Fertile Plants Research Articles

Growth and Economic Return of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) under Different Plant Spacing and Fertility Conditions

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a native of the Andes that has sparked a worldwide interest due to its unique nutritional value. Quinoa seed have an orthodox magnificent nutritional food quality and were also called “the mother grain”. To achieve optimal crop yield, farmers must meticulously manage various factors, ensuring a balanced approach to fertility levels, irrigation and pest control. It is crucial for farmers to find a delicate balance in achieving specific nutritional and yield targets. The current investigation was conducted in kharif 2022, with genotype “EC507742” at Research and Extension Centre, Gaja, College of Forestry, Ranichauri, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India. The experiment comprised of two factors viz., geometry (S): S1- 20 x10 cm, S2- 30 x 10 cm and S3- 40 x 10 cm in main plot and fertility levels (F): F1- Control, F2- 75% NPKS, F3- 100% NPKS and F4- 125% NPKS in sub plot with total of 12 treatment combinations that were evaluated in split plot design with three replications. The data was analysed using OPSTAT with figures from SAS (proc glm). Among the geometries, S2 (30 x 10 cm) excelled in field conditions and economics relative to others. Among different fertility levels, F3 (100% NPKS) demonstrated the greatest growth, yield characteristics, yield, and higher returns for quinoa compared to other fertility levels. The interactions between geometry and fertility levels were also found significant for growth, yield attributes and yield with higher in S2F3. Thus, it can be concluded that using the recommended fertilizer (100% NPKS) with the ideal spacing of 30 x 10 cm improves growth, yield and profitability of Quinoa.

Disrupted Nitric Oxide Homeostasis Impacts Fertility through Multiple Processes Including Protein Quality Control.

Plant fertility is fundamental to plant survival and requires the coordinated interaction of developmental pathways and signaling molecules. Nitric oxide (NO) is a small, gaseous signaling molecule that plays crucial roles in plant fertility as well as other developmental processes and stress responses. NO influences biological processes through S-nitrosation, the posttranslational modification of protein cysteines to S-nitrosocysteine (R-SNO). NO homeostasis is controlled by S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR), which reduces S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), the major form of NO in cells. GSNOR mutants (hot5-2/gsnor1) have defects in female gametophyte development along with elevated levels of reactive nitrogen species and R-SNOs. To better understand the fertility defects in hot5-2, we investigated the in vivo nitrosoproteome of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) floral tissues coupled with quantitative proteomics of pistils. To identify protein-SNOs, we used an organomercury-based method that involves direct reaction with S-nitrosocysteine, enabling specific identification of S-nitrosocysteine-containing peptides and S-nitrosated proteins. We identified 1102 endogenously S-nitrosated proteins in floral tissues, of which 1049 were unique to hot5-2. Among the identified proteins, 728 were novel S-nitrosation targets. Notably, specific UDP-glycosyltransferases and argonaute proteins are S-nitrosated in floral tissues and differentially regulated in pistils. We also discovered S-nitrosation of subunits of the 26S proteasome together with increased abundance of proteasomal components and enhanced trypsin-like proteasomal activity in hot5-2 pistils. Our data establish a method for nitrosoprotein detection in plants, expand knowledge of the plant S-nitrosoproteome, and suggest that nitro-oxidative modification and NO homeostasis are critical to protein quality control in reproductive tissues.

A visible seedling-stage screening system for the Brassica napus hybrid breeding by a novel hypocotyl length-regulated gene BnHL.

