Plant Interactions Research Articles

Pulse crops as effective living mulches: An eco-conscious weed management approach

The evolution of weed management strategies from basic cultural techniques to novel, integrated approaches reflects technological advancements that promise further improvements in weed management strategies, fostering more efficient and eco-friendly farming practices. Using legume crops as living mulches for weed suppression has gained considerable attention in agricultural systems. This method involves strategically planting leguminous cover crops as intercrops to inhibit weed growth and improve soil health, potentially boosting crop yields through reduced weed pressure and enhanced nutrient availability. The successful implementation of living mulches requires careful selection of crop species, optimal planting density, and appropriate management practices. Choosing compatible legumes, optimizing planting geometry and employing suitable termination methods are essential for maximizing the weed-suppressing and soil-enhancing benefits of living mulches. The efficacy of intercropping systems in controlling weeds largely depends on intercrop components' growth rate and duration. Weed management strategies rely on understanding plant interactions, including the competitive ability of main crops at various growth stages to inhibit weed expansion. While intercropping shows promise for enhancing crop dominance over weeds, weed control efficiency varies among different intercrops due to factors affecting the intercrop-weed relationship. Smallholder farmers find this practice appealing for improving labour productivity and land use through intensification and resource utilization for maximum yield. Research on developing genotypes suitable for weed suppression and studies on combined herbicide applications and optimal dosage determination for effective control of mixed weed flora is necessary. The shift towards integrating pulse crops as a cornerstone in weed management strategies presents a promising avenue for research and application. The comparative analysis underscored in this review showcases the capacity of legumes to offer a viable alternative to synthetic herbicides and mechanical controls, paving the way for their increased adoption in diverse farming systems.

A review of short-term weather impacts on honey production.

Beekeeping is an exceptionally weather-sensitive agricultural field. Honey production and pollination services depend on the complex interaction of plants and bees, both of which are impacted by short-term weather changes. In this review, classical and recent research is collected to provide an overview on short-term atmospheric factors influencing honey production, and the optimal and critical weather conditions for bee activity. Bee flight can be directly obstructed by precipitation, wind, extreme temperatures and also air pollution. Bees generally fly within a temperature range of 10-40°C, with optimal foraging efficiency occurring between 20 and 30°C. Wind speeds exceeding 1.6-6.7m/s can reduce foraging efficiency. Additionally, bee activity is significantly correlated with temperature, relative humidity and solar radiation, factors which influence nectar production. Optimal conditions for nectar collection typically occur in the morning and early afternoon hours with mild and moist weather. The diurnal nectar collection habit of bees adjusts to the nectar production of individual plant species. Extreme weather occurring in the sensitive hours is noticeable both in the nectar production of plants and in the activity of bees, thus in the honey yield. Understanding the impact of weather on honey bees is crucial in the management and planning of honey production. This review highlights the importance of studying these interactions to better adapt beekeeping practices to changing environmental conditions.

Increasing variability in resource supply over time disrupts plant–pollinator interactions

AbstractInsect–plant interactions are key determinants of plant and insect fitness, providing important ecosystem services around the world—including the Arctic region. Recently, it has been suggested that climate warming causes rifts between flower and pollinator phenology. To what extent the progression of pollinators matches the availability of flowers in the Arctic season is poorly known. In this study, we aimed to characterize the community phenology of flowers and insects in a rapidly changing Arctic environment from a descriptive and functional perspective. To this end, we inferred changes in resource availability from both a plant and an insect point of view, by connecting resource and consumer species through a metaweb of all the plant–insect interactions ever observed at a site. Specifically, we: (1) characterized species‐specific phenology among plants and insects at two High‐Arctic sites—Cambridge Bay in Nunavut, Canada, and Zackenberg in Northeast Greenland; (2) quantified competition for flowers using sticky flower mimics; (3) used information on plant–pollinator interactions to quantify supply and demand for pollinator services versus flower resources during the summer; and (4) compared patterns observed within a focal summer at each site to patterns of long‐term change at Zackenberg, using a 25‐year time series of plant flowering and insect phenology. Within summers, we found evidence of a general mismatch between supply and demand. Over the 25‐year time series, the number of weeks per summer when resource supply fell below a standardized threshold increased significantly over time. In addition, variation in resource availability increased significantly over years. We suggest that the number of resource‐poor weeks per year is increasing and becoming less predictable in the High Arctic. This will have important implications for plant pollination, pollinator fitness, and the future of the Arctic ecosystem, as both plants and their pollinators are faced with widening resource gaps.

