Sativa Cv Research Articles

Effects of intercropping on temperate grasses canopy architecture and nutritive profile

This paper aimed to evaluate the impact of intercropping between oats and triticale species, over three defoliation cycles. The experiment occurred in two winters in a row, and was in split-plot randomized complete blocks design (20 plots) with five species combination, four blocks and three defoliations. The main plots were the species combination: black oat (Avena strigosa cv. IAPAR 61) – BO, white oat (Avena sativa cv. IPR Emerald) – WO, triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack cv. Tpolo 981) – T; and the intercropping: black oat + triticale – BOT, and white oat + triticale - WOT. The sub-plots were the three defoliations cycles initially scheduled to be every 28 days. The intercropping between oats and triticale did not affect the accumulated dry matter yield (DM), but it also improved the pastures, as an increase on crude protein content (CP) (about 1.85% greater in WOT than WO; and 2.7% greater in BOT than BO). The number of leaves was also increased by the intercropping, from 4.2 (WO) and 3.7 (BO) to 7.6 (WOT) and 7.2 (BOT) leaves per main stem. Over the defoliation cycles, the maximum average of growth rate (2.72 t DM ha-1 ºCd-1), tiller per plant (10 tillers plant-1) and main tiller height (53.2 cm) were unanimously observed at third defoliation. The changes observed did not reduced the nutritional quality of the pastures, therefore both are highly indicated to these conditions.

Multiple analysis of root exudates and microbiome in rice (Oryza sativa) under low P conditions.

Plants release various metabolites from roots and root exudates contribute to differences in stress tolerance among plant species. Plant and soil microbes have complex interactions that are affected by biotic and abiotic factors. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in metabolites in root exudates of rice (Oryza sativa) cultivars and their correlation with bacterial populations in the rhizosphere. Two rice cultivars (O. sativa cv. Akamai and O. sativa cv. Koshihikari) were grown in soils fertilized with 0g P kg-1 (-P) or 4.8g P kg-1 (+ P). Root exudates and root-attached soil were collected at 13 and 20days after transplanting (DAT) and their metabolites and bacterial community structure were determined. The exudation of proline, serine, threonine, valine and 4-coumarate were increased under low P conditions in both cultivars. There was a positive correlation between the concentration of pantothenate in root exudates and the representation of members of the genera Clostridium and Sporosarcina, which were negatively correlated with root dry weight. Gracilibacter, Opitutus, Pelotomaculum, Phenylobacterium and Oxobacter were positively correlated with root dry weight and presence of allantoin, 2-aminobtyrate and GlcNac. This study provides new information about the response of plants and rhizosphere soil bacteria to low P conditions.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) MsCML46 gene encoding calmodulin-like protein confers tolerance to abiotic stress in tobacco.

MsCML46 enhances tolerance to abiotic stresses through alleviating osmotic stress and oxidative damage by regulating the expression of stress-related genes to optimize osmolytes levels and antioxidant enzyme activity in transgenic tobacco. Abiotic stresses are major environmental factors that constraint crop productivity worldwide. Various stimuli regulate intracellular calcium levels and calcium-mediated signal transduction, and cellular responses. Ca2+ signals are perceived by different Ca2+ receptors. Calmodulin-like protein (CML) is one of the best-characterized Ca2+ sensors which shares sequence similarity with highly conserved calmodulin (CaM) ubiquitously expressed in plants. Currently, the molecular and physiological functions of CMLs are largely unknown. In this study, the MsCML46 was characterized in alfalfa (Medicago sativa cv. Zhaodong) under freezing stress. Results showed that MsCML46 was localized to the cytoplasm of Arabidopsis, and its expression was strongly elevated by cold, drought, salt, saline-alkali, and ABA treatments. Overexpressing MsCML46 in tobacco enhanced tolerance to freezing, drought, and salt stresses as evidenced by improved contents of osmotic regulatory solutes and antioxidant enzyme activity but decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Furthermore, cold, drought, and salt stresses increased the expression of stress-related genes in transgenic tobacco. MsCML46 binds free Ca2+ to promote signal transduction and maintain higher K+/Na+ ratio. In this way, it protects intracellular homeostasis under sodium ion toxicity. These results suggest that MsCML46 plays a crucial role in resisting abiotic stresses and can be exploited in genetic engineering for crops.

