Wild Sugarcane Research Articles

Identification of male sterility-related genes in Saccharum officinarum and Saccharum spontaneum.

Candidate male sterility genes were identified in sugarcane, which interacts with kinase-related proteins, transcription factors, and plant hormone signaling pathways to regulate stamen and anther development. Saccharum officinarum is a cultivated sugarcane species that its predominant feature is high sucrose content in stems. Flowering is necessary for breeding new cultivars but will terminate plant growth and reduce sugar yield. The wild sugarcane species Saccharum spontaneum has robust and viable pollen, whereas most S. officinarum accessions are male sterile, which isa desirable trait of a maternal parent in sugarcane breeding. To study male sterility and related regulatory pathways in sugarcane, we carried out RNAseq using flowers in different developmental stages between male-sterile S. officinarum accession 'LA Purple' and fertile S. spontaneum accession 'SES208'. Gene expression profiles were used to detect how genes are differentially expressed between male sterile and fertile flowers and to identify candidate genes for male sterility. Weighted gene correlation networks analysis (WGCNA) was conducted to investigate the regulatory networks. Transcriptomic analyses showed that 988 genes and 2888 alleles were differentially expressed in S. officinarum compared to S. spontaneum. Ten differentially expressed genes and thirty alleles were identified as candidate genes and alleles for male sterility in sugarcane. The gene Sspon.03G0007630 and two alleles of the gene Sspon.08G0002270, Sspon.08G0002270-2B and Sspon.08G0014700-1A, were involved in the early stamen or carpel development stages, while the remaining genes were classified into the post-meiosis stage. Gibberellin, auxin, and jasmonic acid signaling pathways are involved in the stamen development in sugarcane. The results expanded our knowledge of male sterility-related genes in sugarcane and generated genomic resources to facilitate the selection of ideal maternal parents to improve breeding efficiency.

Genome-wide identification of JAZ gene family in sugarcane and function analysis of ScJAZ1/2 in drought stress response and flowering regulation

The JASMONATE ZIM DOMAIN (JAZ) proteins are a key inhibitors of the jasmonic acid (JA) signaling pathway that play an important role in the regulation of plant growth and development and environmental stress responses. However, there is no systematic identification and functional analysis of JAZ gene family members in sugarcane. In this study, a total of 49 SsJAZ genes were identified from the wild sugarcane species Saccharum spontaneum genome that were unevenly distributed on 13 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all SsJAZ members can be divided into six groups, and most of the SsJAZ genes contained photoreactive and ABA-responsive elements. RNA-seq analysis revealed that SsJAZ1-1/2/3/4 and SsJAZ7-1 were significantly upregulated under drought stress. The transcript level of ScJAZ1 which is the homologous gene of SsJAZ1 in modern sugarcane cultivars was upregulated by JA, PEG, and abscisic acid (ABA). Moreover, ScJAZ1 can interact with three other JAZ proteins to form heterodimers. The spatial and temporal expression analysis showed that SsJAZ2-1/2/3/4 were highly expressed in different tissues and growth stages and during the day-night rhythm between 10:00 and 18:00. Overexpression of ScJAZ2 in Arabidopsis accelerated flowering through activating the expression of AtSOC1, AtFT, and AtLFY. Moreover, the transcription level of ScJAZ2 was about 30-fold in the early-flowering sugarcane variety than that of the non-flowering variety, indicating ScJAZ2 positively regulated flowering. This first systematic analysis of the JAZ gene family and function analysis of ScJAZ1/2 in sugarcane provide key candidate genes and lay the foundation for sugarcane breeding.

Leveraging the sugarcane CRISPR/Cas9 technique for genetic improvement of non-cultivated grasses.

