their use, through their abandonment in soil and subsequent transport to the river and the sea, taking samples of plastics and the surrounding environments (soil and water). The bacterial community associated with each sample was studied by 16S rRNA metabarcoding; also, the main physicochemical parameters in each environmental compartment were analysed to understand these changes. The identification and chemical changes in greenhouse plastics were tracked using Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infra-red spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis demonstrated an evolution of the biofilm at each sampling location. β-diversity studies showed that the bacterial community adhered to plastics was significantly different from that of the surrounding environment only in samples taken from aqueous environments (freshwater and sea) (p-value p-value > 0.05). The environmental parameters (pH, salinity, total nitrogen and total phosphorus) explained the differences observed at each location to a limited extent. Furthermore, bacterial community differences among samples were lower in plastics collected from the soil than in plastics taken from rivers and seawater. Six genera (Flavobacterium, Altererythrobacter, Acinetobacter, Pleurocapsa, Georgfuchsia and Rhodococcus) were detected in the plastic, irrespective of the sampling location, confirming that greenhouse plastics can act as possible vectors of microorganisms between different environments: from their point of use, through a river system to the final coastal receiving environment. In conclusion, this study confirms the ability of greenhouse plastics to transport bacteria, including pathogens, between different environments. Future studies should evaluate these risks by performing complete sequencing metagenomics to decipher the functions of the plastisphere.

Evaluation of Nutritional Content in Wild Apricot Fruits for Sustainable Apricot Production

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) trees are common from Asia to North America and have been used for delicious and nutritious fruits for centuries. Wild apricot trees show great environment plasticity and are free of pest and disease traits, both of which are important for sustainable apricot production. However, wild apricots are more common in Asia and North African countries. Wild apricot trees and fruits show great variability due to seed propagation characteristics. Seeds of wild apricots are used as rootstocks for apricot cultivars, in particular in main apricot producer countries such as Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Iran. Fruits of wild apricots are also an important food in wild apricot growing countries and add value as a sustainable nutrition source. In the present study, a total of 14 wild apricots widely grown in inner Anatolia were characterized by morphological (fruit weight, flesh/seed ratio, fruit firmness, and color index), nutritional (individual sugars and organic acids) and nutraceutical (total phenolic, total flavonoids, total carotenoid, and antioxidant activity) features. The obtained results showed that wild apricot genotypes differed from each other for most of the morphological, nutritional, and nutraceutical characteristics. The genotypes were found pest- and disease-free and had fruit weight, flesh/seed ratio, and fruit firmness of between 18.24 and 27.54 g; 8.96 and 12.44; and 4.05 and 6.03 kg/cm2, respectively. Citric acid was the dominant organic acid for fruits of all wild apricot genotypes, and ranged from 923 to 1224 mg/100 g. Sucrose was the highest soluble sugar in fruits for all wild apricots, and ranged from between 6.80 and 8.33 g/100 g. Moreover, the level of nutraceutical parameters also varied among genotypes and high amounts of total phenol and antioxidant activity were obtained in fruit extracts of IA8 genotype as 81.4 mg gallic acid equivalent per 100 g and 2.44 μmoL trolox equivalent per g, respectively. Different wild apricot genotypes are rich in certain nutritional and nutraceutical compounds, with significant variations in their levels being observed. The aim of the study was to evaluate fruits of wild apricot genotypes in terms of their total phenolics, antioxidants, and other bioactive compounds for use in future breeding programs and sustainable food and pharma industries.

