Thick Roots Research Articles

Molecular-level carbon traits underlie the multidimensional fine root economics space.

Carbon influences the evolution and functioning of plants and their roots. Previous work examining a small number of commonly measured root traits has revealed a global multidimensionality of the resource economics traits in fine roots considering carbon as primary currency but without considering the diversity of carbon-related traits. To address this knowledge gap, we use data from 66 tree species from a tropical forest to illustrate that root economics space co-varies with a novel molecular-level traits space based on nuclear magnetic resonance. Thinner fine roots exhibit higher proportions of carbohydrates and lower diversity of molecular carbon than thicker roots. Mass-denser fine roots have more lignin and aromatic carbon compounds but less bioactive carbon compounds than lighter roots. Thus, the transition from thin to thick fine roots implies a shift in the root carbon economy from 'do-it-yourself' soil exploration to collaboration with mycorrhizal fungi, while the shift from light to dense fine roots emphasizes a shift from acquisitive to conservative root strategy. We reveal a previously undocumented role of molecular-level carbon traits that potentially undergird the multidimensional root economics space. This finding offers new molecular insight into the diversity of root form and function, which is fundamental to our understanding of plant evolution, species coexistence and adaptations to heterogeneous environments.

Why are graminoid species more dominant? Trait-mediated plant-soil feedbacks shape community composition.

Species traits may determine plant interactions along with soil microbiome, further shaping plant-soil feedbacks (PSFs). However, how plant traits modulate PSFs and, consequently, the dominance of plant functional groups remains unclear. We used a combination of field surveys and a two-phase PSF experiment to investigate whether forbs and graminoids differed in PSFs and in their trait-PSF associations. When grown in forb-conditioned soils, forbs experienced stronger negative feedbacks, while graminoids experienced positive feedbacks. Graminoid-conditioned soil resulted in neutral PSFs for both functional types. Forbs with thin roots and small seeds showed more-negative PSFs than those with thick roots and large seeds. Conversely, graminoids with acquisitive root and leaf traits (i.e., thin roots and thin leaves) demonstrated greater positive PSFs than graminoids with thick roots and tough leaves. By distinguishing overall and soil biota-mediated PSFs, we found that the associations between plant traits and PSFs within both functional groups were mainly mediated by soil biota. A simulation model demonstrated that such differences in PSFs could lead to a dominance of graminoids over forbs in natural plant communities, which might explain why graminoids dominate in grasslands. Our study provides new insights into the differentiation and adaptation of plant life-history strategies under selection pressures imposed by soil biota.

The more microplastic types pollute the soil, the stronger the growth suppression of invasive alien and native plants

Abstract The ecological consequences of microplastic pollution for plants remain largely unknown, and the few studies that tested the effects usually focused on a single type of microplastic and a single plant species. However, most plants will be exposed to multiple microplastic types simultaneously, and the effects may vary among species. To test the effects of microplastic diversity on plants, we grew single plants of eight invasive and eight native species in pots with substrate polluted with 0, 1, 3 and 6 types of microplastics. We found that the growth suppression by microplastic pollution became stronger with the number of microplastic types the plants were exposed to. This tended to be particularly the case for invasive species, as their biomass advantage over natives diminished with the number of microplastic types. The biomass responses coincided with a positive effect of the number of microplastic types on root allocation and thickness, which was also stronger for invasive than for native species. In addition, the results of hierarchical diversity–interaction models suggest that the negative impact of microplastic diversity on the total biomass of invasive plant species was influenced by both the identities of the microplastic and certain types of microplastic with strong pairwise interactions. In contrast, the effect on native species was determined solely by the microplastic identities. Synthesis. Our multispecies study thus shows for the first time that the negative effects of microplastic pollution on plant growth increase with the number of microplastic types. We also found tentative evidence that the negative impacts of microplastic diversity were more pronounced for invasive plants compared to native plants, and that this might be due to differences in the responses of root allocation and thickness.

