Vicia Hirsuta Research Articles

Activity of α-d-Galactosidase in Long-Stored Seeds of Vicia hirsuta

Mature seeds of many crop species contain substantial amounts of soluble carbohydrates, including raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) and cyclitol galactosides (Gal-C). These substances are hydrolysed by α-D-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.22) during the early stages of germination, providing metabolic energy for the germination process. A decrease or inhibition of α-D-galactosidase activity can significantly reduce the germination rate. This study aimed to investigate changes in α-D-galactosidase activity during the long-term storage of Vicia hirsuta seeds and evaluate the association between the loss of enzyme activity and the decline in seed vigour and viability. V. hirsuta seeds were stored at 22 °C and 35% relative humidity for up to 25 years, and α-D-galactosidase activity and seed vigour changes were monitored at different time points. Storage of V. hirsuta seeds resulted in a loss of viability and vigour, accompanied by a decrease in α-D-galactosidase activity. The enzyme activity showed a significant correlation with seed germinability and vigour. Monitoring α-D-galactosidase activity in seeds subjected to long-term storage could be a simple and rapid method for determining the decline in vigour in seeds that utilize soluble galactosides as their storage materials.

Agroeconomic Value of Some Lathyrus and Vicia Species in the Republic of Moldova

The efficient use of the biological potential of the leguminous plants that are adapted to the local climatic conditions becomes more and more relevant. The local ecotype of the species Lathyrus sativus, Lathyrus sylvestris, Lathyrus tuberosus, Vicia hirsuta, Vicia sativa, Vicia tenuifolia maintained in monoculture on experimental land in the NBGI Chişinău, served as objects of study. We found that the dry matter of the studied whole plants contained 169-257 g/kg CP, 96-125 g/kg ash, 219-346 g/kg CF, 244-371 g/kg ADF, 427-576 g/kg NDF, 34-58 g/kg ADL, 210-313 g/kg Cel, 183-205 g/kg HC, 64-150 g/kg TSS, with 59.3-69.4% DMD, RFV = 93-151, 11.87-13.55 MJ/kg DE, 9.75-11.13 MJ/kg ME, 5.77-7.22 MJ/kg NEl. The prepared hay contained 153-264 g/kg CP, 91-135 g/kg ash, 244-356 g/kg CF, 294-393 g/kg ADF, 475-606 g/kg NDF, 36-65 g/kg ADL, 258-329 g/kg Cel, 191-214 g/kg HC, 6-99 g/kg TSS, with 59.2-66.0% DMD, RFV = 90-129, 11.57-12.95 MJ/kg DE, 9.50-11.09 MJ/kg ME, 5.51-7.10 MJ/kg NEl. The haylage is characterized by pleasant smell and color, pH = 4.40-4.95, 4.7-6.1 g/kg acetic acid, 27.9-38.0 g/kg lactic acid, butyric acid was not detected, 159-180 g/kg CP, 105-125 g/kg ash, 296-343 g/kg CF, 316-360 g/kg ADF, 460-579 g/kg NDF, 51-55 g/kg ADL, 263-309 g/kg Cel, 142-219 g/kg HC, 43-106 g/kg TSS, 60.9-64.1% DMD, RFV = 98-129, 12.03-12.61 MJ/kg DE, 9.88-10.35 MJ/kg ME, 5.89-6.37 MJ/kg NEl. The harvested fresh mass and the haylage prepared from the studied species can be used as substrates in biogas production via anaerobic digestion for renewable energy production, with carbon nitrogen (C/N) ratios 12-20. The biochemical methane potential reached 320-378 litre/kg organic matter. The investigated leguminous species are an important forage source for livestock, many birds, bees and entomophagous insects, and they are excellent plants for erosion control and for reseeding and increasing the economic value of permanent and temporary grasslands. The harvested biomass can be used as alternative fodder for farm animals or as substrates in biogas generators for the production of renewable energy.

