Plant Maturity Research Articles

Induction of Semi-Dwarf Trait to a Three Pistil Tall Mutant Through Breeding With Increased Grain Numbers in Wheat.

Multi-ovary wheat (three pistil) is a unique germplasm for the seed production of hybrid wheat. The purpose of the present study was to transfer the multi-ovary trait to semi-dwarf plants to increase the production of grains in wheat crops. Therefore, tall, semi-dwarf, and dwarf plants were crossed with plants with the three-pistil trait. A three-pistil tall plant was used as the female parent, while tall (Synthetic hexaploid), semi-dwarf, and dwarf plants were used as male parents. F1 and F2 progenies with parents were planted in 2015-16 using RCBD. The outcome of the crosses showed that multi-ovary tall plants gave significant difference for all five traits (days to maturity, plant height, number of seeds per spike, grain weight per spike, and grain yield per unit area) in both generations. The greatest number of grains per spike and grain yield per unit area were obtained from the cross of three-pistil tall and dwarf parent (P1/P6) in the F1 and F2 generations. The cross also resulted in a significant reduction in height (96 cm). Further heterosis studies conducted with crosses between three-pistil tall and dwarf parent (P1/P6) showed the greatest heterosis and heterobeltiosis for the number of grains per spike (60.0 and 26.19%, respectively) and grain yield per m2 (27.68 and 2.85%, respectively). In the case of grain weight per spike, the heterosis value was also positive and significant (17.7). Meanwhile, for other traits, their values were negative for heterosis and heterobeltiosis. High numbers of grains and grain weight were found to be associated with positive heterobeltiosis and in turn the grain yield per m2, but plant height and maturity had negative affirmation with heterobeltiosis. Heterosis studies also indicated the dominant gene action for the three-pistil trait. Thus, the study clearly signified that grain yield can be increased by using the multi-ovary genotype with the semi-dwarf height. This new germplasm will be helpful for breeders to increase the production of wheat crops in the southern climate of Pakistan.

Effects of harvest date and growth stage on triticale forages in the southwest United States: agronomic characteristics, nutritive value, energy density, and in vitro disappearance of dry matter and fiber.

Recently, there has been increased interest in including triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) or other winter cereals within forage programs throughout the southwest United States. Our objectives were to screen 14 diverse triticale cultivars for agronomic and nutritive characteristics with specific emphasis on identifying normal, as well as deviant, responses to the calendar date and plant maturity for forages seeded in December and harvested from late February throughout May at Maricopa, AZ. Fourteen cultivars were established in a randomized complete block design with each cultivar represented within each of three field blocks. Plots were clean tilled and established on December 18, 2018, and then harvested at 2-wk intervals beginning on February 27 and ending May 23, 2019. Across all harvest dates, forage (N = 315) energy density (NEL) exhibited strong negative correlations with growth stage (r = -0.879), plant height (r = -0.913), head weight (r = -0.814), and estimated dry matter (DM) yield (r = -0.886) but was positively associated with percentages of leaf (r = 0.949), and weakly associated with percentages of the stem (r = 0.138). Through April 10, similar correlations were observed within individual harvest dates (N = 45) for growth stage, leaf percentage, and plant height but not for stem or head-weight percentages. Within later harvest dates, only sporadic correlations with NEL were observed. Primarily cubic regression relationships for neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, 30- and 48-h in vitro disappearance of DM and fiber, and NEL were fit for the mean or typical cultivar using both days from February 1 and growth stage as independent variables. Coefficients of determination (R2 ≥ 0.860) in all cases indicated a good fit for the polynomial models. For NEL, deviation from the typical cultivar when days from February 1 was used as the independent regression variable was largely affected by cultivar maturation rate. When the growth stage was substituted as the independent variable, plant height, stem percentage beginning at anthesis, and low grain-head percentage were associated with the maximum negative deviant cultivar (Merlin Max). The 0.23 Mcal/kg difference between maximum positive and negative deviant cultivars at a common late-boot/early-heading stage of growth suggests that some attention should be placed on cultivar selection as well as forage inventory needs and overall cropping goals.