Short-term continuous cropping leads to a decline in rhizosphere soil fertility by modulating the perilla root exudates

Continuous cropping obstacles are a prevalent issue in agricultural production worldwide. However, the key factors leading to these obstacles differ among various crops. This study utilized high-throughput sequencing and metabolomics to assess the community structure of microbes and the types and abundance of metabolites in rhizosphere soil after different continuous cropping years of Perilla frutescens L. Britt. (perilla). The results indicate that differential metabolites in soils of varying continuous cropping years are primarily associated with pathways for cellular lipid formation, oxidative stress responses, and energy metabolism. These findings suggest that the changes in soil composition over time are linked to specific biological processes related to lipid formation, oxidative stress, and energy metabolism. The relative abundance of beneficial bacteria in the soil, such as Sphingomonas, Gemmatimonas, and Blastococcus, decreased significantly (p < 0.05), while harmful fungi, such as Neocosmospora and Didymella, increased in response to the increase in continuous cropping years (p < 0.05). The symbiotic network between bacteria and fungi has become less dense and stable after continuous cropping. Enzymatic activities in rhizosphere soil decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Soil organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, available phosphorus, and available potassium declined significantly (p < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis identified 10 differential secondary metabolites that were closely related to the relative abundance of key microorganisms. Among them, cinnamic acid and flavonoid compounds are key factors leading to changes in microbial diversity, and they can regulate the microorganisms-soil- plants interactions. In summary, this study provides a novel scientific explanation for how continuous cropping can reduce soil fertility and a theoretical basis for subsequent cultivation strategies of perilla.

Extreme heat and drought did not affect interspecific interactions between dune grasses

The frequency of extreme climatic events, such as storm and heatwaves, is predicted to increase because of climate change. Understanding interactions between species in environmental extremes plays a vital role in predicting ecosystem resilience. In this study, we examined how heat and drought combined with interspecific interactions between pioneer dune builder sand couch (Thinopyrum junceiforme) and primary foredune builder marram grass (Calamagrostis arenaria) affected growth and survival of the latter species in an embryonic dune system. In a 4-week field experiment, we transplanted marram grass within sand couch patches or on bare sediment. This plant interaction treatment was combined with a compound heat and drought treatment that was simulated with greenhouses that inhibited rainfall and increased temperatures (average daily maximum temperature +4°C). Results show that the presence of sand couch significantly reduced growth (i.e., formation of new shoots, shoot and root length and aboveground biomass) of marram grass. By contrast, the heat and drought treatment had no significant effects on growth or survival of marram grass, irrespective of species interactions. The neutral response suggests that even in its early establishment marram grass is highly heat and drought resistant. Since the competitive interaction between sand couch and establishing marram grass did not change under pressure of an extreme heat and drought event, we expect that these factors do not affect embryonic dune development.

Big Data Visualization for Black Sigatoka Disease of Bananas and Pathogen–Host Interactions (PHI) of Other Plants

Black sigatoka is a leaf spot disease affecting banana plants that has caused significant yield reductions of up to 50% (Arman et al., 2023). This research presents data visualizations of 8,761 data points related to black sigatoka in banana plants, encompassing attributes such as time, canopy temperature, and relative humidity. The paper also reviews related work, including the application of data mining to plant studies, the use of deep learning neural networks for plant disease data, and the use of machine learning for predicting crop yields and detecting disease. Additionally, it presents big data visualizations for 20,952 values obtained from the web-accessible Pathogen–Host Interactions database (PHI-base), covering various plant disease categories and providing an epidemiological analysis of prevalent causative agents in specific plant diseases.