Testing Eruca sativa defatted seed meal as a potential bioherbicide on selected weeds and crops

Exploiting typical allelopathic molecules released from the glucosinolate-myrosinase system could represent a sustainable strategy for weed management in the near future. The present study investigates the potential bioherbicidal efficacy of Eruca sativa cv. Nemat defatted seed meals (EDSM) in two independent experiments: the first one explored air release of volatile compounds (biofumigation), and the second one focused on the effectiveness of soluble compounds (soaking). Each experiment was carried out using two weed species – Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (milk thistle) and Malva sylvestris L. (mallow) – and two crops frequently cultivated in the Mediterranean basin – Cynara cardunculus L. (cardoon) and Eruca sativa cv. Nemat (rocket) – as targets. The results suggested a new high-value application of EDSM with both methods on both weeds. Mallow was mainly injured by soaking, while milk thistle was mainly affected by biofumigation. An auto-toxic effect of EDSM was also noted on rocket seeds.

Effect of Ascophyllum nodosum Alga Application on Microgreens, Yield, and Yield Components in Oats Avena sativa L.

This paper describes the influence of Ascophyllum nodosum algae on the seeds, microgreens, yield, and yield components of oat Avena sativa cv. Bingo. This article includes the results from three experiments. In one of the experiments, the oat seeds were soaked in a solution of demineralized water with dried comminuted and homogenized algae. For the FT–Raman spectra measurements, a spectrometer with an Nd:YAG laser, with a germanium detector, was used. The results obtained show that an excessively low as well as an excessively high alga concentration did not have an influence on the change in oat composition. Other algae concentrations that were used in these experiments caused significant chemical changes in the oat seeds. For the FT–Raman data, separation of the control from all the oat grains treated with different algae concentrations was possible. The aim of the pot experiment was to determine the effect of the application of algae (in different doses) on the A. sativa green mass of young plants (microgreens). The certified oat seeds, after being soaked in a solution with algae, were planted in the ground. For the chemometric analysis of the oat samples, a Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer device was used. The data were recorded with a viewing diamond with an attenuated total reflection (ATR) crystal plate. The FTIR spectra showed that soaking in an algae suspension affected the germination, general metabolism, and chemical composition of the oats. The use of algae did not change the lipid content of the plant. The three-year field experiment was established by introducing two factors: A. nodosum application (A) and a pre-sowing stimulation with a low-frequency magnetic field (S). The influence of experimental factors on the oat yield and its structure (yield structure components and yield components) was investigated. The beneficial effect of algae on oat yield was demonstrated by improved parameters such as the number and weight of the grains; however, under field conditions, the pre-sowing magnetic field stimulation of seeds did not have a beneficial effect. Various weather conditions also had a great influence on the yield. This study also considered the role of A. nodosum as a biostimulant in plants, and this showed potential under less favorable conditions.

A synthetic cytokinin influences the accumulation of leaf soluble sugars and sugar transporters, and enhances the drought adaptability in rice.

Oryza sativa cv. PTT1 (Pathumthani1) was treated with phenyl-urea-based synthetic cytokinin under drought stress. Soluble sugar contents were examined in rice flag leaves at tillering and grain-filling stages. The same leaf samples were used to analyze the differential abundance intensities of proteins related to metabolism and transport of soluble sugars, and the process of senescence. The results showed drought-induced accumulation of hexose sugars (glucose and fructose) in rice flag leaves, which could be corroborated with enhanced accumulation of MST8 under drought stress. On the other hand, cytokinin-treated plants maintained the normal contents of hexose sugar in their flag leaves under drought stress, alike well-watered plants. In the case of sucrose, cytokinin treatment reduced its accumulation at tillering stage, but the results were reversed at the grain-filling stage, where the cytokinin-treated plants maintained significantly higher contents of sucrose under drought stress. Growth stage dependent variations in sucrose contents corroborated with the accumulation of SPS (SPS1, SPS2, and SPS5) proteins, implicated in sucrose biosynthesis. In our study, among the proteins involved in sucrose transport, SUT1 transporter was induced by drought stress at both the growth stages, whereas SUT2 transporter accumulated equally in all the treatments. However, cytokinin treatment reversed the effect of drought on the accumulation of SUT1. Similarly, SWEET5, and SWEET13 proteins, which were induced by drought stress treatment, were inhibited by cytokinin treatment. However, the accumulation SWEET6, SWEET7, and SWEET15 was not influenced by the treatment of cytokinin in the flag leaves of rice. In addition, cytokinin treatment reduced the leaf wilting, enhanced the fresh weight and grain yield, and curtailed the accumulation of proteins involved in drought-induced senescence. In conclusion, the cytokinin treatment had a positive agro-economic impact on the rice plants and provided better drought adaptability.