Micro plastics in soil ecosystem - A review of sources, fate, and ecological impact

In recent years, environmental experts and stakeholders have paid increased attention to the pollution of micro plastics in the soil. As persistent pollutants, micro plastics have a significant impact on the soil ecology, agricultural production, and the overall health of the ecological environment. Micro plastics can influence soil bio-physicochemical properties and the mobility of other contaminants in soil, with potentially significant implications on soil ecosystem functionality. Thus, functions including litter decomposition, soil aggregation or those related to nutrient cycling can be altered. Furthermore, micro plastics can influence soil biota at different trophic levels, and even threaten human health through food chains. Despite this potential negative interaction, there is limited research on micro plastics in the soil environment. The primary goals of this review are to summarise the sources, distribution characteristics, migration and degradation laws of micro plastics in the soil ecosystem, to summarise the combined effects of micro plastics and other pollutants in the soil ecosystem, to analyse the effects of micro plastics on soil physical and chemical properties, animals, plants, and microorganisms, and to reveal the effects of micro plastics on soil ecosystem and to according to the distribution characteristics of soil micro plastics, degradation, migration and ecological effects, propose pollution control measures. This current review will provide a comprehensive understanding of soil pollution by micro plastic and offer a scientific basis for the formulation of novel management practices that will protect and improve soils, and contribute to the sustainable development of the ecological environment and highlight important areas for future research.

Biodegradable plastics in the marine environment: a potential source of risk?

The marine environment is facing the threat of increasing plastic pollution, especially from disposable plastics. Presently, governments worldwide are promoting policies to restrict or prohibit conventional plastics. As one hopeful alternative to conventional disposable/non-durable plastics, biodegradable plastics have attracted much attention and controversy in terms of their definition, environmental impact, and environmental significance, as they may be widely used. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the facts about biodegradable plastics, understand the current knowledge gaps, and identify promising fields of relevant research. This review briefly introduces some common biodegradable plastics, their mechanisms of biodegradation, indicators for the biodegradation process, and factors concerning biodegradability and summarizes studies on the biodegradation of biodegradable plastics in the marine environment. The lifespan of biodegradable plastics varies greatly due to their compositions/properties as well as significant differences in the marine environment. Then, the potential risks of biodegradable plastics, including the release of pollutants (micro/nanoplastics, degradation products, and additives), adsorption-desorption of pollutants (pesticide, etc.), and their impact on biomes and biogeochemical cycles are discussed, fully revealing their possible impacts on the marine environment. It is believed that, in addition to the waste of resources, a high abundance of microplastics, toxic leachates, and complex effects on habitats and the environment may also cause problems for the marine environment as a result of the widespread and inappropriate use of biodegradable plastics. Based on the discussion, some constructive suggestions on how to use biodegradable plastics reasonably and prudently in the future are put forward.

Evaluation of winter triticalal accessions for adaptive potential

Aim. To determine the environmental plasticity and stability of collection winter triticale accessions for yield in the right-bank forest-steppe of Ukraine. Results and Discussion. The environmental plasticity and stability of collection winter triticale accessions were determined for yield in the right-bank forest-steppe of Ukraine. Having assessed the yields, we found that the average yield across the studied accessions for the given period amounted to 5.55 t/ha (V = 11%). The maximum average yield for the study period was recorded for Hermes (7.44 t/ha), Pavlodarskyi (6.75 t/ha), Soiuz (6.62 t/ha), Sviatozar (6.28 t/ha), Bohodarske (6.19 t/ha), Nina (6.16 t/ha), Markiian (6.08 t/ha), Nykanor, and AD 256 (6.03 t/ha). The most plastic cultivars that were capable of significantly increasing their yields under favorable conditions were identified: Sviatozar (bi = 2.67), Nykanor (bi = 2.59), Beta (bi = 2.41), Navarro (bi = 1.92), Myronivskyi (bi = 1.91), and Hermes (bi = 1.85). These accessions are noticeable for high yield capacity and are able to maximize their yields under favorable conditions. The breeding value of a genotype (SCV), which characterizes both yield and its stability, ranged 0.18 to 5.02. The following accessions stood out due to this indicator: Nina (5.02), Maiak (4.68), Tornado (4.42), Dinaro (3.95), Parus (3.80), and Titan (3.77). We selected accessions with good compensatory effects: Maiak (0.12), Tornado (0.24), Uragan (0.34), Nina (0.36), Tsekad 22 (0.44), Dinaro (0.56), Parus (0.74), Titan (0.75), and Desiatynne (0.79). In the other accessions, destabilizing effects predominated (Kgі = 1.05–9.80). Conclusions. The study showed that the general adaptability was higher in the most high-yileding accessions: Hermes (1.89), Pavlodarskyi (1.20), Soiuz (1.07), Sviatozar (0.73), and Nina (0.61). As to the specific adaptability, the following cultivars were distinguished: Maiak (0.05), Tornado (0.10), Uragan (0.14), Nina (0.15), and Tsekad 22 (0.18). These accessions are characterized by high and stable yields under different hydrothermal conditions.