Quantitative phase imaging by gradient retardance optical microscopy

Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) has become a vital tool in bioimaging, offering precise measurements of wavefront distortion and, thus, of key cellular metabolism metrics, such as dry mass and density. However, only a few QPI applications have been demonstrated in optically thick specimens, where scattering increases background and reduces contrast. Building upon the concept of structured illumination interferometry, we introduce Gradient Retardance Optical Microscopy (GROM) for QPI of both thin and thick samples. GROM transforms any standard Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) microscope into a QPI platform by incorporating a liquid crystal retarder into the illumination path, enabling independent phase-shifting of the DIC microscope's sheared beams. GROM greatly simplifies related configurations, reduces costs, and eradicates energy losses in parallel imaging modalities, such as fluorescence. We successfully tested GROM on a diverse range of specimens, from microbes and red blood cells to optically thick (~ 300 μm) plant roots without fixation or clearing.

From acquisitive to conservative: The ontogenetic trajectory of root syndrome of annual and perennial co-generic species

Perennials has been proposed as new crops because their root syndrome offers more ecosystem services and a better use of resources than the annual one. Objective: To compare the ontogenetic trajectory of root syndromes of annual (P. gracilis and P. angustifolia) and perennial (P. pinetorum and P. mendocina) species of Physaria (Brassicaceae) and their root trait relationships. Results and ConclusionRoots became conservative as plants grew, independently of the life cycle of the species. However, perennials invested initially more resources in increasing storage capacity (bigger and thicker roots) while annuals favored increasing the exploration capacity (higher SRL). During first anthesis we found tradeoffs between acquisitive and conservative traits, as expected according to the Root Economic Spectrum (RES), but after the first year, those tradeoffs disappeared and perennials were able to combine a thick and deep taproot and high investment in C reserves with some well-developed acquisitive traits such as higher SRL and total length. This suggest that root traits should be selected during the second year, when no tradeoff exist. Differences between annuals and perennials in most structural taproot traits remained constant along the ontogenetic trajectory, thus the relative position of species in the RES did not change over time. We found a gradient of root strategies supported by the RES theory: from acquisitive in the annual P. gracilis (high SRL, STD and total length) to conservative in the perennial P. mendocina (high root biomass, root diameter, tissue density and storage) with intermediate strategies in P. angustifolia and P. pinetorum.

Effect of microbial fertilizers and growth media on the rooting of passion fruit (cv. Possum Purple) cuttings

Propagation by cuttings is widely used in the commercial propagation of passion fruits. In propagation with cuttings, hormones are generally applied to promote rooting. However, there is limited research on the use of microbial fertilizer for the rooting purpose of passion fruit cuttings. In the present study, perlite and vermiculite were used as rooting media, along with different doses of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (750 and 1500 ppm) and microbial fertilizer (Best-doll), which contains seven different bacteria species, including Penicillium bilaii, Bacillus megaterium, Azospirillum brasilense, and Arthrobacter viscosus, Azotobacter vinelandii, Azotobacter chroococcum, and Pseudomonas spp. (5000 and 10000 ppm). These were tested for rooting in semi-woody cuttings of the cultivar passion fruit var. ‘Possum Purple’. The Passiflora cuttings of the ‘Possum Purple’ cultivar successfully rooted four and a half months after planting. The results indicated that the lowest rooting rate was observed in indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) treatments. Conversely, perlite emerged as the most effective rooting medium for ‘Possum Purple’ cuttings. The application of 5000 ppm microbial fertilizer led to a higher root thickness compared to other treatments. However, there were no statistical differences among treatments regarding the longest and average root length in the rooting media. Based on the findings, the concentration of 5000 ppm microbial fertilizer and the use of perlite as a rooting medium is recommended for achieving the highest rooting levels and seedling quality.

A mutation in the brassinosteroid biosynthesis gene CpDWF5 disrupts vegetative and reproductive development and the salt stress response in squash (Cucurbita pepo).

A Cucurbita pepo mutant with multiple defects in growth and development has been identified and characterized. The mutant dwfcp displayed a dwarf phenotype with dark green and shrinking leaves, shortened internodes and petioles, shorter but thicker roots and greater root biomass, and reduced fertility. The causal mutation of the phenotype was found to disrupt gene Cp4.1LG17g04540, the squash orthologue of the Arabidopsis brassinosteroid (BR) biosynthesis gene DWF5, encoding for 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase. A single nucleotide transition (G > A) causes a splicing defect in intron 6 that leads to a premature stop codon and a truncated CpDWF5 protein. The mutation co-segregated with the dwarf phenotype in a large BC1S1 segregating population. The reduced expression of CpDWF5 and brassinolide (BL) content in most mutant organs, and partial rescue of the mutant phenotype by exogenous application of BL, showed that the primary cause of the dwarfism in dwfcp is a BR deficiency. The results showed that in C. pepo, CpDWF5 is not only a positive growth regulator of different plant organs but also a negative regulator of salt tolerance. During germination and the early stages of seedling development, the dwarf mutant was less affected by salt stress than the wild type, concomitantly with a greater upregulation of genes associated with salt tolerance, including those involved in abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis, ABA and Ca2+ signaling, and those coding for cation exchangers and transporters.