Morphology, Photosynthetic Traits, and Nutritional Quality of Lettuce Plants as Affected by Green Light Substituting Proportion of Blue and Red Light.

Green light, as part of the photosynthetically active radiation, has been proven to have high photosynthetic efficiency once absorbed by plant leaves and can regulate plant physiological activities. However, few studies have investigated the appropriate and efficient way of using the green light for plant production. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate a moderate amount of green light, partially replacing red and blue light, for plant growth and development. In this experiment, four treatments were set up by adjusting the relative amount of green light as 0 (RB), 30 (G30), 60 (G60), and 90 (G90) μmol m−2 s−1, respectively, with a total photosynthetic photon flux density of 200 μmol m−2 s−1 and a fixed red-to-blue ratio of 4:1. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. ‘Tiberius’) plant growth and morphology, stomatal characteristics, light absorptance and transmittance, photosynthetic characteristics, and nutritional quality were investigated. The results showed that: (1) shoot dry weight increased by 16.3 and 24.5% and leaf area increased by 11.9 and 16.2% under G30 and G60, respectively, compared with those under RB. Plant stem length increased linearly with increasing green-to-blue light ratio; (2) light transmittance of lettuce leaf under treatments employing green light was higher than that under RB, especially in the green region; (3) stomatal density increased, whereas stomatal aperture area decreased with the increase in the relative amount of green light; and (4) carbohydrate accumulation increased under G60 and G90. Soluble sugar contents under G60 and G90 increased by 39.4 and 19.4%, respectively. Nitrate contents under G30, G60, and G90 decreased by 26.2, 40.3, and 43.4%, respectively. The above results indicated that 15–30% green light replacing red and blue light effectively increased the yield and nutritional quality of lettuce plants.

Bioaccumulation of chemical elements in vegetables as influenced by application frequency of municipal solid waste compost

Municipal solid waste (MSW) compost is used to enrich soils by virtue of its bio-physicochemical properties. However, undesirable accumulation of chemical elements can reduce soil quality and cause food safety issues. A 5-yr field study was carried out to investigate the impact of Compost Quality Alliance (CQA)-tested MSW compost application frequency (annual, biennial and no-compost) on soil quality and chemical element accumulation in edible portions of lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. Grand Rapids), beet (Beta vulgaris cv. Detroit Supreme), carrot (Daucus carota cv. Nantes), and green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Golden Wax). Analysis of soil showed that chemical elements were highest in annual application followed by biennial, but less in control (no-compost) and fallow soils. Soil background levels of chemical elements influenced the concentrations of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) in green bean, aluminum (Al) in green bean and beet, and barium (Ba) in carrot, beet, and lettuce. Cadmium (Cd) concentration in beet, lettuce, and green bean grown in the annual plot was increased by 48%, 52% and 62%, respectively while carrot recorded a 56% increase in the biennial plot compared with no-compost. Bioaccumulation factors were < 1 for all of the essential and non-essential trace elements in all of the plant species, except boron (B) and molybdenum (Mo). However, lettuce showed a higher tendency to accumulate Cd, rubidium (Rb), and strontium (Sr). Overall, the health risk for human consumption is low. Although long-term annual application of compost to vegetables seemed safe for human consumption, it is necessary to continuously monitor potential chemical element accumulation, particularly non-essential trace elements in soils and plants.

