Plant Culture Research Articles

Coping with Abiotic Stress in Plants-An Endomembrane Trafficking Perspective.

Plant cells face many changes through their life cycle and develop several mechanisms to cope with adversity. Stress caused by environmental factors is turning out to be more and more relevant as the human population grows and plant cultures start to fail. As eukaryotes, plant cells must coordinate several processes occurring between compartments and combine different pathways for protein transport to several cellular locations. Conventionally, these pathways begin at the ER, or endoplasmic reticulum, move through the Golgi and deliver cargo to the vacuole or to the plasma membrane. However, when under stress, protein trafficking in plants is compromised, usually leading to changes in the endomembrane system that may include protein transport through unconventional routes and alteration of morphology, activity and content of key organelles, as the ER and the vacuole. Such events provide the tools for cells to adapt and overcome the challenges brought on by stress. With this review, we gathered fragmented information on the subject, highlighting how such changes are processed within the endomembrane system and how it responds to an ever-changing environment. Even though the available data on this subject are still sparse, novel information is starting to untangle the complexity and dynamics of protein transport routes and their role in maintaining cell homeostasis under harsh conditions.

Genetic Manipulation and Bioreactor Culture of Plants as a Tool for Industry and Its Applications.

In recent years, there has been a considerable increase in interest in the use of transgenic plants as sources of valuable secondary metabolites or recombinant proteins. This has been facilitated by the advent of genetic engineering technology with the possibility for direct modification of the expression of genes related to the biosynthesis of biologically active compounds. A wide range of research projects have yielded a number of efficient plant systems that produce specific secondary metabolites or recombinant proteins. Furthermore, the use of bioreactors allows production to be increased to industrial scales, which can quickly and cheaply deliver large amounts of material in a short time. The resulting plant production systems can function as small factories, and many of them that are targeted at a specific operation have been patented. This review paper summarizes the key research in the last ten years regarding the use of transgenic plants as small, green biofactories for the bioreactor-based production of secondary metabolites and recombinant proteins; it simultaneously examines the production of metabolites and recombinant proteins on an industrial scale and presents the current state of available patents in the field.

Phytochemical profiling by GC-MS analysis and antimicrobial activity potential of in vitro derived shoot cultures of some Egyptian herbal medicinal plants

Phytochemical profiling by GC-MS analysis and antimicrobial activity potential of in vitro derived shoot cultures of some Egyptian herbal medicinal plants

Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles as novel nano-fertilizer for production of rosemary plants

Nano-fertilizers are new materials produced by means of nanotechnology and may soon replace conventional fertilizers. Nanomaterials including nanoparticles are characterized by rapid absorption and controlled delivery of nutrients in plants. In the current study, hydroxyapatite, i.e., calcium phosphate, nanoparticles (HAP NPs) were developed as a novel phosphorus nano-fertilizer and evaluated for the growth characters, essential oil content, and histological changes in rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) plants. For comparison, the NPK fertilizer was used. The results showed that compared to the traditional form NPK, nano-HA at 0.5 and 1.0 g/L enhanced the growth character and essential oil production along with its major constituents during both cuts. The levels of rosemary oil components including α-pinene, eucalyptol, camphor, endo-borneol and verbenone were higher in the nano-fertilizer group than in the control group. Furthermore, the highest values of the stem diameter, fiber thickness, phloem tissue thickness, xylem tissue thickness, pith diameter of the stem and the midvein thickness and lamina thickness of the leaf were obtained with nano-fertilizer. In conclusion, the data demonstrate that hydroxyapatite nanoparticles as a nano-fertilizer showed great potential to improve the productivity of rosemary plants. This approach opens a new avenue for exploring nanomaterials as an alternative technology to traditional fertilizers used in medicinal and aromatic plant culture.

MicroRNA biogenesis and activity in plant cell dedifferentiation stimulated by cell wall removal

BackgroundDespite the frequent use of protoplast-to-plant system in in vitro cultures of plants, the molecular mechanisms regulating the first and most limiting stages of this process, i.e., protoplast dedifferentiation and the first divisions leading to the formation of a microcallus, have not been elucidated.ResultsIn this study, we investigated the function of miRNAs in the dedifferentiation of A. thaliana mesophyll cells in a process stimulated by the enzymatic removal of the cell wall. Leaf cells, protoplasts and CDPs (cells derived from protoplasts) cultured for 24, 72 and 120 h (first cell division). In protoplasts, a strong decrease in the amount of AGO1 in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm, as well as dicing bodies (DBs), which are considered to be sites of miRNA biogenesis, was shown. However during CDPs division, the amounts of AGO1 and DBs strongly increased. MicroRNA transcriptome studies demonstrated that lower amount of differentially expressed miRNAs are present in protoplasts than in CDPs cultured for 120 h. Then analysis of differentially expressed miRNAs, selected pri-miRNA and mRNA targets were performed.ConclusionThis result indicates that miRNA function is not a major regulation of gene expression in the initial but in later steps of dedifferentiation during CDPs divisions. miRNAs participate in organogenesis, oxidative stress, nutrient deficiencies and cell cycle regulation in protoplasts and CDPs. The important role played by miRNAs in the process of dedifferentiation of mesophyll cells was confirmed by the increased mortality and reduced cell division of CDPs derived from mutants with defective miRNA biogenesis and miR319b expression.