Research on incremental forming simulation based on an improved constitutive model

The incremental sheet metal forming process, characterized by the step-by-step deformation of sheet metal using a simple die, is classified as a type of plastic deformation technology. This method allows for the formation of complex-shaped parts even without the use of a specialized die. Its notable characteristic lies in its low forming load and high flexibility. To accurately forecast finite element simulation outcomes for the incremental sheet forming of 2024-O aluminum alloy sheets, constructing a precise constitutive model is essential. Typically, the uniform strain range in traditional unidirectional tensile tests does not surpass 0.3, primarily due to the necking phenomenon. This limitation hampers the accurate prediction of the actual large plastic deformation process. To address this issue, a theoretical model describing the stress-strain relationship in metal plastic deformation processes is developed using crystal plasticity theory. The constitutive model for the forming of 2024-O aluminum alloy is then constructed by adjusting the hardening coefficient and hardening index. Utilizing the improved constitutive model, the incremental sheet forming process is simulated using ABAQUS software. Upon comparison with experimental results, it is observed that the Thickness Average Absolute Relative Errors (TAARE) of the adjusted constitutive model at forming angles of 60°, 55°, and 50° are 0.414%, 0.467%, and 0.256%, and The Thickness Root Mean Square Errors (TRMSE) are determined as 0.0121, 0.0116, and 0.0094, respectively. These results indicate that the constitutive model and parameters established in this study can adequately capture the mechanical behavior of 2024-O aluminum alloy during the incremental sheet forming process.

Trait divergence and opposite above- and below-ground strategies facilitate moso bamboo invasion into subtropical evergreen broadleaf forest.

Understanding the invasion of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) into adjacent evergreen broadleaf forest based on functional traits is crucial due to its significant influence on ecosystem processes. However, existing research has primarily focused on above- or below-ground traits in isolation, lacking a comprehensive integration of both. In this study, we conducted a trait-based analysis including 23 leaf traits and 11 root traits in three forest types - bamboo forest, mixed bamboo and broadleaf forest, and evergreen broadleaf forest - to investigate trait differences, phenotypic integration, and above- and below-ground resource strategies in bamboo and broadleaf species. Our findings demonstrated significant differences in leaf and root key traits between bamboo and broadleaf species, strongly supporting the "phenotypic divergence hypothesis". Bamboo exhibited stronger trait correlations compared to broadleaf species, indicating higher phenotypic integration. Above- and below-ground strategies were characterized by trade-offs rather than coordination, resulting in a multi-dimensional trait syndrome. Specifically, a unidimensional leaf economics spectrum revealed that bamboo with higher leaf N concentrations (LNC), P concentrations (LPC), and specific leaf area (SLA) adopted a "fast acquisitive" above-ground strategy, while broadleaf species with thicker leaves employed a "slow conservative" above-ground strategy. A two-dimensional root trait syndrome indicated a "conservation" gradient with bamboo adopting a "slow conservative" below-ground strategy associated with higher root tissue density (RTD), and broadleaf species exhibiting a "fast acquisitive" below-ground strategy linked to higher root N concentrations (RNC) and P concentrations (RPC), and a "collaboration" gradient probably ranging from broadleaf species with a "do-it-yourself" strategy characterized by high specific root length (SRL), to bamboo adopting an "outsourcing" strategy with thicker roots. In conclusion, key trait divergence from coexisting broadleaf species, higher phenotypic integration, and multi-dimensional opposite above- and below-ground resource strategies confer competitive advantages to moso bamboo, shedding light on the mechanistic understanding of its invasion into subtropical evergreen broadleaf forest and providing theoretical guidance for maintaining the stability of subtropical forest ecosystem.

A combined radiomics and anatomical features model enhances MRI-based recognition of symptomatic nerves in primary trigeminal neuralgia.

