Growth Response Research Articles

Comprehensive genomic screening and expression profiling of trihelix family in pearl millet under abiotic stresses with emphasis on functional insights of PgTHX24

The trihelix transcription factors (THX TFs) play a crucial role in light responses and are involved in plant growth, development, and stress responses. In this study, we have identified 35 trihelix TFs in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), which is one of the most widely grown C4 cereal crops in tropical semi-arid regions. Identified PgTHXs (Trihelix members of P. glaucum) were classified into 5 subgroups (GT1, GT2, GTγ, SH4, and SIP1) based on phylogenetic analysis, and these subgroup members shared similar gene structure and motif distribution pattern. Collinearity analysis exhibited gene duplication events of trihelix family members in pearl millet across the genome. Gene ontology (GO) annotation and cis-regulatory elements (CREs) analysis of PgTHXs suggested their involvement in diverse biological and molecular functions associated with plant growth, development, and stress responses. RNA sequencing data and expression profile displayed differential expression patterns of PgTHXs under abiotic stress and phytohormone treatments. The induced expression pattern of the PgTHX4, PgTHX5, PgTHX24, and PgTHX30 suggested their potential involvement in abiotic stress responses through phytohormonal signalling pathways. Among these, PgTHX24, a GT-3b member, was localized in the nucleus with self-transactivation ability. Overexpression of PgTHX24 positively regulated expression of stress-related markers in transformed pearl millet calli under drought stress conditions. Promoter activity analysis also highlighted the stress-inducible nature of PgTHX24’s promoter. Overall, our findings provide a comprehensive understanding of PgTHXs with a framework for further functional characterization to understand their regulatory role in pearl millet’s growth, development, and stress responses. Key messageThirty-five trihelix TFs were identified in pearl millet, and a comprehensive expression profile highlighted their functional diversity. Overexpression of PgTHX24 exhibited its potential involvement in abiotic stress responses.

The Role of the RNA Helicase DDX3X in Medulloblastoma Progression.

Medulloblastoma is the most common pediatric brain cancer, with about five cases per million in the pediatric population. Current treatment strategies have a 5-year survival rate of 70% or more but frequently lead to long-term neurocognitive defects, and recurrence is relatively high. Genomic sequencing of medulloblastoma patients has shown that DDX3X, which encodes an RNA helicase involved in the process of translation initiation, is among the most commonly mutated genes in medulloblastoma. The identified mutations are 42 single-point amino acid substitutions and are mostly not complete loss-of-function mutations. The pathological mechanism of DDX3X mutations in the causation of medulloblastoma is poorly understood, but several studies have examined their role in promoting cancer progression. This review first discusses the known roles of DDX3X and its yeast ortholog Ded1 in translation initiation, cellular stress responses, viral replication, innate immunity, inflammatory programmed cell death, Wnt signaling, and brain development. It then examines our current understanding of the oncogenic mechanism of the DDX3X mutations in medulloblastoma, including the effect of these DDX3X mutations on growth, biochemical functions, translation, and stress responses. Further research on DDX3X's mechanism and targets is required to therapeutically target DDX3X and/or its downstream effects in medulloblastoma progression.

Synergistic application of Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense and Trichoderma species improves tolerance of cowpea to aluminum stress by enhancing the antioxidant defense system