Under changing climatic scenarios, grassland conservation and development have become imperative to impart functional sustainability to their ecosystem services. These goals could be effectively and efficiently achieved with targeted genetic improvement of native grass species. To the best of our literature search, very scant research findings are available pertaining to gene editing of non-cultivated grass species (switch grass, wild sugarcane, Prairie cordgrass, Bermuda grass, Chinese silver grass, etc.) prevalent in natural and semi-natural grasslands. Thus, to explore this novel research aspect, this study purposes that gene editing techniques employed for improvement of cultivated grasses especially sugarcane might be used for non-cultivated grasses as well. Our hypothesis behind suggesting sugarcane as a model crop for genetic improvement of non-cultivated grasses is the intricacy of gene editing owing to polyploidy and aneuploidy compared to other cultivated grasses (rice, wheat, barley, maize, etc.). Another reason is that genome editing protocols in sugarcane (x = 10-13) have been developed and optimized, taking into consideration the high level of genetic redundancy. Thus, as per our knowledge, this review is the first study that objectively evaluates the concept and functioning of the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas9 technique in sugarcane regarding high versatility, target specificity, efficiency, design simplicity, and multiplexing capacity in order to explore novel research perspectives for gene editing of non-cultivated grasses against biotic and abiotic stresses. Additionally, pronounced challenges confronting sugarcane gene editing have resulted in the development of different variants (Cas9, Cas12a, Cas12b, and SpRY) of the CRISPR tool, whose technicalities have also been critically assessed. Moreover, different limitations of this technique that could emerge during gene editing of non-cultivated grass species have also been highlighted.

Deciphering biomass contributing traits of interspecific and intergeneric hybrids derived from early generations hybrids of Saccharum and Erianthus Spp. as potential sources of biomass and bioenergy

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp., hybrids (2 n=100–130)) is one of the industrial crops cultivated mainly for sugar in the tropical and subtropical regions. It has earned the attention of many countries as a prominent energy crop owing to its exceptional biomass production potential. Energy cane is a hybrid of commercial and wild sugarcane, which was bred for high fiber content and low sucrose. Average energy cane biomass production potential is much higher, and brix levels are lower, compared with commercial sugarcane. A total of 138 Saccharum spp. hybrids representing 99 interspecific hybrids (ISH) and 39 intergeneric hybrids (IGH) derived from intercrossing of species clones of S. spontaneum, S. robustum and wild genus, Erianthus arundinaceus were evaluated along with the commercial hybrids for their cane growth and quality parameters, fibre and biomass traits. In general, the ISH and IGH clones recorded higher fibre per cent with maximum of 32% (ISH-562) and maximum biomass yield of 396.16 t/ha (ISH-571), lower values for quality characters such as juice brix 10.68% (ISH-571), sucrose 6.65% (ISH-579) and commercial cane sugar (CCS) 3.66% (ISH-579). Total biomass showed a significant positive correlation with the number of tillers (‘000/ha) at 120 days (r =0.176), number of shoots (‘000/ha) at 240 days (r = 0.129), number of stalks (‘000/ha) at 360 days (r = 0.249), cane height (r = 0.163) and single cane weight (SCW) (r = 0.508) and positive correlation with quality traits indicates the possibility of simultaneous improvement for biomass and quality traits. However, the fibre per cent has showed a significant negative correlation with quality traits viz., extraction % (r = −0.616), juice brix % (r = −0.419), sucrose % (r = −0.422), CCS % (r = −0.409), cane diameter (r = −0.600) and SCW (r = −0.475) suggests difficulty in combining both the traits. In the cluster analysis, the cluster III with 12 clones is more similar to commercial cultivars for juice quality (20.16% juice brix and 18.08% of sucrose) and cane traits, however the cluster V consist of 4 clones (ISH-557, ISH-563, ISH-571 and ISH-572) recorded highest total biomass yield of 368.72 t/ha and a mean fibre of 19.50% could be exploited for green energy purposeor as parental stocks in breeding programme.

Exploring rhizobacteria of wild sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum L.) and their plant growth promoting potential

In this study, the rhizospheric soil of wild sugarcane from three different salt-affected soils of the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains was sampled. Rhizospheric bacteria from S. spontaneum were isolated and they were characterized for growth-promoting traits with molecular identification. A total of 49 isolates were isolated from three S. spontaneum rhizosphere soils from different places. These isolates were shown to have differential tolerance to NaCl concentrations up to 2000 mM. Owing to their host habitat and poor nutrient availability, these bacteria were found to have excellent tolerance to high NaCl concentrations along with having multiple plant growth traits. Apart from salt tolerance, these isolates were screened for EPS production, phosphate solubilization, zinc solubilization, siderophore production and ammonia production and based on multiple plant growth-promoting traits, twenty isolates were taken for molecular identification and further in vivo screening. These twenty S. spontaneum rhizospheric microbes belonged to the classes Gammaproteobacteria, Firmicutes (Bacilli) and Actinomycetia, representing six genera and 15 species. In vivo growth promotion studies indicated that some of these isolates could improve germination and growth in rice seedlings. The results of this study signify the possibility of utilizing wild crop microbiomes to nurture cultivated crops under adverse growing conditions.

