Beach Plum Research Articles

Effect of co-inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and phosphate solubilizing fungi on nutrient uptake and photosynthesis of beach palm under salt stress environment

Beach plum (Prunus maritima) is an ornamental plant, famous for its strong salt and drought stress tolerance. However, the poor growth rate of transplanted seedlings has seriously restricted its application in salinized soil. This study investigated the effects of inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF), Funneliformis mosseae, and phosphate-solubilizing fungus (PSF), Apophysomyces spartima, on the growth, nutrient (N, P, and K) uptake, and photosynthesis of beach plum under saline (170 mM NaCl) and non-saline (0 mM NaCl) conditions. We aimed to find measures to increase the growth rate of beach plum in saline-alkali land and to understand the reasons for this increase. The results showed that salinization adversely affected colonization by AMF but positively increased PSF populations (increased by 33.9–93.3% over non-NaCl treatment). The dual application of AMF and PSF mitigated the effects of salt stress on all growth parameters and nutrient uptake, significantly for roots (dry weight and P and N contents increased by 91.0%, 68.9%, and 40%, respectively, over non-NaCl treatment). Salinization caused significant reductions in net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (E), and intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) value, while inoculation with AMF and PSF inoculations significantly abated such reductions. The maximum efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) (Fv/Fm), the photochemical quenching coefficient (qP), and the nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) values were affected little by inoculation with AMF, PSF, or both under non-NaCl treatments. However, plants inoculated with AMF and/or PSF had higher Fv/Fm, qP, and ФPSII values (increased by 72.5–188.1%) than the control under NaCl treatment, but not a higher NPQ value. We concluded that inoculation with AMF or PSF increased nutrient uptake and improved the gas-exchange and Chl fluorescence parameters of beach plum under salt stress environment. These effects could be strengthened by the combination of AMF and PSF, especially for nutrient uptake, root growth, and Pn, thereby alleviating the deleterious effects of NaCl stress on beach plum growth.

Resolving the Taxonomic Identity of Prunus maritima VAR. Gravesii (Rosaceae) Through Genotyping Analyses Using Microsatellite Loci

Abstract Graves' Beach Plum (Prunus maritima var. gravesii) has been notable for its unique morphological form since a single individual was first discovered on Esker Point in Groton, Connecticut and formally described in 1897. This original clone is now extinct in the wild and is presently kept in cultivation on the University of Connecticut campus, with no additional wild plants discovered in 120 years. It was distinguished morphologically based primarily on its distinctive orbicular leaves, which differ from the ovate leaves found in P. maritima var. maritima. Prior studies have shown few morphological differences between P. maritima var. gravesii and P. maritima var. maritima and full reproductive compatibility has been experimentally observed between the two taxa. However, the few unique characteristics of P. maritima var. gravesii merit further investigation to determine if it has unique molecular differences relative to var. maritima that might lead to the prioritization of conservation and possibl...

Two psammophilic noctuids newly associated with beach plum, Prunus maritima (Rosaceae): The Dune Noctuid (Sympistis riparia) and Coastal Heathland Cutworm (Abagrotis benjamini) in Northeastern North America (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae).

Beach plum, Prunus maritima Marshall, 1785 not Wangenh., 1787 (Rosaceae), currently under development as a potential crop, represents an under-acknowledged host plant for several Lepidoptera that have undergone declines in the northeastern USA. The Coastal Heathland Cutworm, Abagrotis nefascia (Smith, 1908), and the Dune Noctuid, Sympistis riparia (Morrison, 1875), are unrelated species of psammophilic noctuines (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) regularly encountered on a localized basis in coastal southern New England and New York, and whose precise life history requirements are undocumented. We inferred and, based on field observation and rearing, corroborated beach plum as a larval host for these species in Massachusetts; the plant’s role in sustaining other moths with limited or contracting regional distributions is discussed. Sympistis riparia, belonging to a widely distributed complex of closely related species, has been associated specifically with both maritime and freshwater dunes. The eastern populations of Abagrotis nefascia represent a conspicuous range disjunction, separated from the nearest western populations by more than 2000 miles, and originally described by Franclemont as race benjamini of Abagrotis crumbi, both later synonymized with Abagrotis nefascia. Following examination of types and other material, an evaluation of putatively diagnostic features from both the original description and our own observations, genitalic characters, and the results of provisional barcode analyses, Abagrotis benjamini Franclemont, stat. rev., is elevated to the rank of a valid species rather than representing eastern populations of Abagrotis nefascia (=crumbi) to which it originally referred.

Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus and Phosphate-Solubilizing Fungus on the Nutrient Uptake and Growth of Beach Plum (Prunus Maritima) Seedlings under NaCl Stress

The objective of this work was to study the effects of inoculation with an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF), Glomus mosseae, and/or a phosphate-solubilising fungus (PSF), Mortierella sp. SM-1, on the nutrient uptake and growth of beach plum (Prunus maritima) when grown under 1% (w/v) NaCl stress. High concentration of NaCl (200 mMol) treatments adversely inhibited colonizations and spore densities by AMF or/and PSF, as well as the nutrient uptake of N, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn nutrient acquisition, resulting in an important reduction in shoot and root dry biomass. Plants inoculated with AMF or/and PSF strongly promoted AM colonization and spore density, plant dry biomass and nutrient uptake by P. maritima. Dual inoculation of AMF and PSF showed significant higher effects on variation of the ion concentration (N, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn) and plant growth indexes. It is concluded that AMF inoculation with PSF application could synergistically enhance the nutrient uptake and growth of plants.

Investigation of seedlings of beach plum and selection of superior individuals

Investigation of seedlings of beach plum and selection of superior individuals

Effects of salt stress on photosynthetic characteristics of beach plum and otherPrunusspecies

Effects of salt stress on photosynthetic characteristics of beach plum and other<i>Prunus</i>species

How do magnetic fields affect plants in vitro?

This mini-review aims to assess how magnetic fields (MFs) have been shown to affect in vitro plant growth and development and the practical uses of this technology. Magnetic or electromagnetic fields have shown effects on morphogenesis from different initial explants; on growth-related parameters of in vitro shoots, roots, somatic embryos, and callus; and on the photosynthetic pigment profile, level of stress-induced alanine production, activity of stress-related enzymes, and endogenous levels of cytokinins and auxins. These effects have depended in part on the intensity and duration of exposure of the applied field and in part on the species and in vitro conditions, such as explant type or medium consistency. In vitro growth and development has been manipulated in a series of species, including field crops (soybean, alfalfa, wheat), herbs and medicinal plants (mojito mint, peppermint, spearmint, Calendula officinalis), horticultural crops (potato, sugar beet, wild Solanum spp.), fruits (beach plum), ornamentals (hybrid Cymbidium, hybrid Phalaenopsis, duckweed, Krainzia longiflora, Spathiphyllum), a weed (Haplopappus gracilis), and trees (cork oak, Paulownia sp.). MFs thus have the potential of being used to manipulate the growth and development of plants in vitro and serve as a novel system to open up novel avenues of research in plant science.

In vitro Evaluation of Wild Fruits and Leaves for Potential Carbohydrate Hydrolyzing Enzyme Inhibition

Four wild foods dandelion leaf ‐ (Taraxacam officinale), grape (Vitis riparia) plantain (Plantago major), and beach plum (Prunus maritima) ‐, were extracted in water followed by C18 column extraction. The phenolic content was evaluated using the Folin‐Ciocalteau's Assay and determined to be 39.5 μg/mg GAEq, 116.2 μg/mg GAEq, 14.3 μg/mg GAEq, and 351.1 μg/mg GAEq for the dandelion, grape, plantain, and plum respectively. The antioxidant activity was evaluated in terms of free‐radical scavenging activity, by using the DPPH assay. Single dose evaluation showed that the sample with the highest free‐radical scavenging activity was the beach plum with 70.2% antioxidant activity, followed by grape with (58.6%), dandelion (50.0%), and plantain (44.9%). Dose‐dependent evaluation of free‐radical scavenging activity is currently underway. Previous reports have shown that phenolic phytochemicals are excellent inhibitors of carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes. To determine the possible effect of our samples for type 2 diabetes prevention, we will evaluate their dose‐dependent inhibitory effect against two major carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes (alpha‐glucosidase and alpha‐amylase). Completion of this research will provide the basic biochemical rationale for the deeper evaluation of samples with high inhibitory activity.

Microsatellite marker development for the coastal dune shrub Prunus maritima (Rosaceae).