The positive effects of Trichoderma on the antioxidant responses of nodulated cowpea plants under aluminum (Al) stress are not well documented. This study aims to evaluate the effects of different microbial consortia of Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense (bradyrhizobia) and Trichoderma species (T. asperelloides T02, T. asperellum T77, or T. harzianum T78) on the growth and antioxidant responses of cowpea under Al stress. Coinoculation with Bradyrhizobia and Trichoderma resulted in greater growth (plant height and root length) and biomass (dry weight of shoots and roots) compared to single inoculations. The dual application of bradyrhizobia and T. asperellum T77 to Al-treated plants increased chlorophyll-a (36 %), chlorophyll-b (210 %), and carotenoid (92 %) contents. Under Al stress, plants inoculated with bradyrhizobia exhibited a 53 % increase in anthocyanin content compared to the unstressed control. The highest levels of reduced ascorbate and ascorbate redox state were observed in plants coinoculated with bradyrhizobia and Trichoderma, whereas oxidized ascorbate accumulated more in plants with single inoculations (bradyrhizobia or Trichoderma). Lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide levels were 50 % lower in plants coinoculated with bradyrhizobia and Trichoderma. Additionally, these plants showed increased activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and peroxidases under Al stress, particularly in those coinoculated with bradyrhizobia and T. asperelloides T02 and T. harzianum T78. Our results confirm that the presence of bradyrhizobia and Trichoderma in the cowpea rhizosphere mitigates oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species under Al stress and positively influences cowpea growth and development under stressful conditions.

Genome-wide identification and analysis of monocot-specific chimeric jacalins (MCJ) genes in Maize (Zea mays L.)

BackgroundThe monocot chimeric jacalins (MCJ) proteins, which contain a jacalin-related lectin (JRL) domain and a dirigent domain (DIR), are specific to Poaceae. MCJ gene family is reported to play an important role in growth, development and stress response. However, their roles in maize have not been thoroughly investigated.ResultsIn this study, eight MCJ genes in the maize genome (designated as ZmMCJs) were identified, which displayed unequal distribution across four chromosomes. Phylogenetic relationships between the ZmMCJs were evident through the identification of highly conserved motifs and gene structures. Analysis of transcriptome data revealed distinct expression patterns among the ZmMCJ genes, leading to their classification into four different modules, which were subsequently validated using RT-qPCR. Protein structures of the same module are found to be relatively similar. Subcellular localization experiments indicated that the ZmMCJs are mainly located on the cell membrane. Additionally, hemagglutination and inhibition experiments show that only part of the ZmMCJs protein has lectin activity, which is mediated by the JRL structure, and belongs to the mannose-binding type. The cis-acting elements in the promoter region of ZmMCJ genes predicted their involvement response to phytohormones, such as abscisic acid and jasmonic acid. This suggests that ZmMCJ genes may play a significant role in both biotic and abiotic stress responses.ConclusionsOverall, this study adds new insights into our understanding of the gene-protein architecture, evolutionary characteristics, expression profiles, and potential functions of MCJ genes in maize.

Using PyCaret to model Chlorella vulgaris's growth response to salinity and oil contamination for crude oil bioremediation

ABSTRACT Crude oil spills significantly impact aquatic ecosystems, necessitating innovative remediation strategies. Microalgae-based bioremediation, particularly with Chlorella vulgaris, offers a promising solution. This study introduces a novel framework that evaluates the combined effects of selected environmental stressors on microalgal adaptability, advancing beyond traditional isolated factor analyses. By integrating a factorial experimental design with a machine learning approach using PyCaret AutoML and SHAP values, we provide a detailed examination of how crude oil concentration, salinity, and exposure duration affect C. vulgaris growth. The Extra Trees Regressor model emerged as highly accurate in predicting biomass concentration, a crucial adaptability indicator, achieving an MAE of 0.0202, RMSE of 0.029, and an R² of 0.8875. SHAP analysis highlighted salinity and crude oil as significant growth influencers, with exposure duration playing a minor role. Notably, C. vulgaris exhibited more sensitivity to salinity than to crude oil, indicating potential high-salinity challenges but also a strong tolerance to oil pollutants. These findings enhance our understanding of microalgal responses in polluted environments and suggest improved bioremediation approaches for saline waters affected by oil spills, leveraging the synergy of environmental factors and machine learning insights.