The diagnosis of primary trigeminal neuralgia (PTN) in radiology lacks the gold standard and largely depends on the identification of neurovascular compression (NVC) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) water imaging sequences. However, relying on this imaging sign alone often fails to accurately distinguish the symptomatic side of the nerve from asymptomatic nerves, and may even lead to incorrect diagnoses. Therefore, it is essential to develop a more effective diagnostic tool to aid radiologists in the diagnosis of TN. This study aims to establish a radiomics-based machine learning model integrating multi-region of interest (multiple-ROI) MRI and anatomical data, to improve the accuracy in differentiating symptomatic from asymptomatic nerves in PTN. A retrospective analysis of MRI data and clinical anatomical data was conducted on 140 patients with clinically confirmed PTN. Symptomatic nerves of TN patients were defined as the positive group, while asymptomatic nerves served as the negative group. The ipsilateral Meckel's cavity (MC) was included in both groups. Through dimensionality reduction analysis, four radiomics features were selected from the MC and 24 radiomics features were selected from the trigeminal cisternal segment. Thirteen anatomical features relevant to TN were identified from the literature, and analyzed using univariate logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression. Four features were confirmed as independent risk factors for TN. Logistic regression (LR) models were constructed for radiomics model and clinical anatomy, and a combined model was developed by integrating the radiomics score (Rad-Score) with the clinical anatomy model. The models' performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). The four independent clinical anatomical factors identified were: degree of neurovascular compression, site of neurovascular compression site, thickness of the trigeminal nerve root, and trigeminal pons angle (TPA). The final combined model, incorporating radiomics and clinical anatomy, achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.91/0.90 (95% CI: 0.87-0.95/0.81-0.96) and an accuracy of approximately 82% in recognizing symptomatic and normal nerves. The combined radiomics and anatomical model provides superior recognition efficiency for the symptomatic nerves in PTN, offering valuable support for radiologists in diagnosing TN.

Inoculantes on farm à base de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares no desempenho de trigo

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate whether the use of on-farm inoculants based on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) interferes with the agronomic performance of wheat cultivars. The following treatments were applied to cultivars TBIO Calibre and TBIO Sossego: eight on-farm inoculants, i.e., Acaulospora morrowiae, Cetraspora pellucida, Claroideoglomus etunicatum, Glomus intraradices, Rhizophagus clarus, Scutellospora heterogama, and two mycorrhizal communities from native forest (NF) obtained in the Bom Princípio (BP) and in the Flores da Cunha (FC) Brazilian municipalities; and no inoculant (control). A randomized complete block experimental design was used. Mycorrhizal colonization, root morphology, and thousand grain weight were evaluated. The association between 'TBIO Sossego' and S. heterogama provided the greatest root volume, while that between 'TBIO Calibre' and C. etunicatum and between 'TBIO Sossego' and the BP NF community resulted in the best thousand-grain weight. The use of AMF, especially C. etunicatum and S. heterogama, enhances the development of the root system of wheat. 'TBIO Calibre' showed the greatest total length and quantity of very fine roots, while 'TBIO Sossego' developed a root system with the greatest surface area and quantity of thick roots. The use of on-farm inoculants affects the agronomic performance of wheat cultivars.

Case series on two-stage disinfection in regenerative endodontics on permanent mandibular molar with blunderbuss canal

Background: Revascularization is a promising approach as it promotes root end closure forming healthy, thick root dentin at the apex which provides clinical and radiographic success due to the elimination of bacteria and disinfection of the canal which gives a 100% sterile environment to receive SCAP. Aim: To examine the effect of a regenerative endodontic procedure on immature necrotic teeth with apical periodontitis Method: An 8-year-old medically fit boy was referred to the department with a lingering type of pain in the immature permanent mandibular first right molar. Bleeding was induced in the root canals at the third appointment. The blood clots (scaffolds) were covered with MTA, and the tooth was restored with a composite filling. Recall sessions were scheduled after one month and 3 months, when the tooth appeared asymptomatic clinically and radiographically, with considerable periapical healing. Conclusion: An immature multirooted tooth with necrotic pulps and periapical radiolucency was managed with evident clinical and radiographic success, wherein non-setting calcium hydroxide paste and triple antibiotic paste were used sequentially to guarantee complete canal disinfection.