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed in the beach plum, Prunus maritima, to investigate the genetic composition of remaining populations in need of conservation and, in future studies, to determine its relation to P. maritima var. gravesii.• Methods and Results: Fourteen primer pairs were identified and tested in four populations throughout the species’ geographic range. Of these 14 loci, 12 were shown to be polymorphic among a total of 60 P. maritima individuals sampled (15 individuals sampled from four populations). Among the polymorphic loci, the number of alleles ranged from two to 10 and observed heterozygosity of loci ranged from 0.07 to 0.93 among specimens tested.• Conclusions: These microsatellites will be useful in evaluating the population genetic composition of P. maritima and in developing approaches for further conservation and management of this species within the endangered coastal dune ecosystem of the northeastern United States.

Analysis of the genetic diversity of beach plums by simple sequence repeat markers.

The purpose of this study was to measure the genetic diversity of wild beach plum and cultivated species, and to determine the species relationships using SSRs markers. An analysis of genetic diversity from ten beach plum germplasms was carried out using 11 simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers selected from 35 primers to generate distinct PCR products. From this plant material, 44 allele variations were detected, with 3-5 alleles identified from each primer. The analysis showed that the genetic similarity coefficient varied from 0.721 ± 0.155 to 0.848 ± 0.136 within each of the ten beach plum germplasms and changed within the range of 0.551 ± 0.084 to 0.695 ± 0.073 between any two pairs of germplasms. According to the genetic dissimilarity coefficient matrix, a cluster analysis of SSRs using the unweighted pair group mean average method in the NTSYSpc 2.10 software revealed that the ten germplasms could be divided into two groups at the dissimilarity coefficient of 0.606. Class I included 77.8, 12.5, 30, and 33.3% of MM, MI, NY, and CM, respectively. Class II contains the remaining 9 beach plum germplasms. The markers generated by 11 SSR primers proved very effective in distinguishing the beach plum germplasm resources. It was clear that the geographical distribution did not correspond with the genetic relationships among the different beach plum strains. This result will be of value to beach plum breeding programs.

Characterising the rhizospheric soil niches of beach plum (Prunus maritima) colonised by arbuscularmycorrhizal fungi and/or phosphate-solubilising fungi when grown under NaCl stress

SummaryThe objective of this work was to study the effects of inoculation with an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF), Glomus mosseae, and/or a phosphate-solubilising fungus (PSF), Mortierella sp. SM-1, on the rhizospheric niche of beach plum (Prunus maritima) when grown under 1% (w/v) NaCl stress. Salinisation adversely affected colonisation by AMF, microorganism populations, available-P, and hydrolysable-N concentrations in the soil, as well as phosphatase, urease, and proteinase activities in the rhizospheric niche of beach plum, resulting in a significant reduction (P 0.05) in the dry weight (DW) of the plants. Plants inoculated with AMF and/or PSF avoided these adverse changes. Combined inoculation with AMF and PSF promoted AMF colonisation, increased plant DWs, and significantly increased bacterial and actinomycete numbers on the root surface and in roots, and nitrogen-fixing bacterial numbers on the root surface of beach plum plants. Dual inoculation with AMF plus PSF also resulted in significantly higher phosphatase, urease, and protease activities, and higher concentrations of available-P and hydrolysable-N in rhizosphere soil than following a single inoculation with AMF or PSF. After 90 d of 1% (w/v) NaCl stress, soil pH values in the rhizosphere of beach plum plants co-inoculated with AMF plus PSF were significantly lower than in the rhizosphere of plants inoculated with AMF or PSF alone.We conclude that inoculation with AMF plus the application PSF synergistically improved the micro-ecological environment and increased soil fertility in the rhizosphere of beach plum, which improved the tolerance of these plants to saline stress.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) on Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Beach Plum (&lt;i&gt;Prunus maritima&lt;/i&gt;) under Salt Stress

The effects of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF), Glomus mosseae, Paraglomus occultum and Glomus etunicatum, on the growth and nutrient uptake of the Prunus maritima, cultured with or without NaCl, were evaluated. Plant biomass, AM colonization and spore density were also assessed. Salt stress adversely affected plant N, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn and Mn nutrient acquisition, except for Fe, resulting in an important reduction in shoot dry biomass. Inoculation of the AM fungus strongly promoted AM colonization and spore density, plant dry biomass, root/shoot dry weight ratio and nutrient uptake by P. maritima, regardless of salinity level. Among the three Glomus species, the total dry biomass of beach plum plants associated with G. mosseae and G. etunicatum was significantly higher than that of the control plants (48 and 43%, respectively), and so is the total leaf area (34 and 33 %, respectively). These findings suggest that inoculation with specific AMF therefore constituted an alternative method to relieve stress of soil salinization on beach plum.

