ORCID Profile
0000-0002-7531-320X
Current Organisations
Western Sydney University
,
Australian Research Council
Does something not look right? The information on this page has been harvested from data sources that may not be up to date. We continue to work with information providers to improve coverage and quality. To report an issue, use the Feedback Form.
Research Topics
In Research Link Australia (RLA), "Research Topics" refer to ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes. These topics are either sourced from ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes listed in researchers' related grants or generated by a large language model (LLM) based on their publications.
Top 5 Research Topics
ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)
Plant Physiology | Plant Biology | Plant Cell and Molecular Biology | Ecology | Molecular Evolution | Crop and Pasture Improvement (Selection and Breeding) | Crop and Pasture Biochemistry and Physiology | Invertebrate biology | Ecological impacts of climate change and ecological adaptation | Ecological physiology |
ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)
Barley | Management of Water Consumption by Plant Production | Natural Hazards in Farmland, Arable Cropland and Permanent Cropland Environments | Wheat | Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences |
Related Links
Publications
To exclude or to accumulate? Revealing the role of the sodium HKT1;5 transporter in plant adaptive responses to varying soil salinity
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2021
DOI: 10.1016/J.PLAPHY.2021.11.030
Abstract: Arid/semi-arid and coastal agricultural areas of the world are especially vulnerable to climate change-driven soil salinity. Salinity tolerance in plants is a complex trait, with salinity negatively affecting crop yield. Plants adopt a range of mechanisms to combat salinity, with many transporter genes being implicated in Na
Changes in Expression Level of OsHKT1;5 Alters Activity of Membrane Transporters Involved in K+ and Ca2+ Acquisition and Homeostasis in Salinized Rice Roots
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 10-07-2020
DOI: 10.3390/IJMS21144882
Abstract: In rice, the OsHKT1 gene has been reported to be a critical determinant of salt tolerance. This gene is harbored by the SKC1 locus, and its role was attributed to Na+ unloading from the xylem. No direct evidence, however, was provided in previous studies. Also, the reported function of SKC1 on the loading and delivery of K+ to the shoot remains to be explained. In this work, we used an electrophysiological approach to compare the kinetics of Na+ uptake by root xylem parenchyma cells using wild type (WT) and NIL(SKC1) plants. Our data showed that Na+ reabsorption was observed in WT, but not NIL(SKC1) plants, thus questioning the functional role of HKT1 as a transporter operating in the direct Na+ removal from the xylem. Instead, changes in the expression level of HKT1 altered the activity of membrane transporters involved in K+ and Ca2+ acquisition and homeostasis in the rice epidermis and stele, explaining the observed phenotype. We conclude that the role of HKT1 in plant salinity tolerance cannot be attributed to merely reducing Na+ concentration in the xylem sap but triggers a complex feedback regulation of activities of other transporters involved in the maintenance of plant ionic homeostasis and signaling under stress conditions.
Process Modelling for an Efficient and Dynamic Energy Consumption for Fresh Produce in Protected Cropping
Publisher: Springer Singapore
Date: 11-11-2021
Adopting Life Cycle Assessment for Various Greenhouse Typologies in Multiple Cropping Environment in Australia
Publisher: Springer Singapore
Date: 11-11-2021
Expressing Arabidopsis thaliana V-ATPase subunit C in barley (Hordeum vulgare) improves plant performance under saline condition by enabling better osmotic adjustment
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2017
DOI: 10.1071/FP17133
Abstract: Salinity is a global problem affecting agriculture that results in an estimated US$27 billion loss in revenue per year. Overexpression of vacuolar ATPase subunits has been shown to be beneficial in improving plant performance under saline conditions. Most studies, however, have not shown whether overexpression of genes encoding ATPase subunits results in improvements in grain yield, and have not investigated the physiological mechanisms behind the improvement in plant growth. In this study, we constitutively expressed Arabidopsis Vacuolar ATPase subunit C (AtVHA-C) in barley. Transgenic plants were assessed for agronomical and physiological characteristics, such as fresh and dry biomass, leaf pigment content, stomatal conductance, grain yield, and leaf Na+ and K+ concentration, when grown in either 0 or 300 mM NaCl. When compared with non-transformed barley, AtVHA-C expressing barley lines had a smaller reduction in both biomass and grain yield under salinity stress. The transgenic lines accumulated Na+ and K+ in leaves for osmotic adjustment. This in turn saves energy consumed in the synthesis of organic osmolytes that otherwise would be needed for osmotic adjustment.
Genotypic difference in the influence of aluminum and low pH on ion flux, rhizospheric pH and ATPase activity between Tibetan wild and cultivated barley
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2018
Roles of chloroplast retrograde signals and ion transport in plant drought tolerance
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 23-03-2018
DOI: 10.3390/IJMS19040963
Evolution of chloroplast retrograde signaling facilitates green plant adaptation to land
Publisher: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Date: 25-02-2019
Abstract: Chloroplast retrograde signaling networks are vital for chloroplast biogenesis, operation, and signaling, including excess light and drought stress signaling. To date, retrograde signaling has been considered in the context of land plant adaptation, but not regarding the origin and evolution of signaling cascades linking chloroplast function to stomatal regulation. We show that key elements of the chloroplast retrograde signaling process, the nucleotide phosphatase (SAL1) and 3′-phosphoadenosine-5′-phosphate (PAP) metabolism, evolved in streptophyte algae—the algal ancestors of land plants. We discover an early evolution of SAL1-PAP chloroplast retrograde signaling in stomatal regulation based on conserved gene and protein structure, function, and enzyme activity and transit peptides of SAL1s in species including flowering plants, the fern Ceratopteris richardii , and the moss Physcomitrella patens . Moreover, we demonstrate that PAP regulates stomatal closure via secondary messengers and ion transport in guard cells of these erse lineages. The origin of stomata facilitated gas exchange in the earliest land plants. Our findings suggest that the conquest of land by plants was enabled by rapid response to drought stress through the deployment of an ancestral SAL1-PAP signaling pathway, intersecting with the core abscisic acid signaling in stomatal guard cells.
Mechanical stress acclimation in plants: Linking hormones and somatic memory to thigmomorphogenesis
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 18-01-2022
DOI: 10.1111/PCE.14252
Abstract: A single event of mechanical stimulation is perceived by mechanoreceptors that transduce rapid transient signalling to regulate gene expression. Prolonged mechanical stress for days to weeks culminates in cellular changes that strengthen the plant architecture leading to thigmomorphogenesis. The convergence of multiple signalling pathways regulates mechanically induced tolerance to numerous biotic and abiotic stresses. Emerging evidence showed prolonged mechanical stimulation can modify the baseline level of gene expression in naive tissues, heighten gene expression, and prime disease resistance upon a subsequent pathogen encounter. The phenotypes of thigmomorphogenesis can persist throughout growth without continued stimulation, revealing somatic‐stress memory. Epigenetic processes regulate TOUCH gene expression and could program transcriptional memory in differentiating cells to program thigmomorphogenesis. We discuss the early perception, gene regulatory and phytohormone pathways that facilitate thigmomorphogenesis and mechanical stress acclimation in Arabidopsis and other plant species. We provide insights regarding: (1) the regulatory mechanisms induced by single or prolonged events of mechanical stress, (2) how mechanical stress confers transcriptional memory to induce cross‐acclimation to future stress, and (3) why thigmomorphogenesis might resemble an epigenetic phenomenon. Deeper knowledge of how prolonged mechanical stimulation programs somatic memory and primes defence acclimation could transform solutions to improve agricultural sustainability in stressful environments.
GOLDEN TANGERINE TOMATO ROOTS SHOW INCREASED ACCUMULATION OF ACYCLIC CAROTENOIDS, LESS ABSCISIC ACID, DROUGHT SENSITIVITY, AND IMPAIRED ENDOMYCORRHIZAL COLONIZATION
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 09-12-2021
DOI: 10.1101/2021.12.07.471680
Abstract: Heirloom golden tomato fruit varieties are highly nutritious as they accumulate tetra- cis -lycopene, which has a higher bioavailability and recognised health benefits in treating anti-inflammatory diseases compared to all- trans -lycopene isomers found in red tomatoes. We investigated if photoisomerization of tetra- cis -lycopene occurs in roots of the golden tangerine Micro-Tom variety ( tang mic ), and how this affects root to shoot biomass, mycorrhizal colonization, abscisic acid accumulation, and responses to drought. tang mic plants grown in soil under glasshouse conditions displayed a reduction in height, number of flowers, fruit yield, and root length compared to wild type (WT). Soil inoculation with Rhizophagus irregularis revealed fewer arbuscules and other fungal structures in the endodermal cells of roots in tang mic relative to WT. The roots of tang mic hyperaccumulated acyclic cis -carotenes, while only trace levels of xanthophylls and abscisic acid were detected. In response to a water deficit, leaves from the tang mic plants displayed a rapid decline in maximum quantum yield of photosystem II compared to WT, indicating a defective root to shoot signalling response to drought. The lack of xanthophylls biosynthesis in tang mic roots reduced abscisic acid levels, thereby likely impairing endomycorrhiza colonisation and drought-induced root to shoot signalling. Photoisomerization of prolycopene to lycopene is limited in root plastids. Roots of tangerine reveal an important tissue sink to store micronutrients such as prolycopene. Roots of tangerine lack ABA and show impaired mycorrhizal colonization. The tangerine plant is drought sensitive and has a smaller biomass as well as reduced yield.
Dynamic regulation of guard cell anion channels by cytosolic free Ca 2+ concentration and protein phosphorylation
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-2010
Molecular Evolution and Interaction of Membrane Transport and Photoreception in Plants
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 11-10-2019
Leaf mesophyll K+, H+ and Ca2+ fluxes are involved in drought-induced decrease in photosynthesis and stomatal closure in soybean
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2014
Systems Dynamic Modeling of the Stomatal Guard Cell Predicts Emergent Behaviors in Transport, Signaling, and Volume Control
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 25-05-2012
Abstract: The dynamics of stomatal movements and their consequences for photosynthesis and transpirational water loss have long been incorporated into mathematical models, but none have been developed from the bottom up that are widely applicable in predicting stomatal behavior at a cellular level. We previously established a systems dynamic model incorporating explicitly the wealth of biophysical and kinetic knowledge available for guard cell transport, signaling, and homeostasis. Here we describe the behavior of the model in response to experimentally documented changes in primary pump activities and malate (Mal) synthesis imposed over a diurnal cycle. We show that the model successfully recapitulates the cyclic variations in H+, K+, Cl−, and Mal concentrations in the cytosol and vacuole known for guard cells. It also yields a number of unexpected and counterintuitive outputs. Among these, we report a diurnal elevation in cytosolic-free Ca2+ concentration and an exchange of vacuolar Cl− with Mal, both of which find substantiation in the literature but had previously been suggested to require additional and complex levels of regulation. These findings highlight the true predictive power of the OnGuard model in providing a framework for systems analysis of stomatal guard cells, and they demonstrate the utility of the OnGuard software and HoTSig library in exploring fundamental problems in cellular physiology and homeostasis.
Effects of light irradiance on stomatal regulation and growth of tomato
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2014
Evolutionary Conservation of ABA Signaling for Stomatal Closure
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 23-02-2017
DOI: 10.1104/PP.16.01848
Life cycle environmental impacts of cut flowers: A review
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2022
Genome-wide association study reveals a new QTL for salinity tolerance in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 28-06-2016
Molecular Evolution of Calcium Signaling and Transport in Plant Adaptation to Abiotic Stress
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 15-11-2021
Abstract: Adaptation to unfavorable abiotic stresses is one of the key processes in the evolution of plants. Calcium (Ca2+) signaling is characterized by the spatiotemporal pattern of Ca2+ distribution and the activities of multi-domain proteins in integrating environmental stimuli and cellular responses, which are crucial early events in abiotic stress responses in plants. However, a comprehensive summary and explanation for evolutionary and functional synergies in Ca2+ signaling remains elusive in green plants. We review mechanisms of Ca2+ membrane transporters and intracellular Ca2+ sensors with evolutionary imprinting and structural clues. These may provide molecular and bioinformatics insights for the functional analysis of some non-model species in the evolutionarily important green plant lineages. We summarize the chronological order, spatial location, and characteristics of Ca2+ functional proteins. Furthermore, we highlight the integral functions of calcium-signaling components in various nodes of the Ca2+ signaling pathway through conserved or variant evolutionary processes. These ultimately bridge the Ca2+ cascade reactions into regulatory networks, particularly in the hormonal signaling pathways. In summary, this review provides new perspectives towards a better understanding of the evolution, interaction and integration of Ca2+ signaling components in green plants, which is likely to benefit future research in agriculture, evolutionary biology, ecology and the environment.
Na+ extrusion from the cytosol and tissue-specific Na+ sequestration in roots confer differential salt stress tolerance between durum and bread wheat
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 11-06-2018
DOI: 10.1093/JXB/ERY194
Linking stomatal traits and expression of slow anion channel genes HvSLAH1 and HvSLAC1 with grain yield for increasing salinity tolerance in barley
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 25-11-2014
Zinc alleviates cadmium toxicity by modulating photosynthesis, ROS homeostasis, and cation flux kinetics in rice
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2020
Evolutionary Significance of NHX Family and NHX1 in Salinity Stress Adaptation in the Genus Oryza
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 14-02-2022
DOI: 10.3390/IJMS23042092
Abstract: Rice (Oryza sativa), a staple crop for a substantial part of the world’s population, is highly sensitive to soil salinity however, some wild Oryza relatives can survive in highly saline environments. Sodium/hydrogen antiporter (NHX) family members contribute to Na+ homeostasis in plants and play a major role in conferring salinity tolerance. In this study, we analyzed the evolution of NHX family members using phylogeny, conserved domains, tertiary structures, expression patterns, and physiology of cultivated and wild Oryza species to decipher the role of NHXs in salt tolerance in Oryza. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the NHX family can be classified into three subfamilies directly related to their subcellular localization: endomembrane, plasma membrane, and tonoplast (vacuolar subfamily, vNHX1). Phylogenetic and structural analysis showed that vNHX1s have evolved from streptophyte algae (e.g., Klebsormidium nitens) and are abundant and highly conserved in all major land plant lineages, including Oryza. Moreover, we showed that tissue tolerance is a crucial trait conferring tolerance to salinity in wild rice species. Higher Na+ accumulation and reduced Na+ effluxes in leaf mesophyll were observed in the salt-tolerant wild rice species O. alta, O. latifolia, and O. coarctata. Among the key genes affecting tissue tolerance, expression of NHX1 and SOS1/NHX7 exhibited significant correlation with salt tolerance among the rice species and cultivars. This study provides insights into the evolutionary origin of plant NHXs and their role in tissue tolerance of Oryza species and facilitates the inclusion of this trait during the development of salinity-tolerant rice cultivars.
A fast brassinolide-regulated response pathway in the plasma membrane of Arabidopsis thaliana
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-2011
Loss of nitrate reductases NIA1 and NIA2 impairs stomatal closure by altering genes of core ABA signaling components in Arabidopsis
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 12-05-2016
Compatible solute accumulation and stress-mitigating effects in barley genotypes contrasting in their salt tolerance
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 26-11-2007
DOI: 10.1093/JXB/ERM284
Abstract: The accumulation of compatible solutes is often regarded as a basic strategy for the protection and survival of plants under abiotic stress conditions, including both salinity and oxidative stress. In this work, a possible causal link between the ability of contrasting barley genotypes to accumulate/synthesize compatible solutes and their salinity stress tolerance was investigated. The impact of H(2)O(2) (one of the components of salt stress) on K(+) flux (a measure of stress 'severity') and the mitigating effects of glycine betaine and proline on NaCl-induced K(+) efflux were found to be significantly higher in salt-sensitive barley genotypes. At the same time, a 2-fold higher accumulation of leaf and root proline and leaf glycine betaine was found in salt-sensitive cultivars. The total amino acid content was also less affected by salinity in salt-tolerant cultivars. In these, potassium was found to be the main contributor to cytoplasmic osmolality, while in salt-sensitive genotypes, glycine betaine and proline contributed substantially to cell osmolality, compensating for reduced cytosolic K(+). Significant negative correlations (r= -0.89 and -0.94) were observed between Na(+)-induced K(+) efflux (an indicator of salt tolerance) and leaf glycine betaine and proline. These results indicate that hyperaccumulation of known major compatible solutes in barley does not appear to play a major role in salt-tolerance, but rather, may be a symptom of salt-susceptibility.