Rapeseed (Brassica napus) is a globally significant oilseed crop with strong heterosis performance. Recessive genic male sterility (RGMS) is one of the key approaches for utilizing heterosis in B. napus. However, this method faces the inherent challenge of being time-consuming and labour-intensive for removing fertile plants during seed production. Here, we report a hypocotyl length-regulated gene, BnHL, which is closely linked to a known fertility gene, BnMs2, serving as a seedling morphology marker. This marker could be used to identify fertile plants in the breeding of RGMS lines based on hypocotyl traits. By targeting the BnHL gene, both homozygous and heterozygous edited mutants exhibited significantly longer hypocotyls than the wild type (WT). Furthermore, germination experiments revealed that 7 days after seed germination, the difference in hypocotyl length between the mutant and the WT seedlings reached its maximum, effectively distinguishing fertile plants under both white (W) and red/far-red (R/FR) light. Mutations in BnHL did not result in significant changes in main agronomic traits. Thus, this study provides a comprehensive strategy for screening and identifying a new morphological marker gene for early screening in RGMS hybrid breeding with completely non-transgene during the whole production.

Mutation of the K+ transporter SlHAK5 of tomato alters pistil morphology, ionome, metabolome and transcriptome in flowers.

K+ accumulation in plant tissues is a crucial factor for plant growth and development. The tomato high-affinity K+ transporter SlHAK5 is essential for root K+ acquisition from low external concentrations. It is also involved in K+ accumulation in pollen and plant fertility as slhak5 KO plants show a low rate of pollen germination, impaired pollen tube growth and parthenocarpic fruits. Here, we present a thorough analysis of slhak5 flowers, which showed relevant defects at the anatomic, ionomic, metabolomic and transcriptomic levels. First, slhak5 flowers exhibited shorter styles and enlarged ovaries that, together with a low number of seeds in fruits from slhak5 X WT crosses, indicated an effect of the slhak5 mutation on female fertility. Second, a lower accumulation of Ca2+, as well as of several metabolites such as amino acids, citric acid and sugars, was observed in mutant flowers, whereas indole-3-acetic acid content was increased when compared to the wild-type. Third, RNAseq conducted on pistils and stamens of wild-type and slhak5 plants revealed that transport and signalling pathways are significantly enriched in the gene expression analyses of stamens. Thus, it can be concluded that a functional SlHAK5 transporter is required to maintain appropriate Ca2+, metabolite and gene expression levels in flowers, and its absence leads to important reductions in both male and female fertility.

Arabidopsis RALF4 Rapidly Halts Pollen Tube Growth by Increasing ROS and Decreasing Calcium Cytoplasmic Tip Levels

In recent years, the rapid alkalinization factor (RALF) family of cysteine-rich peptides has been reported to be crucial for several plant signaling mechanisms, including cell growth, plant immunity and fertilization. RALF4 and RALF19 (RALF4/19) pollen peptides redundantly regulate the pollen tube integrity and growth through binding to their receptors ANXUR1/2 (ANX1/2) and Buddha’s Paper Seal 1 and 2 (BUPS1/2), members of the Catharanthus roseus RLK1-like (CrRLK1L) family, and, thus, are essential for plant fertilization. However, the signaling mechanisms at the cellular level that follow these binding events remain unclear. In this study, we show that the addition of synthetic peptide RALF4 rapidly halts pollen tube growth along with the excessive deposition of plasma membrane and cell wall material at the tip. The ratiometric imaging of genetically encoded ROS and Ca2+ sensors-expressing pollen tubes shows that RALF4 treatment modulates the cytoplasmic levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and calcium (Ca2+) in opposite ways at the tip. Thus, we propose that pollen RALF4/19 peptides bind ANX1/2 and BUPS1/2 to regulate ROS and calcium homeostasis to ensure proper cell wall integrity and control of pollen tube growth.

Productivity, quality and suitability for processing of various potato varieties when grown in the conditions of the Central region of the Russian Federation