Plastics in the Global Environment Assessed Through Material Flow Analysis, Degradation and Environmental Transportation

Plastics in the Global Environment Assessed Through Material Flow Analysis, Degradation and Environmental Transportation

The Role of Titanium Dioxide on the Behaviour and Fate of Plastics in the Aquatic Environment

The Role of Titanium Dioxide on the Behaviour and Fate of Plastics in the Aquatic Environment

Current Source and Distribution Pattern of Plastic Waste Leakage in the Estuary of Jakarta Bay

The accumulation of plastics in marine environment has increased the global risk of water pollution. Its uncontrolled production and existing management capacity have brought a burden on current plastic waste management, especially in Jakarta Bay. It has a negative impact on land, ecosystems, and especially the food chain and marine organisms. Their improper management has reduced the quality of environment, human health, and influenced economic sectors. Economic activities which involve coastal areas have consistently become a major source of plastic waste leakage either directly or indirectly. This study aims to analyze current source and its distribution patterns of plastic waste leakage in estuaries of Jakarta Bay using in-depth interviews and field observations. The results show the estuaries at the eastern part of Jakarta Bay is the highest potential for plastic waste leakage, followed by the western part, and the middle part is the least contributing plastic waste of leakage. The various sources of leakage in the estuaries are identified, including the behavior of the community that is vulnerable to exacerbates the existence of leakage. Handling capacities are limited including facilities, and the intensity of collection in the wide coverage of the operating area made the challenges to the responsible authorities.

Does the functional leaf anatomy of Justicia calycina (Acanthaceae) reflect variation across a canopy gradient in the Southern Brazilian Amazon?

Justicia calycina is a subshrub well distributed in northern South America. Despite its widespread occurrence, little is known about its anatomy and plasticity in different environments. Our study aimed to evaluate how leaf anatomical traits of J. calycina adjust in forest areas with variations in canopy openness in the Southern Amazon, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Forest areas were: Open and Dense Ombrophilous Forest, and Seasonal Deciduous Forest (rocky outcrop). We performed anatomical measurements in leaves sampled on 10 individuals in each forest site, with the help of usual anatomy techniques. Foliar anatomy of J. calycina showed similar pattern among the studied forests, with significant difference (p<0.05) in four leaf traits among 22 studied: vascular bundle diameter, palisade parenchyma thickness, stomatal density and trichome density in adaxial epidermis. These leaf traits showed high plasticity index, with higher values in Dense Forest and in Deciduous Forest. Even though J. calycina showed overall little anatomical variation among forest types, the few attributes that differed are fundamental in the photosynthesis process. The adjustment in leaf anatomical traits under different luminosity conditions demonstrates a degree of phenotypic plasticity in the species, which contributes to its distribution in different forest phytophysiognomies in Brazilian Amazonia.