A β-ketoacyl carrier protein reductase confers heat tolerance via the regulation of fatty acid biosynthesis and stress signaling in rice
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 30-07-2021
DOI: 10.1111/NPH.17619
Abstract: Heat stress is a major environmental threat affecting crop growth and productivity. However, the molecular mechanisms associated with plant responses to heat stress are poorly understood. Here, we identified a heat stress‐sensitive mutant, hts1 , in rice. HTS1 encodes a thylakoid membrane‐localized β‐ketoacyl carrier protein reductase (KAR) involved in de novo fatty acid biosynthesis. Phylogenetic and bioinformatic analysis showed that HTS1 probably originated from streptophyte algae and is evolutionarily conserved in land plants. Thermostable HTS1 is predominantly expressed in green tissues and strongly induced by heat stress, but is less responsive to salinity, cold and drought treatments. An amino acid substitution at A254T in HTS1 causes a significant decrease in KAR enzymatic activity and, consequently, impairs fatty acid synthesis and lipid metabolism in the hts1 mutant, especially under heat stress. Compared to the wild‐type, the hts1 mutant exhibited heat‐induced higher H 2 O 2 accumulation, a larger Ca 2+ influx to mesophyll cells, and more damage to membranes and chloroplasts. Also, disrupted heat stress signaling in the hts1 mutant depresses the transcriptional activation of HsfA2s and the downstream target genes. We suggest that HTS1 is critical for underpinning membrane stability, chloroplast integrity and stress signaling for heat tolerance in rice.
Molecular Evolution of Plant 14-3-3 Proteins and Function of Hv14-3-3A in Stomatal Regulation and Drought Tolerance
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 22-03-2022
DOI: 10.1093/PCP/PCAC034
Abstract: Drought significantly affects stomatal regulation, leading to the reduced growth and productivity of plants. Plant 14-3-3 proteins were reported to participate in drought response by regulating the activities of a wide array of target proteins. However, the molecular evolution, expression pattern and physiological functions of 14-3-3s under drought stress remain unclear. In this study, a comparative genomic analysis and the tissue-specific expression of 14-3-3s revealed the highly conserved and early evolution of 14-3-3s in green plants and duplication and expansion of the 14-3-3s family members in angiosperms. Using barley (Hordeum vulgare) for the functional characterization of 14-3-3 proteins, the transcripts of five members out of six Hv14-3-3s were highly induced by drought in the drought-tolerant line, XZ141. Suppression of the expression of Hv14-3-3A through barley stripe mosaic virus-virus induced gene silencing resulted in significantly increased drought sensitivity and stomatal density as well as significantly reduced net CO2 assimilation (A) and stomatal conductance (gs) in barley. Moreover, we showed the functional interactions between Hv14-3-3s and key proteins in drought and stomatal responses in plants—such as Open Stomata 1 (HvOST1), Slow Anion Channel 1 (HvSLAC1), three Heat Shock Proteins (HvHSP90-1/2/5) and Dehydration-Responsive Element-Binding 3 (HvDREB3). Taken together, we propose that 14-3-3s are highly evolutionarily conserved proteins and that Hv14-3-3s represent a group of the core regulatory components for the rapid stomatal response to drought in barley. This study will provide important evolutionary and molecular evidence for future applications of 14-3-3 proteins in breeding drought-tolerant crops in a changing global climate.
Guard Cell Transcriptome Reveals Membrane Transport, Stomatal Development and Cell Wall Modifications as Key Traits Involved in Salinity Tolerance in HalophyticChenopodium quinoa
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 10-11-2022
DOI: 10.1093/PCP/PCAC158
Abstract: A comparative investigation was conducted to evaluate transcriptional changes in guard cells (GCs) of closely related halophytic (Chenopodium quinoa) and glycophytic (Spinacia oleracea) species. Plants were exposed to 3 weeks of 250 mM sodium chloride treatment, and GC-enriched epidermal fragments were mechanically prepared. In both species, salt-responsive genes were mainly related to categories of protein metabolism, secondary metabolites, signal transduction and transport systems. Genes related to abscisic acid (ABA) signaling and ABA biosynthesis were strongly induced in quinoa but not in spinach GCs. Also, expression of the genes encoding transporters of amino acids, proline, sugars, sucrose and potassium increased in quinoa GCs under salinity stress. Analysis of cell-wall-related genes suggests that genes involved in lignin synthesis (e.g. lignin biosynthesis LACCASE 4) were highly upregulated by salt in spinach GCs. In contrast, transcripts related to cell wall plasticity Pectin methylesterase3 (PME3) were highly induced in quinoa. Faster stomatal response to light and dark measured by observing kinetics of changes in stomatal conductance in quinoa might be associated with higher plasticity of the cell wall regulated by PME3 Furthermore, genes involved in the inhibition of stomatal development and differentiation were highly expressed by salt in quinoa, but not in spinach. These changes correlated with reduced stomatal density and index in quinoa, thus improving its water use efficiency. The fine modulation of transporters, cell wall modification and controlling stomatal development in GCs of quinoa may have resulted in high K+/Na+ ratio, lower stomatal conductance and higher stomatal speed for better adaptation to salinity stress in quinoa.
Salinity Effects on Guard Cell Proteome in Chenopodium quinoa
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 04-01-2021
DOI: 10.3390/IJMS22010428
Abstract: Epidermal fragments enriched in guard cells (GCs) were isolated from the halophyte quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Wild.) species, and the response at the proteome level was studied after salinity treatment of 300 mM NaCl for 3 weeks. In total, 2147 proteins were identified, of which 36% were differentially expressed in response to salinity stress in GCs. Up and downregulated proteins included signaling molecules, enzyme modulators, transcription factors and oxidoreductases. The most abundant proteins induced by salt treatment were desiccation-responsive protein 29B (50-fold), osmotin-like protein OSML13 (13-fold), polycystin-1, lipoxygenase, alpha-toxin, and triacylglycerol lipase (PLAT) domain-containing protein 3-like (eight-fold), and dehydrin early responsive to dehydration (ERD14) (eight-fold). Ten proteins related to the gene ontology term “response to ABA” were upregulated in quinoa GC this included aspartic protease, phospholipase D and plastid-lipid-associated protein. Additionally, seven proteins in the sucrose–starch pathway were upregulated in the GC in response to salinity stress, and accumulation of tryptophan synthase and L-methionine synthase (enzymes involved in the amino acid biosynthesis) was observed. Exogenous application of sucrose and tryptophan, L-methionine resulted in reduction in stomatal aperture and conductance, which could be advantageous for plants under salt stress. Eight aspartic proteinase proteins were highly upregulated in GCs of quinoa, and exogenous application of pepstatin A (an inhibitor of aspartic proteinase) was accompanied by higher oxidative stress and extremely low stomatal aperture and conductance, suggesting a possible role of aspartic proteinase in mitigating oxidative stress induced by saline conditions.
Na+-K+ transport in roots under salt stress
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 06-2008
DOI: 10.4161/PSB.3.6.5429
Intrinsic water use efficiency depends on stomatal aperture rather than stomatal density in C3 and C4 grasses grown at glacial CO2 and low light
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 25-07-2021
DOI: 10.1101/2021.07.22.453465
Abstract: We investigated how stomatal morphology and physiology control intrinsic leaf water use efficiency ( iWUE ) in grasses. Two C 3 and six C 4 grasses were grown at ambient (400 µl L -1 ) or glacial CO 2 (180 µl L -1 ) and high (1000 µmol m -2 s -1 ) or low light intensity (200 µmol m -2 s -1 ). C 4 grasses tended to have higher iWUE and CO 2 assimilation rates, and lower stomatal conductance (g s ), operational stomatal aperture ( a op ) and guard cell K + influx rate relative to C 3 grasses, while stomatal size (SS) and stomatal density (SD) did not vary according to the photosynthetic type. Overall, iWUE and g s depended most on a op and density of open stomata. In turn, a op correlated with K + influx, stomatal opening speed on transition to high light and SS. Species with higher SD had smaller and faster-opening stomata. Although C 4 grasses operated with lower g s and a op at ambient CO 2 , they showed a greater potential to open stomata relative to maximal stomatal conductance (g max ), indicating heightened stomatal sensitivity and control. We uncover novel links between a op , g s , iWUE and K + influx amongst grasses and differential K + influx responses of C 4 guard cells to low light, revealing molecular targets for breeding crops with high iWUE . Across C 3 and six C 4 grasses, intrinsic water use efficiency was strongly associated with stomatal conductance, operational stomatal aperture, guard cell K + influx and stomatal opening speed on transition to high light.
Assembly and analysis of a qingke reference genome demonstrate its close genetic relation to modern cultivated barley
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-10-2018
DOI: 10.1111/PBI.12826
Potassium and sodium relations in salinised barley tissues as a basis of differential salt tolerance
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2007
DOI: 10.1071/FP06237
Abstract: A large-scale glasshouse trial, including nearly 70 barley cultivars (5300 plants in total), was conducted over 2 consecutive years to investigate plant physiological responses to salinity. In a parallel set of experiments, plant salt tolerance was assessed by non-invasive microelectrode measurements of net K+ flux from roots of 3-day-old seedlings of each cultivar after 1 h treatment in 80 mm NaCl as described in our previous publication (Chen et al. 2005). K+ flux from the root in response to NaCl treatment was highly (P 0.001) inversely correlated with relative grain yield, shoot biomass, plant height, net CO2 assimilation, survival rate and thousand-seed weight measured in glasshouse experiments after 4–5 months of salinity treatment. No significant correlation with relative germination rate or tillering was found. In general, 62 out of 69 cultivars followed an inverse relationship between K+ efflux and salt tolerance. In a few cultivars, however, high salt tolerance (measured as grain yield at harvest) was observed for plants showing only modest ability to retain K+ in the root cells. Tissue elemental analysis showed that these plants had a much better ability to prevent Na+ accumulation in plant leaves and, thus, to maintain a higher K+/Na+ ratio. Taken together, our results show that a plant’s ability to maintain high K+/Na+ ratio (either retention of K+ or preventing Na+ from accumulating in leaves) is a key feature for salt tolerance in barley.
Editorial: Regulation and Manipulation of Nutrient-Controlling Genes in Crops
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 27-02-2020
PYR/PYL/RCAR Abscisic Acid Receptors Regulate K+ and Cl− Channels through Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Activation of Ca2+ Channels at the Plasma Membrane of Intact Arabidopsis Guard Cells
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 30-07-2013
Abstract: The discovery of the START family of abscisic acid (ABA) receptors places these proteins at the front of a protein kinase hosphatase signal cascade that promotes stomatal closure. The connection of these receptors to Ca2+ signals evoked by ABA has proven more difficult to resolve, although it has been implicated by studies of the pyrbactin-insensitive pyr1 yl1 yl2 yl4 quadruple mutant. One difficulty is that flux through plasma membrane Ca2+ channels and Ca2+ release from endomembrane stores coordinately elevate cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in guard cells, and both processes are facilitated by ABA. Here, we describe a method for recording Ca2+ channels at the plasma membrane of intact guard cells of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). We have used this method to resolve the loss of ABA-evoked Ca2+ channel activity at the plasma membrane in the pyr1 yl1 yl2 yl4 mutant and show the consequent suppression of [Ca2+]i increases in vivo. The basal activity of Ca2+ channels was not affected in the mutant raising the concentration of Ca2+ outside was sufficient to promote Ca2+ entry, to inactivate current carried by inward-rectifying K+ channels and to activate current carried by the anion channels, both of which are sensitive to [Ca2+]i elevations. However, the ABA-dependent increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) was impaired. Adding the ROS hydrogen peroxide was sufficient to activate the Ca2+ channels and trigger stomatal closure in the mutant. These results offer direct evidence of PYR/PYL/RCAR receptor coupling to the activation by ABA of plasma membrane Ca2+ channels through ROS, thus affecting [Ca2+]i and its regulation of stomatal closure.
Genotypic differences in cadmium transport in developing barley grains
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 14-01-2017
DOI: 10.1007/S11356-017-8399-5
Abstract: Genotypic differences in cadmium (Cd) transport in developing grains of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were investigated using detached ears cultured in a nutrient solution containing 0.5 and 5 μM Cd. Cd concentration in each part of the ear in W6nk2 (a low-grain-Cd-accumulation genotype) was much less than in Zhenong8 (a high accumulator) with 0.5 μM Cd treatment. However, Cd concentration in W6nk2 grains increased with an increase in external Cd level and was similar to Zhenong8 with 5 μM Cd treatment. Awn removal, a high relative humidity (RH, 90%) and addition of sucrose markedly decreased grain Cd concentration in Zhenong8 but less affected Cd transport to grain in W6nk2. Stem girdling reduced Cd transport to developing grains with 5 μM Cd treatment, especially for W6nk2, whereas no effect was found in either genotype with low Cd treatment. Our results suggested that higher grain Cd in Zhenong8 is closely related to a larger capacity for xylem transport and is connected with Cd translocation in xylem and phloem sap.
Linking salinity stress tolerance tissue-specific Na+ sequestration in wheat roots
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 20-02-2015
Response of Tibetan Wild Barley Genotypes to Drought Stress and Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci by Genome-Wide Association Analysis
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 12-02-2019
DOI: 10.3390/IJMS20030791
Abstract: Tibetan wild barley has been identified to show large genetic variation and stress tolerance. A genome-wide association (GWA) analysis was performed to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for drought tolerance using 777 Diversity Array Technology (DArT) markers and morphological and physiological traits of 166 Tibetan wild barley accessions in both hydroponic and pot experiments. Large genotypic variation for these traits was found and population structure and kinship analysis identified three subpopulations among these barley genotypes. The average LD (linkage disequilibrium) decay distance was 5.16 cM, with the minimum on 6H (0.03 cM) and the maximum on 4H (23.48 cM). A total of 91 DArT markers were identified to be associated with drought tolerance-related traits, with 33, 26, 16, 1, 3, and 12 associations for morphological traits, H+K+-ATPase activity, antioxidant enzyme activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, soluble protein content, and potassium concentration, respectively. Furthermore, 7 and 24 putative candidate genes were identified based on the reference Meta-QTL map and by searching the Barleymap. The present study implicated that Tibetan annual wild barley from Qinghai–Tibet Plateau is rich in genetic variation for drought stress. The QTLs detected by genome-wide association analysis could be used in marker-assisting breeding for drought-tolerant barley genotypes and provide useful information for discovery and functional analysis of key genes in the future.
Genetic Diversity of Individual Phenolic Acids in Barley and Their Correlation with Barley Malt Quality
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 03-08-2015
Abstract: Phenolic acids have been quite extensively studied in food science research because of their antioxidative effect. In this study, the genotypic difference and genetic control of phenolic acids, and their correlation with malt quality, were investigated in barley. Ferulic acid (FA) and p-coumaric acid (p-CA) were identified as two main phenolic acids, showing wide variations among 68 barley genotypes. The mean content of FA and p-CA were 2.15 μg g(-1) and 1.10 μg g(-1) in grains and 4.07 μg g(-1) and 1.44 μg g(-1) in malt, respectively. After malting, FA and p-CA were increased significantly in 55 and 37 genotypes and were reduced in 2 and 14 genotypes, respectively. Both malt FA and p-CA were positively correlated with soluble N content and Kolbach index and negatively correlated with malt extract and viscosity. The results indicated that the effect of malting on the change of an in idual phenolic acid is genotype independent. Association mapping identified that 8 markers on Chromosomes 1H, 2H, 4H, and 7H are associated with grain p-CA and 4 markers on Chromosomes 3H and 7H are linked with grain FA. However, only a single marker on Chromosome 3H was found to be associated with malt FA. Moreover, a lack of overlapping markers between grain and malt indicated the genetic ersity of phenolic acids in barley grain and malt. Our results strengthen the understanding of phenolic acids in barley and their responses to the malting process.