Relevance. The study of the reaction of potato varieties, especially new ones, to the use of a complex of agrotechnical techniques, including foliar top dressing with water-soluble fertilizers, is an urgent task. For this purpose, 4 potato varieties of different ripeness groups (Red Scarlett, Nevsky, Golubizna, Grand) were studied in two regions of Russia using agrochemicals Agrovin Micro. Methods. The article presents experimental data on the study of biometric indicators, yield and quality of potatoes for non-root top dressing in conditions of leached chernozem and sod-podzolic sandy loam soils of the Central region of Russia. The objects of research were potato varieties of various ripeness groups. Foliar fertilization of plants with agrochemicals Agrovin Micro was carried out in the phases of germination, budding and 20 days after the last treatment in two consumption rates – 1.0 and 2.0 l / ha. Control – without processing (K) with background N90Р90К135.Results. On average, over the years of research, the best options for all varieties turned out to be options with the use of additional leaf treatment with an agrochemical at a maximum dose of 2 liters /ha. Due to three-fold foliar top dressing for the critical phases of potato plant growth, the greatest yield increases and maximum values of dry matter and starch content to the mineral background were obtained. In the conditions of the Tambov region, the increase in yield, depending on the variety, ranged from 24.2 to 59.3% or 6.0-10.5 /ha and in the conditions of the Moscow region – 3.3-28.9% or 1.2-7.1 t/ha. The most suitable for processing into fried potato products from the studied varieties turned out to be Red Scarlett and Grand. All other things being equal, the color index of crispy potatoes and fries on these varieties was higher than the Nevsky variety by 1.0-1.5 points.

Unveiling genetic basis of yield and salinity tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.) through insights from generation mean analysis

Abstract Rice (Oryza sativa L) serves as a primary food source for over a billion people worldwide and is encountering challenges in yield due to the increasing global population and climate changes. Understanding the genetic variations that underlie complex traits is crucial for its enhancement and this can be accomplished through generation mean analysis. In this study, investigation was made to study the genetic mechanisms governing important quantitative traits, specifically yield and salinity tolerance in rice. The study involved six generations (P1, P2, F1, F2, B1 and B2) resulting from two crosses between three parents. The investigation specifically focused on generation mean analysis, assessing twelve traits includes days to flowering, plant height , total number of tillers , number of productive tillers , panicle length, flag leaf length, flag leaf width, number of filled grains per panicle, total number of grains per panicle, spikelet fertility, thousand-grain weight and single plant yield in the two crosses. In Cross I (ADT 45 × APD 19002), traits such as plant height, days to fifty percent flowering, total number of tillers and total number of grains per panicle exhibited opposing signs for dominance × dominance (l) and dominance (h), indicating a prevalence of duplicate epistasis. At the same time, additive and additive × additive gene effects influenced total number of tillers, plant height, total number of grains per panicle, number of filled grains per panicle and spikelet fertility. In Cross II (CO 54 × APD 19002), total number of tillers, plant height, flag leaf length, total number of grains per panicle, spikelet fertility and single plant yield suggested a predominance of duplicate epistasis. Further, the total number of grains per panicle, total number of tillers per plant, spikelet fertility and thousand-grain weight were primarily governed by additive and additive × additive gene effects. These observations show the feasibility of enhancement through selection in subsequent generations, emphasizing the necessity of integrating selection with salinity tolerance screening for the development of high-yield, salinity-tolerant rice varieties. Keywords: Scaling test, genetic effects, salinity tolerance

The effect of T. aestivum chromosomes 1A and 1D on fertility of alloplasmic recombinant (H. vulgare)-T. aestivum lines depending on cytonuclear compatibility.