Cadmium and lead excess differently affect growth, photosynthetic activity and nutritional status of Trigonella foenum-graecum L.

Context Heavy metal contamination of soils is a serious environmental problem worldwide. Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are considered among the most important types of pollutants. Aim To investigate the response of a local fenugreek cultivar against lead and cadmium. Methods Physiological changes were studied under different concentrations (0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 μM) of PbCl2 and CdCl2. Key results Fenugreek growth decreased gradually with increasing Cd and Pb supply. This decrease was accompanied by a gradual decline in shoot and root length and photosynthetic parameters. However, Cd treatments showed pronounced effects in fenugreek seedlings as compared to Pb. The tolerance index was between 0.41 and 0.81, which suggests relative tolerance of this cultivar to Pb and Cd. This species was also able to maintain stable water status. Nevertheless, in presence of high Cd concentration (400 μM), this species showed substantial decrease in CO2 assimilation (86%), transpiration rate (87%), stomatal conductance (57%), chlorophyll content (35%) and carotenoid content (53%). Shoot proline content was increased significantly under 200 and 300 μM Cd, and slightly under 100 and 200 μM Pb. Furthermore, Cd and Pb induced a decrease in shoot magnesium and phosphorus content. Conversely, shoot iron content was increased. Data showed that fenugreek accumulated Cd, and translocated to the harvestable parts (up to 20 mg/kg DW under 400 μM). However, Pb was mostly accumulated in roots. Conclusions Our results revealed that the relative tolerance of fenugreek to Pb excess was coupled to a remarkable accumulation of this element in root, which favourite the phytostabilisation process. Implications FM, FL, SJ and OTZ execute the manipulation and the culture of plants. FM, OTZ, IN and KZ analyse and examine obtained results. FM, OTZ and KZ write and preparethe manuscript. IN, HM and KZ prepare the conception and the realisation ofthis work.

Uptake of some heavy metal(oid)s by sunflower

Plant parts of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.): root, stem, leaf, and seed, as well as the soil on which this plant culture was grown were analyzed for the content of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn using Optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-OES). The samples were prepared by wet digestion. To assess the degree of bioaccumulation in plant parts and the translocation of the examined elements from the roots to the above-ground plant parts, the Biological Concentration Factor (BCF), Mobility Ratio (MR), and Translocation Factor (TF) were calculated. BCF and MR values are less than 1 for all elements while TF (leaf/root) values for As, Cd, Cu, Fe, and Mn and TF (stem/root) values for Cu are higher than 1.

The effect of a country name on consumers' perception and assessment of agricultural products with protected designation of origin

The aim of the paper was to show that Serbia has favorable natural conditions (land and climate) for diverse agricultural production (plant- and animal-based), experienced manufacturers, experts and scientists, as well as world-famous selections of numerous plant cultures. Serbia's major agricultural products are corn, wheat (flour), sunflower (oil and pellets), sugar beet (sugar), soybean (oil and protein products), potatoes, raspberries, apples, plums, sour cherries, grapes, pork, beef and poultry, as well as milk.

SUPPLIER SELECTION IN A COFFEE-ROASTING PLANT: AN ANALYTIC HIERARCHY PROCESS APPROACH

Companies are looking for reliable partners, including suppliers, that offer high-quality services. The decision-making process involves several stakeholders with different objectives that require different types of relevant criteria to be considered. This study used the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a multiple-criteria decision analysis and decision-making method, to select a new supplier for a coffee-roasting plant. For this, the type of coffee was selected, and the relevant criteria were established: percentage of extrinsic defects, loss in precleaning, price, and taste. Four different potential suppliers were compared in relation to all criteria using the AHP. We achieved our research objective by establishing an order of priority for the criteria and suppliers. As a result, supplier B was the leading supplier with a 35.29% priority, followed by suppliers A and D. Our findings show great potential for using a formal method in the decision-making process in the agro-industry and applying the AHP method in an important problem and in relevant plant culture. Furthermore, other problems in agricultural engineering can benefit from the reasoning steps employed.

