Root Protein Content Research Articles

Phytoextraction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by weeds: Effect of PFAS physicochemical properties and plant physiological traits

Phytoextraction is a promising technology that uses plants to remediate contaminated soil. However, its feasibility for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and the impact of PFAS properties and plant traits on phytoextraction efficacy remains unknown. In this study, we conducted greenhouse experiment and evaluated the potential of weeds for phytoextraction of PFAS from soil and assessed the effects of PFAS properties and plant traits on PFAS uptake via systematic correlation analyses and electron probe microanalyzer with energy dispersive spectroscopy (FE-EPMA-EDS) imaging. The results showed that 1) phytoextraction can remove 0.04%− 41.4%wt of PFAS from soil, with extracted PFAS primarily stored in plant shoots; 2) Weeds preferentially extracted short-chain PFAS over long-chain homologues from soil. 3) PFAS molecular size and hydrophilicity determined plant uptake behavior, while plant morphological traits, particularly root protein and lipid content, influenced PFAS accumulation and translocation. Although plants with thin roots and small leaf areas exhibited greater PFAS uptake and storage ability, the impact of PFAS physicochemical properties was more significant. 4) Finally, short-chain PFAS were transported quickly upwards in the plant, while uptake of long-chain PFOS was restricted.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes promote the accumulation, distribution, and assimilation of 15N-KNO3 in Malus hupehensis by entering the roots.

Multi-walled nanotubes(MWCNTs)consistofmultiplerolled layersofgraphene. Nitrogen plays an important role in apple growth. The effect of MWCNTs on nitrogen utilization in apple needs to be further investigated. In this study, the woody plant Malus hupehensis seedlings were used as plant materials, the distribution of MWCNTs in the roots was observed, and the effects of MWCNTs on the accumulation, distribution, and assimilation of nitrate by the seedlings were explored. The results showed that MWCNTs could penetrate the roots of Malus hupehensis seedlings, and the 50, 100, and 200 µg·mL-1 MWCNTs significantly promoted the root growth of seedlings, increased root number, root activity, fresh weight, and nitrate content of seedlings, and also increased nitrate reductase activity, free amino acid, and soluble protein content of roots and leaves. 15N tracer experiments indicated that MWCNTs decreased the distribution ratio of 15N-KNO3 in Malus hupehensis roots but increased its distribution ratio in stems and leaves. MWCNTs improved the utilization ratio of 15N-KNO3 in Malus hupehensis seedlings, with the values being increased by 16.19%, 53.04%, and 86.44% following the 50, 100, and 200 µg·mL-1 MWCNTs, respectively. The RT-qPCR analysis showed that MWCNTs significantly affected the expression of genes (MhNRTs) related to nitrate uptake and transport in roots and leaves, and MhNRT1.4, MhNRT1.7, MhNRT1.8, MhNRT2.1, MhNRT2.5, and MhNRT2.7 were notably up-regulated in response to 200 µg·mL-1 MWCNTs. Raman analysis and transmission electron microscopy images indicated that MWCNTs could enter the root tissue of Malus hupehensis and were distributed between the cell wall and cytoplasmic membrane. Pearson correlation analysis showed that root tip number, root fractal dimension, and root activity were the main factors affecting root uptake and assimilation of nitrate. These findings suggest that MWCNTs promoted root growth by entering the root, stimulated the expression of MhNRTs, and increased NR activity, thereby enhancing the uptake, distribution, and assimilation of nitrate by root, and ultimately improved the utilization of 15N-KNO3 by Malus hupehensis seedlings.