Pathogenesis-Related Genes of PR1, PR2, PR4, and PR5 Families Are Involved in the Response to Fusarium Infection in Garlic (Allium sativum L.).

Plants of the genus Allium developed a diversity of defense mechanisms against pathogenic fungi of the genus Fusarium, including transcriptional activation of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes. However, the information on the regulation of PR factors in garlic (Allium sativum L.) is limited. In the present study, we identified AsPR genes putatively encoding PR1, PR2, PR4, and PR5 proteins in A. sativum cv. Ershuizao, which may be involved in the defense against Fusarium infection. The promoters of the AsPR1–5 genes contained jasmonic acid-, salicylic acid-, gibberellin-, abscisic acid-, auxin-, ethylene-, and stress-responsive elements associated with the response to plant parasites. The expression of AsPR1c, d, g, k, AsPR2b, AsPR5a, c (in roots), and AsPR4a(c), b, and AsPR2c (in stems and cloves) significantly differed between garlic cultivars resistant and susceptible to Fusarium rot, suggesting that it could define the PR protein-mediated protection against Fusarium infection in garlic. Our results provide insights into the role of PR factors in A. sativum and may be useful for breeding programs to increase the resistance of Allium crops to Fusarium infections.

Combination of red and blue light induces anthocyanin and other secondary metabolite biosynthesis pathways in an age-dependent manner in Batavia lettuce

Lettuce is commonly consumed around the world, spurring the cultivation of green- and red-leaf varieties in indoor farms. One common consideration for indoor cultivation is the light wavelengths/spectrum, which is an important factor for regulating growth, development, and the accumulation of metabolites. Here, we show that Batavia lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. “Batavia”) grown under a combination of red (R) and blue (B) light (RB, R:B = 3:1) displayed better growth and accumulated more anthocyanin than lettuce grown under fluorescent light (FL). Anthocyanin concentration was also higher in mature stage than early stage lettuce. By performing a comparative transcriptome analysis of early and mature stage lettuce grown under RB or FL (RB or FL-lettuce), we found that RB induced the expression of genes related to oxidation-reduction reaction and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Furthermore, plant age affected the transcriptome response to RB, as mature RB-lettuce had six times more differentially expressed genes than early RB-lettuce. Also, genes related to the accumulation of secondary metabolites such as flavonoids and anthocyanins were more induced in mature RB-lettuce. A detailed analysis of the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway revealed key genes that were up-regulated in mature RB-lettuce. Concurrently, branching pathways for flavonol and lignin precursors were down-regulated.

Evidence of considerable C and N transfer from peas to cereals via direct root contact but not via mycorrhiza

Intercropping of legumes and cereals is an important management method for improving yield stability, especially in organic farming systems. However, knowledge is restricted on the relevance of different nutrient transfer pathways. The objective of the study was to quantify nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) transfer from peas to triticale by (1) direct root contact (= R), (2) arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF; = A), and (3) diffusion (= D). Pea (Pisum sativum cv. Frisson and P2) and triticale (Triticum × Secale cv. Benetto) plants as intercrop were grown for 105 days. Treatment ADR enabled all transfer paths between the two crops. Treatment AD with root exclusion enabled AMF and diffusion transfer between peas and triticale. Treatment A with a diffusion gap barrier only allowed AMF transfer. Pea plants were labelled every 14 days with a 13C glucose and 15N urea solution, using the cotton wick technique. Direct root contact resulted in the highest pea rhizodeposition and thus the largest absolute amounts of N and C transfer to triticale. Root exclusion generally changed composition of rhizodeposits from fine root residues towards root exudates. Pea plant-N consisted of 17% N derived from rhizodeposition (NdfR) in treatment ADR but only 8% in the treatments AD and A, independently of pea variety, whereas pea plant-C consisted of 13% C derived from rhizodeposition (CdfR), without pea variety and transfer path treatment effects. Averaging all transfer path treatments, 6.7% of NdfR and 2.7% of CdfR was transferred from Frisson and P2 to triticale plants. Approximately 90% of this NdfR was transferred by direct root contact from Frisson to triticale and only 10% by AMF, whereas only 55% of CdfR was transferred to triticale by direct root contact, 40% by AMF and 5% by diffusion. Similar percentages were transferred from mutant P2 to triticale. Root exclusion generally changed RD composition from fine root residues towards root exudates.

