Shoot Research Articles

HUMAN INTERFERENCES TO REWILD THE NATURE DEPICTED IN CHARLOTTE MCCONAGHY’S ONCE THERE WERE WOLVES

Environmental problems have become a severe issue in recent decades. The world has started to change due to human activities that affect the natural environment. Deforestation, industrialization, burning fuels, human overpopulation, and many more have triggered climate change. In her novel, Once There Were Wolves, Charlotte McConaghy vividly describes such a condition. This novel exposes how the Scottish Highlands begins to ruin because of the overabundant population of deer. They eat the plant shoots, and that makes the plants die. Moreover, this research intends to investigate human interferences in saving damaged nature as depicted in the novel. This study is a literary criticism since it aims to analyze the object used. Furthermore, the Ecocriticism approach was employed to analyze humans' efforts to help nature return to its natural state. The research method involves a deep reading and understanding of Charlotte McConaghy’s Once There Were Wolves, with a focus on the humans’ effort to rewild nature. The result reveals the portrayal of humans’ actions to help nature back into its natural state by releasing wolves as the apex predator, keeping the forest and vegetation, and finding places to grow trees. Doing those actions helps the Scottish Land back naturally. The deer population decreases and the land becomes a beautiful place to go.

Unraveling the effect of salicylic acid on Vigna radiata L. under PEG- induced drought stress

The experiment was conducted on three mungbean genotypes to evaluate the effect of salicylic acid on PEG (Poly Ethylene Glycol)-induced drought stress. The drought stress imposes serious constraints on the plant growth, development, and yield attributes while the salicylic acid (SA) alleviates the effect of drought in all three genotypes. The highest level of drought (16% PEG induced) stress decreased plant water status, shoot length and root length, fresh weight and dry weight, nodule number and weight, floral bud per plant, number of pods per plant, and seed weight per plant. More negative values of OP (-MPa) were observed in root and nodules of MH 125 at moderate (8% PEG induced drought) level of stress, leaves of MH 215 genotype at highest level of stress. The seeds protein (12.17%), starch (5.45%), seed fiber (25.26%) decreased maximum in the genotype Asha among all the other genotypes while not much difference was reported in the phosphorus content under drought stress as compared to the control. The application of SA exogenously improves all the parameters in all the genotypes but the effect was pronounced more in the genotype MH 125 than other.

Influence of Foliar Application of Boron on the Growth, Yield and Quality of Sesame (cv. BARI Til-4)

Foliar supplementation may be useful for boron to a crop when its demands are higher compared to the supply from soil. Boron is an important micronutrient which had a substantial impact on oil content, seed yield, and the components of the sesame yield. A field investigation was implemented to determine the impact of foliar application of boron on seed yield, growth and oil content of sesame cv. BARI Til-4. The investigation included four concentrations of boron viz. 0, 25, 50, and 75 ppm and three frequencies of boron application viz. one time at 30 days after sowing (DAS), two times at 30 and 50 DAS, and three times at 30, 50, and 70 DAS. The experiment was conducted following randomized complete block design, which was replicated thrice. At the vegetative stage, the highest plant height (107.3 cm), branches/plant (5.0) and shoot dry weight (45.20 g/plant) resulted in 75 ppm boron spray at 30, 50 and 70 DAS. However, the highest root dry weight (5.80 g/plant) was recorded in 75 ppm with one application of boron at 30 DAS. The plants with the highest plant height (112.1 cm), branches/plant (5.13), pods/plant (44.13), seeds/pod (54.33), seed yield (609.0 kg/ha), harvest index (30.65%), and oil content (42.33%) were also observed with the combination of 75 ppm boron spray with thrice application at 30, 50 and 70 DAS. The lowest seed yield (368.7 kg/ha) resulted in without boron application. Therefore, it can be inferred that the most efficient method for increasing the sesame seed yield and oil content is thrice (30, 50, and 70 DAS) foliar spraying of 75 ppm boron.

Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Insights into Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in ‘Ziyan’ Tea Plants under Varied Photoperiod and Temperature Conditions

(1) Background: Anthocyanins, the main pigments in plants, are influenced by both temperature and photoperiod. However, the specific mechanisms underlying anthocyanin accumulation in tea plants in response to these two environmental factors remain unclear. (2) Methods: This study subjected potted ‘Ziyan’ tea plants to four types of day-length and temperature treatments (HL (28 °C, 16 h), HS (28 °C, 8 h), LL (18 °C, 16 h), and LS (18 °C, 8 h)), and then conducted targeted metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses of the samples. (3) Results: Long photoperiods and low temperatures both promoted anthocyanin accumulation in the new shoots of the tea plants. Furthermore, the enhancing effects of these two environmental factors on anthocyanin accumulation are additive and exhibit interactive effects. Through a combined analysis of metabolomics and transcriptomics, five key differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) and twenty-two key differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, the latter being found to participate in the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis pathways under varying light and temperature conditions. In summary, extended photoperiods primarily increase the content levels of ten metabolites, including cyanidin and naringenin-7-O-glucoside, by upregulating CHS, F3H, and ANS genes. In contrast, low temperatures primarily enhance the synthesis of seven anthocyanins, including cyanidin and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, by upregulating the ANS and UFGT genes. (4) Conclusions: Collectively, the differences in the expression levels of CHS, F3H, ANS, and UFGT might be responsible for ‘Ziyan’ tea plants’ purple shoot coloration, providing important data towards the discovery of candidate genes and molecular bases controlling the purple leaves of these tea plants under varied photoperiods and temperatures.

A multiple shoot induction system for peptide-mediated gene delivery into plastids in Arabidopsis thaliana, Nicotiana benthamiana, and Fragaria×ananassa.

The plastid is a promising target for the production of valuable biomolecules via genetic engineering. We recently developed a plastid-specific gene delivery system for leaves or seedlings using KH-AtOEP34, a functional peptide composed of the polycationic DNA-binding peptide KH and the Arabidopsis thaliana plastid-targeting peptide OEP34. Here, we established a liquid culture system for inducing multiple shoots in the model plants A. thaliana and Nicotiana benthamiana and the crop plant strawberry (Fragaria×ananassa) and tested the use of these plant materials for peptide-mediated gene delivery to plastids. Our liquid culture system efficiently induced multiple shoots that were enriched in meristems. Using these meristems, we performed KH-AtOEP34-mediated gene delivery to plastids and tested the delivery and integration of a cassette composed of the spectinomycin resistance gene aadA, the GFP reporter gene, and sequences homologous to plastid DNA. Genotyping PCR revealed the integration of the cassette DNA into plastid DNA several days after delivery in all three plants. Confocal laser scanning microscopy and immunoblotting confirmed the presence of plasmid-derived GFP in the plastids of meristems, indicating that the plasmid DNA was successfully integrated into plastid DNA and that the cassette was expressed. These results suggest the meristems developed in our liquid culture system are applicable to peptide-mediated delivery of exogeneous DNA into plastids. The multiple shoots generated in our liquid novel culture system represent promising materials for in planta peptide-mediated plastid transformation in combination with spectinomycin selection.

Synergistic effect of biochar and plant growth promoting bacteria improve the growth and phytostabilization potential of Sorghum bicolor in Cd and Zn contaminated soils

The synergetic effect of biochar (BC) and plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) on phytoremediation potential of plants in heavy metal (HM) contaminated soils was not well understood. A pot experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of banana pith derived BC (0, 2.5 and 5%, w/w) as soil amendment together with inoculation of PGPB Bacillus thuringiensis SE1C2 on the growth, physiological response and phytoremediation potential of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench in Cd and Zn contaminated soils. Combined treatment of BC 5% and SE1C2 increased plant shoot length, root length, fresh weight and dry weight but decreased Cd and Zn accumulation as compared to other treatments. The BC 5% treatment also increased SE1C2 colonization in rhizosphere soils and tissue interior of S. bicolor even under HM stress. In addition, the plants treated with BC 5% and SE1C2 also had increased chlorophyll, carotenoid and antioxidant enzymes while lower leaf malondialdehyde and proline contents which suggest their potential in improving HM stress tolerance in plants. Similarly, the combined BC 5% and SE1C2 treatment considerably improved enzymatic activities (acid phosphatases, alkaline phosphatases, β-glucosidase and urease) in HM contaminated soils. Thus, this study concludes that the combined treatment of Bacillus thuringiensis SE1C2 and banana pith BC could be exploited as an effective strategy for improving the plant growth and phytostabilization potential in HM contaminated soils.

Biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles modulate the phytoremediation potential of Pennisetum giganteum and its rhizocompartments associated microbial community structure

The accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in agricultural products and the potential danger of its incursion into the food chain pose serious implications for public health. To address soil Cd-contamination, a combination of biogenic zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO.NPs) and Pennisetum giganteum was employed for remediation. Phytoextraction potential of P. giganteum plants was assessed in Cd-contaminated soil (40 mg/kg) by facilitating with low (50 mg/kg) and high (100 mg/kg) dosages of ZnO.NPs and its impact was assessed on the indigenous microbial community associated with its rhizocompartments. ZnO.NPs substantially enhanced the tolerance and ability of plant to accumulate Cd in plant shoot (1.48–1.72-fold) and root (1.6–2.1-fold) system as compared with control. Moreover, an improvement in the antioxidative response was observed, which effectively mitigated oxidative stress at a low concentration of ZnO.NPs, as evidenced by leaf ultrastructural analysis. Beyond that, soil enzyme activities such as acid phosphatase (1.33 and1.43-fold), urease (1.42 and 1.57-fold) catalase (2.3 and 1.9-fold) and saccharase (1.2 and 1.3-fold) were augmented by low and high doses, respectively. In addition, we opted to examine the plant rhizocompartments-associated bacterial community structure which likely affected by the modifications in soil enzymes influenced by ZnO.NPs. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that root associated bacterial community was prominently differed in control, low and high levels of ZnO.NPs. Nevertheless, the bacterial community structure's richness and evenness did not show significant differences, while diversity was found to be negatively affected only by high concentrations of ZnO.NPs. It is worth noting that, Thiobacillus, Stenotrophomonas, Chloroflexi, Cellvibro and Phenylobacterium were significantly enriched only in low ZnO.NPs supplemented plants. In-depth analysis of indicator genera also indicated differences (LDA score >2.0, p < 0.05) in plants rhizocompartments under different treatments. The results from this study highlight significant changes in several plant-based endpoints, particularly at low concentration, by improving the phytoremediation potential, overall plant performance and rhizocompartments-associated bacterial community structure.

Influence of Natural Farming, Organic and Inorganic Systems of Nutrition on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A field experiment entitled “influence of natural farming, organic and inorganic systems of nutrition on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)” was conducted at Research Farm of School of Agriculture, Abhilashi University, Mandi (H.P.) during Rabi season (2021-2022). The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications, consisting of six nutrient management treatments. Results of study revealed that inorganic and integrated nutrient management (FYM @ 5 ton ha-1 + 50 percent recommended dose of fertilizers) treatments behaving alike resulted in better crop growth (plant height, shoot number and dry matter accumulation), yield attributes (number of effective tillers, spike length, number of grains per spike and 1000-grain weight) and higher yield (grain and straw) compared to treatments comprised of farmer’s practice (FYM @ 2.5 ton ha-1 + 50 percent recommended dose of fertilizers), organic (FYM @ 10 ton ha-1 + Jeevamrit) and natural farming (Beejamrit +Jeevamrit + mulching) systems of nutrition.

Variations in growth and biochemical parameters in annual cherry plants under the infl uence of growth regulators

This study addresses the influence of the Applin drug on the growth and biochemical parameters of the leaves in three annual cultivars of cherries (Tyutchevka, Podarok Ryazani and Chermashnaya) grafted onto the Izmailovsky rootstock. The research was carried out in 2021-2022 both in field and laboratory conditions at the Federal Horticultural Centre for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery. It was established that following treatment with Applin, the biometric indicators improved, with the yield of branched annual cherry seedlings increasing to 100 %. The treatment and removal of apical leaves stimulated the formation and growth of lateral branches in annual plants. The number of lateral shoots in experimental plants of the Chermashnaya cultivars increased by 6 times, while in the Tyutchevka and Podarok Ryazani cultivars, it increased by 3-4 times relative to the control. Growth regulators induced an increase in the average length of lateral shoots to 30-50 cm in all cultivars. The total length of the branches in the experimental Chermashnaya cultivar was 118.5 cm, which is 6.7 times higher than in the control. The other two cultivars exhibited a 4–4.5 times increase in total growth in treated plants compared with the control. Biochemical studies revealed an increase in photosynthetic pigment content in leaves following Applin treatment. The total content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity exhibited significant changes. A positive correlation (r = 0.709) was observed between the antioxidant activity of the aqueous extract and the amount of phenolic compounds. The content of chlorophylls (a+b) in the leaves of treated plants increased by 5-10%. Depending on the cultivar, the content of carotenoids varied from 1.1 to 1.8 mg/g, remaining practically constant following treatment. All cultivars showed an increase in the “chlorophyll (a+b)/carotenoids” ratio. Applin treatment also influenced the synthesis of primary and secondary metabolites, stimulating an increase in the content of carbohydrates (fructose, sucrose, turanose, and trehalose) and phenolic compounds (quinic and chlorogenic acids) in cherry plant leaves