A biocompatible ruthenium-based composite fluorescent probe using bovine serum albumin as a scaffold for ethylene gas detection and its fluorescence imaging in plant tissues

The detection of phytohormone ethylene is significant for extending the shelf-life of postharvest and controlling plant maturity. In this work, we report a biocompatible fluorescent probe for trace detection of the phytohormone ethylene based on the mechanism of the olefin metathesis reaction. The probe was prepared by simply incubating the ruthenium-based complex (FPRu) with bovine serum albumin (BSA). Then the structure of the probe was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and circular dichroism circular dichroism (CD). The probe possesses a satisfactory detection of limit (LOD) for ethylene (1.17 ppm) and a decent linear range (4–250 ppm). Moreover, the probe-based test paper could also detect ethylene vapor with the naked eye, completing the visualization effect. Ethylene concentration monitoring at plant maturity could be done in solution and vapor. In particular, due to the protection of the hydrophobic pocket of BSA, the ruthenium-based fluorescent probe was also effectively applied to the fluorescence imaging in plant tissues. This work provides a new strategy to achieve highly selective detection and fluorescence imaging of ethylene in plant tissues without complicated operations and expensive instruments, which is of great significance for plant biology, agriculture and the food industry.

Plant Maturity Affects Flowering Ability and Flower Quality in Phalaenopsis, Focusing on Their Relationship to Carbon-to-nitrogen Ratio

In the commercial production of phalaenopsis orchids, the cultivation time after deflasking is used to describe the plant age and maturity. Carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio is often used as an indicator of plant growth and flowering potential. High C/N ratios are considered to promote reproductive growth, and low C/N ratios are associated with the early vegetative growth or even inhibiting flowering. This study investigated how plant age and maturity affected flowering ability and flower quality of phalaenopsis and their relationship to C/N ratio. The plant materials of various ages were the purple, small-flowered Phalaenopsis Sogo Lotte ‘F2510’ and white, large-flowered P. Sogo Yukidian ‘V3’, which were 2 to 7 months and 10 to 20 months after deflasking, respectively. Plants were placed under 25/20 °C for 4 months to force flowering and investigate the flowering-related parameters. The leaf C/N ratio of both varieties increased in general with the increase of plant age. The spiking (flower-stalk emergence) rate of P. Sogo Lotte ‘F2510’ 2 months after deflasking was only 42%, which indicates that these plants were not completely out of their juvenile phase, whereas that of those 3 to 7 months after deflasking was 100%, indicating that plants had acquired full flowering ability. No linear correlation was found between the C/N ratio and days to spiking, to first visible bud, to first flower open, and to 90% flower opening in the white, large-flowered P. Sogo Yukidian ‘V3’. However, there was a positive correlation between the C/N ratio and inflorescence length, flower-stalk diameter, first flower diameter, and flower count. Thus, the C/N ratio is feasible to be used as an indicator for assessing the flowering quality in phalaenopsis.

To plant or not to plant? A soil temperature climatology for the Northern and Central Plains

Sufficient soil temperatures at the time of planting are essential for a well-established stand in both large-scale agriculture and recreational home gardening. Planting too early in the season increases the risk for frost damage and slow seedling growth while planting too late risks not reaching the required growing degree days (GDD) for plant maturity. In this study, a climatology of the date in which soils reach critical temperature thresholds for crops was developed for the Northern and Central Plains. At least 15 years of soil temperature data from 155 automated stations from six different networks were utilized in this study. Results showed that Minnesota consistently reached each soil temperature threshold last, while south-central Colorado reached each threshold first, with differences in air temperature and soil moisture likely playing a role. These results were incorporated into an online tool that both professional and recreational agriculturists can use to determine when soil temperatures are best for planting. It will also help put soil temperatures into context based on a climatological average.