Insights into Characteristics of White Rot Fungus During Environmental Plastics Adhesion and Degradation Mechanism of Plastics

Insights into Characteristics of White Rot Fungus During Environmental Plastics Adhesion and Degradation Mechanism of Plastics

Insights into Characteristics of White Rot Fungus During Environmental Plastics Adhesion and Degradation Mechanism of Plastics

Insights into Characteristics of White Rot Fungus During Environmental Plastics Adhesion and Degradation Mechanism of Plastics

Corn Tiller Yield Contributions are Dependent on Environment: A 17 Site-Year Kansas Study

Historic breeding efforts in corn (Zea mays L.) have resulted in uniform, single-stalked phenotypes with limited potential for environmental plasticity. Therefore, plant density is a critical yield component for corn, as corn is unable to successfully compensate for a deficit of plants. Other grass crop species can overcome plant density deficits via vegetative branching (tillering), but this trait is historically undesirable in corn. Improving corn flexibility across plant densities has potential benefits, particularly considering diverse yield environments and seasonal weather uncertainties due to climate change. The present study evaluated tiller presence with two hybrids in a range of plant densities across the state of Kansas to identify yield impacts and potential usefulness of this plasticity trait in corn. Tiller presence was identified as neutral or additive to final yields, but fine-tuning plant density was confirmed as key to maximizing grain yields. Tillers have potential to stabilize yields across plant densities in productive environments. This capability may offer a source of production stability for growers when deficits develop in plant density after planting.

Screening of polymer types and chemical weathering in macro- and meso-plastics found on lake and river beaches using a combined chemometric approach.

In the environment, synthetic polymers, commonly known as "plastics", are well-known to undergo various chemical weathering processes, which modify their surface chemistry by introducing new functional groups. Such changes are important to monitor, as they can severely influence the toxicity caused by plastic debris. Therefore, in this study, two chemometric models are proposed to accelerate the chemical classification of macro- and meso-plastics found in the environment. For this purpose, principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were applied on preprocessed infrared spectra of 83 plastic fragments found on public lake and river beaches. HCA associated all beach samples with a known plastic, whereas PCA enabled the association of only 39.8% (33 out of 83) of the beach samples with a known plastic. However, both techniques agreed on 93.9% of the samples identified. According to PCA and HCA results, polypropylene and polyethylene were the most frequently identified polymers in the samples. PCA turned out to be a very promising tool for fast screening of weathered plastics, since the distance of samples from the polypropylene cluster in the PCA plot was correlated with weathering. This was later confirmed by employing other characterization techniques such as micro-Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Finally, future experiments should focus on the applicability of the proposed combined chemometric approach for very small microplastics (<100 μm), as they have more important effects than larger plastics on aquatic ecosystems.

Current Advances in the Biodegradation and Bioconversion of Polyethylene Terephthalate.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a widely used plastic that is polymerized by terephthalic acid (TPA) and ethylene glycol (EG). In recent years, PET biodegradation and bioconversion have become important in solving environmental plastic pollution. More and more PET hydrolases have been discovered and modified, which mainly act on and degrade the ester bond of PET. The monomers, TPA and EG, can be further utilized by microorganisms, entering the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) or being converted into high value chemicals, and finally realizing the biodegradation and bioconversion of PET. Based on synthetic biology and metabolic engineering strategies, this review summarizes the current advances in the modified PET hydrolases, engineered microbial chassis in degrading PET, bioconversion pathways of PET monomers, and artificial microbial consortia in PET biodegradation and bioconversion. Artificial microbial consortium provides novel ideas for the biodegradation and bioconversion of PET or other complex polymers. It is helpful to realize the one-step bioconversion of PET into high value chemicals.

Адаптивная реакция перспективных сортов рапса ярового в условиях центральной зоны Краснодарского края

