Seashore Mallow Research Articles

Identification of endophytic fungi with ACC deaminase-producing isolated from halophyte Kosteletzkya Virginica

ABSTRACT Seashore mallow (Kosteletzkya virginica), as a noninvasive perennial halophytic oilseed-producing dicot, is native from the Gulf to the Atlantic coasts of the U.S. The purpose of our research was to investigate 1-aminocyclopropane-1carboxylic acid deaminase (ACCD) producing endophytic fungi from K.virginica. A total of 59 endophytic fungal strains, isolated from roots in K.virginica of seedlings, were grouped into 12 genera including in Penicillium, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Trichoderma, Rhizopycnis sp., Ceriporia Donk, Trametes sp., Schizophyllum commune sp., Alternaria, Cladosporium, Cylindrocarpon, and Scytalidium according to sequences of ITS. The ACD activity of 10 endophytic fungi isolated was detected. T.asperellum had the highest ACC deaminase activity among all 10 isolated genera of fungal strains, followed by T. viride. Dry weight and fresh weight of plant, plant height, root length, SOD activity, and chlorophyll content of wheat and soybean inoculated with T.asperellum or T. viride was increased compared with non-inoculated control plants under non salt or salt stress. Further analysis showed that T.asperellum or T.viride strains induced downregulation of the expression of ethylene synthesis-related genes such as ACC oxidase (ACO) and ACC synthase (ACS), thereby reducing ethylene synthesis and damage to plants under salt stress. These endophytic fungi can be used as alternative bioinoculants to increase crop yield in saline soil.

Integrated Analyses of Transcriptome and Chlorophyll Fluorescence Characteristics Reveal the Mechanism Underlying Saline-Alkali Stress Tolerance in Kosteletzkya pentacarpos.

In recent years, soil salinization has become increasingly severe, and the ecological functions of saline–alkali soils have deteriorated because of the lack of plants. Therefore, understanding the tolerance mechanisms of saline–alkali-tolerant plants has become crucial to restore the ecological functions of saline–alkali soils. In this study, we evaluated the molecular mechanism underlying the tolerance of Kosteletzkya pentacarpos L. (seashore mallow) seedlings treated with 0.05 or 0.5% saline–alkali solution (NaCl: NaHCO3 = 4:1 mass ratio) for 1 and 7 days. We identified the key genes involved in tolerance to saline–alkali stress using orthogonal partial least squares regression analysis (OPLS-RA) based on both chlorophyll fluorescence indexes and stress-responsive genes using transcriptome analysis, and, finally, validated their expression using qRT-PCR. We observed minor changes in the maximum photochemical efficiency of the stressed seedlings, whose photosynthetic performance remained stable. Moreover, compared to the control, other indicators varied more evidently on day 7 of 0.5% saline–alkali treatment, but no variations were observed in other treatments. Transcriptome analysis revealed a total of 54,601 full-length sequences, with predominantly downregulated differentially expressed gene (DEG) expression. In the high concentration treatment, the expression of 89.11 and 88.38% of DEGs was downregulated on days 1 and 7, respectively. Furthermore, nine key genes, including KpAGO4, KpLARP1C, and KpPUB33, were involved in negative regulatory pathways, such as siRNA-mediated DNA methylation, inhibition of 5′-terminal oligopyrimidine mRNA translation, ubiquitin/proteasome degradation, and other pathways, including programmed cell death. Finally, quantitative analysis suggested that the expression of key genes was essentially downregulated. Thus, these genes can be used in plant molecular breeding in the future to generate efficient saline–alkali–tolerant plant germplasm resources to improve the ecological functions of saline–alkali landscapes.

Preparation of MSBF reinforced PP composites & research on their mechanical and sound insulation properties

Nowadays, most researchers at home and abroad are studying the planting of seashore mallow and the efficient extraction of mallow seed oil, while the remaining mallow stems are generally incinerated or discarded. In fact, there are a lot of bundle fibers in mallow stem bark(MSB), and their physical properties such as strength and modulus are close to those of jute and flax. So developing the fiber-reinforced composites of mallow stem bark fiber(MSBF) has high potential application value. Using mallow stem bark as raw material, MSBF was extracted by alkali degumming process, and MSBF reinforced polypropylene(PP) composites with fiber mass fraction of 40%, 30%, 20%, 10% and 0% were prepared by using alkali-treated MSBF as reinforcement and PP fiber as matrix. The effects of fiber mass fraction on tensile, bending and sound insulation properties of MSBF reinforced PP composites were discussed. The results show that when the fiber mass fraction was 30%, the tensile breaking strength, tensile modulus and bending modulus of the composite were the highest, and the bending strength gradually enchanes with the increase of the fiber mass fraction of MSBF. When the fiber mass fraction exceeds 10%, the voltage peak attenuation rate of MSBF reinforced PP composites increases first and then decreases with the increase of sounding frequency. When the sound frequency is the same, the lower the fiber mass fraction, the worse the sound insulation performance of the composite. When the fiber mass fraction exceeds 30%, the voltage peak attenuation rate decreases.