Effects of Slag-Based Fertilizer to Mitigate Salinity Stress on Greenhouse Durum Wheat (Triticum Durum Desf.) Cultivars

For a modern agricultural, the search for sustainable practices to increase productivity is fundamental. Steel slag have been studied for their potential use in agriculture. These substances present a great possibility of agricultural applications since they are rich in nutrients, which enhance plant uptake. In this regard, the effect of steel slag based-fertilizer was investigated in the greenhouse durum wheat cultivation in pots under salt-stress conditions. Two slag doses: 10 g slag/ kg soil (D1) and 20 g slag/ kg soil (D2) were evaluated under no salt-stress (0 mM NaCl) and salt-stress conditions (100 mM NaCl) for salinity stress mitigation. Morpho-physiological and biochemical parameters of wheat were measured and compared to the different treatments. Wheat exposure to salinity decreased its biomass, stomatal conductance, efficiency of photosystem II, protein content and increased total soluble sugars, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. Amended plants with 10 g slag/ kg soil (D1), led to a significant improve in biomass with an increase of shoot and root dry weights (133% and 400% respectively), stomatal conductance (22 %), soluble sugars (14 %) and protein content (158%) under salinity conditions as compared to the control treatment 0 g slag/ kg soil (C), indicating a positive influence on durum wheat plants. However, soil enrichment with 20 g slag/ kg soil (D2) decreased plant growth parameters and presented the highest levels of H2O2 and MDA contents compared to the control and treatment D1 after three months of cultivation under salt-stress. This study supports the hypothesis of the application of slag at lower dose improve productivity of durum wheat and mitigate salinity stress.

Effects of Slag-Based Fertilizer to Mitigate Salinity Stress on Greenhouse Durum Wheat (Triticum Durum Desf.) Cultivars

For a modern agricultural, the search for sustainable practices to increase productivity is fundamental. Steel slag have been studied for their potential use in agriculture. These substances present a great possibility of agricultural applications since they are rich in nutrients, which enhance plant uptake. In this regard, the effect of steel slag based-fertilizer was investigated in the greenhouse durum wheat cultivation in pots under salt-stress conditions. Two slag doses: 10 g slag/ kg soil (D1) and 20 g slag/ kg soil (D2) were evaluated under no salt-stress (0 mM NaCl) and salt-stress conditions (100 mM NaCl) for salinity stress mitigation. Morpho-physiological and biochemical parameters of wheat were measured and compared to the different treatments. Wheat exposure to salinity decreased its biomass, stomatal conductance, efficiency of photosystem II, protein content and increased total soluble sugars, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. Amended plants with 10 g slag/ kg soil (D1), led to a significant improve in biomass with an increase of shoot and root dry weights (133% and 400% respectively), stomatal conductance (22 %), soluble sugars (14 %) and protein content (158%) under salinity conditions as compared to the control treatment 0 g slag/ kg soil (C), indicating a positive influence on durum wheat plants. However, soil enrichment with 20 g slag/ kg soil (D2) decreased plant growth parameters and presented the highest levels of H2O2 and MDA contents compared to the control and treatment D1 after three months of cultivation under salt-stress. This study supports the hypothesis of the application of slag at lower dose improve productivity of durum wheat and mitigate salinity stress.

Isolation, Biochemical Characterization of Rhizobium sps SN01 Strain from Root Nodules of Mimosa pudica and their Impact on Agriculture Crops

The present study deals with the isolation of Rhizobium bacteria from root nodules of Mimosa pudica, and to check its efficiency as bio-fertilizer in improving plant growth. Rhizobium sps SN01 was isolated from root nodules of Mimosa pudica and confirmed to be Rhizobium bacteria through following biochemical tests of indole, methyl red, Voges-Proskauer and citrate utilization (IMViC), urease, hydrogen sulphide, carbohydrate fermentation tests. Rhizobium sps SN01 was analysed for antibiotic sensitivity test towards three different antibiotics such as Azithromycin, Amoxicillin and Cephalosporin. To check the efficiency, seeds of legume crops like cow peas, peas, and fenugreek were treated with Rhizobium sps, SN01, sowed in soil and coco-peat to study its germination rate and effectiveness in plant growth resulting in root length, shoot length, protein content and chlorophyll content. Impact of Rhizobium sps SN01 bacteria in soil and coco-peat quality and improvement was also focused by analyzing micro and macro nutrients responsible for its quality to improve plant growth.