Relationship between Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Soil Enzyme Activities of Beach Plum in Fujiabian Hilly Area

Relationship between Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Soil Enzyme Activities of Beach Plum in Fujiabian Hilly Area

Banking on Beach Plums

Beach plums (Prunus maritima) are small, native stone fruits that grow wild along the coast from Maryland to Maine. Ripe fruit are picked in late summer, made into purple jelly, and sold locally. Commercialization of the beach plum, like the blueberry, therefore, would appear to be easy, except that yields are not predictable. Even so, around 1938, schemes to improve and elevate the beach plum beyond a simple cottage industry took root in Massachusetts, led by two women independently on Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod. For twenty years, amateur beach plum growers (especially the Cape Cod Beach Plum Growers Association) and horticulturists (from the USDA and the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University) selected, propagated, and grew new varieties with superior fruit. One of these cultivars, called “Autumn,” was touted as an annual bearer of fruit, but it was a false promise. By 1958 the commercialization effort waned. Fortunately, horticulturists are again interested in the beach plum. The Cape May County (New Jersey) Beach Plum Association is planting thousands of beach plum shrubs to hold dunes and to bear fruit, and Cornell University and Seaberry Farm in Maryland are developing niche markets for orchard-grown beach plum products.

Effect of Glomus mosseae on chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and chloroplast ultrastructure of beach plum (Prunus maritima) under NaCl stress

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Glomus mosseae on chlorophyll (Chl) content, Chl fluorescence parameters and chloroplast ultrastructure of beach plum seedlings under 2% NaCl stress. The results showed that compared to control, both Chl a and Chl b contents of NaCl + G. mosseae treatment were significantly lower during the salt stress, while Chl a/b ratio increased significantly. The increase of minimal fluorescence of darkadapted state (F0), and the decrease of maximal fluorescence of dark-adapted state (Fm) and variable fluorescence (Fv) values were inhibited. The maximum quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm), the maximum energy transformation potential of PSII photochemistry (Fv/F0) and the effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (ΦPSII) increased significantly, especially the latter two variables. The values of the photochemical quenching coefficient (qP) and the nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) were similar between G. mosseae inoculation and noninoculation. It could be concluded that G. mosseae inoculation could protect the photosystem II (PSII) of beach plum, enhance the efficiency of primary light energy conversion and improve the primitive response of photosynthesis under salinity stress. Meanwhile, G. mosseae inoculation was beneficial to maintain the integrity of thylakoid membrane and to protect the structure and function of chloroplast, which suggested that G. mosseae can alleviate the damage of NaCl stress to chloroplast.

Effect of Glomus mosseae on chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and chloroplast ultrastructure of beach plum (Prunus maritima) under NaCl stress

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Glomus mosseae on chlorophyll (Chl) content, Chl fluorescence parameters and chloroplast ultrastructure of beach plum seedlings under 2% NaCl stress. The results showed that compared to control, both Chl a and Chl b contents of NaCl + G. mosseae treatment were significantly lower during the salt stress, while Chl a/b ratio increased significantly. The increase of minimal fluorescence of darkadapted state (F0), and the decrease of maximal fluorescence of dark-adapted state (Fm) and variable fluorescence (Fv) values were inhibited. The maximum quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm), the maximum energy transformation potential of PSII photochemistry (Fv/F0) and the effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (&Phi;PSII) increased significantly, especially the latter two variables. The values of the photochemical quenching coefficient (qP) and the nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) were similar between G. mosseae inoculation and noninoculation. It could be concluded that G. mosseae inoculation could protect the photosystem II (PSII) of beach plum, enhance the efficiency of primary light energy conversion and improve the primitive response of photosynthesis under salinity stress. Meanwhile, G. mosseae inoculation was beneficial to maintain the integrity of thylakoid membrane and to protect the structure and function of chloroplast, which suggested that G. mosseae can alleviate the damage of NaCl stress to chloroplast.

Develop Beach Plum as a New Multipurpose Crop for Coastal Beach in China

The beach plum, Prunus maritima Marsh is native to the sandy North Atlantic coast, from Newfoundland to North Carolina. It can grow well without irrigation, even on low-nutrient sandy soils, saline land, old-field and coastal beach where many other plants cannot survive. It is fine rootstock to improve stress tolerance of cion. The fruits of beach plum can be made into delicious jams, jellies and wine. This paper is aimed to introduce beach plum to people, and hope it can become an important multipurpose crop in Chinese coastal beach in the future.