Variation in Antioxidant Activity and Antioxidant Constituents of Ocimum basilicum Linn with the Maturity of Plant Grown in Open Field and Inside Polyhouse Conditions

The variation in antioxidant activity and antioxidant constituents of different plant growth stages i.e. in every 15 day’s interval till maturity of plant of Ocimum basilicum Linn. grown in an open field and inside polyhouse conditions was studied. The correlation between antioxidant constituents and antioxidant activities was also studied. The result revealed that the 90 days old plant grown in an open field condition exhibited maximum antioxidant activity with the lowest IC50/EC50 value by ABTS (0.064 mg/ml), DPPH (0.090 mg/ml), and FRAP (0.099 mg/ml) followed by 75 days and 60 days old plants, similar pattern was also observed in their antioxidant constituents. Similarly, the 90 days old plant grown inside polyhouse condition showed maximum antioxidant activity with antioxidant constituents followed by other plant growth stages in descending order. The chlorophyll content was found maximum in 15 days old plant(0.926 mg/100g) grown in an open field condition, whereas the maximum chlorophyll content (1.470 mg/100g) exhibited by 90 days old plant grown inside polyhouse condition. The correlation analysis revealed that the antioxidant constituents exhibited a significant negative correlation with the IC50/EC50 value and the IC50 value of ABTS assay had a significantly positive correlation with the IC50 and EC50 value of DPPH and FRAP assay, respectively. Hence, the study revealed that the leaves extract of plant grown in open field conditions possesses a significantly higher antioxidant activity and antioxidant constituents than the plant grown inside polyhouse condition.

Decomposing complex traits through crop modelling to support cultivar recommendation. A proof of concept with a focus on phenology and field pea

Cultivar recommendation is crucial for achieving high and stable yields, and crop models can successfully support it because of their capability of exploring genotype environment management interactions. Different modelling approaches have been developed to this end, primarily relying on dedicated field trials to characterize the germplasm of interest. Here, we show how even data routinely collected in operational contexts can be used for model-based cultivar recommendation, with a case study on phenological traits and field pea (Pisum sativum L.). Eight hundred and four datasets, including days from sowing to plant emergence, first flower, and maturity, were collected in Northern Italy from 2017 to 2020, and they were used to optimise six parameters (base, optimum, and maximum temperature for development, growing degree days to reach emergence, flowering, and maturity) of the crop model WOFOST-GT2 for 13 cultivars. This allowed obtaining the phenotypic profiles for these cultivars at the level of the functional trait, without the need of carrying out dedicated phenotypisations. Sensitivity analysis (SA) techniques (E-FAST) and the statistical distributions of the optimised parameters were used to design pea ideotypes able to maximise yields and yield stability in 24 agro-climatic contexts (three soil conditions two sowing times four agro-climatic classes). For each context, the 13 cultivars were ranked according to their similarity to the ideotype based on the weighted Euclidean distance. Results of SA identified growing degree days to reach flowering as the trait mainly affecting crop productivity, although cardinal temperatures also played a role, especially in the case of early sowings. This is reflected in the ideotypes and, therefore, in cultivar ranking, leading to recommend a panel of cultivars characterised by low base temperature and high thermal requirements to reach flowering. Despite the limits of the study, which is focused only on phenological traits, it represents an extension of available approaches for model-aided cultivar recommendation, given that the methodology we propose can take full advantage of the potentialities of crop models without requiring dedicated experiments aimed at profiling the germplasm of interest at the level of functional traits. Highlights- Crop models are powerful tools to support cultivar choice by exploring genotype x environment x management interactions.- Crop models require cultivar-specific phenotyping data at the level of functional traits.- We propose a methodology that uses data routinely collected in operational contexts to derive functional trait values.- This study is a proof of concept of how to increase the applicability of model-based approaches for cultivar choice.

Systematic Review of the Characteristic Markers in Honey of Various Botanical, Geographic, and Entomological Origins

Honey has become a highly demanded product for consumers worldwide due to its unique taste and rich nutritional and medicinal values. However, it remains challenging to identify honey’s origin as well as determine its authenticity. This review aims at summarizing the progress of research carried out in the last decade toward discriminating honeys by using characteristic markers. Studies that illustrated melissopalynology, phytochemical substances, and biomacromolecular substances to identify honey origins are discussed. Characteristic markers can be used for the identification of honey origins with main advantages of high sensitivity and accuracy. The compositions of honey are influenced by several factors including plant sources, harvest season, storage period, and maturity status. Discrimination of honey can be achieved by combining multiple parameters along with the applications of multivariate statistical analysis and machine learning.