AGROBEST: A Highly Efficient Agrobacterium-Mediated Transient Expression System in Arabidopsis Seedlings.

Agrobacterium-mediated transient transformation for gene expression is a simple and fast method to analyze transgene functions in plants. Agroinfiltration in leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana is a common method for transient expression. However, agroinfiltration in leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana is challenging due to the low and variable efficiency. Here, we describe procedures of a highly efficient and robust Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression system, named AGROBEST (Agrobacterium-mediated enhanced seedling transformation) for gene expression in A. thaliana seedlings. High efficiency of AGROBEST has been achieved by virulence (vir) gene pre-induction of a specific disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain C58C1(pTiB6S3ΔT)H followed by co-cultivation with Arabidopsis seedlings in an optimized medium with AB salts and buffered acidic plant culture medium. The stable acidic medium largely increases Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression levels and reduces plant defense responses, suggesting that AGROBEST enables high transient expression efficiency by compromising plant immunity. In summary, AGROBEST is a simple, fast, reliable, and robust transient expression system offering a quick and convenient method to observe protein localization, protein-protein interactions, promoter activities, and gene functional studies in Arabidopsis seedlings.

Growth and yield of cucumber and tilapia fish in aquaponics under UAE climatic condition

The healthiest and most effective method of producing food is aquaponics, particularly in arid regions. In comparison to conventional crop production, aquaponics uses less than 90% of the water, produces crops that grow more quickly, and does not employ pesticides. With an average weight of 17g, fish Oreochromis niloticus tanks were stocked with 120 fish per m2. Three times per day, Nile tilapia were fed a floating commercial tilapia diet until they were full. Three cucumber plants were planted per square meter in plant culture raceways. Water, feed, and electricity usage are all tracked in aquaponics systems. The growth characteristics and monthly production of the fish and cucumber were noted. Environmental aspects of the system, including light intensity, temperature, and water quality parameters, were assessed. Six months were spent conducting the experiment in a two-time cultivation. Three months were needed from one seedling to harvest; the first month was spent growing and flowering the plant, and the second and third months were used to harvest the cucumbers. With an input of 992.67 tons of feed, 12110.13 K.Wh of electricity, and 59.20 m3 of water consumption, each aquaponics system produced on average 3.2 tons of cucumber in a 120 m2 area and 0.5 tons of fish in a 15 m3 area.

Nutrient optimization for plant growth in Aquaponic irrigation using Machine Learning for small training datasets

With the recent trends in urban agriculture and climate change, there is an emerging need for alternative plant culture techniques where dependence on soil can be eliminated. Hydroponic and aquaponic growth techniques have proven to be viable alternatives, but the lack of efficient and optimal practices for irrigation and nutrient supply limits its applications on a large-scale commercial basis. The main purpose of this research was to develop statistical methods and Machine Learning algorithms to regulate nutrient concentrations in aquaponic irrigation water based on plant needs, for achieving optimal plant growth and promoting broader adoption of aquaponic culture on a commercial scale. One of the key challenges to developing these algorithms is the sparsity of data which requires the use of Bolstered error estimation approaches. In this paper, several linear and non-linear algorithms trained on relatively small datasets using Bolstered error estimation techniques were evaluated, for selecting the best method in making decisions regarding the regulation of nutrients in hydroponic environments. After repeated tests on the dataset, it was decided that Semi-Bolstered Resubstitution Error estimation technique works best in our case using Linear Support Vector Machine as the classifier with the value of penalty parameter set to one. A set of recommended rules have been prescribed as a Decision Support System, using the output of the Machine Learning algorithm, which have been tested against the results of the baseline model. Further, the positive impact of the recommended nutrient concentrationson plant growth in aquaponic environments has been elaborately discussed.

Cytological, Biochemical, and Transcriptomic Analyses of a Novel Yellow Leaf Variation in a Paphiopedilum (Orchidaceae) SCBG COP15.