Silicon compounds promotes physiological response of avocado 'Hass’ and affect the development of pests

The use of silicon (Si) can minimize the adverse effects of abiotic stresses, increase resistance against arthropod pests, and promote growth in fruit crops. Considering the beneficial effects of Si reported in various crops and the limited information on its effect on avocado, this study investigated the effects of the application of two sources of Si (acidic and alkaline) on the physiology, growth, and population dynamics of arthropod pests of 'Hass’ avocado plants. Three experiments were carried out at three different plant development stages: seedlings (Fresno, Tolima), young (Bituima, Cundinamarca), and adult trees (El Tablazo, Tolima). The treatments were as follows:1) plants without Si application (control), 2) plants with foliar application of acidic Si, 3) plants with foliar application of basic Si, and 4) plants with foliar treatment of acidic and basic Si and pyrethrins. Foliar applications of Si caused less accumulation of adult arthropod pests such as Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis, Monalonion velezangeli, Polyphagotarsonemus latus, Bombacoccus aguacatae, Paraleyrodes sp., and Oligonychus yothersi compared to the control treatment. Foliar applications of Si (both sources) also increased plant height and shoot length. Si had a positive effect on leaf stomatal conductance, chlorophyll content, and plant hydraulic conductivity at the end of the three experiments. The results obtained allow us to conclude that the use of Si can be considered a complementary tool in the management of some arthropod pests in avocados. In addition, Si may help in the management of avocado crops by improving the physiological responses of plants at different developmental stages.

GhCNGC13 and 32 Act as Critical Links between Growth and Immunity in Cotton.

Cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels (CNGCs) remain poorly studied in crop plants, most of which are polyploid. In allotetraploid Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), silencing GhCNGC13 and 32 impaired plant growth and shoot apical meristem (SAM) development, while triggering plant autoimmunity. Both growth hormones (indole-3-acetic acid and gibberellin) and stress hormones (abscisic acid, salicylic acid, and jasmonate) increased, while leaf photosynthesis decreased. The silenced plants exhibited an enhanced resistance to Botrytis cinerea; however, Verticillium wilt resistance was weakened, which was associated with LIPOXYGENASE2 (LOX2) downregulation. Transcriptomic analysis of silenced plants revealed 4835 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with functional enrichment in immunity and photosynthesis. These DEGs included a set of transcription factors with significant over-representation in the HSF, NAC, and WRKY families. Moreover, numerous members of the GhCNGC family were identified among the DEGs, which may indicate a coordinated action. Collectively, our results suggested that GhCNGC13 and 32 functionally link to photosynthesis, plant growth, and plant immunity. We proposed that GhCNGC13 and 32 play a critical role in the "growth-defense tradeoff" widely observed in crops.

Effect of a Fortified Biostimulant Extract on Tomato Plant Productivity, Physiology, and Growing Media Properties.