Modifying the National Research Council weight gain model to estimate daily gain for stockers grazing bermudagrass in the southern United States.

The energy requirements, feed intake, and performance of grazing animals vary daily due to changes in weather conditions, forage nutritive values, and plant and animal maturity throughout the grazing season. Hence, realistic simulations of daily animal performance can be made only by the models that can address these changes. Given the dearth of simple, user-friendly models of this kind, especially for pastures, we developed a daily gain model for large-frame stockers grazing bermudagrass sCynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.], a widely used warm-season perennial grass in the southern United States. For model development, we first assembled some of the classic works in forage-beef modeling in the last 50 yr into the National Research Council (NRC) weight gain model. Then, we tested it using the average daily gain (ADG) data obtained from several locations in the southern United States. The evaluation results showed that the performance of the NRC model was poor as it consistently underpredicted ADG throughout the grazing season. To improve the predictive accuracy of the NRC model to make it perform under bermudagrass grazing conditions, we made an adjustment to the model by adding the daily departures of the modeled values from the data trendline. Subsequently, we tested the revised model against an independent set of ADG data obtained from eight research locations in the region involving about 4,800 animals, using 30 yr (1991-2020) of daily weather data. The values of the various measures of fit used, namely the Willmott index of 0.92, the modeling efficiency of 0.75, the R2 of 0.76, the root mean square error of 0.13kg d-1, and the prediction error relative to the mean observed data of 24%, demonstrated that the revised model mimicked the pattern of observed ADG data satisfactorily. Unlike the original model, the revised model predicted more closely the ADG value throughout the grazing season. The revised model may be useful to accurately reflect the impacts of daily weather conditions, forage nutritive values, seasonality, and plant and animal maturity on animal performance.

Can Pesticides Dissolved in Runoff and Exposed to Maturing Rice (Oryza sativa) Plants be Transferred to Seeds?

Agriculture's global challenge to feed an estimated 7.7 billion people is further exacerbated by less available cropland for production and rapidly changing climate patterns. Pesticides are often utilized to minimize crop losses due to pest infestations; however, problems arise when these chemicals are transported off production acreage, either by storm or irrigation events, and into nearby water bodies. Innovative management practices are needed to not only reduce the volume of runoff, but also to mitigate various pollutants, such as pesticides, within the runoff. One such practice being evaluated involves using rice (Oryza sativa) as a pesticide mitigation tool. While rice plants may serve as a mechanism for phytoremediation, whether the seeds harvested from exposed plants could then be utilized as a human food source is an unanswered question. Thirty round mesocosms (55 L volume; 56cm diameter; six replicates per treatment) were established with rice and exposed to aqueous concentrations of the pesticides clomazone, propanil, or cyfluthrin, as well as a mixture of the three pesticides. Six replicates with rice and no pesticide exposure served as controls. Initial pesticide exposure took place 8weeks post-planting and continued once a week for 5weeks. Rice plants, unmilled seeds, and mesocosm sediment were collected from each mesocosm 2weeks after seed formation began and analyzed for pesticide concentrations using gas chromatography. Concentrations of pesticides in unmilled seed were below detection for individual exposures of clomazone, propanil, and cyfluthrin. When rice was exposed to the pesticide mixture, the mean ± SE unmilled seed cyfluthrin concentration was 14.8 ± 1.25µgkg-1. These small-scale, preliminary studies offer insight into the possibility of using immature rice plants as a phytoremediation tool, while harvesting its grain after plant maturation for human consumption. Further research is needed to address this question on a larger scale and with multiple pesticide mixtures.

The Chromosome-Level Genome of Miracle Fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) Provides New Insights Into the Evolution and Function of Miraculin.

Miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) is a rare valuable tropical plant famous for a miraculous sweetening glycoprotein, miraculin, which can modify sour flavors to sweet flavors tasted by humans. Here, we present a chromosome-level high-quality genome of S. dulcificum with an assembly genome size of ∼550 Mb, contig N50 of ∼14.14 Mb, and 37,911 annotated protein-coding genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that S. dulcificum was most closely related to Camellia sinensis and Diospyros oleifera, and that S. dulcificum diverged from the Diospyros genus ∼75.8 million years ago (MYA), and that C. sinensis diverged from Synsepalum ∼63.5 MYA. Ks assessment and collinearity analysis with S. dulcificum and other species suggested that a whole-genome duplication (WGD) event occurred in S. dulcificum and that there was good collinearity between S. dulcificum and Vitis vinifera. On the other hand, transcriptome and metabolism analysis with six tissues containing three developmental stages of fleshes and seeds of miracle fruit revealed that Gene Ontology (GO) terms and metabolic pathways of “cellular response to chitin,” “plant–pathogen interaction,” and “plant hormone signal transduction” were significantly enriched during fruit development. Interestingly, the expression of miraculin (Chr10G0299340) progressively increased from vegetative organs to reproductive organs and reached an incredible level in mature fruit flesh, with an fragments per kilobase of transcript per million (FPKM) value of ∼113,515, which was the most highly expressed gene among all detected genes. Combining the unique signal peptide and the presence of the histidine-30 residue together composed the main potential factors impacting miraculin’s unique properties in S. dulcificum. Furthermore, integrated analysis of weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA), enrichment and metabolite correlation suggested that miraculin plays potential roles in regulating plant growth, seed germination and maturation, resisting pathogen infection, and environmental pressure. In summary, valuable genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolic resources provided in this study will promote the utilization of S. dulcificum and in-depth research on species in the Sapotaceae family.

The effect of year and genotype on productivity and quality of potato

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is characterized by specific temperature requirements and develops best at about 20?C. High temperatures during the growing season cause an array of changes in potato plants, which affect its development and may lead to a drastic reduction in economic yield. Under natural conditions, drought and heat stress are two different types of abiotic stresses that occur in the field simultaneously or separately, especially in conditions without irrigation in potato production. This study aimed to examine the productivity of nine potato varieties in agro-ecological conditions of western Serbia and to find the genotypes that will give satisfactory and high yields. The field experiment was carried out with varieties: Cleopatra, Anuschka, Presto, Kuroda, Omega, Dita, Desiree, Roko and Jelly. The impact year and genotype on potato plants were tested during a four-year period (2010-2013). The final harvest was performed after the full maturity of plants in September. Our studies confirmed that potato marketable yield and total yield are greatly reduced at temperatures higher than optimal and deficit precipitation during the growing season. Here we demonstrated that the tested potato cultivar?s response to heat stress and drought in the growing season is dependent on the longer the adverse effects and the growth stage. The earlier a heat and drought occurs, the more negative the impact on the growth and productive traits of potatoes. The results obtained in this study indicate that among the tested cultivars Cleopatra was the most tolerant to heat and drought stress acting on the plants during the growing season. Our research shows that the total yield was not the only indicator of potato tolerance to abiotic stress during the growing season, but the assessment should also take into account the occurrence of secondary tuberization and physiological defects of tubers. These studies confirm that Cleopatra had the largest share (82%) of market tubers in relation to the total yield and to have the best predisposition for the highest economic yield of tubers. Our experiment showed that heat and drought tolerant potato cultivars could be used to mitigate the effects of global warming in Serbia and wider Western Balkans regions.

Substâncias húmicas: efeito no crescimento e na produtividade de plantas de batata

ABSTRACT The results from humic substances (HS) application in varied crops and conditions are controversial, and the experiments with the potato crop in Brazil are scarce. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of HS doses on the growth and yield of two potato cultivars. Four doses of HS were tested: 0, 5.05, 10.10, and 15.15 L ha-1, applied in the planting furrows of cvs. Agata and BRS F63 Camila, in Guarapuava-PR, in the 2015 and 2016 crop seasons, between October and February. The experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design, in a factorial scheme (crop season x dose x cultivar), with four replications. Plant samplings were performed at tuber initiation, flowering, tuber bulking, and plant maturation growth stages. After shoot senescence, the total and commercial tuber yields were evaluated. Cultivars responded similarly to HS application, with no significant interaction between HS and cultivars, for most assessed variables. At tuber initiation, there was a negative linear effect of HS doses on leaf area index, number of formed tubers, and tuber and total plant dry weight. In the other evaluations, the effect of HS application was not observed regarding the assessed variables. Likewise, no effects were detected on the number and fresh weight of tubers in total and commercial yields. We concluded that HS application affected both cultivars similarly, hampering initial plant growth and not increasing potato yield.