Torilis pseudonodosa Bianca (Apiaceae) – новий вид для флори України

We report the first record of Torilis pseudonodosa Bianca (Apiaceae) from Ukraine. It was found on 28th of May 2021 in the “Potiivska” section of the Black Sea Biosphere Reserve near the village of Zaliznyi Port (Southern Ukraine). Torilis pseudonodosa previously was known from various countries in the Mediterranean Basin and Western Asia, but not from Ukraine nor elsewhere in Eastern Europe. We discovered a hitherto unknown population of Torilis pseudonodosa during the 15th EDGG Field Workshop, an international expedition of the Eurasian Dry Grassland Group (EDGG) taking place in Southern Ukraine, from 23 May to 2 June 2021. We present the taxon, its morphology and general distribution, describe its first Ukrainian site ecologically and coenologically and provide photos of the site and the species. The species occurred in a saline steppe, close to the Black Sea coast. The vegetation was dominated by Agropyron pectinatum and Halimione verrucifera, with Artemisia santonica, Festuca callieri agg., Milium vernale and Vicia hirsuta as subdominants. The classification of the saline steppe of the “Potiivska” section of the Black Sea Biosphere Reserve near is problematic, because species composition represents a mixture of steppic and halophytic plants. A definitive decision would require comprehensive phytosociological analyses. Since there was no indication of anthropogenic influence at the site, we assume that Torilis pseudonodosa reached it as a result of natural migration of its propagules (e.g. with birds). Thus, the species can be considered as nonsynathropic in the flora of Ukraine.

Rotation regimes lead to significant differences in soil macrofaunal biodiversity and trophic structure with the changed soil properties in a rice-based double cropping system

Crop production has negative effect on the biodiversity in farmlands because of less crop varieties and intensive soil disturbance. Macrofauna are important components of the belowground biodiversity, and contribute to the soil ecosystem functions and soil processes. The response of soil macrofauna to cropping pattern is crucial for understanding the soil ecological dynamics and biodiversity conservation. Herein, we established an experiment of rice (Oryza sativa L.)-based double cropping system in Jiangsu Province, China since 2016 to evaluate the effects of rotation regimes on soil properties and soil macrofauna communities. The rice-based double cropping system included rice–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), rice-oilseed rape (Brassica campestris L.), rice-tiny vetch (Vicia hirsuta L.), rice-broad bean (Vicia faba L.), and rice-fallow. After 3-year rotations, soil macrofaunal biodiversity and trophic structure varied significantly with soil properties. The higher biodiversity indices were found in the tiny vetch (used as green manure in situ) and fallow fields. In addition, soil organic carbon (SOC), the main factor for shaping the soil environment and regulating the soil macrofaunal communities, was improved. While soil water content and pH were selected to predict each trophic richness and density in most of the optimal regression models, changes in soil macrofaunal communities should also be considered as comprehensive responses to the soil environments (food resources, microhabitats etc.) co-varying rotation regimes. Crop rotation with lower intensity of land use increased the complexity of soil macrofaunal trophic structure. Green manure fields or fallow after rice plantation promoted soil macrofaunal biodiversity in the rice-based cropping system.

UPLC-MS Metabolome-Based Seed Classification of 16 Vicia Species: A Prospect for Phyto-Equivalency and Chemotaxonomy of Different Accessions.

Seeds of domesticated Vicia (vetch) species (family Fabaceae-Faboideae) are produced and consumed worldwide for their nutritional value. Seed accessions belonging to 16 different species of Vicia-both domesticated and wild taxa-were subjected to a chemotaxonomic study using ultraperformance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) analyzed by chemometrics. A total of 89 metabolites were observed in the examined Vicia accessions. Seventy-eight out of the 89 detected metabolites were annotated. Metabolites quantified belonged to several classes, viz., flavonoids, procyanidins, prodelphinidins, anthocyanins, stilbenes, dihydrochalcones, phenolic acids, coumarins, alkaloids, jasmonates, fatty acids, terpenoids, and cyanogenics, with flavonoids and fatty acids amounting to the major classes. Flavonoids, fatty acids, and anthocyanins showed up as potential chemotaxonomic markers in Vicia species discrimination. Fatty acids were more enriched in Vicia faba specimens, while the abundance of flavonoids was the highest in Vicia parviflora. Anthocyanins allowed for discrimination between Vicia hirsuta and Vicia sepium. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on employing UPLC-MS metabolomics to discern the diversity of metabolites at the intrageneric level among Vicia species.