Enhanced growth of halophyte plants in biochar‐amended coastal soil: roles of nutrient availability and rhizosphere microbial modulation

Soil health is essential and irreplaceable for plant growth and global food production, which has been threatened by climate change and soil degradation. Degraded coastal soils are urgently required to reclaim using new sustainable technologies. Interest in applying biochar to improve soil health and promote crop yield has rapidly increased because of its multiple benefits. However, effects of biochar addition on the saline-sodic coastal soil health and halophyte growth were poorly understood. Response of two halophytes, Sesbania (Sesbania cannabina) and Seashore mallow (Kosteletzkya virginica), to the individual or co-application of biochar and inorganic fertilizer into a coastal soil was investigated using a 52d pot experiment. The biochar alone or co-application stimulated the plant growth (germination, root development, and biomass), primarily attributed to the enhanced nutrient availability from the biochar-improved soil health. Additionally, the promoted microbial activities and bacterial community shift towards the beneficial taxa (e.g. Pseudomonas and Bacillus) in the rhizosphere also contributed to the enhanced plant growth and biomass. Our findings showed the promising significance because biochar added at an optimal level (≤5%) could be a feasible option to reclaim the degraded coastal soil, enhance plant growth and production, and increase soil health and food security.

Fertiliser application positively affects plants performance but reduces seed viability in seashore mallow (Kosteletzkya pentacarpos): implication for biomass production and species conservation

ABSTRACTKosteletzkya pentacarpos seashore mallow, is recognised as an important plant species for several industrial applications, especially in North America and Asia. In Europe, seashore mallow is highly threatened and subject of conservation actions (e.g. reintroduction). In order to define appropriate multipurpose cultivation protocols, suitable for biomass production and for conservation purposes, we investigated the effect of varying levels of soil salt content and nutrient availability on seashore mallow. As expected, seashore mallow had the best performance in terms of growth rate, flowering and fruit production when fertiliser was applied, while salt had only limited effects. Interestingly, seeds produced by fertilised plants showed a lower germination performance and higher mortality than seeds developed from non‐fertilised plants. Our results highlight a trade‐off between parental plant growth and seed performance, the former being enhanced and the latter being reduced by fertiliser application. The causes of this trade‐off are related to a transgenerational maternal effect of fertiliser application that has important implications for seashore mallow cultivation. Biomass production benefits from fertiliser application but if the quality of seeds and the fitness of the next generation are major objectives (e.g. seed production and species conservation), fertiliser application is not recommended.

Fatty acid composition of fourteen seashore mallow (Kosteletzkya pentacarpos) seed oil accessions collected from the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States

Seashore mallow (Kosteletzkya pentacarpos) is a flowering perennial halophytic herb belonging to the family Malvaceae that is found in marshes along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. Fourteen accessions were collected from wild populations along the Atlantic (n=8) and Gulf (n=6) coasts of the United States and fatty acid profiles were determined from seeds cultivated in one or more of three controlled environments. Those growth environments were a greenhouse and field plots irrigated with freshwater and field plots irrigated with saltwater, all of which were located in Lewes, DE. Twenty-four of the 42 combinations were selected for fatty acid analysis. The principal fatty acid identified in all accessions was linoleic acid (53.1±2.8%), with significant amounts of palmitic (20.7±1.3%), oleic (13.7±1.4%), and stearic (1.8±0.5%) acids also detected. Additionally, significant amounts of cyclopropyl fatty acids such as malvalic (5.2±0.7%) and dihydrosterculic (1.2±0.5%) acids were also identified, along with trace amounts of sterculic acid. Minor fatty acids (<1.0%) included myristic, palmitoleic, vaccenic, linolenic, arachidic, and behenic acids. Statistical evaluation revealed that growth environment did not affect fatty acid composition, as statistically equivalent profiles were obtained regardless of whether accessions were grown in a greenhouse or in field plots with freshwater or saltwater irrigation. One-way ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences in palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acid content between Gulf and Atlantic coast accessions, with Gulf coast accessions providing lower mean oleic and palmitic acid content and higher mean linoleic and stearic acid content. In addition, Gulf coast accessions contained lower mean dihydrosterculic and malvalic acid content.