The genus Paphiopedilum, belonging to the Orchidaceae, has high ornamental value. Leaf variations can considerably improve the economic and horticultural value of the orchids. In the study, a yellow leaf mutant of a Paphiopedilum hybrid named P. SCBG COP15 was identified during the in vitro plant culture process; however, little is known about their molecular mechanisms. For this, RNA-seq libraries were created and used for the transcriptomic profiling of P. SCBG COP15 and the yellow mutant. The Chl a, Chl b, and carotenoid contents in the yellow leaves decreased by approximately 75.99%, 76.92%, and 56.83%, respectively, relative to the green leaves. Decreased chloroplasts per cell and abnormal chloroplast ultrastructure were observed by electron microscopic investigation in yellowing leaves; photosynthetic characteristics and Chl fluorescence parameters were also decreased in the mutant. Altogether, 34,492 unigenes were annotated by BLASTX; 1,835 DEGs were identified, consisting of 697 upregulated and 1138 downregulated DEGs. HEMA, CRD, CAO, and CHLE, involved in Chl biosynthesis, were predicted to be key genes responsible for leaf yellow coloration. Our findings provide an essential genetic resource for understanding the molecular mechanism of leaf color variation and breeding new varieties of Paphiopedilum with increased horticultural value.

Optimization of the Growth and Performance of Several Cynobacteria Species in a Pilot Scale Raceway Pond for CO2 Bio-Sequestration

Due to the limited availability of fresh water and the high cost of land for plant culture, microalgae cultivation has attracted significant attention in recent years and has been shown to be the best option for CO2 bio-sequestration. Bio-sequestration of CO2 through algae bioreactors has been hailed as one of the most promising and ecologically benign methods available. This research study was taken up to alleviate certain limitations associated with the technology such as low CO2 sequestration efficiency and low biomass yields. In this study three distinct cyanobacterial strains, Chlorella sp., Synechococcus sp., and Spirulina sp., were tested in 10 litre raceway ponds for their capacity for CO2 bioconversion and high biomass production under various CO2 concentrations at different EC. The highest growth rate of all tested cyanobacterial strains was observed during the first 4 days of cultivation under CO2 5% to 10%. Additionally, all these cyanobacterial strains were explored for their bioremediation capabilities. The results showed that the Chlorella sp., Synechococcus sp., and Spirulina sp. were able to remove COD of the wastewater by 56%, 48% and 77% respectively and the BOD removal efficiency was 48%, 30% and 52% respectively. The primary results indicated that the Spirulina sp. was to be the best cynobacteria studied in terms of biomass production, CO2 bioconversion, and bioremediation capacities. Therefore, the Spirulina sp. was further scaled up in 1500 litre raceway pond for CO2 bio-sequestration and biomass production. The biomass collected was utilised to extract biomolecules such as protein, carbohydrate and lipids.

PROPAGATION OF PITCHER PLANTS (Nepenthes gracilis KORTH. AND Nepenthes reinwardtiana MIQ.) THROUGH CALLUS INDUCTION

In vitro propagation of pitcher plants is still limited only using seeds, while the other in vitro methods using leaf explants such as embryogenesis, organogenesis, and callus culture has not been widely reported. The research aims to study the growth response of leaf explants in two species of pitcher plants (Nepenthes gracilis and Nepenthes reinwardtiana), which formed callus in several treatment media combinations. Leaf pieces were taken from a 4-month pitcher plant culture were grown on the treatment media, namely modified media of Murashige & Skoog with a half concentration (½ MS) added 2.4-Dichlorophenoxoxyacetate (2.4-D) with a concentration of 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mg L-1 and kinetin (0.5 mg L-1). The treatment was then stored in a dark environment to induce callus formation. The observation for 12 weeks showed that the time of callus formation in two species of pitcher plant observed was not significantly different. Both species of pitcher plants begin to form callus in the fourth week after treatment. None of the leaf explants were planted on the control medium without hormones formed callus. The best medium for callus induction in N. gracilis is ½ MS medium added with 2 mg L-1 2,4-D and 0.5 mg L-1 kinetin, with callus morphology brownish-white with friable texture. In comparison, the optimum callus media from leaf explant of N. reinwardtiana has not been obtained yet. Thus further research is still needed.

Rational use environmentally friendly products of aquaculture

Aquaponics is a new agricultural industry with potential in Kazakhstan. It is the combined culture of fish and plants in a recycling aquaculture system. The plants use the nutrients from fish effluent for growth. Through environmentally sustainable technology, locally grown high value products can be produced and marketed year round. Aquaponics operations are inherently diversified operations as they offer two profit centres: fish and plants. Аquaponics facilities contain contains plant and fish components together in one recirculation system. The fish water, rich in nutrients, is used for plant growth, while the plants are used as biofilters for water regeneration.

An Improved Technique for Isolation and Characterization of Single-Spore Isolates of Plasmodiophora brassicae.