Identification of Vicia Species Native to South Korea Using Molecular and Morphological Characteristics.

Recently, within the Fabaceae family, the Vicia genus has been recognized for its vital role in sustainable agriculture. Vicia species are economically important grain and forage crops. However, the presence of complex morphological characteristics makes identification and recognition of native species difficult. In this study, the possibility of using DNA barcoding regions (ITS2, matK, and rbcL) to distinguish among 19 Vicia taxa (59 accessions) found in South Korea was evaluated. The sequence alignment analysis revealed considerable nucleotide diversity (π) between the loci, in which ITS2 showed the highest mean interspecific distance, whereas there was no intraspecific variability among the barcode regions in 12 of the 19 taxa. Phylogenetic analysis of combined barcoding regions revealed well-resolved phylogeny with the highest species level discrimination. Combinations of barcode loci were also used in classification at the subgenera and section levels. The results revealed that the combined barcoding regions can be used effectively to differentiate the following species: Vicia angustifolia var. segetilis, Vicia bungei, Vicia villosa, Vicia cracca, Vicia dasycarpa, Vicia hirsuta, Vicia tetrasperma, Vicia amurensis, Vicia hirticalycina, and Vicia chosenensis. However, it is difficult to differentiate the species of Vicia unijuga, Vicia unijuga var. kaussanensis, Vicia linearifolia, Vicia unijuga f. angustifolia, Vicia nipponica, Vicia amoena, Vicia venosa var. cuspidata, Vicia pseudo-orobus, and Vicia japonica with the tested barcode regions. These species come under sect. Vicilla and are found to be closely related or species that have recently undergone speciation; thus, it has limitation to distinguish with recommended barcodes. Hence, to differentiate the unclassified species, 39 morphological characteristics were investigated, in which 16 useful characteristics were selected for efficient classification. Finally, the 16 selected morphological useful traits efficiently differentiated all the Vicia species. In conclusion, a combination of barcoding loci together with morphological characteristics of this study efficiently discriminated all the Korean Vicia species.

Nutrients Supplementation through Organic Manures Influence the Growth of Weeds and Maize Productivity.

Declining rate of productivity and environmental sustainability is forcing growers to use organic manures as a source of nutrient supplement in maize farming. However, weed is a major constraint to maize production. A field study was carried out over two seasons to evaluate various integrated nutrient and weed management practices in hybrid maize. The treatment combinations comprised of supplementation of inorganic fertilizer (25% nitrogen) through bulky (Farmyard manure and vermicompost) and concentrated (Brassicaceous seed meal (BSM) and neem cake (NC)) organic manures and different mode of weed management practices like chemical (atrazine 1000 g ha−1) and integrated approach (atrazine 1000 g ha−1 followed by mechanical weeding). Repeated supplementation of nitrogen through concentrated organic manures reduced the density and biomass accumulation of most dominant weed species, Anagalis arvensis by releasing allelochemicals into the soil. But organic manures had no significant impact on restricting the growth of bold seeded weeds like Vicia hirsuta and weed propagated through tubers i.e., Cyperus rotundus in maize. By restricting the weed growth and nutrient removal by most dominating weeds, application of BSM enhanced the growth and yield of maize crop. Repeated addition of organic manures (BSM) enhanced the maize grain yield by 19% over sole chemical fertilizer in the second year of study. Application of atrazine as pre-emergence (PRE) herbicide significantly reduced the density of A. arvensis, whereas integration of mechanical weeding following herbicide controlled those weeds which were not usually controlled with the application of atrazine. As a result, atrazine at PRE followed by mechanical weeding produced the highest maize grain yield 6.81 and 7.10 t/ha in the first year and second year of study, respectively.

If phenolic compounds in the soil with buckwheat residues affect the emergence and growth of weed seedlings?