The pursuit of sustainable and productive agriculture demands the exploration of innovative approaches to improve plant productivity and soil health. The utilization of natural agricultural biostimulants, such as extracts from seaweed, fish, and humus, has gained prominence as an ecological strategy to achieve this goal. In this study we investigated the effectiveness of a fortified biostimulant extract (FBE), composed of extracts from seaweed, fish, and humus, on tomato plant physiology, productivity, and growing media properties, and estimated carbon emissions associated with tomato production. The FBE was applied to the growing media of tomato plants produced in a greenhouse, in experiments over two growing seasons. The productivity assessments demonstrated that the application of FBE significantly increased tomato fruit yield by 20% and relative marketable fruit yield by 27%, and reduced estimated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with production by 29%. FBE treatment improved plant shoot and root biomass, accelerated flower and fruit set initiation, and increased chlorophyll content in leaves, resulting in enhanced plant physiology and advanced development. FBE treatment positively influenced the availability of crucial nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and iron in the growing media. FBE promoted the growth of total active microbes in the growing media, particularly the fungal population, which plays an important role in nutrient cycling and health. These findings highlight the beneficial effects of the FBE due to enhanced plant productivity and growth, improved fertility, the promotion of beneficial plant and growing media interactions, and the reduction in estimated GHG emissions.

A Biostimulant Based on Silicon Chelates Enhances Growth and Modulates Physiological Responses of In-Vitro-Derived Strawberry Plants to In Vivo Conditions.

The purpose was to assess the effects of a biostimulant based on silicon chelates in terms of alleviation of the impact of in vivo conditions on strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa cv. 'Solnechnaya polyanka') in-vitro-derived plants. As a source of silicon chelates, a mechanocomposite (MC) obtained through mechanochemical processing of rice husks and green tea was used. Root treatment of plants with 0.3 g L-1 of MC dissolved in tap water was performed at 2 weeks after planting. Control plants were watered with tap water. The greatest shoot height, number of roots per plant, root length, number of stolons per plant, daughter ramets per stolon, relative water content, cuticle thickness, and root and shoot biomasses were achieved with the MC supplementation. The improved parameters were associated with a higher silicon content of roots and shoots of the MC-treated plants. Leaf concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and abscisic acid were reduced by the MC. This effect was accompanied by enhanced activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase. The phenolic profile showed upregulation of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, gallic acid, syringic acid, and ellagic acid derivative 2, while kaempferol rutinoside and catechins were downregulated. Thus, silicon chelates improve growth and trigger the physiological processes that enhance free-radical-scavenging activity in strawberry plants in vivo.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, Especially Rhizophagus intraradices as a Biostimulant, Improve Plant Growth and Root Columbin Levels in Tinospora sagittata

Tinospora sagittata is a columbin-rich medicinal plant, but its columbin levels are reduced under artificial cultivation conditions. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of inoculations with Diversispora versiformis (Dv), Funneliformis mosseae (Fm), Rhizophagus intraradices (Ri), and mixed inoculation (Dv + Fm + Ri) (Mix) on growth performance, root morphology, leaf photosynthetic physiology, and root columbin levels in T. sagittata. These arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were able to colonize the roots, as evidenced by a root mycorrhizal colonization rate ranging from 17% to 48% and soil hyphal lengths ranging from 17.51 cm/g to 32.02 cm/g, with the Mix treatment being the greatest. AMF inoculations improved plant height (16–151%), leaf number (119–283%), shoot (37–211%), and root biomass (22–318%) to varying extents, with Ri and Mix treatments being the most prominent. AMF-treated plants presented relatively greater root total length, projected area, surface area, volume, and average diameter, especially those treated with Ri and Mix. AMF inoculations also significantly improved the leaf nitrogen balance index, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance, while the photosynthesis rate and chlorophyll index varied by AMF species, along with a decrease in intercellular CO2 levels. Root columbin levels ranged from 0.524 mg/g to 5.389 mg/g, and AMF inoculation significantly increased root columbin levels by 228–928%, with Ri being the most significant. Root columbin levels were significantly positively correlated with soil hyphal length, root total length, root projected area, root surface area, root volume, and root average diameter, but not root AMF colonization rate. This study demonstrates for the first time that AMF, especially Ri, can be employed as a biostimulant to promote growth as well as root columbin levels in T. sagittata, where AMF-triggered improvement in root morphology is an important reason for promoting root columbin levels.