Use of biochar-compost to improve properties and productivity of the degraded coastal soil in the Yellow River Delta, China

Nutrient deficiency and salt stress (sodium, Na+) strongly limited the productivity of the degraded coastal soils in the Yellow River Delta. Biochar-based functional materials have been considered as a promising amendment to solving the problem of global soil security (e.g., erosion, fertility loss, acidification, and salinization). Therefore, this study aimed to explore the potential of using a biochar-compost amendment (BCA) to improve the coastal soil properties and productivity. The BCA was produced from composting of biochar and additives including seafood shell powder, peanut shell, commercial humate, and inorganic nutrients. Two halophytes, sesbania (Sesbania canabina (Retz.) Pers) and seashore mallow (Kosteletzkya virginica), were chosen as the tested plants in a 52-day pot experiment. BCA was added as the rates of 0, 1.5, 5, and 10 % (w/w). At the end of the incubation, the shoot height, biomass, and root morphological parameters including length, tips, and surface area were measured, as well as the properties (e.g., soil organic matter (SOM) content and cation exchange capacity (CEC)) of the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils. The BCA application at 1.5 % enhanced the growth of sesbania and seashore mallow and increased their total biomass by 309 and 70.8 %, respectively, while significantly inhibited both the halophyte growths at 10 %. Similarly, both the halophyte root morphologies (e.g., length and tips) significantly increased by BCA addition at 1.5 %. The promoting growth of the both halophytes could be resulted from the improvement of soil properties such as the increased SOM and CEC, the decreased amount of the exchangeable sodium (Ex-Na) and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), and the rhizosphere effect (e.g., decreased soil pH). The higher rate of BCA addition (e.g., 10 %) sharply increased soil salinity, responsible for the inhibition of both the halophyte growths. Although BCA addition may directly supply much nitrogen (N) for the soils, N bioavailability for both halophytes was not largely improved. The short-term laboratory pot experiments revealed that producing the biochar-compost with desired properties (e.g., BCA) could be a feasible alternative to remediate the degraded coastal soil in the Yellow River Delta. Moreover, the addition of BCA should be kept at an optimal level, which may produce expected positive results. Our results will be helpful for supporting the strategy of designing right biochar-compost for the right soil.

Fatty acid profile of seashore mallow (Kosteletzkya pentacarpos) seed oil and properties of the methyl esters

In recent literature, seashore mallow (Kosteletzkya pentacarpos; also known previously as Kosteletzkya virginica) seed oil was reported as a potential alternative feedstock for biodiesel. In the present work, the fatty acid profile of K. pentacarpos is shown to correspond to that of other plants in the Malvaceae family by containing approximately 6% fatty acids with cyclic moieties, namely malvalic acid as well as dihydrosterculic acid. Previously determined properties of biodiesel from seashore mallow are discussed under the aspect of the fatty acid profile. The 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR spectra of K. pentacarpos methyl esters, which confirm the fatty acid profile, are also discussed.Practical applications: This article discusses the fatty acid profile of the seed oils of Kosteletzkya species. This is significant for evaluating potential applications of these oils. This is demonstrated by evaluating biodiesel fuel properties from the results.The seed oils of Kosteletzkya species contain malvalic acid and other acids with cyclic moieties.

Impact of Biochar Modified by HNO&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; on Plant Growth in Low Nutrient Coastal Saline Soil

Salt stress, with nutrient deficiency, has been threatening plant growth in coastal saline soil. This study is to address the potential of using biochar treated with 1.69 mol/L HNO3 (BCH) as a soil amendment to ameliorate coastal saline soil. Both BCH and BCH with fertilizer treatments increased plant height and biomass of sesbania (Sesbania cannabina) and seashore mallow (Kosteletzkya virginica), especially at the adding rate of 1.5% (w/w). The maximal biomass of sesbania and mallow was increased by 158%, and 214%, respectively. However, with the increasing adding rate, the value of biomass and height for both plant decreased, but not lower than those of the control. It suggested that the biochar treated by HNO3 is a good way to overcome biochar’s inherent nutrient deficiency and ameliorate the soils with salt stress.