The effect of T. aestivum L. chromosomes 1A and 1D on fertility of recombinant bread wheat allolines of the same origin carrying the cytoplasm of barley H. vulgare L. and different levels of cytonuclear compatibility was studied. Alloline L-56 included mainly fully sterile (FS) and partially sterile (PS) plants, alloline L-57 included partially fertile (PF) plants and line L-58 included fertile (F) ones. Analysis of morphobiological traits and pollen painting indicated complete or partial male sterility in plants of allolines L-56 and L-57. To differentiate genotypes with cytonuclear coadaptation and genotypes with cytonuclear incompatibility, PCR analysis of the 18S/5S mitochondrial (mt) repeat was performed. Heteroplasmy (simultaneous presence of barley and wheat mtDNA copies) was found in FS, PS, PF and some F plants, which was associated with a violation of cytonuclear compatibility. Wheat-type homoplasmy (hm) was detected in the majority of the fertile plants, which was associated with cytonuclear coadaptation. The allolines used as maternal genotypes were crossed with wheat-rye substitution lines 1R(1A) and 1R(1D). In F1, all plants of PF×1R(1A) and PF×1R(1D) combinations were fertile, and in F2, a segregation close to 3 (fertile) : 1 (sterile) was observed. These results showed for the first time that chromosomes 1A and 1D carry one dominant Rf gene, which controls the restoration of male fertility of bread wheat carrying the cytoplasm of H. vulgare. All plants of F1 combinations FS×1R(1A), FS×1R(1D), PS×1R(1A), PS×1R(1D) were sterile, which indicates that a single dose of genes localized on wheat chromosomes 1A or 1D is not enough to restore male fertility in FS and PS plants. All plants of hybrid combinations F(hm)×1R(1A) and F(hm)×1R(1D) in both F1 and F2 were fertile, that is, fertility of allolines with cytonuclear coadaptation does not depend on wheat chromosomes 1A and 1D.

Residue management and overwinter survival in winter canola (Brassica napus L.)

Winter canola production in eastern Canada is a growing segment of the Canadian canola industry. Crop establishment and survival overwinter have been identified as two of the major challenges associated with the production of winter canola. Environmental conditions can interact with agronomic practices, including seeding date, plant population density, fertility, and residue management, to influence stand establishment in autumn and overwinter survival. The objective of the current research was to evaluate the impact and interaction of preceding crop residue and tillage practices on the establishment, overwinter survival, and yield of winter canola in southern Ontario. Winter canola was seeded following either winter wheat or soybean and using conventional, no-till, or strip-till practices. Over the course of the 3 years of study, the annual decline in winter canola plant population density was influenced by the type of tillage practice used but not by the preceding crop. The overwinter decrease in plant population density was largest in no-till, followed by strip-till, and finally conventional tillage. At physiological maturity, winter canola yields in reduced tillage practices (i.e., no-till and strip-till) were equivalent to those achieved utilizing conventional tillage practices. When grain yields were standardized as a function of the spring plant population density, the highest and lowest yield per plant coincided with the lowest and highest plant population densities and were observed in strip-till (14.2 g plant−1) and no-till (9.1 g plant−1), respectively. Results of this research have established that winter canola can be successfully produced in Ontario utilizing a range of tillage practices.

Evaluating the Impact of a Women's Empowerment Program on Environmental Sustainability through Eco-Friendly Fertilizer Production

Evaluating the Impact of a Women's Empowerment Program on Environmental Sustainability through Eco-Friendly Fertilizer Production. The high potential in Grenden Village as a corn producer has the side effect of increasing corn plant waste. Most people do not utilize corn waste, especially corn cobs. Corn waste is rich in organic matter and can be reused for plant fertilization. Corn cobs can be used as an alternative fertilizer that can replace the role of chemical fertilizers. PPK Ormawa Team of HMPS S1 Science Education ASE held training for village residents through the Gayati Women's School to provide education and practical activities to residents to utilize corn waste as organic fertilizer. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a training program in teaching local women to utilize corn cobs as organic fertilizer. This research was conducted using a descriptive qualitative method that focuses on describing the results obtained in real terms based on conditions in the field. Data were collected through observation, activity documentation, and interviews. The implementation of the activity was carried out in Grenden Village, Puger District in August 2024. The target of this activity was mothers who were members of the Gayatri Women's School, totaling around 20 people. The object of this activity is corn cobs which are one of the local wastes in Grenden Village. Evaluation of this activity through the results of the pretest and post-test shows that education and training in making fertilizer from Corn Cobs have a positive impact on the community such as waste reduction, economic improvement, soil health, and empowerment education.