Physiological and Yield Performance Is Partially Linked to Water Use Efficiency of Eggplant Genotypes in a High-Tech Glasshouse
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 22-12-2022
DOI: 10.3390/HORTICULTURAE9010019
Abstract: Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) has become an increasingly common vegetable grown in glasshouses. This study emphasized on the physiological traits and productivity of three eggplant cultivars (Longa, Lydia, and Tracey) in a high-tech glasshouse to determine the genotypic differences of agronomical, morphological, and physiological responses. The physiological parameters as well as the productivity of these eggplant cultivars were evaluated. The results showed that Tracey had significantly higher leaf growth than Longa and Lydia. Longa exhibited significantly higher values of net CO2 assimilation (A), stomatal conductance (gs), and transpiration rate (Tr) than Tracey, whereas Tracey showed significantly larger gs, Tr, and intracellular CO2 concentration (Ci) than Lydia. Tracey showed a significantly higher number of flowers per node compared to the two other varieties, but the number of fruits did not statistically differ among cultivars. Tracy produced the highest yield (fruit weight and fruit yield per m2) due to the significantly higher leaf length and leaf expansion rate despite the lowest level of A among the three cultivars. Interestingly, the higher yield of Tracey translated into better water use efficiency (WUE) in the agronomic term, but its intrinsic WUE (A/gs) was the lowest among the three cultivars. However, significant correlations between photosynthetic parameters and WUE were only found in certain stages of eggplant growth. Therefore, further research work with an emphasis on the source and sink partitioning of a large number of eggplant genotypes is required to investigate the varietal performance of greenhouse eggplants. Then, the information can be translated into protected cropping to set up the growth benchmark for large-scale sustainable production of eggplants with better yield and less water consumption for the horticultural industry.
Triangulation of methods using insect cell lines to investigate insecticidal mode‐of‐action
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-09-2020
DOI: 10.1002/PS.6046
Leaf mesophyll K+ and Cl− fluxes and reactive oxygen species production predict rice salt tolerance at reproductive stage in greenhouse and field conditions
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 05-05-2020
Physiological and cytological response of salt-tolerant and non-tolerant barley to salinity during germination and early growth
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2006
DOI: 10.1071/EA05026
Abstract: Seven barley cultivars (Franklin, Gairdner, YU6472, Numar, CM72, ZND3 and YUQS) were evaluated for NaCl tolerance in relation to physiological and cytological responses during germination. Standard germination techniques were employed using blotting paper saturated with different NaCl solutions (0, –0.3, –0.6, –0.9, –1.2, –1.5 or –1.8 MPa) at 20°C. The results showed significant differences among varieties for germination percentage, frequency of abnormal seedlings, and Na+, K+ uptake. Of the 7 barley cultivars, CM72 was similar in salt tolerance to Numar, while YUQS and ZND3 were the most sensitive to high salinity. The tolerant cultivars showed much higher germination percentage under salinity stress than susceptible varieties. Both CM72 and Numar maintained more than 90% germination at –1.2 MPa osmotic potential while YUQS and ZND3 had only 57% germination at the same level of salinity. The tolerant varieties also showed shorter mean germination time at low osmotic potential. The start of the first mitosis was delayed, while both the frequencies of aberrant anaphases at the first cell isions, and the numbers of abnormal seedlings were increased in higher salt concentrations. During the seedling stage, tolerant varieties showed significantly higher K+ concentrations, lower Na+ concentrations, lower Na+/K+ ratio and higher photosynthetic rate than susceptible varieties under salinity stress. Screening of barley cultivars or breeding lines could be best achieved by a combination of germination testing and measurement of photosynthetic rate and/or Na/K balance in young seedlings.
The Barley S-Adenosylmethionine Synthetase 3 Gene HvSAMS3 Positively Regulates the Tolerance to Combined Drought and Salinity Stress in Tibetan Wild Barley
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 23-06-2020
DOI: 10.3390/CELLS9061530
Abstract: Drought and salinity are two of the most frequently co-occurring abiotic stresses. Despite recent advances in the elucidation of the effects of these stresses in idually during the vegetative stage of plants, significant gaps exist in our understanding of the combined effects of these two frequently co-occurring stresses. Here, Tibetan wild barley XZ5 (drought tolerant), XZ16 (salt tolerant), and cultivated barley cv. CM72 (salt tolerant) were subjected to drought (D), salinity (S), or a combination of both treatments (D+S). Protein synthesis is one of the primary activities of the green part of the plant. Therefore, leaf tissue is an important parameter to evaluate drought and salinity stress conditions. Sixty differentially expressed proteins were identified by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF) and classified into 9 biological processes based on Gene Ontology annotation. Among them, 21 proteins were found to be expressed under drought or salinity alone however, under D+S, 7 proteins, including S-adenosylmethionine synthetase 3 (SAMS3), were exclusively upregulated in drought-tolerant XZ5 but not in CM72. HvSAMS3 carries both N-terminal and central domains compared with Arabidopsis and activates the expression of several ethylene (ET)-responsive transcription factors. HvSAMS3 is mainly expressed in the roots and stems, and HvSAMS3 is a secretory protein located in the cell membrane and cytoplasm. Barley stripe mosaic virus-based virus-induced gene silencing (BSMV-VIGS) of HvSAMS3 in XZ5 severely compromised its tolerance to D+S and significantly reduced plant growth and K+ uptake. The reduced tolerance to the combined stress was associated with the inhibition of polyamines such as spermidine and spermine, polyamine oxidase, ethylene, biotin, and antioxidant enzyme activities. Furthermore, the exogenous application of ethylene and biotin improved the tolerance to D+S in BSMV-VIGS:HvSAMS3-inoculated plants. Our findings highlight the significance of HvSAMS3 in the tolerance to D+S in XZ5.
Energy costs of salinity tolerance in crop plants
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 29-11-2019
DOI: 10.1111/NPH.15555
Metalloid hazards: From plant molecular evolution to mitigation strategies
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2021
The conceptual approach to quantitative modeling of guard cells
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 2013
DOI: 10.4161/PSB.22747
Zinc alleviates growth inhibition and oxidative stress caused by cadmium in rice
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-2005
Smart Film Impacts Stomatal Sensitivity of Greenhouse Capsicum Through Altered Light
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 24-09-2020
DOI: 10.1101/2020.09.22.309427
Abstract: Optical films that alter light transmittance may reduce energy consumption in high-tech greenhouses, but their impact on crop physiology remains unclear. We compared the stomatal responses of capsicum plants grown hydroponically under control glass (70% diffuse light) or smart glass (SG) film ULR-80, which blocked % of ultraviolet light and 19% of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). SG had no significant effects on steady-state ( g s ) or maximal ( g max ) stomatal conductance. In contrast, SG reduced stomatal pore size and sensitivity to exogenous ABA thereby increasing rates of leaf water loss, guard cell K + and Cl - efflux, and Ca 2+ influx. The transition between low (100 μmol m −2 s −1 ) and high (1500 μmol m −2 s −1 ) PAR induced faster stomatal closing and opening rates in SG relative to control plants. The fraction of blue light (0% or 10%) did not affect g s , but induced stomatal oscillations in SG plants. Increased expression of stomatal closure and photoreceptor genes in epidermal peels of SG plants is consistent with fast stomatal responses to light changes. In conclusion, light intensity was more critical than spectral quality for optimal stomatal responses of capsicum under SG, and re-engineering of the SG should maximize PAR transmission to maintain a better stomatal development. Capsicum plants grown under SG film exhibit decreased stomatal pore area, higher water loss and reduced ABA-sensitivity. SG-grown plants have faster rates of stomatal closing and opening in response to light intensity changes. SG increases efflux of K + and Cl - and influx of Ca 2+ of guard cells. SG upregulated the expression of key genes involved in stomatal regulation and light sensing.
Chlorophyll and carbohydrate metabolism in developing silique and seed are prerequisite to seed oil content of Brassica napus L
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 19-03-2014
Cadmium-zinc cross-talk delineates toxicity tolerance in rice via differential genes expression and physiological / ultrastructural adjustments
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2020
DOI: 10.1016/J.ECOENV.2019.110076
Abstract: Understanding the physiological and molecular response of crop genotypes could be useful in eco-toxicological evaluation with cadmium (Cd) and could be a strategy to solve heavy metal contamination in agriculture. This study corroborates unique patterns of Cd accumulation and molecular mechanisms adopted by plants to acquire Cd tolerance and counteractive effects of zinc (Zn) against Cd toxicity. Two rice (Oryza sativa) genotypes (Heizhan 43 and Yinni 801) differing in cadmium tolerance and its accumulation in plant tissues were investigated hydroponically using two Cd levels [Cd
Tissue Metabolic Responses to Salt Stress in Wild and Cultivated Barley
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 31-01-2013
Diversification and evolution of the SDG gene family in Brassica rapa after the whole genome triplication
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 24-11-2015
DOI: 10.1038/SREP16851
Abstract: Histone lysine methylation, controlled by the SET Domain Group (SDG) gene family, is part of the histone code that regulates chromatin function and epigenetic control of gene expression. Analyzing the SDG gene family in Brassica rapa for their gene structure, domain architecture, subcellular localization, rate of molecular evolution and gene expression pattern revealed common occurrences of subfunctionalization and neofunctionalization in BrSDGs . In comparison with Arabidopsis thaliana , the BrSDG gene family was found to be more ergent than AtSDGs , which might partly explain the rich variety of morphotypes in B. rapa . In addition, a new evolutionary pattern of the four main groups of SDGs was presented, in which the Trx group and the SUVR subgroup evolved faster than the E(z), Ash groups and the SUVH subgroup. These differences in evolutionary rate among the four main groups of SDG s are perhaps due to the complexity and variability of the regions that bind with biomacromolecules, which guide SDGs to their target loci.
Differential Activity of Plasma and Vacuolar Membrane Transporters Contributes to Genotypic Differences in Salinity Tolerance in a Halophyte Species, Chenopodium quinoa
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 29-04-2013
DOI: 10.3390/IJMS14059267
The loss of RBOHD function modulates root adaptive responses to combined hypoxia and salinity stress in Arabidopsis
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2019
Comparative Analysis of Root Na+ Relation under Salinity between Oryza sativa and Oryza coarctata
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 28-02-2022
Abstract: Na+ toxicity is one of the major physiological constraints imposed by salinity on plant performance. At the same time, Na+ uptake may be beneficial under some circumstances as an easily accessible inorganic ion that can be used for increasing solute concentrations and maintaining cell turgor. Two rice species, Oryza sativa (cultivated rice, salt-sensitive) and Oryza coarctata (wild rice, salt-tolerant), demonstrated different strategies in controlling Na+ uptake. Glasshouse experiments and gene expression analysis suggested that salt-treated wild rice quickly increased xylem Na+ loading for osmotic adjustment but maintained a non-toxic level of stable shoot Na+ concentration by increased activity of a high affinity K+ transporter HKT1 (essential for xylem Na+ unloading) and a Na+/H+ exchanger NHX (for sequestering Na+ and K+ into root vacuoles). Cultivated rice prevented Na+ uptake and transport to the shoot at the beginning of salt treatment but failed to maintain it in the long term. While electrophysiological assays revealed greater net Na+ uptake upon salt application in cultivated rice, O. sativa plants showed much stronger activation of the root plasma membrane Na+/H+ Salt Overly Sensitive 1 (SOS1) exchanger. Thus, it appears that wild rice limits passive Na+ entry into root cells while cultivated rice relies heavily on SOS1-mediating Na+ exclusion, with major penalties imposed by the existence of the “futile cycle” at the plasma membrane.
Linking high light-induced cellular ionic and oxidative responses in leaves to fruit quality in tomato
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 24-05-2023
Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) guard cells responses to salinity stress: A proteomic analysis
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 27-03-2020
DOI: 10.3390/IJMS21072331
Abstract: Soil salinity is a major environmental constraint affecting crop growth and threatening global food security. Plants adapt to salinity by optimizing the performance of stomata. Stomata are formed by two guard cells (GCs) that are morphologically and functionally distinct from the other leaf cells. These microscopic sphincters inserted into the wax-covered epidermis of the shoot balance CO2 intake for photosynthetic carbon gain and concomitant water loss. In order to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying stomatal function under saline conditions, we used proteomics approach to study isolated GCs from the salt-tolerant sugar beet species. Of the 2088 proteins identified in sugar beet GCs, 82 were differentially regulated by salt treatment. According to bioinformatics analysis (GO enrichment analysis and protein classification), these proteins were involved in lipid metabolism, cell wall modification, ATP biosynthesis, and signaling. Among the significant differentially abundant proteins, several proteins classified as “stress proteins” were upregulated, including non-specific lipid transfer protein, chaperone proteins, heat shock proteins, inorganic pyrophosphatase 2, responsible for energized vacuole membrane for ion transportation. Moreover, several antioxidant enzymes (peroxide, superoxidase dismutase) were highly upregulated. Furthermore, cell wall proteins detected in GCs provided some evidence that GC walls were more flexible in response to salt stress. Proteins such as L-ascorbate oxidase that were constitutively high under both control and high salinity conditions may contribute to the ability of sugar beet GCs to adapt to salinity by mitigating salinity-induced oxidative stress.
A Sodium Transporter HvHKT1;1 Confers Salt Tolerance in Barley via Regulating Tissue and Cell Ion Homeostasis
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 15-06-2018
DOI: 10.1093/PCP/PCY116
Abstract: Our previous studies showed that high salt tolerance in Tibetan wild barley accessions was associated with HvHKT1 , a member of the high-affinity potassium transporter family. However, molecular mechanisms of HvHKT1 for salt tolerance and its roles in K+/Na+ homeostasis remain to be elucidated. Functional characterization of HvHKT1 was conducted in the present study. NaCl-induced transcripts of HvHKT1 were significantly higher in the roots of Tibetan wild barley XZ16 relative to other genotypes, being closely associated with its higher biomass and lower tissue Na+ content under salt stress. Heterologous expression of HvHKT1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) and Xenopus laevis oocytes showed that HvHKT1 had higher selectivity for Na+ over K+ and other monovalent cations. HvHKT1 was found to be localized at the cell plasma membrane of root stele and epidermis. Knock-down of HvHKT1 in barley led to higher Na+ accumulation in both roots and leaves, while overexpression of HvHKT1 in salt-sensitive Arabidopsis hkt1-4 and sos1-12 loss-of-function lines resulted in significantly less shoot and root Na+ accumulation. Additionally, microelectrode ion flux measurements and root elongation assay revealed that the transgenic Arabidopsis plants exhibited a remarkable capacity for regulation of Na+, K+, Ca2+ and H+ homeostasis under salt stress. These results indicate that HvHKT1 is critical in radial root Na+ transport, which eventually reduces shoot Na+ accumulation. Additionally, HvHKT1 may be indirectly involved in retention of K+ and Ca2+ in root cells, which also improves plant salt tolerance.
Smart Glass Film Reduced Ascorbic Acid in Red and Orange Capsicum Fruit Cultivars without Impacting Shelf Life
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 04-04-2022
Abstract: Smart Glass Film (SGF) is a glasshouse covering material designed to permit 80% transmission of photosynthetically active light and block heat-generating solar energy. SGF can reduce crop water and nutrient consumption and improve glasshouse energy use efficiency yet can reduce crop yield. The effect of SGF on the postharvest shelf life of fruits remains unknown. Two capsicum varieties, Red (Gina) and Orange (O06614), were cultivated within a glasshouse covered in SGF to assess fruit quality and shelf life during the winter season. SGF reduced cuticle thickness in the Red cultivar (5%) and decreased ascorbic acid in both cultivars (9–14%) without altering the overall morphology of the mature fruits. The ratio of total soluble solids (TSSs) to titratable acidity (TA) was significantly higher in Red (29%) and Orange (89%) cultivars grown under SGF. The Red fruits had a thicker cuticle that reduced water loss and extended shelf life when compared to the Orange fruits, yet neither water loss nor firmness were impacted by SGF. Reducing the storage temperature to 2 °C and increasing relative humidity to 90% extended the shelf life in both cultivars without evidence of chilling injury. In summary, SGF had minimal impact on fruit development and postharvest traits and did not compromise the shelf life of mature fruits. SGF provides a promising technology to block heat-generating solar radiation energy without affecting fruit ripening and marketable quality of capsicum fruits grown during the winter season.