Developing sustainable production of patchouli oil in Kolaka, South East Sulawesi, Indonesia: a problem-solving approach

Patchouli oil is an essential oil extracted from the patchouli plant (Pogostemon cablin Benth), widely cultivated by farmers in Kolaka District, South East Sulawesi Province, as intercrop or monoculture farming. This research aimed to search for probable solutions to the problems faced by farmers in developing sustainable patchouli oil production. The research was conducted in Kolaka, South East Sulawesi, in May-June 2021 using problem-solving approach. The snowball method was used to select the key informants consisting of farmers, distillers, and extension workers. The primary data was obtained through online interviews. The problems and probable solutions identified in the cultivation and distillation of patchouli consisted of the soil problems that could be overcome through the right and balanced fertilization; the scarcity of certified seed, the government should initiate the production; the synthetic chemical weed and disease control that can be replaced by application of mechanical weed and integrated disease control; and herbage immaturity by conducting gradual harvesting according to plant maturity and capacity of distillation equipment. It is suggested to utilize a stainless kettle in the distillation and farmers’ organizations can provide a soft loan when farmers need cash and the patchouli oil price is low to delay selling.

ADAPTABILITY OF BEETROOT VARIETIES IN CONDITIONS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

According to the results of the research, the influence of water-retaining granules on the biometric parameters of beetroot plants was revealed, in particular, an increase in the assimilation surface area was noted. The highest height of beetroot plants was observed in the Bordo Kharkivskiy variety for the application of water-retaining granules – 33.4 cm, which is 4.9 cm more than in the variant without granules. A positive effect of the use of water-retaining granules was also observed in the Opolskiy variety, where the increase was 3.7 cm compared to the variant without granules. The lowest figure was in the variety Opolskiy without pellets – 22.1 cm. An important indicator in the biometric evaluation of beet varieties is the weight of the root crop. It was the largest in the options for the introduction of water-retaining granules: in the Bordo Kharkivskiy variety growth relative to control was – 6.5 g, in the Opolskiy variety – 7.6 g. Biometric measurements also showed an increase in the mass of the aboveground part of the plants with the introduction of water-retaining granules by 5.4 and 4.9 g, respectively. A higher percentage of the mass of the root in relation to the total mass of the beetroot plant in phase 5 of a pair of true leaves was obtained in the variety Opolskiy – 57.6 – 58.6 %. In the phase of intensive root formation, the highest plant height was recorded in Bordo Kharkivskiy varieties and Opolskiy with the use of water-retaining granules, where the increase was 3.2 cm relative to the control. The same pattern was observed when determining the number of leaves on the plant, where the increase was – 3.5 – 3.2 pieces / plant. An increase in root mass was observed with the introduction of water-retaining granules by 3.3 and 4.0 g, respectively. In the Bordo Kharkivskiy variety the weight of the aboveground part was higher compared to the weight of the root crop, while in the Opolskiy variety the opposite weight of the root crop was observed, the indicator of which was 55.3 – 56. % of the total weight of the plant. Measurements of the area of beet leaves showed that this figure depended on the variety and use of water-retaining granules. In the phase of root moult, the larger leaf area was with the use of water-retaining granules 1.3 – 1.6 thousand m2 / ha, which is more than the control options by 0.3 – 0.4 thousand m2 / ha. The largest leaf area was recorded in the phase of intensive root formation in all studied variants. In the variants where water-retaining granules were used, the increase was 0.5 thousand m2 / ha in the Bordo Kharkivskiy variety, 0.3 thousand m2 / ha in the Opolskiy variety. In the phase of technical maturity of beetroot plants, a decrease in leaf area relative to the phase of intensive root formation was observed. However, the highest figure was in the options with the introduction of water-retaining granules. The use of water-retaining granules provided an increase in yield by 23.0 – 17.5 t / ha relative to controls. The Bordo Kharkivskiy variety was characterized by a larger diameter of the root crop – 7.5 – 8.4 cm, which is 2.9 – 2.6 cm larger than the Opolskiy variety, respectively. However, the plants of the Opolskiy variety showed a longer root length relative to the Bordo Kharkivskiy variety by 4.8 – 6.0 cm, respectively. Water-retaining granules contributed to the increase in root mass, where the increase was in the variety Bordo Kharkivskiy – 83.0 g, in the variety Opolskiy – 63.0 g