Beneficial or detrimental? How nickel application alters the ionome of soybean plants

The use of nickel (Ni) in agriculture may represent one of the most significant cases of plant hormesis ever reported, as plants exhibit both positive and negative responses depending on the level of exposure to this element. For a more comprehensive understanding of this effect, the next step is to conduct studies on the dynamics of pre-existing chemical elements in the system (ionomic profile), especially when introducing Ni as a novel nutrient for the plants. This micronutrient is of particular interest to the fertilization of leguminous plants, such as the soybean, due to its additional effects on the biological nitrogen fixation process. This study thus evaluated the influence of five doses of Ni (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, and 9.0 mg of Ni kg−1) on the ionomic profile of soybean genotypes using modern quantification techniques. The results revealed that the addition of Ni reduced the concentration of cationic micronutrients manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu), while it increased the concentration of macronutrients nitrogen (N) and magnesium (Mg). The application of Ni also resulted in a reduction of the potentially toxic element aluminum (Al). Correlations were also observed for these elements, indicating that Ni could be a controlling agent in elemental absorption and translocation. The ionome of the leaf tissues exhibited the most significant alterations, followed by the grains, nodules, and roots. Exogenous agronomic doses of Ni proved beneficial for the growth and production of soybean plants, although a genotypic effect was observed. The treatment with 9.0 mg of Ni kg−1, resulted in a new ionomic profile related to toxicity, demonstrating suboptimal plant development. Thus, the application of Ni in appropriate doses had a significant impact on the ionomic profile of soybeans, improving plant development and implying resistance to potentially toxic elements such as Al.

Androgenesis in vitro in anther culture of bread winter wheat

Aim. Study of the effectiveness of stages of in vitro androgenesis in anther culture for the creation of dihaploid lines of bread winter wheat. Methods. In vitro culture of isolated wheat anthers. For each genotype, the following parameters of androgenesis in vitro were determined: the percentage of caluses and the percentage of regeneration of green plants from the number of planted anthers; the percentage of acclimatized plants from regenerated green plantlets, as well as the percentage of fertile (doubled haploid) plants. Results. Androgenesis in vitro in the anther culture of 105 genotypes of soft winter wheat of different genetic origin was studied. Differences regarding the frequency of callusogenesis induction (from 0.17 to 21.25 percent of planted anthers) and the ability to regenerate plants (from 0 to 4.94 percent of planted anthers) were found. The dihaploid lines in anther culturefor almost 50 % of the studied genotypes were obtained. Spontaneous diploidization averaged 29.41 % of the obtained regenerants. Conclusions. Genotype-specific morphogenetic reactions of bread winter wheat microspores in the process of in vitro androgenesis were revealed. 122 dihaploid lines of bread winter wheat were obtained.

Agrobacterium-mediated Transformation of Tropical Maize Using Seedling Leaf Whorl Explants

Conventional maize transformation has largely relied on immature embryos as explants, and is thus often hampered by the limited access to high-quality immature embryos year-round. Here, we present a detailed protocol using seedling leaf whorls as alternative explants for tropical maize inbred transformation. This approach involves the use of a cassette that drives the expression of the morphogenic transcription factors (MTFs)Baby boom(Bbm) andWuschel2(Wus2), which have been shown to greatly enhance transformation efficiency. We outline here the steps required for the preparation of seedling leaf whorl explants and subsequentAgrobacteriuminfection, and describe the tissue culture regimen that results in transgenic plant regeneration. Because constitutive expression ofBbmandWus2prevents normal plant regeneration and the production of fertile plants, the cassette containing these genes must be excised. As such, we include the steps for theCre/loxP-mediated excision of the MTF gene cassette. The protocol outlines a year-round, more affordable, and efficient approach for carrying out maize transformation for crop improvement.

Transcriptional and hormonal profiling uncovers the interactions between plant developmental stages and RNA virus infection.