Sodium sequestration confers salinity tolerance in an ancestral wild rice
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 23-03-2021
DOI: 10.1111/PPL.13352
Abstract: Wild rice Oryza rufipogon , a progenitor of cultivated rice Oryza sativa L., possesses superior salinity tolerance and is a potential donor for breeding salinity tolerance traits in rice. However, a mechanistic basis of salinity tolerance in this donor species has not been established. Here, we examined salinity tolerance from the early vegetative stage to maturity in O. rufipogon in comparison with a salt‐susceptible (Koshihikari) and a salt‐tolerant (Reiziq) variety of O. sativa . We assessed their phylogeny and agronomical traits, photosynthetic performance, ion contents, as well as gene expression in response to salinity stress. Salt‐tolerant O. rufipogon exhibited efficient leaf photosynthesis and less damage to leaf tissues during the course of salinity treatment. In addition, O. rufipogon showed a significantly higher tissue Na + accumulation that is achieved by vacuolar sequestration compared to the salt tolerant O. sativa indica subspecies. These findings are further supported by the upregulation of genes involved with ion transport and sequestration (e.g. high affinity K + transporter 1 [ HKT1 ], Na + /H + exchanger 1 [ NHX1 ] and vacuolar H + ‐ATPase c [ VHA‐c ]) in salt‐tolerant O. rufipogon as well as by the close phylogenetic relationship of key salt‐responsive genes in O. rufipogon to these in salt‐tolerant wild rice species such as O. coarctata . Thus, the high accumulation of Na + in the leaves of O. rufipogon acts as a cheap osmoticum to minimize the high energy cost of osmolyte biosynthesis and excessive reactive oxygen species production. These mechanisms demonstrated that O. rufipogon has important traits that can be used for improving salinity tolerance in cultivated rice.
A comparative analysis of stomatal traits and photosynthetic responses in closely related halophytic and glycophytic species under saline conditions
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2021
Reduced Tonoplast Fast-Activating and Slow-Activating Channel Activity Is Essential for Conferring Salinity Tolerance in a Facultative Halophyte, Quinoa
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 26-04-2013
Abstract: Halophyte species implement a “salt-including” strategy, sequestering significant amounts of Na+ to cell vacuoles. This requires a reduction of passive Na+ leak from the vacuole. In this work, we used quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) to investigate the ability of halophytes to regulate Na+-permeable slow-activating (SV) and fast-activating (FV) tonoplast channels, linking it with Na+ accumulation in mesophyll cells and salt bladders as well as leaf photosynthetic efficiency under salt stress. Our data indicate that young leaves rely on Na+ exclusion to salt bladders, whereas old ones, possessing far fewer salt bladders, depend almost exclusively on Na+ sequestration to mesophyll vacuoles. Moreover, although old leaves accumulate more Na+, this does not compromise their leaf photochemistry. FV and SV channels are slightly more permeable for K+ than for Na+, and vacuoles in young leaves express less FV current and with a density unchanged in plants subjected to high (400 mm NaCl) salinity. In old leaves, with an intrinsically lower density of the FV current, FV channel density decreases about 2-fold in plants grown under high salinity. In contrast, intrinsic activity of SV channels in vacuoles from young leaves is unchanged under salt stress. In vacuoles of old leaves, however, it is 2- and 7-fold lower in older compared with young leaves in control- and salt-grown plants, respectively. We conclude that the negative control of SV and FV tonoplast channel activity in old leaves reduces Na+ leak, thus enabling efficient sequestration of Na+ to their vacuoles. This enables optimal photosynthetic performance, conferring salinity tolerance in quinoa species.
Molecular response and evolution of plant anion transport systems to abiotic stress
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 30-11-2021
DOI: 10.1007/S11103-021-01216-X
Abstract: We propose that anion channels are essential players for green plants to respond and adapt to the abiotic stresses associated changing climate via reviewing the literature and analyzing the molecular evolution, comparative genetic analysis, and bioinformatics analysis of the key anion channel gene families. Climate change-induced abiotic stresses including heatwave, elevated CO
Tibet is one of the centers of domestication of cultivated barley
Publisher: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Date: 02-10-2012
Abstract: The Near East Fertile Crescent is well recognized as a primary center of barley origin, ersity, and domestication. A large number of wild barleys have been collected from the Tibetan Plateau, which is characterized by an extreme environment. We used genome-wide ersity array technology markers to analyze the genotypic ision between wild barley from the Near East and Tibet. Our results confirmed the existence of Tibetan wild barley and suggested that the split between the wild barleys in the Near East and those in Tibet occurred around 2.76 million years ago (Mya). To test the concept of polyphyletic domestication of barley, we characterized a set of worldwide cultivated barley. Some Chinese hulless and six-rowed barleys showed a close relationship with Tibetan wild barley but showed no common ancestor with other cultivated barley. Our data support the concept of polyphyletic domestication of cultivated barley and indicate that the Tibetan Plateau and its vicinity is one of the centers of domestication of cultivated barley. The current results may be highly significant in exploring the elite germplasm for barley breeding, especially against cold and drought stresses.
Identification of aluminium transport-related genes via genome-wide phenotypic screening of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 13-06-2014
DOI: 10.1039/C4MT00116H
Abstract: Genome-wide screening using gene deletion mutants has been widely carried out with numerous toxicants including oxidants and metal ions. The focus of such studies usually centres on identifying sensitive phenotypes against a given toxicant. Here, we screened the complete collection of yeast gene deletion mutants (5047) with increasing concentrations of aluminium sulphate (0.4, 0.8, 1.6 and 3.2 mM) in order to discover aluminium (Al(3+)) tolerant phenotypes. Fifteen genes were found to be associated with Al(3+) transport because their deletion mutants exhibited Al(3+) tolerance, including lem3Δ, hal5Δ and cka2Δ. Deletion of CKA2, a catalytic subunit of tetrameric protein kinase CK2, gives rise to the most pronounced resistance to Al(3+) by showing significantly higher growth compared to the wild type. Functional analysis revealed that both molecular regulation and endocytosis are involved in Al(3+) transport for yeast. Further investigations were extended to all the four subunits of CK2 (CKA1, CKA2, CKB1 and CKB2) and the other 14 identified mutants under a spectrum of metal ions, including Al(3+), Zn(2+), Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Fe(3+), Co(3+), Ga(3+), Cd(2+), In(3+), Ni(2+) and Cu(2+), as well as hydrogen peroxide and diamide, in order to unravel cross-tolerance amongst metal ions and the effect of the oxidants. Finally, the implication of the findings in Al(3+) transport for the other species like plants and humans is discussed.
Identification of new QTL for salt tolerance from rice variety Pokkali
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-01-2020
DOI: 10.1111/JAC.12387
Prior exposure of Arabidopsis seedlings to mechanical stress heightens jasmonic acid-mediated defense against necrotrophic pathogens
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-2020
DOI: 10.1186/S12870-020-02759-9
Abstract: Prolonged mechanical stress (MS) causes thigmomorphogenesis, a stress acclimation response associated with increased disease resistance. What remains unclear is if 1) plants pre-exposed to a short period of repetitive MS can prime defence responses upon subsequent challenge with necrotrophic pathogens, 2) MS mediates plant immunity via jasmonic acid (JA) signalling, and 3) a short period of repetitive MS can cause long-term changes in gene expression resembling a stress-induced memory. To address these points, 10-days old juvenile Arabidopsis seedlings were mechanically stressed for 7-days using a soft brush and subsequently challenged with the necrotrophic pathogens, Alternaria brassicicola, and Botrytis cinerea . Here we assessed how MS impacted structural cell wall appositions, disease symptoms and altered gene expression in response to infection. The MS-treated plants exhibited enhanced cell wall appositions and jasmonic acid (JA) accumulation that correlated with a reduction in disease progression compared to unstressed plants. The expression of genes involved in JA signalling, callose deposition, peroxidase and phytoalexin biosynthesis and reactive oxygen species detoxification were hyper-induced 4-days post-infection in MS-treated plants. The loss-of-function in JA signalling mediated by the JA-insensitive coronatine-insensitive 1 ( coi1 ) mutant impaired the hyper-induction of defense gene expression and promoted pathogen proliferation in MS-treated plants subject to infection. The basal expression level of PATHOGENESIS-RELATED GENE 1 and PLANT DEFENSIN 1.2 defense marker genes were constitutively upregulated in rosette leaves for 5-days post-MS, as well as in naïve cauline leaves that differentiated from the inflorescence meristem well after ceasing MS. This study reveals that exposure of juvenile Arabidopsis plants to a short repetitive period of MS can alter gene expression and prime plant resistance upon subsequent challenge with necrotrophic pathogens via the JA-mediated COI1 signalling pathway. MS may facilitate a stress-induced memory to modulate the plant’s response to future stress encounters. These data advance our understanding of how MS primes plant immunity against necrotrophic pathogens and how that could be utilised in sustainable agricultural practices.
Differences in physiological features associated with aluminum tolerance in Tibetan wild and cultivated barleys
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.PLAPHY.2013.11.025
Abstract: Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a major limiting factor for plant production in acid soils. Wild barley germplasm is a treasure trove of useful genes and offers rich sources of genetic variation for crop improvement. Al-stress-hydroponic-experiments were performed, and the physiochemical characteristic of two contrasting Tibetan wild barley genotypes (Al-resistant XZ16 and Al-sensitive XZ61) and Al-resistant cv. Dayton were compared. Ultrastructure of chloroplasts and root cells in XZ16 was less injured than that in Dayton and XZ61. Moreover, XZ16 secreted significantly more malate besides citrate and exhibited less Al uptake and distribution than both of XZ61 and Dayton in response to Al stress, simultaneously maintained higher H⁺-, Ca²⁺Mg²⁺- and total-ATPase activities over XZ61. The protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide reduced citrate secretion from XZ16, but not from Dayton. In Tibetan wild barley, our findings highlight the significant correlations between Al tolerance, ATPase activity and citrate secretion, providing some insights into the physiological basis for Al-detoxification.
Light-limited photosynthesis under energy-saving film decreases eggplant yield
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 29-08-2020
DOI: 10.1002/FES3.245
Molecular Regulation and Evolution of Redox Homeostasis in Photosynthetic Machinery
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 22-10-2022
Abstract: The recent advances in plant biology have significantly improved our understanding of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as signaling molecules in the redox regulation of complex cellular processes. In plants, free radicals and non-radicals are prevalent intra- and inter-cellular ROS, catalyzing complex metabolic processes such as photosynthesis. Photosynthesis homeostasis is maintained by thiol-based systems and antioxidative enzymes, which belong to some of the evolutionarily conserved protein families. The molecular and biological functions of redox regulation in photosynthesis are usually to balance the electron transport chain, photosystem II, photosystem I, mesophyll and bundle sheath signaling, and photo-protection regulating plant growth and productivity. Here, we review the recent progress of ROS signaling in photosynthesis. We present a comprehensive comparative bioinformatic analysis of redox regulation in evolutionary distinct photosynthetic cells. Gene expression, phylogenies, sequence alignments, and 3D protein structures in representative algal and plant species revealed conserved key features including functional domains catalyzing oxidation and reduction reactions. We then discuss the antioxidant-related ROS signaling and important pathways for achieving homeostasis of photosynthesis. Finally, we highlight the importance of plant responses to stress cues and genetic manipulation of disturbed redox status for balanced and enhanced photosynthetic efficiency and plant productivity.
Multi‐Omics Analysis Reveals the Mechanism Underlying the Edaphic Adaptation in Wild Barley at Evolution Slope (Tabigha)
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 13-08-2021
Abstract: At the microsite “Evolution Slope”, Tabigha, Israel, wild barley ( Hordeum spontaneum ) populations adapted to dry Terra Rossa soil, and its derivative abutting wild barley population adapted to moist and fungi‐rich Basalt soil. However, the mechanisms underlying the edaphic adaptation remain elusive. Accordingly, whole genome bisulfite sequencing, RNA‐sequencing, and metabolome analysis are performed on ten wild barley accessions inhabiting Terra Rossa and Basalt soil. A total of 121 433 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and 10 478 DMR‐genes are identified between the two wild barley populations. DMR‐genes in CG context (CG‐DMR‐genes) are enriched in the pathways related with the fundamental processes, and DMR‐genes in CHH context (CHH‐DMR‐genes) are mainly associated with defense response. Transcriptome and metabolome analysis reveal that the primary and secondary metabolisms are more active in Terra Rossa and Basalt wild barley populations, respectively. Multi‐omics analysis indicate that sugar metabolism facilitates the adaptation of wild barley to dry Terra Rossa soil, whereas the enhancement of phenylpropanoid henolamide biosynthesis is beneficial for wild barley to inhabit moist and fungi pathogen‐rich Basalt soil. The current results make a deep insight into edaphic adaptation of wild barley and provide elite genetic and epigenetic resources for developing barley with high abiotic stress tolerance.
Calmodulin HvCaM1 Negatively Regulates Salt Tolerance via Modulation of HvHKT1s and HvCAMTA4
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 18-06-2020
DOI: 10.1104/PP.20.00196
Halophytic NHXs confer salt tolerance by altering cytosolic and vacuolar K+ and Na+ in Arabidopsis root cell
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-03-2017
Speedy Grass Stomata: Emerging Molecular and Evolutionary Features
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2017
Leaf epidermis transcriptome reveals drought-Induced hormonal signaling for stomatal regulation in wild barley
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 29-10-2018
Genome-wide transcriptome and functional analysis of two contrasting genotypes reveals key genes for cadmium tolerance in barley
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 19-07-2014
The trafficking protein SYP121 of Arabidopsis connects programmed stomatal closure and K+ channel activity with vegetative growth
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-11-2011
Resource allocation to growth or luxury consumption drives mycorrhizal responses
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-2019
DOI: 10.1111/ELE.13353
Abstract: Highly variable phenotypic responses in mycorrhizal plants challenge our functional understanding of plant-fungal mutualisms. Using non-invasive high-throughput phenotyping, we observed that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi relieved phosphorus (P) limitation and enhanced growth of Brachypodium distachyon under P-limited conditions, while photosynthetic limitation under low nitrogen (N) was exacerbated by the fungus. However, these responses were strongly dependent on host genotype: only the faster growing genotype (Bd3-1) utilised P transferred from the fungus to achieve improved growth under P-limited conditions. Under low N, the slower growing genotype (Bd21) had a carbon and N surplus that was linked to a less negative growth response compared with the faster growing genotype. These responses were linked to the regulation of N : P stoichiometry, couples resource allocation to growth or luxury consumption in erse plant lineages. Our results attest strongly to a mechanism in plants by which plant genotype-specific resource economics drive phenotypic outcomes during AM symbioses.