Seed imbibition by imazamox induces activation of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) in wheat seedlings

Imidazolinone herbicides are widely used in agriculture. In some cases, they may be very persistent in soils, generating risks for the next crop in crop rotation. In several plant species, glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) take part in the detoxification of imazamox, but there exist no reports about their activity in wheat. Our study evaluated the effects of the imbibition of wheat seeds in imazamox containing solutions (10, 25 and 50 µM) on seedling growth, protein content as well as on the activity of GSTs. Growth of the young wheat seedlings was significantly inhibited after imbibition of the seeds in imazamox containing solutions. The protein content of both roots and shoots was lower compared to controls. This was partially due to a lower acetohydroxy acid synthase (AHAS) activity, leading to slowed protein turnover. The GSTs activity, determined using two different substrates 1-Chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and p-nitrophenyl acetate (pNPA), was enhanced, indicating their possible participation in cellular defence mechanisms against imazamox. The obtained new information about GSTs will be further verified in our subsequent studies.

Uticaj simuliranih ostataka imazetapira na sadržaj ukupnih proteina u korenovima različitih gajenih biljaka

The bioassay conducted in controlled conditions was used to investigate the sensitivity of selected crops (maize, sunflower, wheat, sugar beet, oilseed rape and mustard) to imazethapyr carryover. The dešendence of whole protein content in test plants roots was measured in regard to different imazethapyr concentrations in the soil. The rates of imazethapyr were established at 240, 120, 60, 30, 15, 7.5, 3.75 and 1.875 mg A.I. kg-1 soil (ppbw). After sowing, the plants were grown in a growth chamber for 14 days and afterwards carefully removed from the pots intact, while the soil was removed from the root system by gentle and thorough washing. Whole protein contents were established based on the nitrogen content in roots using distillated method. Each treatment was performed in four replications and bioassays for each plant species were repeated twice. Statistical analysis of the whole protein content was based on ANOVA, and Tuckey test was used to determine the significant differences. There was no dependence of the whole protein content on herbicide concentration. A slight increase of the whole protein content was determined in maize roots. The same goes for sugar beet, mustard and oilseed rape. In wheat roots and sunflower roots there were a decrease in the whole protein content for some treatments in comparison to control (imazethapyr concentrations ≥ 15 mg A.I. kg-1 soil, for wheat and ≤ 7.5 mg A.I. kg-1 soil, for sunflower). If results obtained in this study are considered together with earlier established level of sensitivity to imazethapyr, one can say that in highly sensitive species there is always an increase in the whole protein content in herbicide treatments when compared to the control. In wheat roots (the least sensitive of plant species tested here) a decrease of the whole protein content was observed and only for higher herbicide concentrations.

Genetic diversity determined by agronomic traits and SSR markers in two South American orange‐fleshed sweetpotato breeding populations with potential for population hybrid breeding

AbstractOrange‐fleshed sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] (OFSP) breeding populations have gained importance for food security and health reasons. This study's main objectives were to determine genetic diversity in parental material of two OFSP populations developed in Peru (Jewel [PJ] and Zapallo [PZ]) relative to mega‐clones (MCs) using agronomic traits and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and to determine whether PJ and PZ are mutually heterotic by developing a PJ × PZ hybrid population (H0). Field trials were performed with clones for PJ (n = 49), PZ (n = 31), MC (n = 21), and H0 (n = 6,898) in Peru. Traits recorded were storage root yield (RYTHA), number of commercial roots per plant, foliage yield, biomass, harvest index, and dry matter (RDM), β‐carotene (RBC), protein, starch, sucrose, iron, zinc, and calcium content of storage roots. Sixty‐six pairs of SSR primers were used to determine molecular diversity. Statistics used were linear mixed models, principal component analysis, and standard procedures for molecular data. New genetic variation was found in PJ and PZ (e.g., RDM ≥29% with RBC ≥25 mg 100 g−1 dry weight basis). For most traits, genetic variance in PJ and PZ was as large as in MC. The SSR marker data clearly separated PJ and PZ into two gene‐pools, together covering nearly the entire MC molecular diversity. Average RYTHA in H0 was high (40.7 t ha−1) with average heterosis increment of 21.8% and range −30.6 to 139.4%. The PJ and PZ lend themselves to study of the efficiency of reciprocal recurrent selection in sweetpotato population hybrid breeding.