Arabidopsis thaliana is more susceptible to certain viruses during its later developmental stages. The differential responses and the mechanisms behind this development-dependent susceptibility to infection are still not fully understood. Here we explored the outcome of a viral infection at different host developmental stages by studying the response of A. thaliana to infection with turnip mosaic virus at three developmental stages: juvenile vegetative, bolting, and mature flowering plants. We found that infected plants at later stages downregulate cell wall biosynthetic genes and that this downregulation may be one factor facilitating viral spread and systemic infection. We also found that, despite being more susceptible to infection, infected mature flowering plants were more fertile (i.e. produce more viable seeds) than juvenile vegetative and bolting infected plants; that is, plants infected at the reproductive stage have greater fitness than plants infected at earlier developmental stages. Moreover, treatment of mature plants with salicylic acid increased resistance to infection at the cost of significantly reducing fertility. Together, these observations support a negative trade-off between viral susceptibility and plant fertility. Our findings point towards a development-dependent tolerance to infection.

Cytoplasmic male sterility in plants with special emphasis on sugar beet

The phenomenon of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in plants is characterized by a disturbance in the development of functional pollen. The cause of this disorder is the incompatibility of the mitochondrial and nuclear genome. Determinants of CMS are found in the mitochondrial genome and are inherited maternally. Nuclear Rf genes are responsible for restoring male fertility in CMS plants most often by posttranscriptional and/or posttranslational activity on mitochondrial gene expression. Two fertility restoring genes have been identified in sugar beet plants, of which Rf1 is the best characterized. It is concluded that the translation product of this gene acts as a molecular chaperone leading to inactivation of a specific mitochondrial protein that is a marker for the CMS trait in sugar beet. The CMS phenomenon is applied in the commercial breeding of hybrid varieties of many crop species. Exploiting heterosis is easier with the knowledge of cytoplasmic (mitochondrial) determinants of sterility and corresponding restorer genes.

Empowerment Pattern Based on Food Independence on the Indigenous Peoples of the Baduy Dalam Tribe

The farming system implemented by the Baduy Dalam community still applies the traditional farming system with the mechanism of the farmland system, which is to rest the land after being used for farming and then wait for the time to be used again for farming. With the increase in the population, the need for food increases, but this has an impact on the small area of land because it has been converted into residential land. The purpose of this research is to find alternative solutions from the empowerment model that can be applied to the Baduy Dalam community to support food security in the Baduy Dalam community. The research method uses a qualitative descriptive method using a phenomenological and ethnographic approach. The location of this research is in Cibeo, Cikartawana, and Cikeusik Villages which are included in the Baduy Dalam area. The number of informants was 7 people consisting of the Head of Kanekes Village, 3 Deputy Puun, and 3 representative residents from each village. The results of this study are recommendations for empowerment models that can be carried out by a companion must meet the following elements, namely: 1) Empowerment of soil nutrient improvement with orok-orok plants, 2) Making Organic Fertilizer to increase plant fertility, and 3) Empowerment of MOL production.

Tetraploid interspecific hybrids between Asian and African rice species restore fertility depending on killer-protector loci for hybrid sterility.

Interspecific F1 hybrids between Asian (Oryza sativa) and African rice (Oryza glaberrima) exhibit severe sterility caused by the accumulation of hybrid sterility genes/loci at 15 or more loci. The mechanisms underlying the hybrid sterility genes are largely unknown; however, a few genes associated with the killer-protector system, which is the system most frequently associated with hybrid sterility genes, have been identified. We previously produced fertile plants as tetraploids derived from diploid interspecific F1 hybrids through anther culture; therefore, it was suggested that hybrid sterility could be overcome following tetraploidization. We investigated whether tetraploid interspecific plants produced by crossing are fertile and tested the involvement of hybrid sterility genes in the process. Fertile tetraploid interspecific F1 hybrid plants were obtained by crossing 2 tetraploids of O. sativa and O. glaberrima. To elucidate the relationships between pollen fertility and the hybrid sterility loci in the tetraploid F1 microspores, we performed genetic analyses of the tetraploid F2 hybrids and diploid plants obtained from the microspores of tetraploid interspecific hybrids by anther culture. The result suggested that the tetraploid interspecific hybrids overcame pollen and seed infertility based on the proportion of loci with the killer-protector system present in the tetraploids. The heterozygous hybrid sterility loci with the killer-protector system in the tetraploid segregate the homozygous killed allele (16.7-21.4%), with more than three-quarters of the gametes surviving. We theoretically and experimentally demonstrated that fertile rice progenies can be grown from tetraploid interspecific hybrids.