Role of LED (Light Emitting Diode) Light Illumination on the Growth of Plants in Greenhouse Farming-Hydroponics: IOT Technology

This review paper of literature highlights role of Light Emitting Diode (LED) on the growth of plants under controlled conditions of greenhouse farming particularly hydroponics. “Internet of Things (IOT)” is a system of interconnected computing devices, sensors, objects, microcontrollers, and cloud servers that can transmit data across a network and control other devices remotely without human intervention. Light Emitting Diode (LED) is a more efficient, versatile, lasts longer, highly energy-efficient, directional, narrow light spectrum, low power consumption, and little heat production. Common LED colors include amber, red, green, and blue. Hydroponic grow lights are designed to mimic the natural light that plants need for photosynthesis. Plants can only use the spectrum of visible light to produce photosynthesis, and this narrow spectrum (400 to 700 nanometer) is recognized as the Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR). The development and growth of diverse plant species can be influenced differently by a variety of colored LED lights. LED illumination provides an efficient way to improve yield and modify plant properties. Therefore, LED systems plays an important role in controlling morphological, genetic, physiological, chemical properties, increasing the synthesis of a variety of beneficial secondary metabolites, and optobiological interactions of plants in greenhouse farming. In general, red and blue light is essential for maximizing the photosynthesis process due to their strong absorption by the plant chlorophyll molecules. LED illumination sources are increasingly being utilized to enhance the growth rate of vegetables and herbs cultivated in greenhouses worldwide. LED illumination spectrum manipulation could enable significant morphological adaptations, and identification of the wavelength ranges is required to increase the plant photosynthesis process.

Comprehensive Genomic and Proteomic Analysis Identifies Effectors of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melongenae

Fusarium wilt in eggplant caused by F. oxysporum f. sp. melongenae is a major devastating soil-borne disease on a worldwide scale. Effectors play important roles in the interactions in pathogen–plant interactions. Identifying effectors is essential for elucidating the pathogenic mechanisms of phytopathogenic fungi. In this study, bioinformatic prediction approaches, including SignalP v5.0, TMHMM v2.0, WoLF PSORT, PredGPI, and EffectorP, were employed to screen for candidate secreted effector proteins (CSEPs) in F. oxysporum f. sp. melongenae. A total of 1019 proteins exhibiting characteristics typical of classical secretory proteins were identified, 301 of which demonstrated carbohydrate activity, and 194 CSEPs were identified. Furthermore, a total of 563 proteins from F. oxysporum f. sp. melongenae under induced conditions were identified using mass spectrometry-based label-free quantitative proteomics. These findings suggest a potential role of these CSEPs in the interaction between F. oxysporum f. sp. melongenae and eggplant, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of F. oxysporum f. sp. melongenae and strategies for disease management.

'Friend versus foe'-does autophagy help regulate symbiotic plant-microbe interactions and can it be manipulated to improve legume cultivation?

Autophagy is a genetically regulated, eukaryotic catabolic pathway that responds to internal and external cellular signals. In plants, it plays crucial roles in development, and responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. Due to its role in limiting the hypersensitive response, research on the molecular mechanisms of autophagic signalling pathways in plant-microbe interactions has primarily focused on plant-pathogen responses. Although there is substantially less information on the role of autophagy signalling in symbiotic plant-microbe interactions, there is accumulating evidence that it is also a key regulator of mutualistic plant-microbe interactions. Here, we review recent progress on the roles of autophagy in symbiotic plant interactions and discuss potential future research directions. Once understood, the central role that autophagy plays within pathogenic and symbiotic plant-microbe interactions has significant potential application for crop improvement. Manipulating autophagy in legume crops could help support crop growth with reduced levels of fertiliser application while maintaining yields with increased protein content in the harvest.