Application of mungbean residue as green manure. III. Effects on some quality characteristics of sweet potato

Incorporating green manure in soil increases the availability of nutrient elements and improve of quality characteristics in the succeeding crops. So, a field experiment was conducted at the experimental farm and laboratory of Institute of Sustainable Agrotechnology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Padang Besar, Perlis, Malaysia. This study was about effect of green manure with mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) on some quality characteristics of sweet potato under two grown conditions; open field and greenhouse. The green manuring of mungbean was compared with the control. Results of the study show of that there were different effect of treatments on quality characteristics of sweet potato. The highest nitrogen content in leaves and protein content in tuberous root 1.64% and 2.49%, respectively, were observed in the treatment of mungbean residue. But the highest sugar content of 19.93% in tuberous root was recorded in control treatment. Mungbean residue and control treatment were not significantly different between them in phosphorous and potassium content in leaves, hardness of tuberous root and starch content. There was significant increment in nitrogen and potassium contents in sweet potato leaves under open field condition. On the other hand, there was significant increment in sugar content under greenhouse condition. But the different conditions were at par in phosphorous content in leaves, starch content in tuberous root and hardness of tuberous root. The nitrogen content in leaves was greatest at treatment of mungbean residue under open field condition, while treatment of mungbean residue under greenhouse condition gave highest protein content in tuberous root compared to other treatments. Highest starch content and sugar in tuberous root were found in control treatment under greenhouse condition 52.90% and 20.92%, respectively.

Response of root dynamics to nitrogen addition and the influencing factors in a Tibetan alpine steppe, China

A field manipulative experiment was carried out during 2015 and 2016 to examine the changes and influencing factors of root production, turnover rate, and standing crop under different nitrogen (N) addition levels, i.e., 0, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 g N·m-2·a-1, in a Tibetan alpine steppe. The results showed that root production and standing crop decreased linearly or exponentially with increasing N addition rates. Compared with control, 16 g N·m-2·a-1 significantly reduced the two-year average root production and standing crop by 43.0% and 45.7%, respectively. Root turnover rate increased first and then decreased along the N addition gradient, with the maximum appearing under 2 and 4 g N·m-2·a-1 treatments for 2015 and 2016, respectively. Results from linear mixed-effects models showed that root starch content was the main factor modulating the N-induced changes in root production and turnover rate, explaining 21.7% and 25.4% of their variations. Root protein content mainly contributed to the variations in standing crop, with an explanation of 20.8% of its variance. Overall, N addition had negative effect on root production and standing crop, and low N promoted while high N inhibited root turnover rate. Root metabolic parameters were the main factors modulating the N-induced changes in root dynamics.

High resistance of Panicum miliaceum L. to phenanthrene toxicity based on growth response and antioxidant system assessment

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are a group of organic pollutants influencing different aspects of plants physiology. Physiological responses associated with the impact of phenanthrene (500, 1000, 1500, 2000 ppm) were analysed on Panicum miliaceum L. Seed germination was delayed in all treatments and 2000 ppm of phenanthrene (PHE) significantly retarded the germination rate (28 %) compared to control. The results revealed after 30 day of cultivation, only 1500 and 2000 ppm of PHE had negative impacts on growth parameters as well as photosynthetic pigment contents. Plants exposed to 500 and 1000 ppm of PHE showed an increase in the growth parameters without any symptoms of toxicity, indicating the high tolerance of seedlings to PHE. The activities of antioxidant enzymes were elevated in treated plants. In higher concentrations, H2O2 content also increased despite a reduction in malondialdehyde content. Furthermore, PHE had no effect on root phenol and shoot flavonoid contents and on shoot and root protein contents. Taken together, only higher concentrations of PHE triggered oxidative stress. It can be concluded PHE was not very toxic to P. miliaceum probably because of higher activity of antioxidant system involving in elimination of produced ROS even in plants treated by PHE higher concentrations.