This study was conducted to determine if common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) residues affect a phenolics composition in soil, and are effective for limiting emergence, growth and metabolic changes in barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv.), wild oat (Avena fatua L.), yellow foxtail (Setaria pumila Schult.), silky windgrass (Apera spica-venti L.), catchweed bedstraw (Galium aparine L.), scentless mayweed (Matricaria inodora L.), and tiny vetch (Vicia hirsuta L.). In the study, the residues of 14-day-old buckwheat plants were used (cv. Hruszowska). After removal of the above-ground parts, the buckwheat root residues (BRR) remained in the soil for an additional 7 days before the weeds were sown. For comparison, under the same cultivation conditions, the effect of entire buckwheat plant residues (BPR) in soil was assessed. BPR and BRR in the soil caused a decrease in the emergence of all weed species except the tiny vetch. The growth of barnyard grass, wild oat, yellow foxtail, catchweed bedstraw, and scentless mayweed was inhibited by BRR, but not BPR. BRR had a particularly strong inhibitory effect on the growth of scentless mayweed (SM) and catchweed bedstraw (CB). Thirty-day-old SM and CB control plants were about 4 and 3.5 times higher, respectively, than plants growing in the presence of BRR. Furthermore, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in the barnyard grass and catchweed bedstraw were more prominently reduced by BRR than BPR. Stressful conditions caused by buckwheat residues in the soil increased the level of phenolic compounds in the tissues of weeds examined. Soil with buckwheat residues contained a low level of phenolic compounds, which may indicate their slow release from the residue or rapid utilisation by microorganisms. These phenolic compounds probably cannot be directly responsible for allelopathic inhibition of weed emergence and growth.

Effect of integrated weed management on growth parameters and yield attributes of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

A field experiment was conducted with ten treatments pendimethalin (PE) @1.0kg ha-1, isoproturon (POE) @1.20kg ha-1, pendimethalin (PE) @1.0kg ha-1 +hand weeding at 45 DAS, isoproturon (POE) @1.20kg ha-1 +hand weeding at 45 DAS, pendimethalin (PE) @1.0kg ha-1 +straw mulch @5t ha-1, isoproturon (POE) @1.20kg ha-1 +straw mulch @5tha-1, straw mulch @10tha-1 (3 DAS), two hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS, glyphosate @0.5 ml litre-1 of water at 20 and 40 DAS and weedy check respectively at Agronomy Research Farm, Narendra Deva University of Agriculture & Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya (U. P.), India, during rabi season of the year 2016-17. The crop was infested with the divergent type of weed flora e.g. Phalaris minor and Cynodon dactylon of grassy, Chenopodium album, Anagallis arvensis, Melilotus alba, Vicia hirsuta, Lathyrus aphaca and Rumex sp. of broad-leaved and Cyperus rotundus of sedges group. Weed density of the different weed species and total weeds affected significantly due to different weed management practices, two hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS fb pendimethalin (PE) @1.0kg ha-1 +straw mulch @5tha-1, and straw mulch @10 tha-1 (3 DAS), were found more effective in reducing the nutrient uptake by weeds and maximizing crop growth parameters resulted in higher yield attributes (siliquae plant-1, length of silique and seeds siliqua-1) and seed yield of mustard as compared to rest of the treatments.

Allelopathic effect of buckwheat extract for seedlings of selected weed species

The influence of 1% aqueous extract obtained from a 14-day plants of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) on weed species was evaluated. Seedling roots of wild oat (Avena fatua L.), yellow foxtail (Setaria glauca L.), barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus galli (L.) P. Beauv.), common windgrass (Apera spica-venti (L.) P. Beauv.), catchweed bedstraw (Galium aparine L.), scentless mayweed (Matricaria inodora L), gallant soldier (Galinsoga parviflora Cav.) and tiny vetch (Vicia hirsuta L.) were exposed to buckwheat extract and compared with control plants grown in water. The obtained results show that the buckwheat extract had lower influence on the growth of shoot than on roots of the evaluated weed species. The use of buckwheat extract in the medium caused the inhibition of root growth in all species except from tiny vetch. In the case of shoot of weeds, inhibition of growth by buckwheat extract occurred only in wild oat. Whereas in yellow foxtail, scentless mayweed and tiny vetch, the stimulation of shoot growth was demonstrated. These results may indicate that the buckwheat extracts act on directly exposed tissues. A different metabolic reaction of wild oat to buckwheat extract after 5 days of exposure than after 2 days may indicate a quick adaptation of wild oat seedlings to stressful conditions.