OnGuard, a Computational Platform for Quantitative Kinetic Modeling of Guard Cell Physiology
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 25-05-2012
Abstract: Stomatal guard cells play a key role in gas exchange for photosynthesis while minimizing transpirational water loss from plants by opening and closing the stomatal pore. Foliar gas exchange has long been incorporated into mathematical models, several of which are robust enough to recapitulate transpirational characteristics at the whole-plant and community levels. Few models of stomata have been developed from the bottom up, however, and none are sufficiently generalized to be widely applicable in predicting stomatal behavior at a cellular level. We describe here the construction of computational models for the guard cell, building on the wealth of biophysical and kinetic knowledge available for guard cell transport, signaling, and homeostasis. The OnGuard software was constructed with the HoTSig library to incorporate explicitly all of the fundamental properties for transporters at the plasma membrane and tonoplast, the salient features of osmolite metabolism, and the major controls of cytosolic-free Ca2+ concentration and pH. The library engenders a structured approach to tier and interrelate computational elements, and the OnGuard software allows ready access to parameters and equations ‘on the fly’ while enabling the network of components within each model to interact computationally. We show that an OnGuard model readily achieves stability in a set of physiologically sensible baseline or Reference States we also show the robustness of these Reference States in adjusting to changes in environmental parameters and the activities of major groups of transporters both at the tonoplast and plasma membrane. The following article addresses the predictive power of the OnGuard model to generate unexpected and counterintuitive outputs.
Energy Minimisation in a Protected Cropping Facility Using Multi-Temperature Acquisition Points and Control of Ventilation Settings
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 22-09-2021
DOI: 10.3390/EN14196014
Abstract: Energy management in protected cropping is critical due to the high cost of energy use in high-tech greenhouse facilities. The main purpose of this research was to investigate the optimal strategy to reduce cooling energy consumption, by regulating the settings (opening/closing) of either vents or curtains during the day, at the protected cropping facility at Western Sydney University. We measured daily changes in air temperature and energy consumption under four treatments (open/closed combinations of vents and shade screens) and developed an optimal cooling strategy for energy management using multi-temperature acquisition points at different heights within a greenhouse compartment. The optimal treatment (vents open/curtains closed) reduced energy load at the rooftop, thereby maintaining a desirable plant canopy temperature profile, and reducing cooling energy. Daily energy consumption was lowest for vents open/curtains closed (70.5 kWh) and highest for vents closed/curtains open (121 kWh). It was also found that delaying the operation of opening and closing of vents and curtains until the plant canopy temperature reached 25 °C reduced cooling energy consumption and decreased heating energy consumption in the morning (e.g., 08:00 to 10:00). The estimated savings of 1.83 kWh per 1 °C cooling between the optimal (vents open/curtains closed) and least optimal (vents closed/curtains open) conditions had the potential for significant energy savings at 494 kWh per °C over a crop cycle of nine months in warm weather conditions. However, selection of the optimal cooling strategy utilising control of vents and curtains must also account for the impact from other greenhouse environmental factors, including light, humidity, and CO2 concentration, which may be crop specific.
Molecular evolution and interaction of 14-3-3 proteins with H+-ATPases in plant abiotic stresses
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 21-10-2023
DOI: 10.1093/JXB/ERAD414
Does Molecular and Structural Evolution Shape the Speedy Grass Stomata?
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 21-04-2020
High intrinsic water use efficiency is underpinned by high stomatal aperture and guard cell potassium flux in C3 and C4 grasses grown at glacial CO2 and low light
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 28-10-2021
DOI: 10.1093/JXB/ERAB477
Abstract: We compared how stomatal morphology and physiology control intrinsic leaf water use efficiency (iWUE) in two C3 and six C4 grasses grown at ambient (400 µmol mol–1) or glacial CO2 (180 µmol mol–1) and high (1000 µmol m–2 s–1) or low light intensity (200 µmol m–2 s–1). C4 grasses tended to have higher iWUE and CO2 assimilation rates, and lower stomatal conductance (gs), operational stomatal aperture (aop), and guard cell K+ influx rate relative to C3 grasses, while stomatal size (SS) and stomatal density (SD) did not vary according to the photosynthetic type. Overall, iWUE and gs depended most on aop and density of open stomata. In turn, aop correlated with K+ influx, stomatal opening speed on transition to high light, and SS. Species with higher SD had smaller and faster-opening stomata. Although C4 grasses operated with lower gs and aop at ambient CO2, they showed a greater potential to open stomata relative to maximal stomatal conductance (gmax), indicating heightened stomatal sensitivity and control. We uncovered promising links between aop, gs, iWUE, and K+ influx among C4 grasses, and differential K+ influx responses of C4 guard cells to low light, revealing molecular targets for improving iWUE in C4 crops.
Genetic variation of HvCBF genes and their association with salinity tolerance in Tibetan annual wild barley
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 28-07-2011
Transcriptome profiling reveals mosaic genomic origins of modern cultivated barley
Publisher: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Date: 02-09-2014
Abstract: Archaeological, historic, and molecular studies have indicated that the Fertile Crescent in the Near East is a major center of origin and domestication of cultivated barley. However, growing evidence in recent years supports the theory of a polyphyletic origin of barley. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt using RNA sequencing techniques and genomic similarity analysis to study the domestication of barley. We confirmed the polyphyletic origin of cultivated barley and our results revealed the genomic origin of modern cultivated barley is from both the Near East and Tibet, with different contributions on each chromosome. These findings advance our understanding of the early spread of agrarian culture, and are expected to be of wide interest to evolutionary geneticists and plant breeders.
Back to the Wild: On a Quest for Donors Toward Salinity Tolerant Rice
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 20-03-2020
A Food Waste-Derived Organic Liquid Fertiliser for Sustainable Hydroponic Cultivation of Lettuce, Cucumber and Cherry Tomato
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 07-02-2023
Abstract: We previously reported a sustainable food waste management approach to produce an acceptable organic liquid fertiliser for recycling food waste called “FoodLift.” This study follows our previous work to evaluate the macronutrients and cation concentrations in harvested structural parts of lettuce, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes produced using food waste-derived liquid fertiliser (FoodLift) and compare them against commercial liquid fertiliser (CLF) under hydroponic conditions. N and P concentrations in the structural parts of lettuce and the fruit and plant structural parts of cucumber appear to be similar between FoodLift and CLF (p 0.05), with significantly different N concentrations in the various parts of cherry tomato plants (p 0.05). For lettuce, N and P content varied from 50 to 260 g/kg and 11 to 88 g/kg, respectively. For cucumber and cherry tomato plants, N and P concentrations ranged from 1 to 36 g/kg and 4 to 33 g/kg, respectively. FoodLift was not effective as a nutrient source for growing cherry tomatoes. Moreover, the cation (K, Ca, and Mg) concentrations appear to significantly differ between FoodLift and CLF grown plants (p 0.05). For ex le, for cucumber, Ca content varied from 2 to 18 g/kg for FoodLift grown plants while Ca in CLF-grown cucumber plants ranged from 2 to 28 g/kg. Overall, as suggested in our previous work, FoodLift has the potential to replace CLF in hydroponic systems for lettuce and cucumber. This will lead to sustainable food production, recycling of food waste to produce liquid fertiliser, and will promote a circular economy in nutrient management.
Heterosis in CMS hybrids of cotton for photosynthetic and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-2005
Association of HvLDI with limit dextrinase activity and malt quality in barley
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 22-12-2013
DOI: 10.1007/S10529-012-1106-1
Abstract: Limit dextrinase (LD) is a unique de-branching enzyme involved in starch mobilization of barley grains during malting, and closely related to malt quality. Genotypic variation of LD activity is controlled by genetic factors and also affected by environmental conditions. Correlation analysis between LD activity and four malt quality parameters showed that LD activity was positively correlated with diastatic power, Kolbach index and the quality of malt extract, while negatively correlated with viscosity. The structure-based association analysis demonstrated that HvLDI, a gene encoding limit dextrinase inhibitor, was a major determinant of LD activity and malt quality. The single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with LD activity could be used in early generation selection for barley breeding.
Protected Cropping in Warm Climates: A Review of Humidity Control and Cooling Methods
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 17-07-2019
DOI: 10.3390/EN12142737
Abstract: The projected increase of the world’s population, coupled with the shrinking area of arable land required to meet future food demands, is building pressure on Earth’s finite agricultural resources. As an alternative to conventional farming methods, crops can be grown in protected environments, such as traditional greenhouses or the more modern plant factories. These are usually more productive and use resources more efficiently than conventional farming and are now receiving much attention—especially in urban and peri-urban areas. Traditionally, protected cropping has been predominantly practised in temperate climates, but interest is rapidly rising in hot, arid areas and humid, tropical regions. However, maintaining suitable climatic conditions inside protected cropping structures in warm climates—where warm is defined as equivalent to climatic conditions that require cooling—is challenging and requires different approaches from those used in temperate conditions. In this paper, we review the benefits of protected cropping in warm climates, as well as the technologies available for maintaining a controlled growing environment in these regions. In addition to providing a summary of active cooling methods, this study summarises photovoltaic (PV)-based shading methods used for passive cooling of greenhouses. Additionally, we also summarise the current humidity-control techniques used in the protected cropping industry and identify future research opportunities in this area. The review includes a list of optimum growing conditions for a range of crop species suited to protected cropping in warm climates.
Origins and Stepwise Expansion of R2R3-MYB Transcription Factors for the Terrestrial Adaptation of Plants
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 23-12-2020
Abstract: The R2R3-MYB transcription factors play critical roles in various processes in embryophytes (land plants). Here, we identified genes encoding R2R3-MYB proteins from rhodophytes, glaucophytes, Chromista, chlorophytes, charophytes, and embryophytes. We classified the R2R3-MYB genes into three subgroups (I, II, and III) based on their evolutionary history and gene structure. The subgroup I is the most ancient group that includes members from all plant lineages. The subgroup II was formed before the ergence of charophytes and embryophytes. The subgroup III genes form a monophyletic group and only comprise members from land plants with conserved exon–intron structure. Each subgroup was further ided into multiple clades. The subgroup I can be ided into I-A, I-B, I-C, and I-D. The I-A, I-B, and I-C are the most basal clades that have originated before the ergence of Archaeplastida. The I-D with the II and III subgroups form a monophyletic group, containing only green plants. The II and III subgroups form another monophyletic group with Streptophyta only. Once on land, the subgroup III genes have experienced two rounds of major expansions. The first round occurred before the origin of land plants, and the second round occurred after the ergence of land plants. Due to significant gene expansion, the subgroup III genes have become the predominant group of R2R3-MYBs in land plants. The highly unbalanced pattern of birth and death evolution of R2R3-MYB genes indicates their important roles in the successful adaptation and massive radiation of land plants to occupy a multitude of terrestrial environments.
Molecular Interaction and Evolution of Jasmonate Signaling With Transport and Detoxification of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Plants
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 14-04-2021
Abstract: An increase in environmental pollution resulting from toxic heavy metals and metalloids [e.g., cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and lead (Pb)] causes serious health risks to humans and animals. Mitigation strategies need to be developed to reduce the accumulation of the toxic elements in plant-derived foods. Natural and genetically-engineered plants with hyper-tolerant and hyper-accumulating capacity of toxic minerals are valuable for phytoremediation. However, the molecular mechanisms of detoxification and accumulation in plants have only been demonstrated in very few plant species such as Arabidopsis and rice. Here, we review the physiological and molecular aspects of jasmonic acid and the jasmonate derivatives (JAs) in response to toxic heavy metals and metalloids. Jasmonates have been identified in, limiting the accumulation and enhancing the tolerance to the toxic elements, by coordinating the ion transport system, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and the chelating capacity in plants. We also propose the potential involvement of Ca 2+ signaling in the stress-induced production of jasmonates. Comparative transcriptomics analyses using the public datasets reveal the key gene families involved in the JA-responsive routes. Furthermore, we show that JAs may function as a fundamental phytohormone that protects plants from heavy metals and metalloids as demonstrated by the evolutionary conservation and ersity of these gene families in a large number of species of the major green plant lineages. Using ATP-Binding Cassette G (ABCG) transporter subfamily of six representative green plant species, we propose that JA transporters in Subgroup 4 of ABCGs may also have roles in heavy metal detoxification. Our paper may provide guidance toward the selection and development of suitable plant and crop species that are tolerant to toxic heavy metals and metalloids.
K+ Uptake, H+-ATPase pumping activity and Ca2+ efflux mechanism are involved in drought tolerance of barley
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2016
Genotype-dependent effects of phosphorus supply on physiological and biochemical responses to Al-stress in cultivated and Tibetan wild barley
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-02-2017
Stomatal traits as a determinant of superior salinity tolerance in wild barley
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2020
DOI: 10.1016/J.JPLPH.2019.153108
Abstract: Wild barley Hordeum spontaneum (WB) is the progenitor of a cultivated barley Hordeum vulgare (CB). Understanding efficient mechanisms evolved by WB to cope with abiotic stresses may open prospects of transferring these promising traits to the high yielding CB genotypes. This study aimed to investigate the strategies that WB plants utilise in regard to the control of stomatal operation and ionic homeostasis to deal with salinity stress, one of the major threats to the global food security. Twenty-six genotypes of WB and CB were grown under glasshouse conditions and exposed to 300 mM NaCl salinity treatment for 5 weeks followed by their comprehensive physiological assessment. WB had higher relative biomass than CB when exposed to salinity stress. Under saline conditions, WB plants were able to keep constant stomatal density (SD) while SD significantly decreased in CB. The higher SD in WB also resulted in a higher stomatal conductance (g
Evolution of environmental stress responses in plants
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 27-11-2020
DOI: 10.1111/PCE.13922
Identification of novel microRNAs for cold deacclimation in barley
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-08-2020
A bicistronic, Ubiquitin‐10 promoter‐based vector cassette for transient transformation and functional analysis of membrane transport demonstrates the utility of quantitative voltage clamp stud
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-01-2011
DOI: 10.1111/J.1365-3040.2010.02262.X
Abstract: To date the use of fluorescent reporter constructs in analysing membrane transport has been limited primarily to cell lines expressing stably either the tagged transporter protein(s) or markers to identify lineages of interest. Strategies for transient expression have yet to be exploited in transport analysis, despite their wide application in cellular imaging studies. Here we describe a Gateway-compatible, bicistronic vector, incorporating the constitutive Ubiqutin-10 gene promoter of Arabidopsis that gives prolonged expression after transient transformation and enables fluorescence marking of cells without a fusion construct. We show that Arabidopsis root epidermal cells are readily transformed by co-cultivation with Agrobacterium and are tractable for quantitative electrophysiological analysis. As a proof of principle, we transiently transformed Arabidopsis with the bicistronic vector carrying GFP as the fluorescent marker and, separately, the integral plasma membrane protein SYP121 essential for the inward K+ channel current. We demonstrate that transient expression of SYP121 in syp121 mutant plants is sufficient to rescue the K+ current in vivo. The combination of transient expression and use of the bicistronic vector promises significant advantages for studies of membrane transport and nutrient acquisition in roots.
Potassium transport and use efficiency for sustainable fertigation in protected cropping
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-08-2023
DOI: 10.1002/SAE2.12065
Abstract: The increasing demand for high‐quality horticultural produces in global markets has driven the growing crop production under protected cropping, which are usually more efficient in fertilizer use compared to field cultivation. As one of the key macronutrients, available potassium (K + ) resources have decreased due to the expansion of intensive agriculture and excessive use of K fertilizers. Currently, limited strategies have been adopted to improve crop quality in protected cropping with sustainable use of K + fertigation and its comprehensive understanding at physiological and molecular levels. Therefore, we highlight the importance of optimal use of K + in fertigation in protected cultivation that may also enhance crop quality characteristics. We review different K + channels and transporters from various protein families responsible for K + absorption and distribution across different plant tissues. An analysis of the literature on transcriptome, ionome, proteome and metabolome profiles of crops suggests the crucial roles of K + in maintaining ion homoeostasis and modulating stress responses. It reveals that optimal K + fertigation levels in protected cropping not only aids in maintaining the overall crop growth and production but also participates in maintaining the fruit quality. This review can potentially guide crop production and resource use efficiency in protected cropping, contributing to global food security and a better sustainable agricultural and environmental future.