Study the Effect of the Terrestrial Cyanobacterium Nostoc commune Aqueous Extract on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Rice

Seed priming has a significant effect on seed germination and improves the establishment of crops. In this study, rice seeds (Oryza sativa cv. Shiroodi L.) were primed by different concentrations (0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 g/l) of Nostoc commune Vauch aqueous extract. Furthermore, seed germination rate, percentage, and seedling growth were examined. The results showed that N. commune extract had a significant positive effect on increasing the percent and rate of seed germination. Indeed, the length of roots and shoots in seedlings obtained from primed seeds with N. commune extract increased compared to those of the seedlings from primed seeds with water. Additionally, the highest seed germination percent and seedling length were obtained by 0.025 g/l N. commune extract. Based on the results, seed germination and seedling growth were not affected by seed priming with N. commune extract at concentrations of more than 0.1 g/l. Therefore, sowing rice seeds with a low concentration of N. commune extract can improve seed germination and seedling establishment.

Elevated CO2 differentially affects the properties of grain from wild and domesticated rice

Interspecific germplasm from wild species of Oryza will be increasingly applied to breeding programs over the coming decades. However, the concurrent impact of rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations (atm-CO2) on grain properties is unknown. Wild accessions of Australian native rice species (Oryza australiensis and O. meridionalis) and the local cultivar (O. sativa cv. Doongara) were grown to maturity in glasshouses at ambient (400 ppm; aCO2) and elevated (700 ppm; eCO2) atm-CO2 and physicochemical properties of the grains were compared. Seed length (Sl), seed width (Sw) and 1000-seed weight (TSW) were higher at eCO2 than aCO2, while nitrogen content (N) and apparent amylose content (AC) were not significantly changed, irrespective of genotype. Rapid viscosity analyser (RVA) profiles revealed increased peak viscosity (PV) for rice under eCO2, indicating differences in starch gelatinization. However, final viscosity (FV) increased in the wild rices in eCO2, whereas it decreased in Doongara. Increases in PV were accompanied by lower estimates of protein contents (PC) at eCO2 in all species. When AgNO3 was excluded from the RVA, it became apparent that its presence had enhanced the effects of eCO2 on flour pasting properties through inhibition of α-amylase activity of the flour. Our results suggest that grain morphology and pasting properties are differently affected by eCO2 in the wild rices compared with cultivated rice. These data will inform the breeding criteria for rice grain properties and inform the introgression of wild germplasm.

Suitability of an Algal Biofuel Species, Scenedesmus acutus, as a Fertilizer for Growth of Conventional and Genetically Modified Lettuce

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are important elements for global food production, but these nutrients cause pollution in water bodies without proper management. Furthermore, P is a finite resource with geologic reserves that are geographically restricted. Thus, sustainable use of P in agriculture has been the subject of much research over the past decade. This study jointly examines two examples of potential sustainability measures to address nutrient challenges: improved crop varieties and use of recycled fertilizers. We tested the effectiveness of dried biomass of a freshwater alga (Scenedesmus acutus) as a fertilizer with conventional lettuce [Lactuca sativa cv. Conquistador; WT (wild-type)] and genetically modified lettuce of the same variety that was transformed for improved nutrient-use efficiency [(type I Arabidopsis Vacuolar Pyrophosphatase (AVP1)]. In greenhouse conditions, we measured yield, soil nutrient content and losses, and soil P fractions after application of dried S. acutus biomass at different rates, with and without supplemental additions of conventional fertilizer. Yield was higher with commercial fertilizer compared with algal fertilizer, and AVP1 lettuce consistently produced better yield than the conventional lettuce with both fertilizer types, although the effect was stronger with the algal treatments. Soil P was mostly sequestered in the pools of NaHCO3-extractable organic P, NaOH-extractable organic P, and HCl-extractable P, which are poorly available. Although the algal fertilizer was ineffective in supporting short-term growth, the P was retained in the soils, which may improve soil fertility in the long term.