Features of trigeminal nerve exit on the base of the brain: neurovascular conflict

The trigeminal nerve is a complex anatomical formation that performs very important tasks in terms of functionality. This article focuses on the study of the exit of the trigeminal nerve and its syntopy with arteries. It is the study of the location of nearby vessels relative to the nerve and their neurovascular conflict that determines the relevance of this work. The prevalence of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is quite high and amounts to 40–60 patients per 100,000 population, and the incidence according to the World Health Organization is within 2–4 people per 10,000 population. The maximum risk of neurovascular conflict is observed in the age group of people from 45 to 60 years. It is also known that women suffer from neuralgia significantly more often than men. Not only the exact diagnosis, but also the selection of the most appropriate treatment tactics will depend on the result of studies of the individual anatomical features of the pons area. The authors of the article studied 17 preparations of the base of the brain of middle-aged individuals, fixed in a 7 % formalin solution. Of the 17 preparations studied, neurovascular relationships were noted in 14, which is 82.4 % of the total. As a result of morphometric measurements, the data on the length and width of the pons, the thickness of the trigeminal nerve roots, and the middle cerebellar peduncles were obtained. Statistical data processing and photographic documentation were carried out. The clinical manifestations of the disease, diagnostic options, and various methods of treatment were considered. The most effective method of treating neurovascular conflict is surgery, the first mention of which dates back to 1934.

Effect of Indole-3-Butyric Acid (IBA) on Hardwood Cutting of Grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) cv. Pusa Navrang

Aims: The study aims to investigate the influence of different IBA concentration on the rooting and subsequent growth of hardwood cuttings of "Pusa Navrang" grapevine.
 Study Design: The study was performed in RBD design with replicate 5 times.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Research Farm, College of Horticulture, Mandsaur, during the period November 2020- March 21.
 Methodology: Polybags size of 5 X 7 inch was used for experiment. After the filling of growing media in poly bags, the hard wood cuttings of Pusa Navrang with uniform size having 4-5 functional bud was taken from one year matured canes from research farm, College of Horticulture, Mandsaur. The diameter of cutting about 0.75 to 1 cm (pencil thickness) were taken and before planting cuttings were treated with IBA solution by quick dip method.
 Results: The significant result were found for shoot parameter like shoot length, number of nodes per shoot, internodal length, number of buds per shoot, stem diameter, stem fresh weight, stem dry weight. Root Parameters like number of primary and secondary roots, root length, root thickness, whole root volume, fresh weight of root and dry weight of root. Leaf Parameters like number of leaves per plant, fresh weight of leaf, dry weight of leaf, leaf area, leaf area index, specific leaf weight, minimum days taken to emergence of 1st leaf and water content of leaf found in IBA @ 6000 ppm (G3).
 Conclusion: Among four concentration of growth regulator (IBA), the application of IBA @ 6000 ppm (G3) responded well in terms of rooting and shooting in hard wood cutting of grapes.

Bioremediation of Mercury- Polluted Water in Free Water Surface-Constructed Wetland System by <i>Euglena</i> sp. and <i>Echinodorus palifolius</i> (Nees & Mart.) J.F. Macbr.

Mercury accumulation in the aquatic environment can be highly harmful. The body takes mercury vapor through the lungs, then absorbs mercury metal through the digestive system, and then the blood carries the metal to the brain. Bioremediation is the process of breaking down or converting harmful compounds into non-toxic forms, which can be accomplished through phytoremediation or phycoremediation. The goal of this study was to examine the growth and anatomy of Euglena sp. after being cultured in the mercury-containing FWS-CW waste treatment system. The ability of Euglena sp. and Echinodorus palifolius to bioremediate mercury at different concentration as well as association and non-association treatments. This study was carried out in a bioreactor known as FSW-CW (Free Water Surface-Constructed Wetlands). Plant growth (plant height and number of leaves), chlorophyll content, diameter of root and petiole, metaxylem diameter of root, petiole, and leaves, cortical thickness of root and leaves, and petiole anatomy were all measured. Water temperature, pH, salinity, and light intensity were all measured as environmental parameters. Mercury treatment reduced Euglena density (183.5 cells. mL-1103 in control and 12.6 cells. mL-1103 in 100 ppm mercury treatment) and number of E. palifolius leaves, but not plant height and chlorophyll. Root and petiole diameters were affected by the mercury treatment, petiole diameter decreased unless the concentration was 100 ppm, whereas root diameter actually increased. The diameter of the root metaxylem increased, but the petioles and leaves, as well as the thickness of the root cortex, did not provide a significant response. The growth of E. palifolius was still optimal in the presence of Euglena in mercury-containing medium.