The Facilitative Role of Kosteletzkya pentacarpos in Transitioning Coastal Agricultural Land to Wetland During Sea Level Rise

Rising sea level is increasing soil salinity and flooding frequency, directly impacting low-lying coastal farmlands. In response to reduced production of traditional crops, dikes may be built which will prevent inland migration of wetlands. Seashore mallow, Kosteletzkya pentacarpos, is being developed as an alternative crop for such areas. Eventually, when the crop can no longer be harvested because of flooding, we hypothesize that seashore mallow will facilitate the establishment of desirable wetland species by acting as a nurse crop through this transitional period. Four treatments were planted in flood-irrigated plots at an upland field site adjacent to a salt marsh. The control, Spartina patens, K. pentacarpos, and combined treatments were laid out in a complete randomized block design with replication. These were sampled for species percent vegetative cover, morphological traits, above-ground biomass, and leaf litter. The presence of seashore mallow enhanced S. patens and Baccharis halimifolia recruitment and did not negatively impact growth of planted S. patens. Communities established around K. pentacarpos were both productive and diverse, and leaf litter was increased by K. pentacarpos. Our findings support the use of K. pentacarpos as a low-cost nurse crop in salinized agro-ecosystems. Such a strategy would prolong agricultural function and minimize loss of ecological services by allowing gradual inland wetland migration.

Seashore mallow (Kosteletzkya pentacarpos) stems as a feedstock for biodegradable absorbents

Seashore mallow (Kosteletzkya pentacarpos (L.) Ledebour) is a perennial halophyte producing multiple, harvestable stems per year which were examined for several bioabsorbent applications. Larger, debarked stems were milled and separated into three fractions by sieving. The largest fraction absorbed water readily and appeared to be an excellent bedding material for birds and small animals. The mid-sized fraction made an excellent base for biodegradable cat litter. The finest fraction efficiently absorbed diesel fuel which could be subsequently burned as a fuel. Smaller stems with bark (bast fibers) intact were milled to produce a material which performed excellently as hydraulically-applied mulch (hydromulch), with comparable properties to a commercial hydromulch.

Seashore mallow (Kosteletzkya pentacarpos) as a salt-tolerant feedstock for production of biodiesel and ethanol

Seashore mallow (Kosteletzkya pentacarpos) is a non-invasive perennial nonclonal halophytic oilseed-producing dicot that was investigated as a feedstock for production of biodiesel from seeds and ethanol from residual stem biomass. Seashore mallow seeds contained 19.3 mass % oil, which after extraction with hexane and pretreatment with catalytic sulfuric acid was converted into methyl esters in 94 mass % yield utilizing homogenous base catalysis. The principal components identified were methyl linoleate (48.9%), palmitate (24.4%) and oleate (18.3%). Fuel properties were characterized and compared to biodiesel standards ASTM D6751 and EN 14214. Also investigated were blends with petrodiesel. Lastly, seashore mallow stems were rich in neutral carbohydrates (51.8 mass %). After simultaneous saccharification and fermentation employing a native Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strain, the stems provided ethanol and xylose yields of 104 g/kg and 47.8 g/kg, respectively. Of the four pretreatment methodologies explored, dilute ammonium hydroxide provided the highest yield of sugars.

Hierarchical order of coexisting pre- and postsynaptic forms of long-term potentiation at synapses in amygdala

Over the past 20 years since its introduction, Kosteletzkya virginica has proved to be one of the optimal halophytes for saline land restoration in China. In six seashore mallow plantations, its well-developed perennial root system promoted the growth of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus in the rhizosphere, where the fungus’s activity produced total glomalin (TG, ranging from 0.85 to 2.43 mg g−1 soil), with a high ratio of TG/SOC (soil organic carbon) up to 53.29% in six-year-old seashore mallow plantation. K. virginica ameliorated the condition of saline soils, promoted native species growth, and increased plant diversity in the plantation sites. Seashore mallow contains many bioactive compounds, e.g., polysaccharides, saponins, flavonoids, etc. which have high bioactivity, and could be used as a fodder additive or for the development of health foods. The leaf, flower, stem and root of K. virginica, serve as raw materials for hierachical development of useful products according to their different properties. This study reviews and summarizes research on K. virginica in China during the past 20 years since its introduction from the USA. Also, we present guidelines for the planting and use of seashore mallow in China, in terms of an ecological engineering roadmap, which illustrates the process and strategy for the restoration of saline soils and designs for biomass industries based on its production.