Lokal olarak izole edilen fosfat çözücü Pseudomonas aeruginosa IBP26’ nın nohut fidelerinin büyüme parametreleri üzerine etkisi

This work was conducted to examine the effect of locally isolated phosphate-solubilizing bacteria on the growth parameters of chickpea seedling cultivated in pots containing Ca3(PO4)2 (tricalcium phosphate). Among the isolated strains, the highest phosphate-solubilizing activity in the broth medium was observed for the isolate IBP26. Similarly, in the greenhouse study, the same isolate was determined to cause maximum increases in growth parameters (shoot and root length, total biomass, phosphorus, total sugar, and protein contents) of chickpea plants in the presence of Ca3(PO4)2. The isolate IBP26 was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (GenBank accession number: MW092004). Experiments demonstrated that the application of the bacterium alone in the absence of Ca3(PO4)2 or the application of Ca3(PO4)2 alone in the absence of bacterium did not cause significant change in growth parameters of the chickpea plants, and that the desired increases in the growth parameters of these plants could be achieved by the co-application of bacterium and Ca3(PO4)2.

Diversity of Native Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Extraradical Mycelium Influences Antioxidant Enzyme Activity in Wheat Grown Under Mn Toxicity.

Sustainable agricultural practices based on the development of native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can improve crop growth and stress tolerance in acidic soils with manganese toxicity. The beneficial effects are stronger when crops are colonized early in development by an intact extraradical mycelium (ERM), but are dependent on AMF assemblage. In wheat colonized by AMF associated to Lolium rigidum L. (LOL) or Ornithopus compressus (ORN), growth and stress tolerance are differently influenced. In the present study, this functional diversity was studied by evaluating the activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Mn-SOD. ORN treatment promoted higher wheat shoot and root dry weights, a higher root protein content, decreased root APX, GR and SOD activities but a higher proportion of MnSOD activity. ORN associated microbiota differently manage antioxidant enzyme activity of succeeding wheat to improve growth.

Microbial decomposition of crustacean shell for production of bioactive metabolites and study of its fertilizing potential.

Crustacean shell waste disposal is considered as biggest problem in seafood processing centers. Incineration and landfilling are the commonest ways of disposal of the waste which causes environmental pollution. Microbial bio-conversion is one of the promising approaches to minimize the wastes by utilizing the same for deriving different value added metabolites. In this perspective, chitinase- and protease-producing bacterial strains were isolated from shrimp culture pond, and the potent isolate was subsequently identified as Alcaligenes faecalis SK10. Fermentative optimization of the production of chitinase (85.42 U/ml), protease (58.57 U/ml), and their catalytic products, viz., N-acetylaminosugar (84 μg/ml) and free amino acids (112 μg/ml), were carried out by utilizing shrimp and crab shell powder as principal substrate. The fermented hydrolysate (FH) was subsequently applied to evaluate its potential to be a candidate fertilizer for the growth of leguminous plant Pisum sativum and Cicer arietinum, and the results were compared with chitin, chitosan, and commercial biofertilizer amended group. The results revealed that FH have paramount potential to improve plants morpho-physiological parameters like stem and root length, chlorophyll, cellular RNA, protein content, and soil physico-chemical parameters like total nitrogen, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium significantly (p < 0.05). Moreover, the application of FH also selectively encouraged the growth of free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria, Rhizobium, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria in the soil by 4.82- and 5.27-, 5.57- and 4.71, and 7.64- and 6.92-fold, respectively, in the rhizosphere of P. sativum and C. arietinum, which collectively is a good sign for an ideal biofertilizer. Co-supplementation of FH with commercial PGPR-biofertilizer significantly influenced the morpho-physiological attributes of plant and physico-chemical and microbial attributes of soil. The study validated proficient and sustainable utilization of fermented hydrolysate of waste crustacean shell as biofertilizer.