Effect of Different Growing Media on Hardwood Cutting of Grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) cv. Pusa Navrang

Aims: The study the influence of different growing media on the rooting and subsequent growth of hardwood cuttings of the "Pusa Navrang" grapevine.
 Study Design: Randomized block design were used.
 Place and Duration of Study: Conducted at Research Farm, College of Horticulture, Mandsaur, during the period November 2020- March 21.
 Methodology: Filling of Poly Bags: Before the cutting planting the 5 X 7-inch poly bags will be filled with different growing media. Three hundred sixty (360) poly bags of each growing media should be filled i.e., 360 bags of Soil, 360 bags of Soil + Sand (1:1 ratio), 360 bags of soil + sand + cocopeat (1:1:1 ratio), 360 bags of Soil + Sand + FYM (1:1:1 ratio) and 360 bags of Soil + Sand + Vermicompost (1:1:1 ratio).
 Preparation of Cutting: After the filling of growing media in poly bags, the hardwood cuttings of uniform size having 4-5 functional buds will be taken from healthy plants of Grapes variety Pusa Navrang from one year matured shoots planted at the grapes orchard at the research farm, College of Horticulture, Mandsaur.
 Planting: The cutting about 0.75 to 1 cm thick diameter will be taken and planted in poly bags with 2-3 functional buds below the ground. Before planting, the hole should be done from the planting place with the help of a stick to prevent the buds from injuries.
 Results: The ideal outcome was discovered for shoot parameters like shoot length (6.75 cm, 48.15 cm), number of nodes per shoot (6.23, 14.75), internodal length (2.31 cm, 5.36 cm), number of buds per shoot (10.16, 23.72), stem diameter (14.15 mm, 24.20 mm) at 60 and 90 DAP, stem fresh weight (13.79 g), stem dry weight (5.68 g) at 90 DAP. Root Parameters like number of primary (20.11, 28.12) and secondary roots (14.74, 25.37), root length (17.98 cm, 19.69 cm), root thickness (1.81 mm and 1.95 mm), whole root volume (16.97 cm2 and 21.72 cm2) at 60 and 90 DAP, fresh weight of root (5.15 g), dry weight of root (2.14 g) at 90 DAP. Leaf Parameters like number of leaves per plant (9.73, 22.20) at 60 and 90 DAP, fresh weight of leaf (1.51 g), dry weight of leaf (0.63 g), leaf area (49.21 cm2), leaf area index (3.61), specific leaf weight (23.08 mgDw.cm-2) at 90 DAP, while minimum days taken to emergence of 1st leaf (22.92 DAP) found in soil + sand + vermicompost (M5).
 Conclusion: Among five growing media the application of soil + sand + vermicompost 1:1:1 responded well in terms of rooting and shooting in hardwood cutting of grapes. The experiment needs to be accurately reproduced over a wider range of years, locations, and seasons in order to establish the reliability of the findings.

The Impact of Various Organic Phosphorus Carriers on the Uptake and Use Efficiency in Barley.

Organic phosphorus (OP) is an essential component of the soil P cycle, which contributes to barley nutrition after its mineralization into inorganic phosphorus (Pi). However, the dynamics of OP utilization in the barley rhizosphere remain unclear. In this study, phytin was screened out from six OP carriers, which could reflect the difference in OP utilization between a P-inefficient genotype Baudin and a P-efficient genotype CN4027. The phosphorus utilization efficiency (PUE), root morphological traits, and expression of genes associated with P utilization were assessed under P deficiency or phytin treatments. P deficiency resulted in a greater root surface area and thicker roots. In barley fed with phytin as a P carrier, the APase activities of CN4027 were 2-3-fold lower than those of Baudin, while the phytase activities of CN4027 were 2-3-fold higher than those of Baudin. The PUE in CN4027 was mainly enhanced by activating phytase to improve the root absorption and utilization of Pi resulting from OP mineralization, while the PUE in Baudin was mainly enhanced by activating APase to improve the shoot reuse capacity. A phosphate transporter gene HvPHT1;8 regulated P transport from the roots to the shoots, while a purple acid phosphatase (PAP) family gene HvPAPhy_b contributed to the reuse of P in barley.