HvAKT2 and HvHAK1 confer drought tolerance in barley through enhanced leaf mesophyll H+ homoeostasis
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 24-01-2020
DOI: 10.1111/PBI.13332
Smart glass impacts stomatal sensitivity of greenhouse Capsicum through altered light
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 23-01-2021
DOI: 10.1093/JXB/ERAB028
Abstract: Optical films that alter light transmittance may reduce energy consumption in high-tech greenhouses, but their impact on crop physiology remains unclear. We compared the stomatal responses of Capsicum plants grown hydroponically under control glass (70% diffuse light) or the smart glass (SG) film ULR-80, which blocked & % of short-wave radiation and ~9% of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). SG had no significant effects on steady-state (gs) or maximal (gmax) stomatal conductance. In contrast, SG reduced stomatal pore size and sensitivity to exogenous abscisic acid (ABA), thereby increasing rates of leaf water loss, guard cell K+ and Cl– efflux, and Ca2+ influx. SG induced faster stomatal closing and opening rates on transition between low (100 µmol m–2 s–1) and high PAR (1500 µmol m–2 s–1), which compromised water use efficiency relative to control plants. The fraction of blue light (0% or 10%) did not affect gs in either treatment. Increased expression of stomatal closure and photoreceptor genes in epidermal peels of SG plants is consistent with fast stomatal responses to light changes. In conclusion, stomatal responses of Capsicum to SG were more affected by changes in light intensity than spectral quality, and re-engineering of the SG should maximize PAR transmission, and hence CO2 assimilation.
Comparative life cycle assessment for conventional and organic coffee cultivation in Vietnam
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 23-09-2020
Genetic diversity and QTL mapping of thermostability of limit dextrinase in barley
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 06-04-2015
Abstract: Limit dextrinase (LD) is an essential amylolytic enzyme for the complete degradation of starch, and it is closely associated with malt quality. A survey of 51 cultivated barley and 40 Tibetan wild barley genotypes showed a wide genetic ersity of LD activity and LD thermostability. Compared with cultivated barley, Tibetan wild barley showed lower LD activity and higher LD thermostability. A doubled haploid population composed of 496 DArT and 28 microsatellite markers was used for mapping Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs). Parental line Yerong showed low LD activity and high LD thermostability, but Franklin exhibited high LD activity and low LD thermostability. Three QTLs associated with thermostable LD were identified. The major QTL is close to the LD gene on chromosome 7H. The two minor QTLs colocalized with previously reported QTLs determining malt-extract and diastatic power on chromosomes 1H and 2H, respectively. These QTLs may be useful for a better understanding of the genetic control of LD activity and LD thermostability in barley.
Isolation of high purity guard cell protoplasts of Arabidopsis thaliana for omics research
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-07-2019
Molecular Regulation and Evolution of Cytokinin Signaling in Plant Abiotic Stresses
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 27-05-2022
DOI: 10.1093/PCP/PCAC071
Abstract: The sustainable production of crops faces increasing challenges from global climate change and human activities, which leads to increasing instances of many abiotic stressors to plants. Among the abiotic stressors, drought, salinity and excessive levels of toxic metals cause reductions in global agricultural productivity and serious health risks for humans. Cytokinins (CKs) are key phytohormones functioning in both normal development and stress responses in plants. Here, we summarize the molecular mechanisms on the biosynthesis, metabolism, transport and signaling transduction pathways of CKs. CKs act as negative regulators of both root system architecture plasticity and root sodium exclusion in response to salt stress. The functions of CKs in mineral-toxicity tolerance and their detoxification in plants are reviewed. Comparative genomic analyses were performed to trace the origin, evolution and ersification of the critical regulatory networks linking CK signaling and abiotic stress. We found that the production of CKs and their derivatives, pathways of signal transduction and drought-response root growth regulation are evolutionarily conserved in land plants. In addition, the mechanisms of CK-mediated sodium exclusion under salt stress are suggested for further investigations. In summary, we propose that the manipulation of CK levels and their signaling pathways is important for plant abiotic stress and is, therefore, a potential strategy for meeting the increasing demand for global food production under changing climatic conditions.
Revealing the roles of GORK channels and NADPH oxidase in acclimation to hypoxia in Arabidopsis
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 19-10-2016
DOI: 10.1093/JXB/ERW378
A Tripartite SNARE-K+ Channel Complex Mediates in Channel-Dependent K+ Nutrition in Arabidopsis
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 09-2009
Abstract: A few membrane vesicle trafficking (SNARE) proteins in plants are associated with signaling and transmembrane ion transport, including control of plasma membrane ion channels. Vesicle traffic contributes to the population of ion channels at the plasma membrane. Nonetheless, it is unclear whether these SNAREs also interact directly to affect channel gating and, if so, what functional impact this might have on the plant. Here, we report that the Arabidopsis thaliana SNARE SYP121 binds to KC1, a regulatory K+ channel subunit that assembles with different inward-rectifying K+ channels to affect their activities. We demonstrate that SYP121 interacts preferentially with KC1 over other Kv-like K+ channel subunits and that KC1 interacts specifically with SYP121 but not with its closest structural and functional homolog SYP122 nor with another related SNARE SYP111. SYP121 promoted gating of the inward-rectifying K+ channel AKT1 but only when heterologously coexpressed with KC1. Mutation in any one of the three genes, SYP121, KC1, and AKT1, selectively suppressed the inward-rectifying K+ current in Arabidopsis root epidermal protoplasts as well as K+ acquisition and growth in seedlings when channel-mediated K+ uptake was limiting. That SYP121 should be important for gating of a K+ channel and its role in inorganic mineral nutrition demonstrates an unexpected role for SNARE–ion channel interactions, apparently orced from signaling and vesicle traffic. Instead, it suggests a role in regulating K+ uptake coordinately with membrane expansion for cell growth.
Microhair on the adaxial leaf surface of salt secreting halophytic Oryza coarctata Roxb. show distinct morphotypes: Isolation for molecular and functional analysis
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.PLANTSCI.2019.05.004
Abstract: Halophytic Oryza coarctata is a good model system to examine mechanisms of salinity tolerance in rice. O. coarctata leaves show the presence of microhairs in adaxial leaf surface furrows that secrete salt under salinity. However, detailed molecular and physiological studies of O. coarctata microhairs are limited due to their relative inaccessibility. This work presents a detailed characterization of O. coarctata leaf features. O. coarctata has two types of microhairs on the adaxial leaf surface: longer microhairs (three morphotypes) lining epidermal furrow walls and shorter microhairs (reported first time) arising from bulliform cells. Microhair morphotypes include (i) finger-like, tubular structures, (ii) tubular hairs with bilobed and flattened heads and (iii) bi-or trifurcated hairs. The unicellular nature of microhairs was confirmed by propidium iodide (PI) staining. An efficient method for the isolation and enrichment of O. coarctata microhairs is presented (yield averaging ˜2 × 10
Transient silencing of an expansin HvEXPA1 inhibits root cell elongation and reduces Al accumulation in root cell wall of Tibetan wild barley
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2019
Energy costs of salt tolerance in crop plants
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-07-2019
DOI: 10.1111/NPH.15864
Abstract: Agriculture is expanding into regions that are affected by salinity. This review considers the energetic costs of salinity tolerance in crop plants and provides a framework for a quantitative assessment of costs. Different sources of energy, and modifications of root system architecture that would maximize water vs ion uptake are addressed. Energy requirements for transport of salt (NaCl) to leaf vacuoles for osmotic adjustment could be small if there are no substantial leaks back across plasma membrane and tonoplast in root and leaf. The coupling ratio of the H
Identification of mild freezing shock response pathways in barley based on transcriptome profiling
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 08-02-2016
Molecular Evolution of Grass Stomata
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.TPLANTS.2016.09.005
Abstract: Grasses began to ersify in the late Cretaceous Period and now dominate more than one third of global land area, including three-quarters of agricultural land. We hypothesize that their success is likely attributed to the evolution of highly responsive stomata capable of maximizing productivity in rapidly changing environments. Grass stomata harness the active turgor control mechanisms present in stomata of more ancient plant lineages, maximizing several morphological and developmental features to ensure rapid responses to environmental inputs. The evolutionary development of grass stomata appears to have been a gradual progression. Therefore, understanding the complex structures, developmental events, regulatory networks, and combinations of ion transporters necessary to drive rapid stomatal movement may inform future efforts towards breeding new crop varieties.
Melatonin improves rice salinity stress tolerance by NADPH oxidase‐dependent control of the plasma membrane K+ transporters and K+ homeostasis
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 24-05-2020
DOI: 10.1111/PCE.13759
Root Plasma Membrane Transporters Controlling K+/Na+ Homeostasis in Salt-Stressed Barley
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 26-10-2007
Abstract: Plant salinity tolerance is a polygenic trait with contributions from genetic, developmental, and physiological interactions, in addition to interactions between the plant and its environment. In this study, we show that in salt-tolerant genotypes of barley (Hordeum vulgare), multiple mechanisms are well combined to withstand saline conditions. These mechanisms include: (1) better control of membrane voltage so retaining a more negative membrane potential (2) intrinsically higher H+ pump activity (3) better ability of root cells to pump Na+ from the cytosol to the external medium and (4) higher sensitivity to supplemental Ca2+. At the same time, no significant difference was found between contrasting cultivars in their unidirectional 22Na+ influx or in the density and voltage dependence of depolarization-activated outward-rectifying K+ channels. Overall, our results are consistent with the idea of the cytosolic K+-to-Na+ ratio being a key determinant of plant salinity tolerance, and suggest multiple pathways of controlling that important feature in salt-tolerant plants.
Screening plants for salt tolerance by measuring K+ flux: A case study for barley
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 16-06-2005
Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Aluminum Tolerance in Tibetan Wild and Cultivated Barleys
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 14-05-2013
Revealing the role of the calcineurin b-like protein-interacting protein kinase 9 (Cipk9) in rice adaptive responses to salinity, osmotic stress, and k+ deficiency
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 23-07-2021
Abstract: In plants, calcineurin B-like (CBL) proteins and their interacting protein kinases (CIPK) form functional complexes that transduce downstream signals to membrane effectors assisting in their adaptation to adverse environmental conditions. This study addresses the issue of the physiological role of CIPK9 in adaptive responses to salinity, osmotic stress, and K+ deficiency in rice plants. Whole-plant physiological studies revealed that Oscipk9 rice mutant lacks a functional CIPK9 gene and displayed a mildly stronger phenotype, both under saline and osmotic stress conditions. The reported difference was attributed to the ability of Oscipk9 to maintain significantly higher stomatal conductance (thus, a greater carbon gain). Oscipk9 plants contained much less K+ in their tissues, implying the role of CIPK9 in K+ acquisition and homeostasis in rice. Oscipk9 roots also showed hypersensitivity to ROS under conditions of low K+ availability suggesting an important role of H2O2 signalling as a component of plant adaptive responses to a low-K environment. The likely mechanistic basis of above physiological responses is discussed.
Molecular evolution and genome-wide analysis of the SBP-box family in cucumber (Cucumis sativas)
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 26-10-2020
HvHOX9, a novel homeobox leucine zipper transcription factor, positively regulates aluminum tolerance in Tibetan wild barley
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 26-06-2020
DOI: 10.1093/JXB/ERAA290
Abstract: Aluminum (Al) toxicity is the primary limiting factor of crop production on acid soils. Tibetan wild barley germplasm is a valuable source of potential genes for breeding barley with acid and Al tolerance. We performed microRNA and RNA sequencing using wild (XZ16, Al-tolerant XZ61, Al-sensitive) and cultivated (Dayton, Al-tolerant) barley. A novel homeobox-leucine zipper transcription factor, HvHOX9, was identified as a target gene of miR166b and functionally characterized. HvHOX9 was up-regulated by Al stress in XZ16 (but unchanged in XZ61 and Dayton) and was significantly induced only in root tip. Phylogenetic analysis showed that HvHOX9 is most closely related to wheat TaHOX9 and orthologues of HvHOX9 are present in the closest algal relatives of Zygnematophyceae. Barley stripe mosaic virus-induced gene silencing of HvHOX9 in XZ16 led to significantly increased Al sensitivity but did not affect its sensitivity to other metals and low pH. Disruption of HvHOX9 did not change Al concentration in the root cell sap, but led to more Al accumulation in root cell wall after Al exposure. Silencing of HvHOX9 decreased H+ influx after Al exposure. Our findings suggest that miR166b/HvHOX9 play a critical role in Al tolerance by decreasing root cell wall Al binding and increasing apoplastic pH for Al detoxification in the root.
Dynamic genome evolution in a model fern
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-2022
DOI: 10.1038/S41477-022-01226-7
Abstract: The large size and complexity of most fern genomes have h ered efforts to elucidate fundamental aspects of fern biology and land plant evolution through genome-enabled research. Here we present a chromosomal genome assembly and associated methylome, transcriptome and metabolome analyses for the model fern species Ceratopteris richardii . The assembly reveals a history of remarkably dynamic genome evolution including rapid changes in genome content and structure following the most recent whole-genome duplication approximately 60 million years ago. These changes include massive gene loss, r ant tandem duplications and multiple horizontal gene transfers from bacteria, contributing to the ersification of defence-related gene families. The insertion of transposable elements into introns has led to the large size of the Ceratopteris genome and to exceptionally long genes relative to other plants. Gene family analyses indicate that genes directing seed development were co-opted from those controlling the development of fern sporangia, providing insights into seed plant evolution. Our findings and annotated genome assembly extend the utility of Ceratopteris as a model for investigating and teaching plant biology.
Studying Plant Salt Tolerance with the Voltage Clamp Technique
Publisher: Humana Press
Date: 2012
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-61779-986-0_2
Abstract: Voltage cl is one of the key techniques for the dissection, identification, and monitoring of ion transporters in plant cells. Voltage cl -based research work on salinity stress in plants enables the characterization of many plant ATP-dependent pumps, ion channels, and ion-coupled carriers through heterologous expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes and in vivo measurements in salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive giant green algae such as Chara and many plant species. We have modified and developed a reliable set of procedures for voltage cl analysis in intact guard cells and root epidermal cells from Arabidopsis thaliana with potentially broad applications in the salinity response of plants. These procedures greatly extend the duration of measurements and scope for analysis of the predominant K(+) and anion channels.
Light-altering cover materials and sustainable greenhouse production of vegetables: a review
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-06-2021
Unveiling novel genes in Fern genomes for the design of stress tolerant crops
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2022
The energy cost of the tonoplast futile sodium leak
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 30-03-2020
DOI: 10.1111/NPH.15758
Abstract: Active removal of Na
Large Vascular Bundle Phloem Area 4 enhances grain yield and quality in rice via source–sink–flow
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 30-09-2022
Abstract: In rice (Oryza sativa L.), vascular bundle phloem tissue in the panicle neck is vital for the transport of photosynthetic products from leaf to panicle and is positively associated with grain yield. However, genetic regulation of the single large vascular bundle phloem area (LVPA) in rice panicle neck tissue remains poorly understood. In this study, we carried out genome-wide association analysis of LVPA in the panicle neck using 386 rice accessions and isolated and characterized the gene LVPA4, which is allelic to NARROW LEAF1 (NAL1). Phenotypic analyses were carried out on the near-isogenic line (NIL) NIL-LVPA4LT in the high-yielding indica (xian) cultivar Teqing and on overexpression lines transformed with a vector carrying the Lemont alleles of LVPA4. Both NIL-LVPA4LT and LVPA4 overexpression lines exhibited significantly increased LVPA, enlarged flag leaf size, and improved panicle type. NIL-LVPA4LT had a 7.6%–9.6% yield increase, mainly due to the significantly higher filled grain number per panicle, larger vascular system for transporting photoassimilates to spikelets, and more sufficient source supply that could service the increased sink capacity. Moreover, NIL-LVPA4LT had improved grain quality compared with Teqing, which was mainly attributed to substantial improvement in grain filling, especially for inferior spikelets in NIL-LVPA4LT. The single-nucleotide variation in the third exon of LVPA4 was associated with LVPA, spikelet number, and leaf size throughout sequencing analysis in 386 panels. The results demonstrate that LVPA4 has synergistic effects on source capacity, sink size, and flow transport and plays crucial roles in rice productivity and grain quality, thus revealing the value of LVPA4 in rice breeding programs for improved varieties.