Beneficial effects of the consumption of sun-dried radishes (Raphanus sativus cv. YR-Hyuga-Risou) on dyslipidemia in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

In the present study, we evaluated the effects of daily consumption of raw (RR) or sun-dried (SDR) radishes (Raphanus sativus cv. YR-Hyuga-Risou) on apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/- ) mice. Daily consumption of RR for 16weeks significantly decreased body weight gain in the both wild-type and ApoE-/- mice. The wild-type mice fed the SDR diet gained significantly less body weight than the ApoE-/- mice fed the same diet, although the ApoE-/- mice showed a trend toward decreased body weight gain. Consumption of both diets led to a marked decrease in visceral fat weight and serum triglyceride levels in ApoE-/- mice. Oral fat tolerance tests indicated that pretreatment with RR or SDR mitigated the increase in serum triglyceride levels seen after oil administration. In conclusion, we found that daily consumption of both RR- and SDR-containing diets can help us to prevent from dyslipidemia by inhibiting fat absorption.

Differential expression profiles of anthocyanidin biosynthesis gene during black rice seed development

The black rice (Oryza sativa cv. Heugjinju) is rich in anthocyanins which is beneficial to human health. To correlate the biosynthesis of the pigments with relevant genes, the mRNA level of genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis was monitored by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) during seed development of black rice. The mRNA level of F3’H, DFR, and ANS, key enzymes in anthocyanidin biosynthesis, peaked at 10 days after flowering. In general, the absolute level of ANS was approximately one order higher than F3’H, F3’5’H, and DFR in 10 days after flowering. The transcript level of major seed protein gene GluA-3, taken as reference, was also at the highest on the 10 days after flowering. However, the level of CHS isogenes was highest at 15 or 20 days after flowering. The highest transcript level of the genes, except CHS, preceded the highest anthocyanidin content by 5 days. This pattern coincided with an increase of anthocyanin content between 10 and 15 days after flowering. From these findings, it is suggested that particular CHS isoforms might be responsible for the anthocyanin production in black rice.

Effects on Steroid 5-Alpha Reductase Gene Expression of Thai Rice Bran Extracts and Molecular Dynamics Study on SRD5A2.

Simple SummaryDihydrotestosterone (DHT), the most potent androgen hormone, is an important aetiologic factor of androgenetic alopecia (AGA), or hair loss. Steroid 5-alpha reductases (SRD5As) increase DHT production in the scalp hair follicles, resulting in hair thinning and hair loss. Even though synthetic SRD5A inhibitors (finasteride and dutasteride) are effective in treating AGA, they cause adverse effects. This has led to an increased interest in alternative treatments from natural sources. The value of Thai rice bran has increased because several of its components may have use in AGA treatment. This study aimed to compare the suppression of the expression of SRD5A genes (type 1–3) exerted by several Thai rice bran extracts and investigate the interactional mechanism of their components towards SRD5A type 2. Tubtim Chumphae rice bran (TRB) had the highest sum of overall bioactive compounds. Among all extracts, the expression of SRD5A genes was suppressed by TRB as well as finasteride. In silico simulation showed that α-tocopherol had the greatest interaction with SRD5A type 2. Our findings identified α-tocopherol as the key bioactive in TRB; it could be developed as an anti-hair loss product.Steroid 5-alpha reductases (SRD5As) are responsible for the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, a potent androgen, which is the aetiologic factor of androgenetic alopecia. This study aimed to compare the SRD5A gene expression suppression activity exerted by Thai rice bran extracts and their components and investigate the interactional mechanism between bioactive compounds and SRD5A2 using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Bran of Oryza sativa cv. Tubtim Chumphae (TRB), Yamuechaebia Morchor (YRB), Riceberry (RRB), and Malinil Surin (MRB), all rice milling by-products, was solvent-extracted. The ethanolic extract of TRB had the highest sum of overall bioactive compounds (γ-oryzanol; α-, β-, and γ-tocopherol; phenolics; and flavonoids). Among all extracts, TRB greatly downregulated the expression of SRD5A1, SRD5A2, and SRD5A3; there were no significant differences between TRB and finasteride regarding SRD5A suppression. The linear relationship and principal component analysis supported that the α-tocopherol content was correlated with the SRD5A suppression exerted by TRB. Furthermore, MD simulation demonstrated that α-tocopherol had the highest binding affinity towards SRD5A2 by interacting with residues Phe118 and Trp201. Our findings indicate that α-tocopherol effectively downregulates the expression of SRD5A genes and inhibits SRD5A2 activity, actions that are comparable to standard finasteride. TRB, a source of α-tocopherol, could be developed as an anti-hair loss product.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression of Chitinase Class I Genes in Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Cultivars Resistant and Susceptible to Fusarium proliferatum.