Biogeochemical and microscopic studies of soil and Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. plants affected by coal mine dumps.

Developed areas of the coal industry are subjected to long-term anthropogenic impacts from the input and accumulation of overburdened coal material, containing potentially toxic heavy metals and metalloids (HMM). For the first time, comprehensive studies of soils and plants in the territory of the Donetsk coal basin were carried out using X-ray fluorescence, atomic absorption analysis, and electron microscopy. The observed changes in the soil redox conditions were characterized by a high sulfur content, and formations of new microphases of S-containing compounds: FeS2, PbFe6(SO4)4(OH)12, ZnSO4·nH2O, revealed the presence of technogenic salinization, increased Сorg content, and low pH contents. Exceedances of soil maximum permissible concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu, and As in areas affected by coal dumps were apparent. As a consequence of long-term transformation of the environment with changes in properties and chemical pollution, a phytotoxic effect was revealed in Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud, accompanied by changes in ultrastructural and organization features of roots and leaves such as increases in root diameters and thickness of leaf blades. The changes in the ultrastructure of cell organelles: a violation of the grana formation process, an increase in the number of plastoglobules, a decrease in the number of mitochondrial cristae, and a reduction in the electron density of the matrix in peroxisomes were also observed. The accumulation of large electron-dense inclusions and membrane fragments in cell vacuoles was observed. Such ultrastructural changes may indicate the existence of a P. australis ecotype due to its long-term adaptation to the disturbed environment.

VETIVER (VETIVERIA ZIZANIOIDES L.) ECOTYPES ASSESSMENT FOR SALINITY TOLERANCE

Vetiver is one of the essential oil-producing plants, commonly called vetiver oil. With a deep, broad, and thick root system, the species is characteristically well-adapted to various environmental stresses, including salinity. The presented study strived to evaluate several vetiver ecotypes under diverse salinity stress conditions and identify the best with enhanced salinity tolerance. The said study continued in a completely randomized design (CRD) with factorial arrangement and two factors. The first factor was salinity stress comprising six varying levels, i.e., control (without salinity) and saline soils with 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 dsm-1. The second factor consisted of three vetiver ecotypes: Bogor, Bojonegoro, and Padang. The results revealed that salinity stress levels, ecotypes, and their interactions significantly affected the growth, physiological, and oil yield traits, such as plant height, leaf area, number of tillers, chlorophyll a and b, root length and volume, and oil yield. Salinity stress at 16 dsm-1 significantly impacted plant growth but enhanced chlorophyll a and b content. The ecotype Bojonegoro had better canopy growth, while the ecotype Padang had better root growth, resulting in higher oil production compared with the ecotype Bojonegoro. The ecotype Bojonegoro with 16 dsm-1 salinity stress significantly increased chlorophyll a and b content, and the ecotype Padang showed the highest oil production without salinity stress compared with salinity stress conditions.

Effective measurement of starch and dry matter content in fresh cassava tubers using interactance Vis/NIR spectra

The quality of cassava in this study was indexed according to the starch content (SC) and dry matter content (DM). The NIR spectroscopy had the potential to measure changes in SC and DM of field-grown cassava. However, due to the non-homogenous nature of cassava root and its unpredictable shape, measuring it using NIR spectroscopy presents a challenge. Therefore, the model developed from different scanning method (horizontal and vertical lines) and surface (original surface, removed brownish outer layer, and fresh surface) were compared. To demonstrate that the model performance could improve by using a few significant wavelengths, its accuracy was compared using either the full wavelength or individual wavelengths selected by bootstrapping soft shrinkage analysis (BOSS) and competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) methods. Finally, the impact of physical properties (sample sections, peel thickness, varieties, and ages) on model error were determined. The prediction accuracy was found to depend on the scanning method. Since the model developed using horizontal spectra obviously obtained highest accuracy. The difference in surface had no effect on accuracy based on the horizontal spectra. Therefore, original surface scanning was chosen due to its non-destructive performance. The prediction model using the CARS-PLSR method was considered appropriate for predicting SC and BOSS-PLSR for predicting DM, providing R2cal, r2val, SEP, and ratio of prediction to standard deviation (RPD) of 0.69, 0.66, 3.18%, and 1.81, respectively; and 0.63, 0.54, 4.15%, and 1.50, respectively. In addition, the sample section, variety and peel thickness of the cassava root were not effected in the error of prediction.