Effectiveness of thinning in mitigating post-drought legacy effects on Chinese fir in subtropical plantation forests, Southeastern China

Legacy effects following drought are widely detected across worldwide forests, significantly affecting the growth recovery and susceptibility of trees after droughts. Thinning is a common forest management practice used to alter tree growth and climate-growth relationships. Although the effects of thinning on tree response during drought have been investigated, how thinning modulates post-drought legacy effects remains largely unknown. In this study, based on tree-ring data of 140 trees, we examined the effects of thinning on post-drought legacy effects using the quantile mixed effect model for Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) in Southeastern China. The tree-ring data were stratified sampling from a thinning experiment applied 10 years ago in 8-year-old plantations, and included four thinning intensities (20 %, 25 %, 33 %, and 50 % reduction of tree number) and an unthinned control treatment. Drought legacy effects of tree growth positively depended on tree social status with the magnitudes and variations larger in higher status classes. Dominant large trees without thinning management had the greatest drought legacy effects. Although the effects of thinning varied slightly at different quantiles, they all indicated that thinning mitigated the growth legacies after drought and the reduction effect was more pronounced with increasing thinning intensity. Thinning could also reduce post-drought climate sensitivities, but only after moderate thinning (20 % and 25 % thinning intensity). Heavier thinning (33 % and 50 % thinning intensity) instead enhanced tree growth responses to climate changes following drought. Thinning intensity needs to be carefully considered to really reap the post-drought benefits of forest thinning management. Our findings suggested that mild thinning offered an alleviation of climate dependency following drought in addition to reducing drought legacy effects on growth, benefiting tree recovery from drought. The results of this study are useful to inform management adaptive strategies for drought-vulnerable plantations under increasingly frequent droughts.

Quantification of tree growth change under climate change using National Forest Inventory of Korea

To achieve carbon neutrality in the face of climate change, accurately estimating forest carbon uptake is crucial. Environmental changes, such as temperature increases or precipitation fluctuations caused by climate change, can alter the growth responses of each species and act as a driver for changes in forest productivity. In particular, using a single-species growth model increases uncertainty in predicting stand growth, given the high species diversity in temperate forests in East Asia. Therefore, in this study, we identified the growth curve of 17 species-specific distributed in Korean temperate forest as well as the growth trend over the last 30 years (1976–2005). For this purpose, the species distribution and growth characteristics of 17 major Korean species of trees were analyzed using 13,808 tree-ring series from the 5th National Forest Inventory, which was conducted between 2006 and 2010. The growth characteristics of each species were analyzed using the average growth curve specific to each species, and the yearly growth trend was examined through residual analysis of the average growth curve. The distribution range of the 17 major tree species varied by species, as did the growth rate, ranging from 7 cm² · year⁻¹ to 17 cm² · year⁻¹ for the 30-year-old average basal area increment (BAI). Over time, fast-growing tree species exhibited initially high BAI, followed by a sharp decline from the 2000s. In contrast, broadleaf trees showed a continuous increase. Furthermore, a comparison of the total volume of individual trees and the volume of the yield table revealed that accurately estimating the actual forest volume was challenging. This study contributes to improving the accuracy of productivity predictions for temperate forests, underscoring the necessity to investigate the interaction between climate and forest succession in the future.

Unlocking the potential of biofilm-forming plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria for growth and yield enhancement in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) boost crop yields and reduce environmental pressures through biofilm formation in natural climates. Recently, biofilm-based root colonization by these microorganisms has emerged as a promising strategy for agricultural enhancement. The current work aims to characterize biofilm-forming rhizobacteria for wheat growth and yield enhancement. For this, native rhizobacteria were isolated from the wheat rhizosphere and ten isolates were characterized for plant growth promoting traits and biofilm production under axenic conditions. Among these ten isolates, five were identified as potential biofilm-producing PGPR based on in vitro assays for plant growth-promoting traits. These were further evaluated under controlled and field conditions for their impact on wheat growth and yield attributes. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy analysis further indicated that the biochemical composition of the biofilm produced by the selected bacterial strains includes proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, and nucleic acids (DNA/RNA). Inoculated plants in growth chamber resulted in larger roots, shoots, and increase in fresh biomass than controls. Similarly, significant increases in plant height (13.3, 16.7%), grain yield (29.6, 17.5%), number of tillers (18.7, 34.8%), nitrogen content (58.8, 48.1%), and phosphorus content (63.0, 51.0%) in grains were observed in both pot and field trials, respectively. The two most promising biofilm-producing isolates were identified through 16 s rRNA partial gene sequencing as Brucella sp. (BF10), Lysinibacillus macroides (BF15). Moreover, leaf pigmentation and relative water contents were significantly increased in all treated plants. Taken together, our results revealed that biofilm forming PGPR can boost crop productivity by enhancing growth and physiological responses and thus aid in sustainable agriculture.