Nanoarchitectonics of low process parameter synthesized porous carbon on enhanced performance with synergistic interaction of redox-active electrolyte for supercapacitor application

To develop materials of lower embodied energy and materials footprint for energy storage industry, the present work reports synthesis of porous carbon from a waste wetland weed (wild sugarcane) using low process parametric conditions (temperature and impregnation ratio) and their electrochemical capacitive (synonymously known as supercapacitors) charge storage performance in aqueous and redox active electrolytes. The phase, surface chemistry, physical surface, and morphology of the porous carbon thus developed are studied in detail using X-ray diffraction, gas adsorption measurements, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Porous carbon synthesized at 500 °C, with the activator ZnCl2, resulted in a combination of micro and meso pores and a specific surface area ∼1294 m2 g−1. The optimized electrodes show outstanding energy storage performance, viz. specific capacitance of ∼414 F g−1 (three-electrode system) and ∼197 F g−1 (two-electrode system) at 1 A g−1 current density in aqueous 1 M H2SO4 electrolyte. The porous activated carbon showed high performance in terms of electrochemical stability of 96 % in half cell configuration for 10,000 cycles, while the symmetric device showed 80 % cyclic stability for 5000 cycles in full cell configuration. Addition of redox active 0.01 M hydroquinone in the 1 M H2SO4 significantly improved the storage capacity to 540 C g−1 at current density of 3 A g−1 in two-electrode configuration and maintained 72 % of capacity for 5000 cycles. The redox-active symmetric supercapacitors show an energy density ∼26.9 W h kg−1 and power density ∼5527 W kg−1 and other related electrochemical properties.

Pristine wild sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum) as a biosorbent for removal of methylene blue from wastewater: isotherm, kinetics and regeneration studies

Saccharum spontaneum, popularly known as Kashful (KF) is a seasonal perennial grass with thin culms, mostly an abundantly growing shrub during the autumn season in southern Asia. It is used as no-cost scavenger to convincingly arrest methylene blue, a recalcitrant dye from colored effluent. FTIR, FESEM-EDX, and BET surface area characterize the material well whereas the surface activity was evaluated from zero-point charge (pHZPC = 6.720). FTIR highlights the presence of polyphenolic and carboxylate moieties. The surface texture is rod-like with intermittent non-homogeneous pores with occasional fractures. The equilibrium reaches within 60 min with the maximum adsorption capacity of 20.917 mg/g. The fibrous powder of kashful stalk (KFS) follows pseudo-second-order (R 2 = 0.999 for linear and R 2 = 0.985 for non-linear) kinetics and both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm model (for linear, Langmuir R2=0.995; for non-linear, R 2 = 0.994 for both Langmuir and Freundlich model). The uptake process was spontaneous (ΔG= −3.077 kJ/mol) and endothermic (ΔH = 17.815 kJ/mol). 1:1 methanol could regenerate the dye-loaded material in up to 55% and onward efficiency was conducive for three consecutive cycles. Industrial effluent analysis suggests a real-time removal of ∼55% in the first cycle. Saccharum spontaneum could be exercised to solve environmental problems related to colored water.

Genome-Wide Identification of the PP2C Gene Family and Analyses with Their Expression Profiling in Response to Cold Stress in Wild Sugarcane.

Type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2Cs) represent a major group of protein phosphatases in plants, some of which have already been confirmed to play important roles in diverse plant processes. In this study, analyses of the phylogenetics, gene structure, protein domain, chromosome localization, and collinearity, as well as an identification of the expression profile, protein-protein interaction, and subcellular location, were carried out on the PP2C family in wild sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum). The results showed that 145 PP2C proteins were classified into 13 clades. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that SsPP2Cs are evolutionarily closer to those of sorghum, and the number of SsPP2Cs is the highest. There were 124 pairs of SsPP2C genes expanding via segmental duplications. Half of the SsPP2C proteins were predicted to be localized in the chloroplast (73), with the next most common predicted localizations being in the cytoplasm (37) and nucleus (17). Analysis of the promoter revealed that SsPP2Cs might be photosensitive, responsive to abiotic stresses, and hormone-stimulated. A total of 27 SsPP2Cs showed cold-stress-induced expressions, and SsPP2C27 (Sspon.01G0007840-2D) and SsPP2C64 (Sspon.03G0002800-3D) were the potential hubs involved in ABA signal transduction. Our study presents a comprehensive analysis of the SsPP2C gene family, which can play a vital role in the further study of phosphatases in wild sugarcane. The results suggest that the PP2C family is evolutionarily conserved, and that it functions in various developmental processes in wild sugarcane.