Gelatin-carboxymethyl cellulose/iron-based metal-organic framework nanocomposite hydrogel as a promising biodegradable fertilizer release system: Synthesis, characterization, and fertilizer release studies

Application of fertilizers is a routine method in agriculture to increase the fertility of plants However, conventional fertilizers have raised serious health and environmental problems in recent years. Therefore, the development of biodegradable superabsorbent hydrogels based on natural polymers with the capability for fertilizer controlled release has attracted much interest. In the current research, a novel nanocomposite hydrogel based on gelatin and carboxymethyl cellulose polymers enriched with an iron based metal- organic framework (MIL-53 (Iron)) was prepared. The prepared nanocomposite hydrogel was loaded with NPK fertilizer to obtain a slow release fertilizer system. The structural properties of the nanocomposite hydrogel were investigated using FTIR, XRD, and SEM techniques. The swelling and fertilizer release behavior of the nanocomposite hydrogel were evaluated in conditions. Results showed that by adding iron-based metal organic framework to the hydrogel matrix, the water absorption capacity of the hydrogel system was increased to 345.8 (g/g). Fertilizer release studies revealed that the release of fertilizer from the nanocomposite matrix has a slow and continuous release pattern. Therefore, the synthesized nanocomposite has an appropriate strength and high potential to be used as a slow-release fertilizer system.

Foliar Fertilization of Nano-selenium and its Ef fects on Bioactive Compounds and Enzymatic Activity in Lettuce

Selenium (Se) an oligoelement for mammals is not considered essential in plant fertilization programs. Its deficiency af fects almost one million persons, making it a world health problem and nano-biofortification of cultivation is a strategy to attenuate it. Thus, this study determines the foliar selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) application ef fects on yield, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, and their accumulation in lettuce. Therefore, six applications of dif ferent Se-NPs concentrations: 0, 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg L-1 were considered. The results showed that the high doses decrease yield, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants but increase Se concentration in lettuce leaves. The recommended dosage here is of 1 mg L-1 for biomass production and 10 mg L-1 for bioactive compounds and enzymatic activity. The recommended daily consumption of lettuce biofortified with 1 mg of Se-NPs (100 g) provides the recommended daily consumption in adults. Thus, the Se-NPs application is an alternative to increase Se concentration and bioactive compounds in lettuce to influence positively, human nutrition af ter its consumption.

An incoherent feed-forward loop involving bHLH transcription factors, Auxin and CYCLIN-Ds regulates style radial symmetry establishment in Arabidopsis.

The bilateral-to-radial symmetry transition occurring during the development of the Arabidopsis thaliana female reproductive organ (gynoecium) is a crucial biological process linked to plant fertilization and seed production. Despite its significance, the cellular mechanisms governing the establishment and breaking of radial symmetry at the gynoecium apex (style) remain unknown. To fill this gap, we employed quantitative confocal imaging coupled with MorphoGraphX analysis, in vivo and in vitro transcriptional experiments, and genetic analysis encompassing mutants in two bHLH transcription factors necessary and sufficient to promote transition to radial symmetry, SPATULA (SPT) and INDEHISCENT (IND). Here, we show that defects in style morphogenesis correlate with defects in cell-division orientation and rate. We showed that the SPT-mediated accumulation of auxin in the medial-apical cells undergoing symmetry transition is required to maintain cell-division-oriented perpendicular to the direction of organ growth (anticlinal, transversal cell division). In addition, SPT and IND promote the expression of specific core cell-cycle regulators, CYCLIN-D1;1 (CYC-D1;1) and CYC-D3;3, to support progression through the G1 phase of the cell cycle. This transcriptional regulation is repressed by auxin, thus forming an incoherent feed-forward loop mechanism. We propose that this mechanism fine-tunes cell division rate and orientation with the morphogenic signal provided by auxin, during patterning of radial symmetry at the style.