Arctic plant-fungus interaction networks show major rewiring with environmental variation

Global environmental change may lead to changes in community structure and in species interactions, ultimately changing ecosystem functioning. Focusing on spatial variation in fungus–plant interactions across the rapidly changing Arctic, we quantified variation in the identity of interaction partners. We then related interaction turnover to variation in the bioclimatic environment by combining network analyses with general dissimilarity modelling. Overall, we found species associations to be highly plastic, with major rewiring among interaction partners across variable environmental conditions. Of this turnover, a major part was attributed to specific environmental properties which are likely to change with progressing climate change. Our findings suggest that the current structure of plant-root associated interactions may be severely altered by rapidly advancing global warming. Nonetheless, flexibility in partner choice may contribute to the resilience of the system.

Interkingdom Communication via Extracellular Vesicles: Unraveling Plant and Pathogen Interactions and Its Potential for Next-Generation Crop Protection

Interkingdom Communication via Extracellular Vesicles: Unraveling Plant and Pathogen Interactions and Its Potential for Next-Generation Crop Protection

Insights into the plant response to nematode invasion and modulation of host defense by plant parasitic nematode.

Plant pathogens cause diseases by suppressing plant immune response and interacting with plant cells. Investigating these interactions assists in decoding the molecular strategies the pathogen uses to overcome plant immunity. Among plant pathogens, the nematodes parasitizing various plants incur a profound impact on food production across the globe. To deal with these parasites, plants have developed a complicated defense system, including performed defenses like rigid cell walls and reinforcements acting as the first line of defense to combat any invader. Plants also have a wide diversity of constitutively released phytochemicals that are toxic to the invading microbes as their defense arsenals. Additionally, a substantial system of host responses is triggered in response to infection based on the abilities of the host plants to sense and recognize the invading pathogen. Nematodes have evolved the strategies to perceive and respond to host defense through their nervous system which help them escape, avoid, or neutralize the host plant defense systems. For developing an effective management strategy, it is crucial to understand the mechanism by which the nematode suppress the host defense. Previous reviews mainly discussed the interaction of plants with the nematodes for their immunity against nematodes. The present review will discuss the strategies employed by the plant parasitic nematodes for suppressing plant defense along with an overall insights into the basic nematode recognition mechanism and basal immunity response of the host plant. The mechanism of modulating host defense by nematodes including the role of their effectors were also discussed. The latest research progress about the release of metabolites by plants, and the mode of action of these defensive chemicals at the molecular level in combating the nematode invasion was also analyzed.

The fall armyworm converts maize endophytes into its own probiotics to detoxify benzoxazinoids and promote caterpillar growth

BackgroundThe fall armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda) threatens maize production worldwide, and benzoxazinoids (Bxs) are known as the main secondary metabolites produced by maize to defend against FAW. However, we do not yet know whether and in what ways certain endophytes in the digestive system of FAW can metabolize Bxs, thus enhancing the fitness of FAW when feeding on maize.ResultsUsing Bxs as the sole carbon and nitrogen source, we isolated Pantoea dispersa from the guts of FAW. P. dispersa can colonize maize roots and leaves as indicated by GFP-labeling and further successfully established itself as an endophyte in the Malpighian tubules and the gut of FAW after FAW feeding activities. Once established, it can be vertically transmitted through FAW eggs, suggesting the potential that FAW can convert maize-derived endophytes into symbiotic bacteria for intergenerational transmission. The prevalence of P. dispersa in FAW guts and maize leaves was also confirmed over large geographic regions, indicating its evolutionary adaptation in fields. Bxs determination in the gut and frass of FAW combined with bioassays performance on maize bx2 mutants revealed that the colonization of P. dispersa can promote FAW growth by metabolizing Bxs rather than other metabolites. Additionally, genome and transcriptome analyses identified plasmid-borne genes, rather than chromosomes of this species, were crucial for Bxs metabolism. This was further validated through in vitro prokaryotic expression assays by expressing two candidate genes form the plasmid.ConclusionsFAW can convert maize endophytes into its own probiotics to detoxify Bxs and thus enhance caterpillar growth. This represents a novel strategy for lepidopteran pests—transforming allies of the host into its own—thereby shedding light on the rapid spread of FAW and enhancing our understanding of ecological and evolutionary mechanisms underlying the pest-microbe–plant interactions.2f6JcKQYnKTEdqap9saLkxVideo

Enabling biocontained plant virus transmission studies through establishment of an axenic whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) colony on plant tissue culture

Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) and the diseases they transmit are a major detriment to crop yields and a significant contributor to world hunger. The highly evolved interactions of host plant, phloem-feeding insect vector with endosymbionts and persistently transmitted virus represent a tremendous challenge for interdisciplinary study. Presented here is the establishment of a colony of axenic whiteflies on tissue-cultured plants. Efficient colony establishment was achieved by a surface sterilization of eggs laid on axenic phototrophically tissue-cultured plants. The transfer of emerging whiteflies through coupled tissue culture vessels to new axenic plants facilitates robust subculturing and produces hundreds of whitefly adults per month. Whitefly proliferation on more than two dozen plant species is shown as well as in vitro testing of whitefly preference for different plants. This novel multi-organism system provides the high-level of biocontainment required by Federal permitting to conduct virus transmission experiments. Axenic whitefly adults were able to acquire and transmit a begomovirus into tissue-cultured plants, indicating that culturable gut microorganisms are not required for virus transmission. The approach described enables a wide range of hypotheses regarding whitefly phytopathology without the expense, facilities, and contamination ambiguity associated with current approaches.

Microbial mats writing the fossil record of true substrates in clastic rock successions

True substrates are bedding surfaces that represent the original environmental surfaces that existed at the time of burial. In the clastic depositional regime, there are abiotic and biotic causes that may contribute to the formation of such true substrates. This paper focuses on how sediment-stabilizing microbial mats may increase the preservation potential of true substrates. Baffling and trapping enrich fine-grained particles and heavy minerals in mat textures inducing a layer of heterogeneity in the otherwise homogenous deposits. Together with in situ mineral precipitation during the life time of the microbial mat and post-depositional diagenesis, baffling and trapping contributes to processes leading to bedding plane preservation. Microbial mats interact with the hydrological system of a coastal environment causing typical microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS). The morphologies of MISS can indicate climate seasonality and zone of the respective true substrate. The interaction of animals and plants with microbial mats allow reconstructing events that took place during the exposure of the original environmental surface. Finally, true substrates displaying MISS are well-defined indicators for life exploration of Earth's oldest sedimentary rock successions and equivalent lithologies on other planets.

Melissopalynological study of Melipona (Eomelipona) torrida Friese, 1916: a native stingless bee from southern Brazil

Few data are on bee–plant interactions for the Melipona torrida bee in southern Brazil. This is a native bee vulnerable to extinction that pollinates native plants and produces honey that is especially appreciated by local populations. Aiming to evaluate the floral sources visited by Melipona torrida bee in southern Brazil a palynology investigation on honeys of this bee were carried out. Honeys were extracted each month from March 2020 to November 2021 of hives from two locations of Rio Grande do Sul (Cachoeirinha and Canoas). The 34 samples were analysed with a light microscope. In the honey samples of the Melipona torrida bee were identified 39 pollen types, principally tree plants. Melipona torrida bee visited frequently the plants of Myrcia type, Eucalyptus sp., Schinus terebenthifolia, Mimosa bimucronata, Parapiptadenia rigida, Morus nigra and Solanum sisymbrifolium. The pollen diagram show differences in pollen percentages throughout the year and CONISS grouped the samples in five groups (MT-1–MT-5). Richness of pollen types of samples was low in the months of winter and March and high in the honeys of months of Spring and Summer. The honeys were monofloral and heterofloral, and native plants were more visited than exotic species. The 33 pollen types from honey of Melipona torrida bee from southern Brazil can help in the knowledge of the bee–plant interaction of this native bee and propose appropriate plant management around the hives.