Fungal Communities in the Native New Zealand Medicinal Plant Pseudowintera colorata (Horopito) Are Determined by Plant Organ Type and Host Maturity with Key Members Promoting Plant Growth.

The plant Pseudowintera colorata is well known for its antimicrobial and medicinal properties and is endemic to New Zealand. Using PCR-Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), we investigated the factors influencing the composition of endophytic fungal communities in P. colorata from ten distinct sites across New Zealand. Our results showed that plant organs of P. colorata influenced the diversity and richness of endophytic fungi (PERMANOVA, p < 0.05). In addition, plant maturity and its interactions revealed that endophytic fungal communities formed discrete clusters in leaves, stems, and roots of mature and immature P. colorata plants (PERMANOVA; p = 0.002, p = 0.001 and p = 0.039, respectively). For identifying isolates with biocontrol potential, dual culture tests were set up against four different phytopathogenic fungi. Isolates with high activity (zone of inhibition > 10 mm) were sequenced and identified as Trichoderma harzianum, Pezicula neosporulosa, Fusarium tricinctum, Metarhizium sp., and Chaetomium sp. Applying selected endophytic fungi (n = 7) as soil drenchers significantly increased the growth of P. colorata seedlings and produced more internodes. Seedling shoots treated with Trichoderma sp. PRY2BA21 were 2.2 × longer (8.36 cm) than the untreated controls (3.72 cm). Our results elucidate the main plant factors influencing fungal community composition and demonstrate a role for endophytic fungi in P. colorata growth and further demonstrate that medicinal plants are a rich source of endophytes with potential as biocontrol agents.

Biological functions of lignans in plants

Abstract Naturally occurring lignans are present in seeds, nuts, cereals, vegetables, and fruits. Lignans play various roles in plants and their multipurpose functions of different organisms including humans is considerable. They are involved in plant defence mechanisms through their antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. The lignans content may be affected by a variety of factors such as genotype, tissue type, geographic origin, local environmental conditions, nutrition, and plant maturity. Interactive relationships between individual factors are also considered. This review aimed to summarize the biological functions of lignans for plants and empasize the importance of these compounds for the added value of individual genotypes of plant food resources. Understanding the biological functions of lignans in plants can provide solutions to the ever-increasing requirements for the production of functional foods. Flaxseed is the richest source of lignans, and as such is considered the model species for lignans studies. Within our review, one paragraph is focused on the properties and biological functions of flax lignans.

Metabolic adjustments in forage oat (Avena sativa L.) genotypes under different sowing windows.

The current investigation was aimed to study the influence of planting dates (9 Oct, 24 Oct, 13 Nov, 26 Nov, 11 Dec, and 26 Dec) and maturity stages (40, 50, and 60 DAS) on nitrogen metabolic enzymes and biochemical constituents. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design during thewinter season of 2019 by using two oat genotypes (OL-10 and OL-11) with variable growing ability. The activity pattern of studied enzymes revealed upregulated nitrate assimilation during optimum (Oct 24) and sub-optimum (Oct 9 and Nov 13) planting dates but areverse trend was observed during late planting dates; LPD (Nov 26, Dec 11, and Dec 26). The environmental constraints during LPD resulted in theaccrual of nitrate above toxic levels (> 2000ppm). The regression analysis depicted asignificant relationship of nitrate assimilating enzymes and nitrate-N with temperature and sunshine hour. Examination of ammonia assimilation and transaminases suggested that the enzyme activities got uplifted during late planting dates but were stable or slightly low at optimum and sub-optimum ones. Additionally, OL-10 proved to be an N-efficient genotype in comparison with theOL-11 genotype because of its high N assimilation potential. Therefore, gaining a better understanding of planting time is crucial for sustainable livestock production.