Cancer marker TNFRSF1A: From single‑cell heterogeneity of renal cell carcinoma to functional validation.

During the progression of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), tumor growth, metastasis and treatment response heterogeneity are regulated by both the tumor itself and the tumor microenvironment (TME). The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of the TME in RCC and construct a crosstalk network for clear cell RCC (ccRCC). An additional aim was to evaluate whether TNF receptor superfamily member 1A (TNFRSF1A) is a potential therapeutic target for ccRCC. Single-cell data analysis of RCC was performed using the GSE152938 dataset, focusing on key cellular components and their involvement in the ccRCC TME. Additionally, cell-cell communication was analyzed to elucidate the complex network of the ccRCC microenvironment. Analyses of data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium databases were performed to further mine the key TNF receptor genes, with a particular focus on the prediction and assessment of the cancer-associated features of TNFRSF1A. In addition, following the silencing of TNFRSF1A using small interfering RNA in the 786-O ccRCC cell line, a number of in vitro experiments were conducted to further investigate the cancer-promoting characteristics of TNFRSF1A. These included 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation, Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, Transwell, cell cycle and apoptosis assays. The TNF signaling pathway was found to have a critical role in the development of ccRCC. Based on the specific crosstalk identified between TNF and TNFRSF1A, the communication of this signaling pathway within the TME was elucidated. The results of the cellular phenotype experiments indicated that TNFRSF1A promotes the proliferation, migration and invasion of ccRCC cells. Consequently, it is proposed that targeting TNFRSF1A may disrupt tumor progression and serve as a therapeutic strategy. In conclusion, by understanding the TME and identifying significant crosstalk within the TNF signaling pathway, the potential of TNFRSF1A as a therapeutic target is highlighted. This may facilitate an advance in precision medicine and improve the prognosis for patients with RCC.

Integrated analysis of DNA methylome and transcriptome revealing epigenetic regulation of CRIR1-promoted cold tolerance

BackgroundDNA methylation contributes to the epigenetic regulation of nuclear gene expression, and is associated with plant growth, development, and stress responses. Compelling evidence has emerged that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) regulates DNA methylation. Previous genetic and physiological evidence indicates that lncRNA-CRIR1 plays a positive role in the responses of cassava plants to cold stress. However, it is unclear whether global DNA methylation changes with CRIR1-promoted cold tolerance.ResultsIn this study, a comprehensive comparative analysis of DNA methylation and transcriptome profiles was performed to reveal the gene expression and epigenetic dynamics after CRIR1 overexpression. Compared with the wild-type plants, CRIR1-overexpressing plants present gained DNA methylation in over 37,000 genomic regions and lost DNA methylation in about 16,000 genomic regions, indicating a global decrease in DNA methylation after CRIR1 overexpression. Declining DNA methylation is not correlated with decreased/increased expression of the DNA methylase/demethylase genes, but is associated with increased transcripts of a few transcription factors, chlorophyll metabolism and photosynthesis-related genes, which could contribute to the CRIR1-promoted cold tolerance.ConclusionsIn summary, a first set of transcriptome and epigenome data was integrated in this study to reveal the gene expression and epigenetic dynamics after CRIR1 overexpression, with the identification of several TFs, chlorophyll metabolism and photosynthesis-related genes that may be involved in CRIR1-promoted cold tolerance. Therefore, our study has provided valuable data for the systematic study of molecular insights for plant cold stress response.

Widespread changes to the translational landscape in a maize microRNA biogenesis mutant.