Vegetables of the Allium genus are prone to infection by Fusarium fungi. Chitinases of the GH19 family are pathogenesis-related proteins inhibiting fungal growth through the hydrolysis of cell wall chitin; however, the information on garlic (Allium sativum L.) chitinases is limited. In the present study, we identified seven class I chitinase genes, AsCHI1–7, in the A. sativum cv. Ershuizao genome, which may have a conserved function in the garlic defense against Fusarium attack. The AsCHI1–7 promoters contained jasmonic acid-, salicylic acid-, gibberellins-, abscisic acid-, auxin-, ethylene-, and stress-responsive elements associated with defense against pathogens. The expression of AsCHI2, AsCHI3, and AsCHI7 genes was constitutive in Fusarium-resistant and -susceptible garlic cultivars and was mostly induced at the early stage of F. proliferatum infection. In roots, AsCHI2 and AsCHI3 mRNA levels were increased in the susceptible and decreased in the resistant cultivar, whereas in cloves, AsCHI7 and AsCHI5 expression was decreased in the susceptible but increased in the resistant plants, suggesting that these genes are involved in the garlic response to Fusarium proliferatum attack. Our results provide insights into the role of chitinases in garlic and may be useful for breeding programs to increase the resistance of Allium crops to Fusarium infections.

Effects of Plant Age and Root Damage on Internalization of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli in Leafy Vegetables and Herbs

Our previous study reported that fresh produce grown in aquaponic and hydroponic systems can pose potential food safety hazards due to an accidental introduction of contaminated fish and cross-contamination between the systems. In this study, we examined the effects of plant species and age on the likelihood and level of internalization of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in aquaponic and hydroponic systems. Four plant species, basil (Ocimum basilicum L. cv. Genovese), cilantro (Coriandrum Sativum L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. Cherokee), and kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica), received root damage treatment as seedlings before transplanting or mature plants at three weeks after transplanting by cutting off 1-cm tips of one-third of the roots. Enrichments and selective media were used for the isolation, and presumptive positive colonies were confirmed by PCR for the presence of stx1 gene in plant tissues, recirculating water, and fish feces collected at four weeks after transplanting. In hydroponic systems, STEC was found neither in the solution nor in the roots and leaves of all four plant species, possibly through improved sanitation and hygiene practices. However, consistent with our previous findings, STEC was found in the water, on the plant roots, and in the fish feces in aquaponic systems, even after thorough sanitation prior to the study. Regardless of plant age, STEC was internalized in the roots of all plant species when the roots were damaged, but there was no difference in the degree of internalization with STEC among plant species. STEC was present in the leaves only when seedlings received root damage treatment and were grown to maturity, indicating that root damage allows STEC to internalize in the roots within a week, but a longer period is required for STEC to internalize into the leaves. We concluded that root damage on seedlings can cause the internalization of E. coli O157:H7 in the edible parts of leafy vegetables and herbs in soilless production systems.

Effect of Foliar Application of Phytoprotectants on Yield of Rice (Oryza sativa Cv. Shiroudi) under Drought Stress

Effect of Foliar Application of Phytoprotectants on Yield of Rice (Oryza sativa Cv. Shiroudi) under Drought Stress