Regioselective stilbene O-methylations in Saccharinae grasses

O-Methylated stilbenes are prominent nutraceuticals but rarely produced by crops. Here, the inherent ability of two Saccharinae grasses to produce regioselectively O-methylated stilbenes is reported. A stilbene O-methyltransferase, SbSOMT, is first shown to be indispensable for pathogen-inducible pterostilbene (3,5-bis-O-methylated) biosynthesis in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). Phylogenetic analysis indicates the recruitment of genus-specific SOMTs from canonical caffeic acid O-methyltransferases (COMTs) after the divergence of Sorghum spp. from Saccharum spp. In recombinant enzyme assays, SbSOMT and COMTs regioselectively catalyze O-methylation of stilbene A-ring and B-ring respectively. Subsequently, SOMT-stilbene crystal structures are presented. Whilst SbSOMT shows global structural resemblance to SbCOMT, molecular characterizations illustrate two hydrophobic residues (Ile144/Phe337) crucial for substrate binding orientation leading to 3,5-bis-O-methylations in the A-ring. In contrast, the equivalent residues (Asn128/Asn323) in SbCOMT facilitate an opposite orientation that favors 3ʹ-O-methylation in the B-ring. Consistently, a highly-conserved COMT is likely involved in isorhapontigenin (3ʹ-O-methylated) formation in wounded wild sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum). Altogether, our work reveals the potential of Saccharinae grasses as a source of O-methylated stilbenes, and rationalize the regioselectivity of SOMT activities for bioengineering of O-methylated stilbenes.

Sorption capacity of biochars obtained by gasification of rice husks and wild sugarcane: removal of malachite green and arsenic from water solutions

AbstractThe presence of contaminants in water has been of great concern worldwide, as it causes health risks to living organisms and general deterioration of the environment. Therefore, their elimination is essential. In the present study, rice husk (BRH) and wild sugarcane (BWS) biochars obtained by gasification were evaluated for their use as sorbents of malachite green dye (MG) and arsenite [As (III)] in aqueous solution. The chemical composition and physical structure of the two biochars were characterized by various techniques, including elemental analysis, N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, FTIR, and Z potential. In addition, the adsorbate removal rate was determined using the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models. Batch sorption studies were carried out to remove arsenite and MG from aqueous solutions, considering the operating parameters such as initial solution pH, temperature, contact time, concentration, and temperature. The results showed that 120 min contact time is enough to reach sorption equilibrium. The percent removal of BRH and BWS to MG was 61.99% and 97.46%, respectively, while for arsenite, it was 82.79% and 82.36%, respectively. The kinetic analysis concluded that the sorption process predominantly followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model for both case studies since the R2 value is approximately one. The sorption capacity calculated based on this model fitted better with the sorption capacity experimental. Finally, it was demonstrated that BRH and BWS biochars obtained as a by-product of rice husk and wild sugarcane gasification could be used as low-cost sorbent materials to remove MG dye and arsenite from an aqueous solution.

Comparative physiological and transcriptome analysis in cultivated and wild sugarcane species in response to hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress

BackgroundSugarcane is an important energy crop grown worldwide,supplementing various renewable energy sources. Cultivated and wild sugarcane species respond differently to biotic and abiotic stresses. Generally, wild species are tolerant to various abiotic stresses. In the present study, the physiological and molecular responses of cultivated and wild sugarcane species to oxidative stress at the transcriptional levels were compared. Transcriptional responses were determined using RNAseq. The representative RNA-seq transcript values were validated by reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and confirmed through physiological responses.ResultsOxidative stress causes leaf-rolling and -tip drying in cultivated sugarcane, but the wild species are tolerant. Higher chlorophyll fluorescence was observed in the wild species than that in the cultivated varieties under stress. Wild species can maintain a higher chlorophyll stability index than the cultivated species, which was confirmed by the lower transcripts of the chlorophyllase gene in the wild species than that in the cultivated variety. Transcription factor genes (NAC, MYB, and WRKY) were markedly expressed in response to oxidative stress, revealing their involvement in stress tolerance. The analysis revealed synchronized expression of acetyl-transferase, histone2A, cellulose synthase, and secondary cell wall biosynthetic genes in the wild species. The validation of selected genes and 15 NAC transcription factors using RT-qPCR revealed that their expression profiles were strongly correlated with RNA-seq. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the oxidative stress response in cultivated and wild sugarcane species.ConclusionPhysiological and biochemical changes in response to oxidative stress markedly differ between cultivated and wild sugarcane species. The differentially expressed stress-responsive genes are grouped intothe response to oxidative stress, heme-binding, peroxidase activity, and metal ion binding categories. Chlorophyll maintenance is a stress tolerance response enhanced by the differential regulation of the chlorophyllase gene.There is a considerable difference in the chlorophyll stability index between wild and cultivated varieties. We observed a substantial regulation of secondary wall biosynthesis genes in the wild species compared with that in the cultivated variety, suggesting differences in stress tolerance mechanisms.

Production and Characterization of Wild Sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum L.) Biochar for Atrazine Adsorption in Aqueous Media

Wild sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum L.) is an invasive plant species in the Central American region. Due to its low nutrient and water requirements, it can grow fast and displace native species. Therefore, its biomass is considered a waste to prevent the further distribution of the specie. This study investigates the production and characterization of wild sugarcane biochar to provide a use for its waste. The produced biochar was used for atrazine adsorption in aqueous solutions to provide a possible application of this biochar near the water bodies that were often detected to be contaminated with atrazine. The biochar was produced via top-lit updraft gasification with airflow rates between 8 to 20 L/min, achieving yields ranging from 22.9 to 27.5%. Batch experiments revealed that biochar made at 12 L/min presented the best removal efficiency (37.71–100%) and the maximum adsorption capacity (qm = 0.42 mg/g). Langmuir (R2 = 0.94–0.96) and Freundlich (R2 = 0.89–0.97) described the experimental data appropriately. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggested that atrazine removal in wild sugarcane biochar could be mainly due to carboxylic functional groups. In addition, the biochar organic carbon composition contributed to a higher removal capacity in biochar produced at different airflow rates.

Genome-wide characterization and expression analysis of the growth-regulating factor family in Saccharum

BackgroundGrowth regulating factors (GRFs) are transcription factors that regulate diverse biological and physiological processes in plants, including growth, development, and abiotic stress. Although GRF family genes have been studied in a variety of plant species, knowledge about the identification and expression patterns of GRFs in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is still lacking.ResultsIn the present study, a comprehensive analysis was conducted in the genome of wild sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum) and 10 SsGRF genes were identified and characterized. The phylogenetic relationship, gene structure, and expression profiling of these genes were analyzed entirely under both regular growth and low-nitrogen stress conditions. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the 10 SsGRF members were categorized into six clusters. Gene structure analysis indicated that the SsGRF members in the same group were greatly conserved. Expression profiling demonstrated that most SsGRF genes were extremely expressed in immature tissues, implying their critical roles in sugarcane growth and development. Expression analysis based on transcriptome data and real-time quantitative PCR verification revealed that GRF1 and GRF3 were distinctly differentially expressed in response to low-nitrogen stress, which meant that they were additional participated in sugarcane stress tolerance.ConclusionOur study provides a scientific basis for the potential functional prediction of SsGRF and will be further scrutinized by examining their regulatory network in sugarcane development and abiotic stress response, and ultimately facilitating their application in cultivated sugarcane breeding.

Genome-Wide Identification of Auxin-Responsive GH3 Gene Family in Saccharum and the Expression of ScGH3-1 in Stress Response.