Числа хромосом инвазивных и потенциально инвазивных видов во флоре Республики Алтай: сообщение 3

Chromosome numbers (2n) in 10 invasive plant species from the families Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Poaceae and Urticaceae are reported on the samples collected in the Republic of Altai. Among them, chromosome complements were first examined in Asian part of Russia for Lapsana communis (2n = 14). Saponaria officinalis (2n = 28) and Lotus corniculatus (2n = 24) were studied first from Siberia. Six species: Conium maculatum (2n = 22), Bunias orientalis (2n = 14), Vicia hirsuta (2n = 14), Leonurus quinquelobatus (2n = 18), Digitaria ischaemum (2n = 36) and Setaria pumila (2n = 36), were studied first from the Republic of Altai. The most studied species are diploids. General distribution and the history of floristic findings of these species in the Republic of Altai are given. Previously published data on chromosome numbers based on the material from Russia are cited.

Флористические находки на юге Средней Сибири: Красноярский край, Республики Хакасия, Тыва

As a result of the field work, analysis of earlier published works and viewing herbarium material in Institute of Botany, RAS (LE), Central Siberian Botanical Garden, SB RAS (NS, NSK), Altai State University (ALTB), Tomsk State University (TK), Krasnoyarsk State Pedagogical University (KRAS), State Natural Biosphere Nature Reserve “Sayano-Shushensky” (SSHZ), and State Nature Reserve “Azas”, a data on rare native and adventive plant species in southern Central Siberiawere have been clarified. For the first time 2 species: Amblynotus rupestris, Ranunculus chinensis were discovered in Krasnoyarsk Territory; 3 species: Galinsoga parviflora, Physocarpus opulifolius, Ranunculus chinensis in Khakasia and 3 species: Oxytropis suprajeniseensis, Polygonum borgoicum, Polygonum tenuissimum in Tyva. New locations were noted, and range borders were refined for 19 rare species: Actaea erythrocarpa, Amblynotus rupestris, Calla palustris, Cypripedium × ventricosum, Cystopteris sudetica, Dendranthema sinuatum, Draba cinerea, Eranthis sibirica, Eritrichium tuvinense and others. Four species: Amblynotus rupestris, Ranunculus chinensis, Sparganium gramineum, Vicia hirsuta – turned out to be new to the flora of “Sayano-Shushensky” Nature Reserve; Actaea erythrocarpa was for the first time found in the flora of “Azas” Nature Reserve. New localities of alien species: Chenopodium ficifoilum, Galinsoga parviflora, Vicia hirsuta –were revealed.

Allelopathic influence of common buckwheat root residues on selected weed species

This study was conducted to determine if common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) root residues (BRR) in soil are effective in limiting the growth and metabolic responses of barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv.), wind grass (Apera spica-venti L.), cleavers (Galium aparine L.), and tiny vetch (Vicia hirsuta L.). After removal of above ground parts, BRR of 14-day-old buckwheat plants remained in soil for an additional 7 days when the weeds were seeded. After 30 days of growth, biomass of above ground parts of the weeds as well as free and bound phenolic acids and flavonoids were determined. Antioxidant capacity and peroxidase activity were measured in barnyard grass and cleavers. The biomass of 30-day-old plants of barnyard grass and cleavers grown in bare soil was approximately 5- and 3.5-fold higher, respectively, than in plants grown in the presence of BRR. BRR did not affect the biomass of wind grass and tiny vetch plants, but activate the antioxidant response, increase in peroxidase activity, and the content of phenolic compounds in weed tissues, which indicates an adaptation to the stressful environmental conditions.