Co-inoculation of Trichoderma gamsii A5MH and Trichoderma harzianum Tr906 in wheat suppresses in planta abundance of the crown rot pathogen Fusarium pseudograminearum and impacts the rhizosphere soil fungal microbiome

Wheat root endophytic strains Trichoderma gamsii A5MH and T. harzianum Tr906 were assessed for their abilities to suppress in planta abundance of the crown rot pathogen Fusarium pseudograminearum and increase growth of durum wheat. Fusarium crown rot suppressive assays were conducted in natural Kandosol and Chromosol wheat cropping soils with greater disease expression observed in the Chromosol. Rhizosphere abundance of T. gamsii A5MH, T. harzianum Tr906 and F. pseudograminearum were quantified by species-specific qPCR at plant maturity. Strains A5MH and Tr906 actively colonized the wheat rhizosphere and suppressed in planta pathogen abundance in both soil types, with both inoculants persisting in roots and soil to 84 days postemergence. Strain A5MH increased wheat biomass in both soils, whereas strain Tr906 only increased biomass of Chromosol-grown wheat. Metabolites of strains A5MH and Tr906 decreased in vitro growth of wheat pathogenic F. pseudograminearum, Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium irregulare, but did not inhibit either inoculant. Compared with individually inoculated strains, co-inoculation of A5MH and Tr906 did not affect rhizosphere niche abundance, in planta pathogen suppressive efficacies or wheat growth-benefits of either inoculant in Chromosol-grown wheat. Fusarium crown rot symptoms however, only decreased in the A5MH and co-inoculated treatments. Each Trichoderma treatment had distinct impacts on the structure (beta diversity) of the indigenous rhizosphere soil fungal community of Chromosol-grown wheat. Strain A5MH and co-inoculated treatments had the greatest overall effects on soil fungal community (alpha) diversity and structure. Community differentiation was primarily attributed to increased abundance of Trichoderma spp. in the inoculated treatments and associated decreases in plant pathogenic and predominantly saprophytic fungal genera.

Формування продуктивності люпину білого в сучасних кліматичних умовах

Goal. To evaluate the influence of weather conditions in the years of research on the duration of interphase periods and the growing season of white lupine of Chabansky variety, generative development, the formation of the level of yield, and its quality. Methods. Field, weighing and laboratory research methods were used to assess plant growth and development, as well as product quality. By B.A. Dospekhov method of correlation and regression analysis, they identified variability and relationships between these indicators and weather conditions. Results. Weather conditions, which developed in 2016–2020 in the period from sowing to full maturity of white lupine plants, differed significantly over the years of research and affected the duration of the period sowing-seedlings, growing season, plant growth and development, and ultimately — the level of the crop harvest. The most favorable conditions for the formation of the crop were formed in 2016, as evidenced by the highest yield of 4.18 t/ha and the index of conditions of the year 0.69; less favorable in 2018 — 3.95 t/ha and the index of conditions of the year 0.46; in 2019 — 3.60 t/ha and 0.11; in 2017 — 3.14 t/ha and 0.35 respectively. 2020 was the most unfavorable, as indicated by the minimum yield of 2.57 t/ha and the index of annual conditions — 0.92. Weather conditions also affected the quality of the obtained products — the content of crude protein in grain ranged from 33.4 to 36.0%, and its collection depended on the level of crop yield and amounted to 1.48–0.86 t/ha. Conclusions. Peculiarities of interphase periods and duration of growing season of the variety Chabansky of white lupine, plant development, yield level, and grain quality differed depending on meteorological conditions that developed during the growing season during the research years (2016–2020). To reduce the impact of these factors, as well as to obtain a stable grain yield, it is necessary to create varieties that are resistant to adverse conditions, and also to use anti-stress agents and plant growth stimulants.