Assessment and health risk of fluoride from Northeast Indian tea (Camellia sinensis L.): Fixing up the maximum residue level of fluoride in tea

The tea plant is considered a strong fluoride (F-) hyperaccumulator plant. We have proposed the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) of F- in tea based on 321 tea samples collected from 8 tea-growing regions of Northeast India. Total F- as well as water-soluble F- content was analysed through the ion selective electrode with the recovery percentage of 100–108 to ascertain the risk associated with F- towards human health. It has been observed that total F- contents (mg kg−1) in Cachar, Darjeeling, Dooars, North Bank, South Bank, Terai, Tripura, and Upper Assam ranged from 42.5 to 111.5, 16.0 to 168.0, 48.0 to 291.0, 36.5 to 314.0, 60.0 to 154.0, 26.5 to 233.5, 26 to 118 and 44 to 244, respectively. The F- content in tea infusion varied between 1.08 mg L−1 and 2.43 mg L−1 across all eight regions with a mean of 1.90 mg L−1. The average transfer of F- from made tea (processed young shoot of tea plants comprising a bud and 2 to 3 leaves) to tea infusion was 100.46%. Fluoride content in infusion was decreased with the increment of infusion number but increased gradually with continuous infusion time. The non-carcinogenic health risk was assessed. Calculated Hazard Quotient values were far below 1. The calculated and rounded MRL (300 mg kg−1) was recommended for F- in tea in India.

Effects of magnetic field on cd subcellular distribution and chemical speciation in Noccaea caerulescens

Implementing an external magnetic field of suitable strength has been reported to increase Cd uptake by Noccaea caerulescence. However, only a few mechanisms promoting this efficiency have been reported. A series of culture experiments was conducted to explore how Cd subcellular distribution and speciation vary within the tissue of N. caerulescens when subjected to external magnetic fields of different intensities. Without a magnetic field, over 80% of the Cd was deposited in the cell wall and cytoplasm, indicating that cell wall retention and cytoplasm isolation are significant mechanisms for the detoxification of Cd. An external magnetic field (120 mT) increased the Cd concentrations deposited in the cytoplasm and water-soluble inorganic Cd in the roots, increasing the cell wall-bound Cd and undissolved Cd phosphate in the shoots. Meanwhile, the magnetic field increased carbonic anhydrase activity in plant shoots, except at 400 mT. These results indicated that an external field can elevate the Cd decontamination capacity of N. caerulescens by changing the subcellular compartmentalization and speciation of Cd in different tissues.

Biophysical warming patterns of an open-top chamber and its short-term influence on a Phragmites wetland ecosystem in China

Passive-warming, open-top chambers (OTCs) are widely applied for studying the effects of future climate warming on coastal wetlands. In this study, a set of six OTCs were established at a Phragmites wetland located in the Yellow River Delta of Dongying City, China. With data collected through online transmission and in-situ sensors, the attributes and patterns of realized OTCs warming are demonstrated. The authors also quantified the preliminary influence of experimental chamber warming on plant traits. OTCs produced an elevated average air temperature of 0.8°C (relative to controls) during the growing season (June to October) of 2018, and soil temperatures actually decreased by 0.54°C at a depth of 5 cm and 0.46°C at a depth of 30 cm in the OTCs. Variations in diel patterns of warming depend greatly on the heat sources of incoming radiation in the daytime versus soil heat flux at night. Warming effects were often larger during instantaneous analyses and influenced OTCs air temperatures from −2.5°C to 8.3°C dependent on various meteorological conditions at any given time, ranging from cooling influences from vertical heat exchange and vegetation to radiation-associated warming. Night-time temperature depressions in the OTCs were due to the low turbulence inside OTCs and changes in surface soil-atmosphere heat transfer. Plant shoot density, basal diameter, and biomass of Phragmites decreased by 23.2%, 6.3%, and 34.0%, respectively, under experimental warming versus controls, and plant height increased by 4.3%, reflecting less carbon allocation to stem structures as plants in the OTCs experienced simultaneous wind buffering. While these passive-warming OTCs created the desired warming effects both to the atmosphere and soils, pest damages on the plant leaves and lodging within the OTCs were extensive and serious, creating the need to consider control options for these chambers and the replicated OTCs studies underway in other Chinese Phragmites marshes (Panjin and Yancheng).©2023 China Geology Editorial Office.

An miR164-resistant mutation in the transcription factor gene CpCUC2B enhances carpel arrest and ectopic boundary specification in Cucurbita pepo flower development.