Reprint of “Fast and sensitive in vivo studies under controlled environmental conditions to substitute long-term field trials with genetically modified plants”

We introduce an easy, fast and effective method to analyze the influence of genetically modified (GM) plants on soil and model organisms in the laboratory to substitute laborious and time consuming field trials. For the studies described here we focused on two GM plants of the so-called 3rd generation: GM plants producing pharmaceuticals (PMP) and plant made industrials (PMI). Cyanophycin synthetase (cphA) was chosen as model for PMI and Choleratoxin B (CTB) as model for PMP. The model genes are expressed in transgenic roots of composite Vicia hirsuta plants grown in petri dishes for semi-sterile growth or small containers filled with non-sterile soil. No significant influence of the model gene expression on root induction, growth, biomass, interaction with symbionts such as rhizobia (number, size and functionality of nodules, selection of nodulating strains) or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi could be detected.In vitro, but not in situ under field conditions, structural diversity of the bulk soil microbial community between transgenic and non-transgenic cultivars was determined by PLFA pattern-derived ratios of bacteria: fungi and of gram+: gram− bacteria. Significant differences in PLFA ratios were associated with dissimilarities in the quantity and molecular composition of rhizodeposits as revealed by Py-FIMS analyses.Contrary to field trials, where small effects based on the transgene expression might be hidden by the immense influence of various environmental factors, our in vitro system can detect even minor effects and correlates them to transgene expression with less space, time and labour.

Manganese transport is essential for N2 -fixation by Rhizobium leguminosarum in bacteroids from galegoid but not phaseoloid nodules.

Summary Rhizobium leguminosarum has two high‐affinity Mn2+ transport systems encoded by sitABCD and mntH. In symbiosis, sitABCD and mntH were expressed throughout nodules and also strongly induced in Mn2+‐limited cultures of free‐living cells. Growth of a sitA mntH double mutant was severely reduced under Mn2+ limitation and sitA and mntH single mutants were more sensitive to oxidative stress. The double sitA mntH mutant of R. leguminosarum was unable to fix nitrogen (Fix‐) with legumes belonging to the galegoid clade (Pisum sativum, Vicia faba and Vicia hirsuta). The presence of infection thread‐like structures and sparsely‐packed plant cells in nodules suggest that bacteroid development was blocked, either at a late stage of infection thread progression or during bacteroid‐release. In contrast, a double sitA mntH mutant was Fix+ on common bean (Phaseoli vulgaris), a member of the phaseoloid clade of legumes, indicating a host‐specific symbiotic requirement for Mn2+ transport.

Bacterial Biosensors for in Vivo Spatiotemporal Mapping of Root Secretion.

Plants engineer the rhizosphere to their advantage by secreting various nutrients and secondary metabolites. Coupling transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of the pea (Pisum sativum) rhizosphere, a suite of bioreporters has been developed in Rhizobium leguminosarum bv viciae strain 3841, and these detect metabolites secreted by roots in space and time. Fourteen bacterial lux fusion bioreporters, specific for sugars, polyols, amino acids, organic acids, or flavonoids, have been validated in vitro and in vivo. Using different bacterial mutants (nodC and nifH), the process of colonization and symbiosis has been analyzed, revealing compounds important in the different steps of the rhizobium-legume association. Dicarboxylates and sucrose are the main carbon sources within the nodules; in ineffective (nifH) nodules, particularly low levels of sucrose were observed, suggesting that plant sanctions affect carbon supply to nodules. In contrast, high myo-inositol levels were observed prior to nodule formation and also in nifH senescent nodules. Amino acid biosensors showed different patterns: a γ-aminobutyrate biosensor was active only inside nodules, whereas the phenylalanine bioreporter showed a high signal also in the rhizosphere. The bioreporters were further validated in vetch (Vicia hirsuta), producing similar results. In addition, vetch exhibited a local increase of nod gene-inducing flavonoids at sites where nodules developed subsequently. These bioreporters will be particularly helpful in understanding the dynamics of root exudation and the role of different molecules secreted into the rhizosphere.

Wheat straw allelochemicals - implications for weed control

The present study was conducted to determine the potential of certain wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties (Job-668, KAUZ, K-9006, MACS, PBW-588, Raj-4014, Raj-4026, Raj-4077, UP-2526, UP-2382 and WH-1003) straw allelochemicals on seed germination, seedling growth (length and dry weight), total protein content, and protein profile in three different weed species viz. Lathyrus aphaca L., Phalaris minor Ritz., and Vicia hirsuta L. In general, the extracts of Job-668, Raj-4014, Raj-4026 and Raj4077 showed more number of phenolics i.e. cinnamic, gallic, p-hydroxybenzoic, salicyclic and vanillic and inhibited both seed germination and seedling growth (both length and dry weight) in all the test weed species compared to other extracts. The extracts of K-9006 and WH-1003 showed only one phenolic acid i.e., cinnamic acid and stimulated all the parameters in both L. aphaca and P. minor. The total protein content (mg/g fwb) in different weed species was maximum (5.4) with K-9006 in P. minor and minimum (2.2) with Raj-4014 in L. aphaca. Thus, the extracts of Job668, Raj-4014, Raj-4026 and Raj-4077 suppressed different weed species in the following order: L. aphaca > P. minor and > V. hirsuta.