Investigating Usage Potential of Datura stramonium L. for Phytoremediation of 2,4-Dichlorophenol

In this work, the phytoremediation potential of 2,4-Dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) from soil and wetlands by Datura stramonium L. (jimsonweed) was investigated. The medium of seedlings growing in a hydroponic system was adjusted to different concentrations (0.0, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250 and 275 ppm) of 2,4-DCP. Four days later, the remediation rate of 2,4-DCP in the growth medium, and root-stem length, root-stem dry weight, lipid peroxidation (LPO), protein and photosynthetic pigment content of seedlings were evaluated. D. stramonium seedlings provided remediation of 2,4-DCP between 52-78% at all concentrations. In addition, the 2,4-DCP treatments inhibited the root-stem lengths and dry weights of seedlings compared to their controls, particularly at high doses such as 200-275 ppm, but not at low doses. The applications generally increased protein and LPO content of roots and leaves slightly, but did not affect chlorophyll. The results show that D. stramonium has a high usage potential for phytoremediation of 2,4-DCP.

Root Uptake of Imidacloprid and Propiconazole Is Affected by Root Composition and Soil Characteristics.

Residual pesticides in soil may be taken up by crops and negatively affect food safety. The uptake mechanism of imidacloprid and propiconazole was studied using wheat roots. The factors affecting root uptake were also studied with different crops and in different soils. Imidacloprid and propiconazole were taken up by wheat roots mainly through the symplastic and apoplastic pathways, respectively. Root protein and lipid contents were the main factors affecting the uptake and accumulation of imidacloprid and propiconazole by different crop roots, respectively. The uptake of imidacloprid and propiconazole in soil by wheat plants was linearly correlated with their concentrations in soil pore water, which were governed by soil characteristics. These results are helpful for understanding and estimating crop uptake of residual pesticides in soils.

ACACIA AURICULIFORMIS-EXTRACT SYNTHESIS PR-PROTEINS DEVELOPED POTENTIAL BIOMEDICINES-VACCINE AGAINST OKRA-DISEASES AND COVID-19: IMPROVED SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS BIO-ECONOMY APPLICATIONS

The pandemic COVID19, effects on global health, educations, clinical research, human civilization, and the economy. So, it has been an urgency to develop proper vaccines against coronavirus. India emphasis on the most nutritious economically-important number-one-consumption-vegetable, okra, used in many human diseases, is naturally infected by different pathogens and significantly reduces production. Though pesticides are the most effective means of control, but they are expensive and toxic to the environment. So, it will require new and more efficient solutions, technologies, products, and methods. Present pre- and post-treatment with biomedicines; Acacia auriculiformis-extract, prepared from the funicles of Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn., dissolved in sterile tap water at 1mg/10ml, were applied by foliar spray once daily for 15 days @ 10 ml/plant, against Root-Knot (RK), Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus (YVMV) and Okra Enation Leaf Curl Virus (OELCV) diseases of okra, (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) cv.Ankur-40. The soluble root-proteins were separated by using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and were scanned with a recording densitometer electrophoretic scanner, measuring the molecular weight of proteins. Pre- and post-treatment with high-diluted-biomedicines; Acacia auriculiformis extract, were highly effective in reducing different okra-diseases by synthesis of new pathogenesis-related-protein (PR-proteins), inducing their natural defense-response against pathogens-infection and enhanced their growth as well as protein content of fruits and roots. The high-diluted-biomedicines; Acacia auriculiformis extract, not only used as a potential-biomedical-drugs or vaccine against various plant-diseases, by synthesis of new PR-proteins, increasing natural-defense-response, but also, it may help for the preparation of a vaccine against COVID-19, by increasing immunity and enriching science and technology communications applications, cost-effectiveness and biodiversity conservations as well as bio-economy-applications issues, reviving human civilizations in the old form. And in near future okra may itself be a ‘Potential Biomedicine as well as Vaccine’ and world will return in normal form by defeating COVID-19.