Insect Pollinators and Plant Interactions; Identification of Selected Melliferous Plants Using Pollen Morphological Features

Insect Pollinators and Plant Interactions; Identification of Selected Melliferous Plants Using Pollen Morphological Features

Pioneering Innovations in Biological Weed Control: A Comprehensive Review

The biological method of weed control is an effective option. Before implementing bio-agents, there is a need for a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in interactions by multiple agents against weeds. This covers knowledge of how plants integrate and prioritize their responses to multiple attackers. Across the globe, terrestrial ecosystems are known to be characterized by a huge diversity of species and a corresponding diversity of interactions between these species. These include species of different trophic levels of habitats on the same food chain. Plants undoubtedly play significant role as intermediaries in interactions between the insect and microbial populations with which they are involved. Plant interactions brought forth by one species can have cascading impacts on other species, influencing their abundances and the composition of communities. Several research efforts are underway to develop highly effective biological control agents to reliably control a problematic broad spectrum of weeds. Sustainable and ecosystem-compatible weed management for controlling weeds by biological means, such as insects, bio-agents, myco-herbicides and harmful Rhizobacteria. Their interaction with cultural practices and allelochemicals are some biological components of sustainable agriculture. Hence, biological agents enhance efficiency and restrict the detrimental effect of weeds compared to weeds being left alone. The challenge is to identify appropriate microbe/bioagents, which reduce weed growth. Logically, biological weed management is the only way to control weeds in eco-friendly weed management.

Impact of soil legacy on plant-soil feedback in grasses and legumes through beneficial and pathogenic microbiota accumulation.

Plants shape their surrounding soil, influencing subsequent plant growth in a phenomenon known as plant-soil feedback (PSF). This feedback is driven by chemical and microbial legacies. Here, we cultivated six crops from two functional groups, i.e., three grasses (Lolium, Triticum, and Zea) and three legumes (Glycine, Lens, and Medicago), to condition a living soil. Subsequently, the same species were sown as response plants on conspecific and heterospecific soils. We employed high-throughput sequencing in tandem with soil chemistry, including total organic matter, pH, total nitrogen, electrical conductivity, phosphorus, and macro and micro-nutrients. Our results showed that Glycine exhibited the strongest negative PSF, followed by Triticum and Zea, while Lolium displayed low feedback. Conversely, Lens demonstrated robust positive PSF, with Medicago exhibiting slight positive feedback. Soil chemistry significance indicated only higher Cl content in Triticum soil, while Lens displayed higher Zn and Mn contents. Microbial diversity exhibited no significant variations among the six soils. Although conditioning influenced the abundance of functionally important microbial phyla associated with each plant, no specificity was observed between the two functional groups. Moreover, each crop conditioned its soil with a substantial proportion of fungal pathogens. However, co-occurrence analysis revealed a strong negative correlation between all crop's biomass and fungal pathogens, except Glycine, which exhibited a strong negative correlation with mutualists such as Arthrobacter and Bacillus. This underscores the complexity of predicting PSFs, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of plant interactions with both pathogens and mutualists, rather than focusing solely on host-specific pathogens.

Refining dual RNA-seq mapping: sequential and combined approaches in host-parasitic plant dynamics.

Transcriptional profiling in host plant-parasitic plant interactions is challenging due to the tight interface between host and parasitic plants and the percentage of homologous sequences shared. Dual RNA-seq offers a solution by enabling in silico separation of mixed transcripts from the interface region. However, it has to deal with issues related to multiple mapping and cross-mapping of reads in host and parasite genomes, particularly as evolutionary divergence decreases. In this paper, we evaluated the feasibility of this technique by simulating interactions between parasitic and host plants and refining the mapping process. More specifically, we merged host plant with parasitic plant transcriptomes and compared two alignment approaches: sequential mapping of reads to the two separate reference genomes and combined mapping of reads to a single concatenated genome. We considered Cuscuta campestris as parasitic plant and two host plants of interest such as Arabidopsis thaliana and Solanum lycopersicum. Both tested approaches achieved a mapping rate of ~90%, with only about 1% of cross-mapping reads. This suggests the effectiveness of the method in accurately separating mixed transcripts in silico. The combined approach proved slightly more accurate and less time consuming than the sequential approach. The evolutionary distance between parasitic and host plants did not significantly impact the accuracy of read assignment to their respective genomes since enough polymorphisms were present to ensure reliable differentiation. This study demonstrates the reliability of dual RNA-seq for studying host-parasite interactions within the same taxonomic kingdom, paving the way for further research into the key genes involved in plant parasitism.