Fast and sensitive in vivo studies under controlled environmental conditions to substitute long-term field trials with genetically modified plants

We introduce an easy, fast and effective method to analyze the influence of genetically modified (GM) plants on soil and model organisms in the laboratory to substitute laborious and time consuming field trials. For the studies described here we focused on two GM plants of the so-called 3rd generation: GM plants producing pharmaceuticals (PMP) and plant made industrials (PMI). Cyanophycin synthetase (cphA) was chosen as model for PMI and Choleratoxin B (CTB) as model for PMP. The model genes are expressed in transgenic roots of composite Vicia hirsuta plants grown in petri dishes for semi-sterile growth or small containers filled with non-sterile soil. No significant influence of the model gene expression on root induction, growth, biomass, interaction with symbionts such as rhizobia (number, size and functionality of nodules, selection of nodulating strains) or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi could be detected.In vitro, but not in situ under field conditions, structural diversity of the bulk soil microbial community between transgenic and non-transgenic cultivars was determined by PLFA pattern-derived ratios of bacteria: fungi and of gram+: gram− bacteria. Significant differences in PLFA ratios were associated with dissimilarities in the quantity and molecular composition of rhizodeposits as revealed by Py-FIMS analyses.Contrary to field trials, where small effects based on the transgene expression might be hidden by the immense influence of various environmental factors, our in vitro system can detect even minor effects and correlates them to transgene expression with less space, time and labour.

MgtE From Rhizobium leguminosarum Is a Mg²⁺ Channel Essential for Growth at Low pH and N2 Fixation on Specific Plants.

MgtE is predicted to be a Rhizobium leguminosarum channel and is essential for growth when both Mg²⁺ is limiting and the pH is low. N₂was only fixed at 8% of the rate of wild type when the crop legume Pisum sativum was inoculated with an mgtE mutant of R. leguminosarum and, although bacteroids were present, they were few in number and not fully developed. R. leguminosarum MgtE was also essential for N₂fixation on the native legume Vicia hirsuta but not when in symbiosis with Vicia faba. The importance of MgtE and the relevance of the contrasting phenotypes is discussed.

The acquisition of desiccation tolerance in developing Vicia hirsuta seeds coincides with an increase in galactinol synthase expression and soluble α-d-galactosides accumulation

Galactinol is the galactosyl donor for the biosynthesis of both the raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) and galactosyl cyclitols (Gal-C). Its synthesis by galactinol synthase (GolS, EC 2.4.1.123) is the first committed step of the soluble α-d-galactosides biosynthetic pathway in orthodox seeds. The deposition of galactosides in seeds is suggested to be associated with desiccation tolerance (DT). In this work, for the first time, we cloned and characterized two Vicia hirsuta (L.) S.F. Gray galactinol synthase genes (VhGolS1, VhGolS2), analyzed galactinol synthase activity and measured the accumulation of galactosides of both sucrose and d-pinitol in relation to the acquisition of DT in developing seeds of this wild species.A developmentally induced increase of VhGolS1 expression preceded the rise of GolS activity in crude protein extract from maturing seeds, while the expression of the VhGolS2 gene remained low. GolS activity peaked just after the beginning of the maturation drying phase. The increase of GolS activity was not followed by galactinol accumulation, instead the high enzyme activity was related to high levels of galactose bound in soluble galactosides of the RFO and galactosyl pinitol series. Acquisition of DT coincided with an increase of VhGolS1 expression, high galactinol synthase activity and the accumulation of oligogalactosides in seeds. DT was positively correlated with the high content of soluble α-d-galactosides of both the RFO and galactosyl pinitol series as well as with the amount of galactose bound in these galactosides.