Gretchen Hagen3 (GH3), one of the three major auxin-responsive gene families, is involved in hormone homeostasis in vivo by amino acid splicing with the free forms of salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA) or indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Until now, the functions of sugarcane GH3 (SsGH3) family genes in response to biotic stresses have been largely unknown. In this study, we performed a systematic identification of the SsGH3 gene family at the genome level and identified 41 members on 19 chromosomes in the wild sugarcane species, Saccharum spontaneum. Many of these genes were segmentally duplicated and polyploidization was the main contributor to the increased number of SsGH3 members. SsGH3 proteins can be divided into three major categories (SsGH3-I, SsGH3-II, and SsGH3-III) and most SsGH3 genes have relatively conserved exon-intron arrangements and motif compositions. Diverse cis-elements in the promoters of SsGH3 genes were predicted to be essential players in regulating SsGH3 expression patterns. Multiple transcriptome datasets demonstrated that many SsGH3 genes were responsive to biotic and abiotic stresses and possibly had important functions in the stress response. RNA sequencing and RT-qPCR analysis revealed that SsGH3 genes were differentially expressed in sugarcane tissues and under Sporisorium scitamineum stress. In addition, the SsGH3 homolog ScGH3-1 gene (GenBank accession number: OP429459) was cloned from the sugarcane cultivar (Saccharum hybrid) ROC22 and verified to encode a nuclear- and membrane-localization protein. ScGH3-1 was constitutively expressed in all tissues of sugarcane and the highest amount was observed in the stem pith. Interestingly, it was down-regulated after smut pathogen infection but up-regulated after MeJA and SA treatments. Furthermore, transiently overexpressed Nicotiana benthamiana, transduced with the ScGH3-1 gene, showed negative regulation in response to the infection of Ralstonia solanacearum and Fusarium solani var. coeruleum. Finally, a potential model for ScGH3-1-mediated regulation of resistance to pathogen infection in transgenic N. benthamiana plants was proposed. This study lays the foundation for a comprehensive understanding of the sequence characteristics, structural properties, evolutionary relationships, and expression of the GH3 gene family and thus provides a potential genetic resource for sugarcane disease-resistance breeding.

A facile approach in activated carbon synthesis from wild sugarcane for carbon dioxide capture and recovery: isotherm and kinetic studies

A facile approach in activated carbon synthesis from wild sugarcane for carbon dioxide capture and recovery: isotherm and kinetic studies

Root Traits and Erosion Resistance of Three Endemic Grasses for Estuarine Sand Drift Control

In southern Taiwan, rivers sporadically cease to flow and dry up in winter. The exposed dry riverbeds are very vulnerable to wind erosion. The strong northeast monsoon often induces serious estuarine sand drift and fugitive dust, which cause damages to agricultural crops, human health and infrastructures. Giant reed (Arundo formosana), common reed (Phragmite australis) and the wild sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum) are pioneer grass species in estuary areas. They have great potential to reduce wind erosion and control windblown dust on agricultural lands. Nevertheless, their root traits, biomechanical characteristics and wind erosion resistance have not been investigated. In this research, the root traits were investigated utilizing the hand digging technique and the WinRHIZOPro System. Root pullout resistance and root tensile strength were estimated using vertical pullout and root tensile tests. Wind tunnel tests were executed to evaluate the wind erosion resistance using six-month-old plants. The results demonstrated that the growth performance and root functional traits of S. spontaneum are superior to those of A. formosana and P. australis. Additionally, the root anchorage ability and root tensile strength of S. spontaneum plants are notably greater than those of A. formosana and P. australis plants. Furthermore, the results of the wind tunnel tests showed that the wind erosion resistance of A. formosana is remarkably higher than those of S. spontaneum and P. australis. This study demonstrates that A. formosana and S. spontaneum are superior to P. australis, considering root traits, root anchorage ability, root tensile strength and wind erosion resistance. Taken together, our results suggest that S. spontaneum and P. australis are favorable for riverbed planting, while A.formosana is applicable for riverbank planting in estuary areas. These results, together with data on the acclimation of estuarine grasses in waterlogged soils and brackish waters, provide vital information for designing planting strategies of estuary grasses for the ecological engineering of estuarine sand drift control.