Clubroot, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, is a soilborne disease that occurs in cruciferous crops worldwide. P. brassicae usually exists as a mixture of several pathotypes, which has hampered the research on resistance mechanisms of cruciferous crops against P. brassicae. In this study, clubroot galls were collected from a field in Shenyang, China, as a pathogen source to develop an efficient protocol for a single-spore isolation system of P. brassicae by optimizing the seedling age for inoculation, host inoculation method, and plant culture method. The operational steps of the single-spore isolation method were optimized as follows: the use of 2-day-old seedlings for inoculation, substituting a cryobox (100 × 2.0-ml vials) for culture dishes, the addition of nutrient solution culture, and microscopic observations of single spores. The rate of infection success was substantially improved, and single-spore isolates of four pathotypes (4, 8, 9, and 11) were acquired in this system. Subsequently, the optimized system was used to isolate and characterize the pathotypes of single-spore isolates of P. brassicae collected from five fields in regions in China. Approximately four to nine pathotypes were isolated from each region. Among these, pathotype 4 was the most prevalent. This study provides a source of valuable information that can eventually be used for the genetic analysis of host-P. brassicae interaction.

Morphogenetic and physiological effects of LED spectra on the apical buds of Ficus carica var. Black Jack

The use of artificial light sources such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) has become a prerequisite in tissue culture studies to obtain morphogenetic enhancements on in vitro plants. This technology is essential for developmental enhancements in the growing plant cultures due to its light quality and intensity greatly influencing the in vitro growing explants at a cellular level. The current study investigates the effects of different light-emitting diode (LED) spectra on the growth of apical buds of Ficus carica var. Black Jack. Ficus carica, commonly known as figs is rich in vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals capable of treating microbial infections and gastric, inflammatory, and cardiac disorders. Apical buds of Ficus carica var. Black Jack, presented morphogenetic changes when grown under six different LED spectra. The highest multiple shoots (1.80 per growing explant) and healthy growing cultures were observed under the blue + red LED spectrum. Wound-induced callus formation was observed on apical buds grown under green LED spectrum and discolouration of the growing shoots were observed on the cultures grown under far-red LED spectrum. Multiple shoots obtained from the blue + red LED treatment were rooted using 8 µM indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and the rooted plantlets were successfully acclimatised. Compared with the other monochromatic LEDs, blue + red proved to be significantly better for producing excellent plant morphogeny. It is apparent that blue and red LED is the most suitable spectra for the healthy development of plants. The findings have confirmed that the combination of blue + red LED can potentially be used for enhancing growth yields of medicinally and commercially important plants.

Plant–environment microscopy tracks interactions of Bacillus subtilis with plant roots across the entire rhizosphere

Our understanding of plant-microbe interactions in soil is limited by the difficulty of observing processes at the microscopic scale throughout plants' large volume of influence. Here, we present the development of three-dimensional live microscopy for resolving plant-microbe interactions across the environment of an entire seedling growing in a transparent soil in tailor-made mesocosms, maintaining physical conditions for the culture of both plants and microorganisms. A tailor-made, dual-illumination light sheet system acquired photons scattered from the plant while fluorescence emissions were simultaneously captured from transparent soil particles and labeled microorganisms, allowing the generation of quantitative data on samples ∼3,600 mm3 in size, with as good as 5 µm resolution at a rate of up to one scan every 30 min. The system tracked the movement of Bacillus subtilis populations in the rhizosphere of lettuce plants in real time, revealing previously unseen patterns of activity. Motile bacteria favored small pore spaces over the surface of soil particles, colonizing the root in a pulsatile manner. Migrations appeared to be directed toward the root cap, the point of "first contact," before the subsequent colonization of mature epidermis cells. Our findings show that microscopes dedicated to live environmental studies present an invaluable tool to understand plant-microbe interactions.

Jejak Religi Pada Makam Gerald Alfred Cup di Perkebunan Kina Cinyiruan Masa Kolonial

Cinyiruan Plantation of Chinchona has become part of the garden (afdeeling) of the Kertamanah Plantation. Traces of the Cinyiruan Plantation culture can still be traced, one of which is the tomb of Gerald Alfred Cup. What and how the existence of the tomb is the main problem in this paper. The research method used is desk research with a historical approach. The results obtained are that the tomb of Gerald Alfred Cup shows traces of Christian religion in the Cinyiruan Plantation of Chinchona, and the tolerant religious life on the plantations during the colonial period. Traces of religion based on the shape of the tomb marker and European (Dutch) name on tomb inscription. Gerald Alfred Cup or Tuan Keup is a Dutch, plant expert and the last Cinyiruan Plantation of Chinchona of Administrator. The tolerant religious life in the plantations is indicated by the traces of the tomb as an indication of the existence of Christianity and the presence of mosques in the settlements of the workers. The plantation workers are the original indigenous people of the local village who are mostly Muslim.