MicroRNAs are short, non-coding RNAs that repress gene expression in both plants and animals and have diverse functions related to growth, development, and stress responses. The ribonuclease, DICER-LIKE1 (DCL1) is required for two steps in plant miRNA biogenesis: cleavage of the primary miRNAs (pri-miRNAs) to release a hairpin structure, called the precursor miRNA (pre-miRNA) and cleavage of the pre-miRNA to generate the miRNA/miRNA* duplex. The mature miRNA guides the RNA-induced silencing complex to target RNAs with complementary sequences, resulting in translational repression and/or RNA cleavage of target mRNAs. However, the relative contribution of translational repression versus mRNA degradation by miRNAs remains unknown at the genome-level in crops, especially in maize. The maize fuzzy tassel (fzt) mutant contains a hypomorphic mutation in DCL1 resulting in broad developmental defects. While most miRNAs are reduced in fzt, the levels of miRNA-targeted mRNAs are not dramatically increased, suggesting that translational regulation by miRNAs may be common. To gain insight into the repression mechanism of plant miRNAs, we combined ribosome profiling and RNA-sequencing to globally survey miRNA activities in maize. Our data indicate that translational repression contributes significantly to regulation of most miRNA targets and that approximately one-third of miRNA targets are regulated primarily at the translational level. Surprisingly, ribosomes appear altered in fzt mutants suggesting that DCL1 may also have a role in ribosome biogenesis. Thus, DICER-LIKE1 shapes the translational landscape in plants through both miRNA-dependent and miRNA-independent mechanisms.

Multifaceted roles of Arabidopsis heat shock factor binding protein in plant growth, development, and heat shock response

Heat shock factor-binding protein (HSBP) is a 10 kDa protein in plants and animals and consists exclusively of a coiled-coil domain. During the recovery phase following a heat shock response, HSBP relocates from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), where it interacts with heat shock factors (HSFs). Here, we found that 16 out of the 19 functional known HSFs can interact with HSBP. Besides, our results indicate that HSBP negatively regulates HSF gene expression during normal growth conditions and recovery from heat shock. Expanding our understanding of HSBP's physiological functions during regular growth, co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry analysis identified 16 coiled-coil domain-containing proteins co-immunoprecipitated with HSBP. These proteins encompass HSP70s, all components of the MAIGO2 complex, COP1-interactive protein1 (CIP1), CIP1-like protein, kinesin-like protein for actin-based chloroplast movement1 and 2 (KAC1/2), and HSBP itself. By examining mutant plants lacking HSBP and its interacting proteins, we elucidated their functional relationships. Our findings underscore the indispensability of the HSBP coiled-coil heptad repeat for interacting with its partners and its crucial role in growth, development, and the heat shock response. In addition to its involvement in heat shock response, Arabidopsis HSBP, a discreet small regulatory protein, exerts multiple regulatory functions in hypocotyl elongation, flowering time, chloroplast photo-relocation, and seed development.

Long-Term Health Impacts of Post-COVID Syndrome: Genetic and Epigenetic Modifications Increasing Cancer Risk and Public Health Challenges