Environmental Impact and Carbon Footprint Assessment of Taiwanese Agricultural Products: A Case Study on Taiwanese Dongshan Tea
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.3390/EN12010138
Abstract: Climate change is an important global environmental threat. Agriculture aggravates climate change by increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and in response, climate change reduces agricultural productivity. Consequently, the modern agricultural development mode has progressively transformed into a kind of sustainable development mode. This study aimed to determine the environmental impact and carbon footprint of Dongshan tea from Yilan County. Environmental impact was assessed with use of SimaPro version 8.0.2 and IMPACT2002+. Results showed that climate change has the largest impact upon it in general, followed by human health, natural resources, and ecosystem quality. Furthermore, with use of the IPCC 2007 100a method for carbon footprint of products (CFP), conventional tea was found to have a CFP of 7.035 kgCO2-e, and its main contributors are the raw material (35.15%) and consumer use (45.58%) phases. From this case study, we found that the hotspots of the life cycle of environmental impact of Taiwanese tea mainly come from fertilizer input during the raw material phase, electricity use during manufacturing, and electricity use during water boiling in the consumer use phase (which contributes the largest impact). We propose the ways for consumers to use of highly efficient boiling water facilities and heating preservation, and the government must market the use of organic fertilizers in the national policy subsidies, and farmers have to prudent use of fertilizers and promote the use of local raw fertilizers, and engagement in direct sales for reducing the environmental impacts and costs of agricultural products and thus advancing sustainable agriculture development.
Hypoxia sensing in plants: on a quest for ion channels as putative oxygen sensors
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 06-2017
DOI: 10.1093/PCP/PCX079
Abstract: Over 17 million km2 of land is affected by soil flooding every year, resulting in substantial yield losses and jeopardizing food security across the globe. A key step in resolving this problem and creating stress-tolerant cultivars is an understanding of the mechanisms by which plants sense low-oxygen stress. In this work, we review the current knowledge about the oxygen-sensing and signaling pathway in mammalian and plant systems and postulate the potential role of ion channels as putative oxygen sensors in plant roots. We first discuss the definition and requirements for the oxygen sensor and the difference between sensing and signaling. We then summarize the literature and identify several known candidates for oxygen sensing in the mammalian literature. This includes transient receptor potential (TRP) channels K+-permeable channels (Kv, BK and TASK) Ca2+ channels (RyR and TPC) and various chemo- and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent oxygen sensors. Identified key oxygen-sensing domains (PAS, GCS, GAF and PHD) in mammalian systems are used to predict the potential plant counterparts in Arabidopsis. Finally, the sequences of known mammalian ion channels with reported roles in oxygen sensing were employed to BLAST the Arabidopsis genome for the candidate genes. Several plasma membrane and tonoplast ion channels (such as TPC, AKT and KCO) and oxygen domain-containing proteins with predicted oxygen-sensing ability were identified and discussed. We propose a testable model for potential roles of ion channels in plant hypoxia sensing.
Evolution of rapid blue‐light response linked to explosive diversification of ferns in angiosperm forests
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-01-2021
DOI: 10.1111/NPH.17135
An miR156-regulated nucleobase-ascorbate transporter 2 confers cadmium tolerance via enhanced anti-oxidative capacity in barley
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2023
Evolution of Abscisic Acid Signaling for Stress Responses to Toxic Metals and Metalloids
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 17-07-2020
Oscillations in plant membrane transport: model predictions, experimental validation, and physiological implications
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 05-12-2006
DOI: 10.1093/JXB/ERJ022
Abstract: Although oscillations in membrane-transport activity are ubiquitous in plants, the ionic mechanisms of ultradian oscillations in plant cells remain largely unknown, despite much phenomenological data. The physiological role of such oscillations is also the subject of much speculation. Over the last decade, much experimental evidence showing oscillations in net ion fluxes across the plasma membrane of plant cells has been accumulated using the non-invasive MIFE technique. In this study, a recently proposed feedback-controlled oscillatory model was used. The model adequately describes the observed ion flux oscillations within the minute range of periods and predicts: (i) strong dependence of the period of oscillations on the rate constants for the H+ pump (ii) a substantial phase shift between oscillations in net H+ and K+ fluxes (iii) cessation of oscillations when H+ pump activity is suppressed (iv) the existence of some 'window' of external temperatures and ionic concentrations, where non-d ed oscillations are observed: outside this range, even small changes in external parameters lead to progressive d ing and aperiodic behaviour (v) frequency encoding of environmental information by oscillatory patterns and (vi) strong dependence of oscillatory characteristics on cell size. All these predictions were successfully confirmed by direct experimental observations, when net ion fluxes were measured from root and leaf tissues of various plant species, or from single cells. Because oscillatory behaviour is inherent in feedback control systems having phase shifts, it is argued from this model that suitable conditions will allow oscillations in any cell or tissue. The possible physiological role of such oscillations is discussed in the context of plant adaptive responses to salinity, temperature, osmotic, hypoxia, and pH stresses.
Chloride transport at plant-soil Interface modulates barley cd tolerance
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 29-05-2019
Molecular mechanisms of salinity tolerance in rice
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2021
Overexpression of HvAKT1 improves drought tolerance in barley by regulating root ion homeostasis and ROS and NO signaling
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 07-08-2020
DOI: 10.1093/JXB/ERAA354
Abstract: Potassium (K+) is the major cationic inorganic nutrient utilized for osmotic regulation, cell growth, and enzyme activation in plants. Inwardly rectifying K+ channel 1 (AKT1) is the primary channel for root K+ uptake in plants, but the function of HvAKT1 in barley plants under drought stress has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we conducted evolutionary bioinformatics, biotechnological, electrophysiological, and biochemical assays to explore molecular mechanisms of HvAKT1 in response to drought in barley. The expression of HvAKT1 was significantly up-regulated by drought stress in the roots of XZ5—a drought-tolerant wild barley genotype. We isolated and functionally characterized the plasma membrane-localized HvAKT1 using Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation and Barley stripe mosaic virus-induced gene silencing of HvAKT1 in barley. Evolutionary bioinformatics indicated that the K+ selective filter in AKT1 originated from streptophyte algae and is evolutionarily conserved in land plants. Silencing of HvAKT1 resulted in significantly decreased biomass and suppressed K+ uptake in root epidermal cells under drought treatment. Disruption of HvAKT1 decreased root H+ efflux, H+-ATPase activity, and nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, but increased hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production in the roots under drought stress. Furthermore, we observed that overexpression of HvAKT1 improves K+ uptake and increases drought resistance in barley. Our results highlight the importance of HvAKT1 for root K+ uptake and its pleiotropic effects on root H+-ATPase, and H2O2 and NO in response to drought stress, providing new insights into the genetic basis of drought tolerance and K+ nutrition in barley.
Reduced apoplastic barriers in tissues of shoot-proximal rhizomes of Oryza coarctata are associated with Na+ sequestration
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 04-10-2021
DOI: 10.1093/JXB/ERAB440
Abstract: Oryza coarctata is the only wild rice species with significant salinity tolerance. The present work examines the role of the substantial rhizomatous tissues of O. coarctata in conferring salinity tolerance. Transition to an erect phenotype (shoot emergence) from prostrate growth of rhizome tissues is characterized by marked lignification and suberization of supporting sclerenchymatous tissue, epidermis, and bundle sheath cells in aerial shoot-proximal nodes and internodes in O. coarctata. With salinity, however, aerial shoot-proximal internodal tissues show reductions in lignification and suberization, most probably related to re-direction of carbon flux towards synthesis of the osmporotectant proline. Concurrent with hypolignification and reduced suberization, the aerial rhizomatous biomass of O. coarctata appears to have evolved mechanisms to store Na+ in these specific tissues under salinity. This was confirmed by histochemical staining, quantitative real-time reverse transcription–PCR expression patterns of genes involved in lignification/suberization, Na+ and K+ contents of internodal tissues, as well as non-invasive microelectrode ion flux measurements of NaCl-induced net Na+, K+, and H+ flux profiles of aerial nodes were determined. In O. coarctata, aerial proximal internodes appear to act as ‘traffic controllers’, sending required amounts of Na+ and K+ into developing leaves for osmotic adjustment and turgor-driven growth, while more deeply positioned internodes assume a Na+ buffering/storage role.
Precise exogenous insertion and sequence replacements in poplar by simultaneous HDR overexpression and NHEJ suppression using CRISPR-Cas9
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 06-07-2020
DOI: 10.1101/2020.07.04.188219
Abstract: CRISPR-mediated genome editing has become a powerful tool for genetic modification of biological traits. However, developing an efficient, site-specific, gene knock-in system based on homology-directed DNA repair (HDR) remains a significant challenge in plants, especially in woody species like poplar. Here, we show that simultaneous inhibition of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) recombination cofactor XRCC4 and overexpression of HDR enhancer factors CtIP and MRE11 can improve the HDR efficiency for gene knock-in. Using this approach, the BleoR gene was integrated onto the 3′ end of the MKK2 MAP Kinase gene to generate a BleoR-MKK2 fusion protein. Based on exogenous BleoR expression, the HDR-mediated knock-in efficiency was up to ∼40-fold greater when using a XRCC4 silencing incorporated with a combination of CtIP and MRE11 overexpression compared to no HDR enhancement or NHEJ silencing. Furthermore, this corporation of HDR enhancer overexpression and NHEJ repression also resulted in 7-fold fewer CRISPR-induced Insertions and Deletions (InDels), resulting in no functional effects on MKK2 -based salt stress responses in poplar. Therefore, this approach may be useful not only in poplar and plants or crops but also in mammalians for improving CRISPR-mediated gene knock-in efficiency.
Distinct Evolutionary Origins of Intron Retention Splicing Events in NHX1 Antiporter Transcripts Relate to Sequence Specific Distinctions in Oryza Species
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 11-03-2020
Sustainable Protected Cropping: A Case Study of Seasonal Impacts on Greenhouse Energy Consumption during Capsicum Production
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 30-08-2020
DOI: 10.3390/EN13174468
Abstract: Sustainable food production in protected cropping is increasing rapidly in response to global climate change and population growth. However, there are significant knowledge gaps regarding energy consumption while achieving optimum environmental conditions for greenhouse crop production. A capsicum crop cultivated in a high-tech greenhouse facility in Australia was analysed in terms of relationships between key environmental variables and the comparative analysis of energy consumption during different seasons. We showed that daily energy consumption varied due to the seasonal nature of the external environment and maintenance of optimal growing temperatures. Total power consumption reported throughout the entire crop cycle for heating (gas hot water system) and cooling (pad and fan) was 12,503 and 5183 kWh, respectively hence, heating consumed ca. 70% of the total energy requirement over the 8-month growing period (early spring to late autumn) in the greenhouse facility. Regressions of daily energy consumption within each season, designated either predominantly for heating or cooling, indicated that energy consumption was 14.62 kWh per 1 °C heating and 2.23 kWh per 1 °C cooling. Therefore, changing the planting date to late spring is likely to significantly reduce heating energy costs for greenhouse capsicum growers in Australia. The findings will provide useful guidelines to maximise the greenhouse production of capsicum with better economic return by taking into consideration the potential optimal energy saving strategy during different external environment conditions and seasons.
Unravelling the physiological basis of salinity stress tolerance in cultivated and wild rice species
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 22-02-2022
DOI: 10.1071/FP21336
Abstract: Wild rice species provide a rich source of genetic ersity for possible introgression of salinity stress tolerance in cultivated rice. We investigated the physiological basis of salinity stress tolerance in Oryza species by using six rice genotypes (Oryza sativa L.) and four wild rice species. Three weeks of salinity treatment significantly (P 0.05) reduced physiological and growth indices of all cultivated and wild rice lines. However, the impact of salinity-induced growth reduction differed substantially among accessions. Salt tolerant accessions showed better control over gas exchange properties, exhibited higher tissue tolerance, and retained higher potassium ion content despite higher sodium ion accumulation in leaves. Wild rice species showed relatively lower and steadier xylem sap sodium ion content over the period of 3 weeks analysed, suggesting better control over ionic sodium xylem loading and its delivery to shoots with efficient vacuolar sodium ion sequestration. Contrary to this, saline sensitive genotypes managed to avoid initial Na+ loading but failed to accomplish this in the long term and showed higher sap sodium ion content. Conclusively, our results suggest that wild rice genotypes have more efficient control over xylem sodium ion loading, rely on tissue tolerance mechanisms and allow for a rapid osmotic adjustment by using sodium ions as cheap osmoticum for osmoregulation.
Cell-specialized chloroplast signaling orchestrates photosynthetic and extracellular reactive oxygen species for stress responses
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 03-08-2023
DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.02.551742
Abstract: Cellular responses to abiotic stress involve multiple secondary messengers including reactive oxygen species (ROS), Ca 2+ , phytohormones such as abscisic acid (ABA) and chloroplast-to-nucleus retrograde signals such as 3’-phosphoadenosine 5’-phosphate (PAP). Mechanism(s) by which these messengers, produced in different subcellular compartments, intersect for cell regulation remain enigmatic. Here we demonstrate a mechanistic link enabling ABA and the chloroplast retrograde signal PAP to coordinate both chloroplast and plasma membrane ROS production. In whole leaves, PAP alters various ROS-related processes including plasmodesmal permeability as well as responses to ozone and the bacterial elicitor flg22, but largely quenches ROS during oxidative stress. Conversely, in guard cells, both PAP and ABA induce a ROS burst in both chloroplasts via photosynthetic electron transport, and the apoplast via the RESPIRATORY BURST OXIDASE HOMOLOG (RBOH). Both subcellular ROS sources were necessary for ABA- and PAP-mediated stomatal closure. However, PAP signaling erges from ABA by activating RBOHD, instead of RBOHF, for apoplastic ROS production. We identify calcium-dependent protein kinases (CPKs) transcriptionally induced by PAP as the post-translational activators of RBOHD-mediated ROS production. CPK13, CPK32, and CPK34 concurrently activate RBOHD and the slow anion channel SLAC1 by phosphorylating two Serine (S) residues, including S120 which is also targeted by the core ABA signaling kinase OPEN STOMATA 1 (OST1). Consequently, overexpressing the PAP-induced CPKs rescues stomatal closure in ost1. Our data identify chloroplasts, as sources and mediators of ROS and retrograde signals such PAP, to be critical environmental sensors and focal node in the multifaceted cellular stress response network. The chloroplast is an important node to coordinate multiple plant signaling pathways in response to stresses such as drought. However, how does it function in specialized cells for which carbon fixation is secondary? Here we show that the chloroplast retrograde signal 3’-phosphoadenosine 5’-phosphate (PAP) plays multiple roles in reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling and homeostasis. While PAP suppresses ROS in photosynthetic tissue, surprisingly PAP induces ROS in chloroplasts and extracellular space of guard cells to induce stomatal closure. We decipher how PAP-induced proteins activate both extracellular ROS production and anion channels for stomatal closure, thus providing a mechanism by which chloroplasts provide a strategic complement to canonical hormonal pathways in regulating plant physiological responses in specialized cells.
Highly Conserved Evolution of Aquaporin PIPs and TIPs Confers Their Crucial Contribution to Flowering Process in Plants
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 04-01-2022
Abstract: Flowering is the key process for the sexual reproduction in seed plants. In gramineous crops, the process of flowering, which includes the actions of both glume opening and glume closing, is directly driven by the swelling and withering of lodicules due to the water flow into and out of lodicule cells. All these processes are considered to be controlled by aquaporins, which are the essential transmembrane proteins that facilitate the transport of water and other small molecules across the biological membranes. In the present study, the evolution of aquaporins and their contribution to flowering process in plants were investigated via an integration of genome-wide analysis and gene expression profiling. Across the barley genome, we found that HvTIP1 , HvTIP1 , HvTIP2 , and HvPIP2 were the predominant aquaporin genes in lodicules and significantly upregulated in responding to glume opening and closing, suggesting the importance of them in the flowering process of barley. Likewise, the putative homologs of the above four aquaporin genes were also abundantly expressed in lodicules of the other monocots like rice and maize and in petals of eudicots like cotton, tobacco, and tomato. Furthermore, all of them were mostly upregulated in responding to the process of floret opening, indicating a conserved function of these aquaporin proteins in plant flowering. The phylogenetic analysis based on the OneKP database revealed that the homologs of TIP1 , TIP1 , TIP2 , and PIP2 were highly conserved during the evolution, especially in the angiosperm species, in line with their conserved function in controlling the flowering process. Taken together, it could be concluded that the highly evolutionary conservation of TIP1 , TIP1 , TIP2 and PIP2 plays important roles in the flowering process for both monocots and eudicots.