Culture of Seashore Mallow under Different Salinity Levels Using Plastic Nutrient‐Rich Matrices and Transplantation

Emergence and early seedling growth are critical for establishing reasonable plant population densities under saline stress conditions. An experiment with seashore mallow (Kosteletzkya virginica L.) seedling culture in plastic nutrient‐rich matrices and transplanted into pots filled with soil from a local farm field was conducted under five salinity levels (0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, and 1.2%). Emergence, survival, growth, and physiological characteristics were monitored for 45 d after seeding. Increasing salinity levels from 0.3 to 1.2% inhibited seedling growth through the reduction in leaf size, leaf number, and physiological traits. At 45 d after seeding, there was a reduction of 13 to 47% in photosynthesis, 18 to 62% in soluble protein, 6 to 84% in superoxide dismutase activity, and 20 to 81% in root activities, whereas free amino acids increased by 34 to 104%, proline by 18 to 167%, and malondialdehyde by 20 to 220%. The reduction in photosynthesis was mainly associated with the reduction in stomatal conductance. Emergence and survival rates could be maintained at ≥60% at salinity levels ≤0.9%. Our results indicate that seashore mallow could grow in saline soils with seedling culture in nutrient‐rich plastic matrices and transplanted into conventional soils provided that the salinity levels in nutrient‐rich medium and conventional soils are ≤0.9%.

Chemical Height Control of Containerized Seashore Mallow

The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of plant growth regulators applied as foliar sprays on height and branching of seashore mallow (Kosteletzkya virginica). Five chemical plant growth regulators were applied: ancymidol [15, 25, and 50 mg·L–1 (ppm)] (A-Rest; Elanco Products Co., Indianapolis), dikegulac sodium (500, 1000, and 1500 mg.L–1) (Atrimmec; PBI/Gordon Corp., Kansas City, Mo.), paclobutrazol (10, 20, and 60 mg·L–1) (Bonzi; Uniroyal Chemical Co., Middlebury, Conn.), chlormequat chloride (CCC) (750, 1000, and 1500 mg·L–1) (Cycocel; Olympic Horticultural Products, Mainland, Pa.), and CCC/daminozide mixes (1000/2500, 1000/5000, and 1500/5000 mg·L–1) (Cycocel and B-Nine; Uniroyal Chemical Co.). Ten replicate plants of each concentration were evaluated weekly for plant height and number of branches for 8 weeks. Plants that received CCC and CCC/daminozide treatments at all concentrations and paclobutrazol at 60 mg·L–1 were 60%, 60%, and 48% shorter than control plants and had 113%, 100%, and 75% more branches than control plants, respectively. All concentrations of ancymidol and dikegulac sodium-treated plants were similar to control plants. Paclobutrazol was applied twice, and only the highest concentration was effective for height control. Chlormequat chloride at the lowest concentration was as effective as all other concentrations of CCC and CCC/daminozide.

Effect of NaCl on lipid content of plasma membranes isolated from roots and cell suspension cultures of the dicot halophyte Kosteletzkya virginica (L.) Presl.

Lipid concent was examined in plasma membrane fractions isolated by discontinuous sucrose density-gradient centrifugation from both salinized and unsalinized roots and cell suspension cultures of Kosteletzkva virginica (L.) Presl., seashore mallow, a halophytic dicot. The distribution of marker enzymes along the gradient indicated that plasma membranes of roots and cell cultures accumulated primarily at the 34%/45% interface. Total sterol and phospholipid content increased significantly in plants and cell suspensions grown on salinized nutrient media. In addition, K. virginica plasma membranes were constitutively rich in sterols, and a high sterol-to-phospholipid ratio was maintained or elevated under saline conditions. These results are discussed in relation to membrane composition as a mechanism involved in the cellularly based salt tolerance of K. virginica.

Regeneration of Kosteletzkya virginica (L.) Presl. (Seashore Mallow) from callus cultures

Organogenic callus cultures of seashore mallow, Kosteletzkya virginica (L.) Presl., originated from excised mature embryos or stem sections of aseptically germinated plants initially cultured on Murashige & Skoog minimal organics medium containing 30000 mg l-1 glucose, 2.0 mg l-1 indoleacetic acid and 1.0 mg l-1 kinetin. Plants were regenerated via shoots and roots from callus cultures following transfer through a series of media with different cytokinin/auxin ratios and changes in carbohydrate source. Meristematic regions, shoot and root primordia were observed during histological examination of the tissues. Somatic embryos were not found.

Nutritional evaluation of seashore mallow seed, Kosteletzkya virginica.

Nutritional evaluation of seashore mallow seed, Kosteletzkya virginica.