English

Summary of roof characteristics. Plant list is a partial list of the species in sampling plots on each roof. See Table A1 for more complete lists of plants, including those outside of plot areas. Area range for CH indicates sizes of three green roof boxes. Location Coordinates Soil characteristics Soil Depth (cm) Area (m 2 ) Height above ground (m) Distance to nearest green area (m) % Vegetation Cover (Mean ± standard deviation) Plant richness (Mean ± standard deviation) Plant Species Identified Water treatment vault, Wellesley College Botanic Gardens (WT) 42.2942°N-71.3039°W Low organic content, expanded shale and compost 15 55 0-2 0 41±11 4.9±1.2 Carex pensylvanica , Solidago sciaphila , Fragaria virginiana , Dennstaedtia punctilobula , Geum triflorum , Aster spp. , Campanula rotundifolia , Allium sp. Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MA) 42.3369°N-71.0985°W High organic content 30 149 60 16 49±14 7.4±0.9 Arctostaphylos uva-ursi , Prunus maritima Linaria vulgaris

The application of beach plum ( Prunus maritima) to wasteland vegetation recovery in Jiangsu Province, China: Seedling cloning and transplantation

The beach plum has a promising future in China for its strong adaptability to harsh environment, its tasty fruits, and high ornamental value. Shortage of propagules is now a serious problem that undermines its popularity in China. This paper aims to study vegetation recovery through beach plum on wastelands, especially strategies for solving propagule deficiency. Techniques for cloning adequate seedlings in a timely fashion and ways to improve the survival rate of transplantation are described. Specifically, tissue culture is first conducted in laboratory to clone enough seedlings of this species, and then cutting (by hardwood cuttings and softwood cuttings) is implemented to obtain a large number of beach plum seedlings. In the subsequent period of training of beach plum seedlings in the greenhouse, inoculation of Glomus mosseae significantly promotes their growth. Then healthy seedlings are transplanted to target sites on a large scale with paper cups. Three such sites in Jiangsu Province are selected to demonstrate our strategies.

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the rooting and growth of beach plum (Prunus maritima) cuttings

SummaryThe objective of this work was to study the effect of inoculation with Glomus mosseae, G. diaphanum or G. etunicatum on the rooting and growth of beach plum cuttings. Among these three AM fungi, the highest percentage rooting (58.6% for hardwood cuttings; 40.2% for softwood cuttings), the maximum number of lateral fine roots (27.4% for hardwood cuttings; 18.5% for softwood cuttings), the greatest dry weights (DWs) of roots (0.264 g for hardwood cuttings; 0.178 g for softwood cuttings), the greatest DWs of shoots (4.57 g for hardwood cuttings; 3.08g for softwood cuttings), heights of cuttings (61.3 cm for hardwood cuttings; 58.4 cm for softwood cuttings), and the largest total leaf areas of cuttings (1,010.9 cm2 for hardwood cuttings; 689.4 cm2 for softwood cuttings) were observed following inoculation with G. mosseae. The greatest root lengths were observed after inoculation with G. etunicatum (19.7 cm for hardwood cuttings; 16.2 cm for softwood cuttings). Except for the numbers of primary root generated, G. mosseae and G. etunicatum inoculations were significantly better than the controls in all parameters studied. As for numbers of primary roots, inoculation with AM fungi gave values close to the controls. Greater uptakes of macronutrients (P, K, Mg, and Ca) and micronutrients (Mn, Cu, Zn and B) were observed in beach plum 80 d after inoculation with each of the three Glomus species than in controls. Among the three Glomus species, G. mosseae was the most effective, G. etunicatum was next, and G. diaphanum gave macronutrient uptake values close to the controls. The percentages of root colonisation (59.46% for hardwood cuttings; 45.32% for softwood cuttings), and AM fungal spore counts (145.32 spores 25 g–1 for hardwood cuttings; 123.24 spores 25 g–1 for softwood cuttings) were highest in cuttings inoculated with G. mosseae. This study showed the beneficial effects of inoculation with each of the three Glomus fungi, especially G. mosseae and G. etunicatum, on inducing rooting and growth in beach plum cuttings. In addition, hardwood cuttings responded better to inoculation with AM fungi than softwood cuttings.