Assessment of the genetic diversity of sweetpotato germplasm collections for protein content

Sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] is a relatively cheap source of nutrients for humans in most developing countries, including those in sub-Saharan Africa. Breeding for essential quality traits is an important goal of sweetpotato breeding programs. This may include root protein content (RPC), since protein-energy malnutrition is a common problem worldwide. The objective of this study was to quantify the genetic diversity in RPC present among sweetpotato accessions maintained in the genebank of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) of South Africa in order to characterize and select the most promising clones for breeding. Both, Dumas combustion and Near-infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) were used to determine RPC for a diverse set of accessions. In addition, total root yield and dry matter content were determined and root flesh colour recorded. Data was subjected to standard analysis of variance. A total of 227 sweetpotato accessions (53 introduced accessions, 18 local cultivars, 24 local landraces and 132 ARC breeding lines) were screened for total RPC, and a large variation was observed. As measured by the Dumas combustion, RPC values varied from 2.65 to 6.45% on a dry weight basis (dwb). RPC estimated by NIRS ranged from 0.68 to 11.51%. The NIRS proved to be an efficient and quick tool that can be useful in sweetpotato breeding programs towards selecting for quality traits such as RPC. A total of 31 medium to high yielding accessions with high, intermediate and low RPC were selected for genetic analysis and breeding for enhanced nutrition. Some promising germplasm included the local informal market cultivar ‘Impilo’ (orange-fleshed) at 6.18%, and the breeding line ‘2012-29-4’, seed imported from Mozambique, at 6.45%. NIRS values for ‘Tanzania’ and ‘Maria Angola’ were promising. The study is one of only a few that provides protein data for a large set of sweetpotato accessions from various parts of the world and is useful for sweetpotato breeding programs. Future work can focus on the determination of the concentrations of individual amino acids.

Carbohydrate, phytohormone, and associated transcriptome changes during storage root formation in alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides)

AbstractThe storage root of alligatorweed [Alternanthera philoxeroides(Mart.) Griseb.] growing in terrestrial habitats is an important metamorphic organ for its propagation, overwintering, and spread. However, the regulatory mechanism adventitious root expansion to form storage roots is still unclear. To reveal the changes accompanying the root-swelling process, we quantified sugar, soluble protein, and phytohormone content in adventitious and storage roots. Results demonstrated that sucrose, fructose, and soluble protein increased in storage roots, whereas abscisic acid (ABA), indoleacetic acid (IAA), brassinosteroid (BR), gibberellin, jasmonic acid, and cytokinin (trans-zeatin [tZ] and isopentenyladenine [iP] and the corresponding ribosidestZR and iPR).tZ-type (tZR andtZ) content decreased, suggesting the involvement of sugars and hormones in the formation of storage roots. To further reveal the molecular basis ofA.philoxeroides’s ability to form storage roots and provide candidate genes for molecular function analyses, we assembled a de novo transcriptome ofA.philoxeroidesbased on four sets of RNA-sequencing data. According to functional annotation and expression profiling, 42 unigenes involved in sucrose synthesis and hydrolysis were identified, in addition to 70, 58, and 78 unigenes in ABA, BR, and IAA signal transduction, respectively. The quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed 21 unigenes involved in sugar metabolism and hormone signal transduction were differentially expressed during the formation of storage roots. These results revealed metabolic changes during the formation of storage roots and provide candidate genes involved in sugar and phytohormone metabolism inA. philoxeroides.

Nematode extract-induced resistance in tomato against Meloidogyne incognita

Objective: Present study was carried out to establish the biocontrol potentiality of nematode extract on Lycopesicon esculentum (Tomato) Pusa Ruby variety infected with Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood nematode. Methods/Statistical analysis: We examine in vitro test, phytotoxicity test, in vivo test, in vivo glasshouse bioassay test, PAL (Phenylalanine ammonia lyase) extraction test to identify the effect of nematode extract on tomato plant. One way analysis of variance, ANOVA test is performed in this experiment. Findings: The result of in vitro laboratory bioassay showed that application of nematode extract safe for second-stage juveniles (J2) of M. incognita. The result of in vivo test revealed that nematode extract increased growth of inoculated plants in terms of shoot length, shoot weight and root length as compared with inoculated untreated plants. Application of nematode extract showed reduction in root gall number and number of nematode eggs in inoculated roots. PAL (Phenylalanine ammonia lyase) activity increased in roots of nematode extract treated plants. Root protein content was greater in inoculated untreated plants compared to treated groups. Application: This is the first study to control plant parasitic nematode M. incognita with nematode extract. In the future it will minimize the global crop loss. Keywords: Biocontrol, Nematode, PAL activity, Root gall