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound and lasting impact on global health, extending beyond the immediate effects of the acute respiratory illness it initially caused. Post-COVID syndrome, or long COVID, has emerged as a significant health concern, characterized by a wide range of persistent symptoms and complications affecting multiple organ systems. This syndrome poses substantial challenges to both individuals and healthcare systems, with potential long-term consequences that warrant urgent attention and research. Among the most alarming potential outcomes is the risk of a significant increase in oncological diseases. The chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and genetic and epigenetic changes induced by prolonged COVID are factors that have long been associated with cancer development. The possibility that these factors could lead to a substantial rise in cancer incidence over the next 5-7 years is a critical area of investigation. Chronic inflammation, a hallmark of long COVID, is a well-established risk factor for cancer. Persistent inflammatory responses can cause DNA damage, promote the activation of oncogenes, and suppress tumor suppressor genes, thereby creating an environment conducive to cancer development. The oxidative stress associated with chronic inflammation can result in significant genetic alterations, including DNA mutations and chromosomal aberrations, further increasing cancer risk. Additionally, epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and alterations in non-coding RNA expression can disrupt normal gene regulation, leading to inappropriate activation or silencing of genes involved in cell growth, apoptosis, and immune responses. These epigenetic disruptions can create a cellular environment that favors malignant transformation and cancer progression. Telomere shortening, another consequence of chronic stress and inflammation observed in long COVID patients, is associated with increased cancer risk. Accelerated telomere shortening due to chronic inflammation and oxidative stress can lead to cellular senescence, genomic instability, and increased susceptibility to cancer. Expert opinions from leading oncologists, geneticists, and epidemiologists underscore the urgency of addressing the potential long-term oncological impacts of postCOVID syndrome. Mathematical models and epidemiological studies support concerns that cancer incidence could potentially double due to long COVID, indicating a significant public health challenge.In addition to oncological diseases, long COVID is associated with an increased risk of several other chronic conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, metabolic disorders, respiratory diseases, autoimmune diseases, and mental health disorders. Addressing these potential increases requires a comprehensive approach, including continued research, enhanced screening and monitoring, public health initiatives, and targeted therapeutic interventions. This abstract highlights the multifaceted impacts of long COVID, emphasizing the need for ongoing vigilance and a coordinated response to mitigate its long-term health consequences. Understanding and addressing these challenges is crucial for improving the quality of life for individuals affected by long COVID and for protecting global health in the post-pandemic era.

Radiomics and visual analysis for predicting success of transplantation of heterotopic glioblastoma in mice with MRI

BackgroundQuantifying tumor growth and treatment response noninvasively poses a challenge to all experimental tumor models. The aim of our study was, to assess the value of quantitative and visual examination and radiomic feature analysis of high-resolution MR images of heterotopic glioblastoma xenografts in mice to determine tumor cell proliferation (TCP).MethodsHuman glioblastoma cells were injected subcutaneously into both flanks of immunodeficient mice and followed up on a 3 T MR scanner. Volumes and signal intensities were calculated. Visual assessment of the internal tumor structure was based on a scoring system. Radiomic feature analysis was performed using MaZda software. The results were correlated with histopathology and immunochemistry.Results21 tumors in 14 animals were analyzed. The volumes of xenografts with high TCP (H-TCP) increased, whereas those with low TCP (L-TCP) or no TCP (N-TCP) continued to decrease over time (p < 0.05). A low intensity rim (rim sign) on unenhanced T1-weighted images provided the highest diagnostic accuracy at visual analysis for assessing H-TCP (p < 0.05). Applying radiomic feature analysis, wavelet transform parameters were best for distinguishing between H-TCP and L-TCP / N-TCP (p < 0.05).ConclusionVisual and radiomic feature analysis of the internal structure of heterotopically implanted glioblastomas provide reproducible and quantifiable results to predict the success of transplantation.

Response of aspen to a warming climate along a latitudinal gradient in the Rocky Mountains, USA

The 21st century's warming climate threatens aspen (Populus tremuloides) growth in the southern Rocky Mountains (western US), endangering ecosystem diversity, functionality, and associated services. This study linked aspen growth with temperature and moisture variations, assessing how warmer climates and seasonal changes affect ring widths. Sampling 211 aspen trees from 12 latitudinally distributed sites, we compiled three regional aspen chronologies spanning 1913 to 2018. We investigated climate-growth associations using correlation and modeling (climwin) techniques. Results revealed that aspen at the trailing southern edge of the Rocky Mountains are vulnerable to drought, where elevated temperatures and diminished precipitation emerge as primary factors contributing to their reduced growth. In contrast, aspens in the northern region of the gradient exhibited a positive growth response to rising temperatures, potentially linked to the alleviation of growth-limiting cold temperatures. However, while pre-2000s droughts increased growth, recent droughts elicited growth reductions in the North; suggesting that with continued warming, northern populations will increasingly face sensitivity to droughts akin to their southern counterparts. These findings emphasize the increased vulnerability of southern Rocky Mountain aspen populations to climate change-induced growth constraints, particularly in the anticipated warmer and drier conditions of the 21st century. This study is crucial to understanding aspen responses to climate fluctuations in the region.