We studied 18 perspective and already registered spring rapeseed cultivars of VNIIMK breeding. Impact of weather conditions in a period flowering – maturing on economically valuable traits was revealed. The cultivars were compared by calculated statistic parameters of adaptivity, environmental plasticity, stability in the conditions of the central zone of the Krasnodar region. The perspective linear cultivars which demonstrated the most stably yield in the different years were selected. The researches were conducted in the V.S. Pustovoit All-Russian Research Institute of Oil Crops, Krasnodar, Russia, in 2017– 2020. The most favorable weather conditions for cultivation of spring rapeseed appeared to be in 2017. Index of environmental condition (Ij) was 1.01. On average for rapeseed cultivar, yield varied from maximal in 2017 (2.83 t per ha) to minimal in 2019 (1.31 t per ha). Oil content in the different years varied from 40.9 to 46.34%, weight of 1000 seeds – from 2.22 to 3.85 g. Glucosinolate content was minimal (14.16 µmol/g) in 2017 and reached maximum (21.48 µmol/g) in 2020. The linear cultivars VN-LР13, VN -Dl 2, and VN-Dl 1 are characterized with the highest environmental plasticity, having the indicators bi = 1.30; 1.24, and 1.21, respectively. The cultivars Amulet and Ruyan were the most stable: Si² was equal to 0.65 and 0.69, respectively, as well as the main applicant for being a cultivar: VN-4801, VN-191, and VN-2478 having the indicators 0.40; 0.62, and 0.80. The perspective cultivars VN-4801 and VN-906 (Kenar) are characterized with a valuable combination of increased and stable for years yield. Due to absolute indicator of adaptability, all the studied cultivars are ranking as following: VN-4801 (113.6%), VN-Dl 1 (106.3%), VN-Dl 2 (105.9%), VN-LР 13 (105.0%), VN-XT (103.4%), Руян (102.9%), and VN-906 (101.9%).

PARTITIONING GENETIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENTS OF PHENOLOGICAL VARIATION IN QUERCUS DOUGLASII (FAGACEAE)

Oaks (genus Quercus) often display a large range of phenotypic variation across many of their traits. The contribution of genetic and environmental sources, and their interaction, to this variation can be partitioned experimentally using common garden plantings in which several genotypes are grown in a single location and the phenotype of interest is measured. Due to their slow growth and complex genetic structure, oaks have rarely been grown to maturity in experimental conditions that would allow partitioning phenotypic variation in this traditional way. Here we present results from trees growing in two established experimental gardens of Quercus douglasii Hook. & Arn. planted in 1991. Data from these common gardens are combined with additional data collected at the original provenance populations that served as acorn source locations. We surveyed phenological progression through the spring at both garden and field sites and found significant associations between fall and spring minimum temperatures and spring phenology, represented here as the date of bud break. A genetic component of phenological variation associated with the provenance sites was identified at both common gardens and accounts for 16.4% of the total variation observed among trees, while 68.2% of the variation can be attributed to environmental plasticity, plus a genetic × environmental interaction that accounts for about 1% of bud break variation. We discuss the implications of these components of phenological variation in Blue Oak, especially with respect to climate change, local adaptation, restoration, and assisted gene flow.

Promotion and Upregulation of a Plasma Membrane Proton-ATPase Strategy: Principles and Applications.

Plasma membrane proton-ATPase (PM H+-ATPase) is a primary H+ transporter that consumes ATP in vivo and is a limiting factor in the blue light-induced stomatal opening signaling pathway. It was recently reported that manipulation of PM H+-ATPase in stomatal guard cells and other tissues greatly improved leaf photosynthesis and plant growth. In this report, we review and discuss the function of PM H+-ATPase in the context of the promotion and upregulation H+-ATPase strategy, including associated principles pertaining to enhanced stomatal opening, environmental plasticity, and potential applications in crops and nanotechnology. We highlight the great potential of the promotion and upregulation H+-ATPase strategy, and explain why it may be applied in many crops in the future.