The sex determination process in cucurbits involves the control of stamen or carpel development during the specification of male or female flowers from a bisexual floral meristem, a function coordinated by ethylene. A gain-of-function mutation in the miR164-binding site of CpCUC2B, ortholog of the Arabidopsis transcription factor gene CUC2, not only produced ectopic floral meristems and organs, but also suppressed the development of carpels and promoted the development of stamens. The cuc2b mutation induced the transcription of CpCUC2B in the apical shoots of plants after female flowering but repressed other CUC genes regulated by miR164, suggesting a conserved functional redundancy of these genes in the development of squash flowers. The synergistic androecious phenotype of the double mutant between cuc2b and etr2b, an ethylene-insensitive mutation that enhances the production of male flowers, demonstrated that CpCUC2B arrests the development of carpels independently of ethylene and CpWIP1B. The transcriptional regulation of CpCUC1, CpCUC2, and ethylene genes in cuc2b and ethylene mutants also confirms this conclusion. However, the epistasis of cuc2b over aco1a, a mutation that suppresses stamen arrest in female flowers, and the down-regulation of CpACS27A in cuc2b female apical shoots, indicated that CpCUC2B promotes stamen development by suppressing the late ethylene production.

On the biomorphology of Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Tod.

Currently, many flowering plants have been studied from the standpoint of the doctrine of plant life forms, their structure, development in ontogenesis, distribution, ecology, biology and evolution. Higher spores, including ferns, remain a poorly studied group. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to clarify the features of the structural organization of Matteuccia struthiopteris in order to study the specifics of the species under the conditions of introduction to the botanical garden of Vyatka State University, located in the Ladoga-Vychegodsky South Taiga biome. In the course of the research, the modular organization of the M. struthiopteris escape system was analyzed. It is represented by elementary, universal and basic modules. There are 8 variants in the structure of elementary modules. They differ in the type of frond and their modifications, as well as the presence of subordinate roots. The universal module of M. struthiopteris is a polycyclic anisotropic upper-rosette shoot. The main module of the plant is a system of monopodially increasing polycyclic upper-rosett shoot with lateral underground stolons. As a result, a short-lived sympodium of polycyclic shoots is formed. In the course of a comparative morphological description of individual structures of the plant’s shoot system, the life form of M. struthiopteris is characterized as: vegetatively mobile, yavnopolycentric, sympodially growing rosette stolon-forming herbaceous perennial with early complete morphological disintegration; hemicryptophyte.

Native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Nauclea orientalis for potential reclamation of tropical coal mining areas

Reclaiming tropical coal mines is a formidable task. The symbiosis between AMF and plants like Nauclea orientalis is crucial for thriving in tough environments. This study aimed to assess the potential of native AMF and N. orientalis in overburden pit soil for post-mining reclamation. Fifteen AMFs isolated from post-coal mining were screened for nutrient uptake, plant growth, and colonization using Sorghum bicolor as hostplant. The top three AMFs were rDNA amplicon sequenced and further analyzed for their spore ontogeny at varying pH and aluminum concentrations. The most promising AMF strains were then tested by inoculating them into N. orientalis growing in four soil substrates: soil (S), overburden (O), soil mixed overburden (v/v 1:1, M1), and soil mixed overburden (v/v 1:3, M2). Non-inoculated plants served as control. Plant biomass, AMF colonization, root and shoot P, Al, Fe concentrations, and soil chemical properties were analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the three best-screened AMFs were Acaulospora mellea, Uncultured Glomus gene clone: N8-89, and Glomus clarum isolate AU402B. Overburden resulting from coal mining led to decreased soil pH and P levels while increasing concentrations of Al3+, H+, S, Fe, and Mn. A. mellea, Uncultured Glomus, and G. clarum demonstrated high P, K, Mg uptake and yield. G. clarum exhibited the best spore ontogeny at pH 4.5 and Al concentrations of 2 µM and 5 µM. Additionally, G. clarum, alongside N. orientalis, mitigated the toxicity of soil Al, Fe, and Mn. G. clarum improved plant growth in M1 and M2 and produced high plant biomass in OM and M2M. These findings suggest that the application of selected native AMF can significantly enhance plant adaptation in challenging conditions, potentially reducing the necessity for topsoil in reclamation efforts by 50–75 %.