Evaluation of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Varieties under Different Salt Stress Levels

Tomato is a crop of immense economic importance worldwide and salinity is one of the major abiotic factors limiting its production and productivity in Ethiopia. The study was conducted to assess growth, physiological activities and yield responses of two tomato varieties to six different salinity levels. Evaluation of the varieties for salt tolerance was carried out in greenhouse in 2018/19. Each treatment was replicated three times and arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design in factorial arrangement. Most of the traits showed significant decrease (P&lt;0.0001) as salinity level increased from lower to higher concentration. The highest shoot fresh weight (163.13g/plant), shoot dry matter (32.8g/plant) and leaf area (26.93cm2) were recorded for the control treatment and the highest root fresh weight (12.27g/plant), root dry weight (5.53g/plant) and fruit yield (22.71 tone/ha) were recorded at 1dSm-1for variety Melka Shola, while the lowest shoot fresh weight (79.9g/plant), shoot dry matter (22.67g/plant), leaf area(17.63 cm2), root fresh weight (6.12g/plant) and root dry weight (3.8g/plant) were recorded at 5 dSm-1 for variety ARP tomato-d2. The lowest yield (16.73 tone/ha) was recorded at 5 dSm-1 for variety ARP tomato-d2. The highest and the lowest values of photosynthetic rate (0.82 µmolCo2m-2s-1 and (0.47 µmolCo2m-2s-1 respectively) were obtained from the control treatment and the highest salinity level for variety Melka Shola, whereas, corresponding values of (0.84µmolCo2m-2s-1 and 0.56 µmolCo2m-2s-1 were recorded for variety ARP tomato-d2. Results of laboratory analysis showed that, sodium and Na/K significantly increased with increased salinity level. However, potassium, Sulfur and phosphorus showed significant decrease with increasing salinity level. Melka Shola was found to be more salt tolerant as compared to ARP tomato-d2. Since the present experiment was conducted for one season and under controlled condition, it deserves further evaluation and verification under field condition in salt affected areas and the effect of salinity on tomato quality also deserves further investigation.

Are miRNAs applicable for balancing crop growth and defense trade-off?

Securing agricultural supplies for the increasing population without negative impacts on environment demands new crop varieties with higher yields, better quality, and stronger stress resilience. But breeding such super crop varieties is restrained by growth-defense (G-D) trade-off. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are versatile regulators of plant growth and immune responses, with several being demonstrated to simultaneously regulate crop growth and defense against biotic stresses and to balance G-D trade-off. Increasing evidence also links miRNAs to the metabolism and signaling of phytohormones, another type of master regulator of plant growth and defense. Here, we synthesize the reported functions of miRNAs in crop growth, development, and responses to bio-stressors, summarize the regulatory scenarios of miRNAs based on their relationship with target(s), and discuss how miRNAs, particularly those involved in crosstalk with phytohormones, can be applied in balancing G-D trade-off in crops. We also propose several open questions to be addressed for adopting miRNAs in balancing crop G-D trade-off.

Numerical and Thermal Response of the Bacterivorous Ciliate Colpidium kleini, a Species Potentially at Risk of Extinction by Rising Water Temperatures