Environmental assessment of gooseberry cultivars developed in Chelyabinsk Province

The analysis of environmental plasticity and stability made it possible to identify adaptable gooseberry cultivars: ‘Avangard’ (CA = 1.77), ‘Vladil’ (CA = 1.58), ‘Grinchel’ (CA = 1.24), ‘Kovcheg’ (CA = 1.13) and ‘Arlekin’ (CA = 1.01). Cv. ‘Grinchel’, submitted for state trials in 2020, is an intensive-type cultivar (bi = 1.49), cvs. ‘Arlekin’ (bi = 1.03; Si2 = 4.1) and ‘Vladil’ (bi =1.03; Si2 = 1.0) are environmentally plastic and stable, while cvs. ‘Avangard’ (bi = 0.51) and ‘Kovcheg’ (bi = 0.53) belong to the neutral type. The advantages of these cultivars are their high productivity, large fruit size, dessert flavor, high winter hardiness, low thorniness, and increased resistance to American gooseberry mildew. High productivity in years with favorable and satisfactory growing conditions can be provided by the intensive-type cultivars ‘Stanichny’ (bi = 1.55) and ‘Kooperator’ (bi = 1.35) as well as the plastic but insufficiently stable cv. ‘Uralsky Izumrud’ (bi = 1.03; Si2= 5.3).

Proof-of-concept model for exploring the impacts of microplastics accumulation in the Maryland coastal bays ecosystem

With increased global production of plastics since the 1950s, marine environments have experienced an increase in plastic pollution. This pollution has the potential to contaminate marine organisms with microplastics, which, in turn, may have deleterious effects on humans that consume seafood. Plastic pollution is often presented as a global issue; however, its sources are often based on local actions and potential health effects occur at an individual level. Environmental management to control this problem also can occur on a local scale. To draw attention to the issue and demonstrate the need to take management actions to reduce plastic inflow, we have developed a proof-of-concept model that connects inflow of plastic in a small-scale marine environment to a contaminants-based food web model. We use Ecotracer in the Ecopath with Ecosim modeling suite to estimate current organism concentrations of microplastics and then use model outputs to calculate human health effects. The model is used to project future microplastic concentrations in marine organisms and human health effects under different environmental plastic inflow rate scenarios. The model is parameterized to simulate the Maryland Coastal Bays ecosystem, which is adjacent to Ocean City, Maryland (USA) a region dependent on the tourism and seafood industries. We consider this a proof-of-concept model, because data for the system are limited. This approach helps to illustrate local consequences of a global problem. In addition, it provides a summary of pertinent regional data on the issues and helps identify gaps for future monitoring and research.

Stability of agronomic traits in interspecific hybrid potato clones in the Central Region of European Russia

Background. Yield stability is a necessary trait for sustainable potato production under climate change. Potato breeding is based on crosses between parental lines selected for a set of important traits: productivity, structural yield components, and resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Data on plant responses to environmental conditions allows breeders to conduct informed selection of plant forms for crossing. The objective of this work was to characterize interspecific potato hybrids in terms of their productivity, yield plasticity and stability in the Central Region of European Russia.Materials and methods. For seven years (2014–2020), 19 hybrids and cv. ‘Favorit’ (reference) were assessed for productivity, number of tubers per plant, mean tuber weight, marketability, and resistance to late blight. Growing conditions were characterized using the hydrothermal coefficient. Environmental sustainability was determined by calculating the parameters of plasticity (bI) and stability (σ2) according to N. P. Sklyarova and V. A. Zharova.Results. Positive and negative anomalies in heat or moisture supply were observed during the test years. The maximum productivity was obtained in 2016, with heavy rainfall and higher temperatures; the minimum, in the hot and dry 2018. For productivity, the effect sizes of the factors “variety” and “year” were 29% and 38%, respectively. Hybrids with yield levels close to cv. ‘Favorit’ were identified: 117-2, 122-29, 99-6-5, 99-1-3, 99-6-6, and 34-5-2003. ‘Favorit’ is an intensive-type cultivar, with low yield stability. Hybrid 135-2-2006, also of the intensive type, had a stable yield, but developed medium-sized tubers and was less productive than other accessions. Hybrid 117-2 is of the extensive type, with medium stability, while hybrids 8-3-2004 and 135-5-2005 demonstrated high environmental plasticity and yield stability.