Expedition Collection, Characterization and Diversity Analysis of the New Wild Sugarcane Germplasm from Manipur

Saccharum spontaneum, a wild relative of sugarcane had contributed significantly for introgressing wider adaptability, high tillering, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses in the commercial sugarcane varieties. Manipur state representing tropical to sub-alpine climatic condition was explored and 61 S. spontaneum, 4 S. officinarum, 1 Erianthus fulvus and 1 Narenga fallax accessions were collected. S. spontaneum had wider distribution and were found in river bank to filed bunds, isolated clumps to large population. High variability was observed for many quantitative characters including plant height, tillering, stalk diameter and internode length. Clustering analysis separated the collection into 6 major clusters. While Erianthus fulvus and S. officinarum formed individual clusters, the S. spontaneum accessions were separated into 4 clusters mostly based on biomass potential, plant height and morphotypes. Genetic diversity and utilization of these clones in improving low temperature tolerance, biomass improvement and widening genetic base of sugarcane varieties are discussed.

The Wild Sugarcane and Sorghum Kinomes: Insights Into Expansion, Diversification, and Expression Patterns

The protein kinase (PK) superfamily is one of the largest superfamilies in plants and the core regulator of cellular signaling. Despite this substantial importance, the kinomes of sugarcane and sorghum have not been profiled. Here, we identified and profiled the complete kinomes of the polyploid Saccharum spontaneum (Ssp) and Sorghum bicolor (Sbi), a close diploid relative. The Sbi kinome was composed of 1,210 PKs; for Ssp, we identified 2,919 PKs when disregarding duplications and allelic copies, and these were related to 1,345 representative gene models. The Ssp and Sbi PKs were grouped into 20 groups and 120 subfamilies and exhibited high compositional similarities and evolutionary divergences. By utilizing the collinearity between the species, this study offers insights into Sbi and Ssp speciation, PK differentiation and selection. We assessed the PK subfamily expression profiles via RNA-Seq and identified significant similarities between Sbi and Ssp. Moreover, coexpression networks allowed inference of a core structure of kinase interactions with specific key elements. This study provides the first categorization of the allelic specificity of a kinome and offers a wide reservoir of molecular and genetic information, thereby enhancing the understanding of Sbi and Ssp PK evolutionary history.

Facile synthesis and characterization of microporous structured activated carbon from agro waste materials and its application for CO2 capture

Biomass-derived activated carbon was prepared from the agro waste materials, (wild sugarcane (WS) and saw dust (SD)) by chemical activation using phosphoric acid. The crystallinity, morphology, functional groups of the synthesized activated carbon were investigated. The effect of contact time (10-60 min), mass of adsorbent (0.05 to 0.2 g) and concentrations of CO2 (1 × 10-−4 M to 10 × 10-−4 M) were analyzed and the optimum adsorption conditions were found. Freundlich, Langmuir, Temkin, Dubinin-Radushkevich and Sips isothermwere used to analyze the adsorptiondata. The adsorption processwas found to be fitted with Freundlich model. Adsorption capacity of agro waste based sorbent was found to be 5.225 × 10-−3mol/g. Thermodynamic parameters such as ΔHo, ΔGo, ΔSowere calculated and found that the present system was a spontaneous process.From the kinetic studies, it was inferred that the Pseudo second order kinetics describes the kinetics of CO2 on AC-WSSD with an equilibrium point attained at 50 minuteswith a high R2 value of 0.9602. The Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) surface area of 1220 m2/g and an iodine value of 1360 m2/g were better indications for adsorption process. The interaction between CO2 and functional groups on the surface of the activated carbon was confirmed by FTIR. Desorption studies were carried out for three cycles with an efficiency of 93.2%.

Organosolvent Extraction Coupled with Steam Explosion Pretreatment of Wild Sugarcane and Optimization of Cellulase Activity using Response Surface Methodology

The present study focuses on the effect of the organosolvent extraction with steam explosion pretreatment and optimization of cellulase activity using the response surface methodology for the production of bioethanol. The commercial cellulase enzyme was characterized for its optimal pH, temperature, and also studied for the enzyme activity. The effect of organosolvent pretreatment was identified in both native and pretreated wild sugarcane by SEM, XRD, and FTIR. The cellulase enzyme was found to be tolerant with an optimal pH of 5.0 with cellulase activity of pretreated wild sugarcane is found to be 25.36 IU/ml. Organosolvent extraction of wild sugarcane was carried out using water and ethanol as solvent. The composition of lignin, hemicelluloses, and cellulose was also determined in both pretreated and native biomass. The activity of the enzyme was observed over the effect of enzyme loading, substrate loading, temperature, and pH using a Box-Behnken design.