We investigated the food-dependent growth and thermal response of the freshwater ciliate Colpidium kleini using numerical response (NR) experiments. This bacterivorous ciliate occurs in lotic water and the pelagial of lakes and ponds. The C. kleini strain used in this work was isolated from a small alpine lake and identified by combining detailed morphological inspections with molecular phylogeny. Specific growth rates (rmax) were measured from 5 to 21 °C. The ciliate did not survive at 22 °C. The threshold bacterial food levels (0.3 − 2.2 × 106 bacterial cells mL−1) matched the bacterial abundance in the alpine lake from which C. kleini was isolated. The food threshold was notably lower than previously reported for C. kleini and two other Colpidium species. The threshold was similar to levels reported for oligotrich and choreotrich ciliates if expressed in terms of bacterial biomass (0.05 − 0.43 mg C L−1). From the NR results, we calculated physiological mortality rates at zero food concentration. The mean mortality (0.55 ± 0.17 d−1) of C. kleini was close to the mean estimate obtained for other planktonic ciliates that do not encyst. We used the data obtained by the NR experiments to fit a thermal performance curve (TPC). The TPC yielded a temperature optimum at 17.3 °C for C. kleini, a maximum upper thermal tolerance limit of 21.9 °C, and a thermal safety margin of 4.6 °C. We demonstrated that combining NR with TPC analysis is a powerful tool to predict better a species’ fitness in response to temperature and food.

Interactive effects of fungal community structure and soil moisture on Wyoming big sagebrush performance

Abstract Aims Local adaptation of plant populations to soil biotic conditions may complicate ecosystem restoration if seeds used in reseeding efforts are sourced from a different population than the one that succumbed to disturbance. Furthermore, climatic conditions may mediate the interaction between plants and soil microbial communities. This study aimed to assess how the composition of the local soil fungal community affects Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis) growth and its resource allocation to shoot and root growth under different moisture-availability conditions. Methods We explored sagebrush growth responses to inoculation with wet-adapted versus dry-adapted sagebrush-associated fungal communities in a 7-month greenhouse experiment. Seeds were planted with inoculum isolated from rhizosphere soil from either a relatively wet or a dry sagebrush-dominated site and subjected to a moisture regime representative of either the wet or dry site. Biomass, root morphology, and fungal community composition were assessed. Results Wet and dry sites hosted distinct in-situ fungal communities, and inoculum derived from different sites generated compositionally different fungal assemblages in the seedlings’ rhizospheres during the growth period. Compared to sterilized inoculum controls, live inoculum from either site enhanced seedling biomass, but only when soil moisture simulated that of the inoculum’s source site. Dry-site inoculum also produced longer, finer roots under dry-site conditions. Conclusions Moisture similar to the fungal inoculum’s source was necessary for fungi to positively impact sagebrush growth and root characteristics. Applying fungal inoculum adapted to an intended restoration site’s moisture could help seedlings optimize water uptake and productivity, encouraging sagebrush establishment.

Growth of indigenous mountainous Indonesian Hibiscus macrophyllus in agroforestry system from various age, seed sources and slopes

In East Java, forest degradation on the slopes resulted landslides during rainy seasons, because of a farming change toward mountainous terrain. Government encouraged community to build agroforestry systems using Hibiscus macrophyllus, therefore this study examined the H. macrophyllus growth on slopes from 15° to 75° in two trials from 6 months to three years, using a variety of eight seed sources. The objectives of this study were to determine the growth responses of H. macrophyllus of various ages on various land slopes in two locations (Mount Kawi and Mount Willis). The trials in two locations were established by Incomplete Block Design (IBD) comprising of 4-6 replications with 50 open pollinated families from 8 seed sources. In both trials, this plant was grown alongside agricultural crops. The General Linear Model (GLM) was used to analyse the growth data from two trials to identify variations in plant age, location, slopes and seed sources. The results showed that growth was significantly different between locations, slopes, seed source and ages. It was found that there was an interaction between site and slope. Height varies, with three times more in Willis (72.6 cm) than in Kawi (26.05 cm). Dramatic changes in slopes, induce more than doubled the height between 75° and 30° slope, which influence considerable wood biomass volume at the end. Increasing growth occurred from 6 months to 3 years i.e.: >7.5 times for height and >6.5 times for diameter. This fast growth at 3 years immediately benefits in ameliorating the mountainside ecosystem. Seed sources perform differently, and considerable variances also occur between families. Comparison between the lowest and greatest seed sources were 40% greater in height and 9% in diameter, indicating that seed sources, as well as family selection, should be considered. The best growth response of H. macrophyllus was found at Willis after 3 years at 30° slope.