Value-added products as soil conditioners for sustainable agriculture
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2022
GORK Channel: A Master Switch of Plant Metabolism?
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2020
DOI: 10.1016/J.TPLANTS.2019.12.012
Abstract: Potassium regulates a plethora of metabolic and developmental response in plants, and upon exposure to biotic and abiotic stresses a substantial K
DNA microarray revealed and RNAi plants confirmed key genes conferring low Cd accumulation in barley grains
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 26-10-2015
Tissue-specific root ion profiling reveals essential roles of the CAX and ACA calcium transport systems in response to hypoxia in Arabidopsis
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 17-02-2016
DOI: 10.1093/JXB/ERW034
Capsicum Waste as a Sustainable Source of Capsaicinoids for Metabolic Diseases
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 20-02-2023
Abstract: Capsaicinoids are pungent alkaloid compounds enriched with antioxidants, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, analgesics, anti-carcinogenic, anti-obesity and anti-diabetic properties. These compounds are primarily synthesised in the placenta of the fruit and then transported to other vegetative parts. Different varieties of capsicum and chillies contain different capsaicinoid concentrations. As capsicums and chillies are grown extensively throughout the world, their agricultural and horticultural production leads to significant amount of waste generation, in the form of fruits and plant biomass. Fruit wastes (placenta, seeds and unused fruits) and plant biowaste (stems and leaves) can serve as sources of capsaicinoids which can provide opportunities to extract these compounds for development of nutraceutical products using conventional or advanced extraction techniques. Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin are two most abundantly found pungent compounds. Considering the health benefits of capsaicinoids, these compounds can help in reducing metabolic disease complications. The development of an advanced encapsulation therapy of safe and clinically effective oral capsaicinoid/capsaicin formulation seem to require evaluation of strategies to address challenges related to the dosage, limited half-life and bioavailability, adverse effects and pungency, and the impacts of other ligands antagonising the major capsaicinoid receptor.
A novel cover material improves cooling energy and fertigation efficiency for glasshouse eggplant production
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2022
Stomatal regulation and adaptation to salinity in glycophytes and halophytes
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2022
An ATP binding cassette transporter HvABCB25 confers aluminum detoxification in wild barley
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2021
QTLs for stomatal and photosynthetic traits related to salinity tolerance in barley
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-01-2017
PpVIN2, an acid invertase gene family member, is sensitive to chilling temperature and affects sucrose metabolism in postharvest peach fruit
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-06-2018
Integrated physiological and omics analyses reveal the mechanism of beneficial fungal Trichoderma sp. alleviating cadmium toxicity in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2023
Analysis of gas exchange, stomatal behaviour and micronutrients uncovers dynamic response and adaptation of tomato plants to monochromatic light treatments
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.PLAPHY.2014.05.012
Abstract: Light spectrum affects the yield and quality of greenhouse tomato, especially over a prolonged period of monochromatic light treatments. Physiological and chemical analysis was employed to investigate the influence of light spectral (blue, green and red) changes on growth, photosynthesis, stomatal behaviour, leaf pigment, and micronutrient levels. We found that plants are less affected under blue light treatment, which was evident by the maintenance of higher A, gs, Tr, and stomatal parameters and significantly lower VPD and Tleaf as compared to those plants grown in green and red light treatments. Green and red light treatments led to significantly larger increase in the accumulation of Fe, B, Zn, and Cu than blue light. Moreover, guard cell length, width, and volume all showed highly significant positive correlations to gs, Tr and negative links to VPD. There was negative impact of monochromatic lights-induced accumulation of Mn, Cu, and Zn on photosynthesis, leaf pigments and plant growth. Furthermore, most of the light-induced significant changes of the physiological traits were partially recovered at the end of experiment. A high degree of morphological and physiological plasticity to blue, green and red light treatments suggested that tomato plants may have developed mechanisms to adapt to the light treatments. Thus, understanding the optimization of light spectrum for photosynthesis and growth is one of the key components for greenhouse tomato production.
Protocol: optimised electrophyiological analysis of intact guard cells from Arabidopsis
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-05-2012
Abstract: Genetic resources available for Arabidopsis thaliana make this species particularly attractive as a model for molecular genetic studies of guard cell homeostasis, transport and signalling, but this facility is not matched by accessible tools for quantitative analysis of transport in the intact cell. We have developed a reliable set of procedures for voltage cl analysis of guard cells from Arabidopsis leaves. These procedures greatly simplify electrophysiological recordings, extending the duration of measurements and scope for analysis of the predominant K + and anion channels of intact stomatal guard cells to that achieved previously in work with Vicia and tobacco guard cells.
Effect of high light on canopy-level photosynthesis and leaf mesophyll ion flux in tomato
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-10-2020
DOI: 10.1007/S00425-020-03493-0
Abstract: This study highlights the potential link between high light-induced canopy-level photosynthesis and mesophyll cell K
Nitrate reductase mutation alters potassium nutrition as well as nitric oxide‐mediated control of guard cell ion channels in Arabidopsis
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 28-10-2015
DOI: 10.1111/NPH.13714
Abstract: Maintaining potassium (K + ) nutrition and a robust guard cell K + inward channel activity is considered critical for plants’ adaptation to fluctuating and challenging growth environment. ABA induces stomatal closure through hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide ( NO ) along with subsequent ion channel‐mediated loss of K + and anions. However, the interactions of NO synthesis and signalling with K + nutrition and guard cell K + channel activities have not been fully explored in Arabidopsis . Physiological and molecular techniques were employed to dissect the interaction of nitrogen and potassium nutrition in regulating stomatal opening, CO 2 assimilation and ion channel activity. These data, gene expression and ABA signalling transduction were compared in wild‐type Columbia‐0 (Col‐0) and the nitrate reductase mutant nia1nia2 . Growth and K + nutrition were impaired along with stomatal behaviour, membrane transport, and expression of genes associated with ABA signalling in the nia1nia2 mutant. ABA ‐inhibited K + in current and ABA ‐enhanced slow anion current were absent in nia1nia2 . Exogenous NO restored regulation of these channels for complete stomatal closure in nia1nia2 . While NO is an important signalling component in ABA ‐induced stomatal closure in Arabidopsis , our findings demonstrate a more complex interaction associating potassium nutrition and nitrogen metabolism in the nia1nia2 mutant that affects stomatal function.
Tissue-Specific Regulation of Na+ and K+ Transporters Explains Genotypic Differences in Salinity Stress Tolerance in Rice
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 11-2019
Combining ability of salinity tolerance on the basis of NaCl-induced K + flux from roots of barley
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-2008
Combining ability of barley flour pasting properties
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2008
QTL Mapping Combined With Bulked Segregant Analysis Identify SNP Markers Linked to Leaf Shape Traits in Pisum sativum Using SLAF Sequencing
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 05-12-2018
Evolution of phosphate metabolism in Tibetan wild barley to adapt to aluminum stress
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 25-04-0009
A chloroplast retrograde signal, 3’phosphoadenosine 5’-phosphate, acts as a secondary messenger in abscisic acid signaling in stomatal closure and germination
Publisher: eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd
Date: 21-03-2017
DOI: 10.7554/ELIFE.23361
Abstract: Organelle-nuclear retrograde signaling regulates gene expression, but its roles in specialized cells and integration with hormonal signaling remain enigmatic. Here we show that the SAL1-PAP (3′-phosphoadenosine 5′- phosphate) retrograde pathway interacts with abscisic acid (ABA) signaling to regulate stomatal closure and seed germination in Arabidopsis. Genetically or exogenously manipulating PAP bypasses the canonical signaling components ABA Insensitive 1 (ABI1) and Open Stomata 1 (OST1) priming an alternative pathway that restores ABA-responsive gene expression, ROS bursts, ion channel function, stomatal closure and drought tolerance in ost1-2. PAP also inhibits wild type and abi1-1 seed germination by enhancing ABA sensitivity. PAP-XRN signaling interacts with ABA, ROS and Ca2+ up-regulating multiple ABA signaling components, including lowly-expressed Calcium Dependent Protein Kinases (CDPKs) capable of activating the anion channel SLAC1. Thus, PAP exhibits many secondary messenger attributes and exemplifies how retrograde signals can have broader roles in hormone signaling, allowing chloroplasts to fine-tune physiological responses.
Molecular evolution and functional modification of plant miRNAs with CRISPR
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.TPLANTS.2022.01.009
Abstract: Gene editing using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat/CRISPR-associated proteins (CRISPR/Cas) has revolutionized biotechnology and provides genetic tools for medicine and life sciences. However, the application of this technology to miRNAs, with the function as negative gene regulators, has not been extensively reviewed in plants. Here, we summarize the evolution, biogenesis, and structure of miRNAs, as well as their interactions with mRNAs and computational models for predicting target genes. In addition, we review current advances in CRISPR/Cas for functional analysis and for modulating miRNA genes in plants. Extending our knowledge of miRNAs and their manipulation with CRISPR will provide fundamental understanding of the functions of plant miRNAs and facilitate more sustainable and publicly acceptable genetic engineering of crops.
Ionomic responses and correlations between elements and metabolites under salt stress in wild and cultivated barley
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 16-10-2013
DOI: 10.1093/PCP/PCT134
Abstract: A thorough understanding of ionic detoxification and homeostasis is imperative for improvement of salt tolerance in crops. However, the homeostasis of elements and their relationship to metabolites under salt stress have not been fully elucidated in plants. In this study, Tibetan wild barley accessions, XZ16 and XZ169, differing in salt tolerance, and a salt-tolerant cultivar CM72 were used to investigate ionomic profile changes in tissues in response to 150 and 300 mM NaCl at the germination and seedling stages. At the germination stage, the contents of Ca and Fe significantly decreased in roots, while K and S contents increased, and Ca and Mg contents decreased in shoots, after 10 d of treatment. At the seedling stage, the contents of K, Mg, P and Mn in roots and of K, Ca, Mg and S in shoots decreased significantly after 21 d of treatment. Moreover, Na had a significant negative correlation with metabolites involved in glycolysis, α-ketoglutaric acid, maleic acid and alanine in roots, and metabolites associated with the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, sucrose, polyols and aspartate in leaves. The salt-tolerant genotypes XZ16 and CM72 showed a lower Na content in tissues, and less reduction in Zn and Cu in roots, of Ca, Mg and S in leaves, and shoot DW than the sensitive genotype XZ169, when exposed to a higher salt level. The results indicated that restriction of Na accumulation and rearrangement of nutrient elements and metabolites in barley tissues are possibly attributable to development of salt tolerance.
Morpho-physiological and micrographic characterization of maize hybrids under NaCl and Cd stress
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 21-05-2014
Molecular and Evolutionary Mechanisms of Cuticular Wax for Plant Drought Tolerance
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 28-04-2017
Molecular evidence for adaptive evolution of drought tolerance in wild cereals
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 29-11-2022
DOI: 10.1111/NPH.18560
Abstract: The considerable drought tolerance of wild cereal crop progenitors has diminished during domestication in the pursuit of higher productivity. Regaining this trait in cereal crops is essential for global food security but requires novel genetic insight. Here, we assessed the molecular evidence for natural variation of drought tolerance in wild barley ( Hordeum spontaneum ), wild emmer wheat ( Triticum dicoccoides ), and Brachypodium species collected from dry and moist habitats at Evolution Canyon, Israel (ECI). We report that prevailing moist vs dry conditions have differentially shaped the stomatal and photosynthetic traits of these wild cereals in their respective habitats. We present the genomic and transcriptomic evidence accounting for differences, including co‐expression gene modules, correlated with physiological traits, and selective sweeps, driven by the xeric site conditions on the African Slope (AS) at ECI. Co‐expression gene module ‘circadian rhythm’ was linked to significant drought‐induced delay in flowering time in Brachypodium stacei genotypes. African Slope‐specific differentially expressed genes are important in barley drought tolerance, verified by silencing Disease‐Related Nonspecific Lipid Transfer 1 ( DRN1 ), Nonphotochemical Quenching 4 ( NPQ4 ), and Brassinosteroid‐Responsive Ring‐H1 ( BRH1 ). Our results provide new genetic information for the breeding of resilient wheat and barley in a changing global climate with increasingly frequent drought events.
A Novel Motif Essential for SNARE Interaction with the K+ Channel KC1 and Channel Gating inArabidopsis
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 09-2010
Abstract: The SNARE (for soluble N-ethylmaleimide–sensitive factor protein attachment protein receptor) protein SYP121 (=SYR1/PEN1) of Arabidopsis thaliana facilitates vesicle traffic, delivering ion channels and other cargo to the plasma membrane, and contributing to plant cell expansion and defense. Recently, we reported that SYP121 also interacts directly with the K+ channel subunit KC1 and forms a tripartite complex with a second K+ channel subunit, AKT1, to control channel gating and K+ transport. Here, we report isolating a minimal sequence motif of SYP121 prerequisite for its interaction with KC1. We made use of yeast mating-based split-ubiquitin and in vivo bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays for protein–protein interaction and of expression and electrophysiological analysis. The results show that interaction of SYP121 with KC1 is associated with a novel FxRF motif uniquely situated within the first 12 residues of the SNARE sequence, that this motif is the minimal requirement for SNARE-dependent alterations in K+ channel gating when heterologously expressed, and that rescue of KC1-associated K+ current of the root epidermis in syp121 mutant Arabidopsis plants depends on expression of SNARE constructs incorporating this motif. These results establish the FxRF sequence as a previously unidentified motif required for SNARE–ion channel interactions and lead us to suggest a mechanistic framework for understanding the coordination of vesicle traffic with transmembrane ion transport.
Stress signaling convergence and nutrient crosstalk determine zinc-mediated amelioration against cadmium toxicity in rice
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.ECOENV.2021.113128
Abstract: Consumption of rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the major pathways for heavy metal bioaccumulation in humans over time. Understanding the molecular responses of rice to heavy metal contamination in agriculture is useful for eco-toxicological assessment of cadmium (Cd) and its interaction with zinc (Zn). In certain crops, the impacts of Cd stress or Zn nutrition on the biophysical chemistry and gene expression have been widely investigated, but their molecular interactions at transcriptomic level, particularly in rice roots, are still elusive. Here, hydroponic investigations were carried out with two rice genotypes (Yinni-801 and Heizhan-43), varying in Cd contents in plant tissues to determine their transcriptomic responses upon Cd
Genomic adaptation to drought in wild barley is driven by edaphic natural selection at the Tabigha Evolution Slope
Publisher: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Date: 30-04-2018
Abstract: Microsite evolution involving ecological ergence due to geological, edaphic, or climatic conditions requires adaptive complexes to environmental stresses. The higher drought tolerance of wild barley populations inhabiting Terra Rossa soil at the Tabigha Evolution Slope has been described, but the underlying genetic mechanisms remain unknown. Using genome resequencing and RNA-sequencing technologies of wild barley genotypes from contrasting Terra Rossa and basalt soil types, we identified genes in selection sweep regions on chromosomes 6H and 7H, showing ergence in the barley populations from Terra Rossa and basalt soils with significant roles in plant drought tolerance. Our results set a solid foundation for future work on gene discovery and on drought adaptation mechanisms in barley related to the rhizosphere environment.
Related Organisations
University Of Glasgow
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Related Funding Activities
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101143
Start Date: 03-2014
End Date: 09-2017
Amount: $395,220.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityLinkage Projects - Grant ID: LP210200955
Start Date: 11-2022
End Date: 11-2025
Amount: $381,889.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityLinkage Projects - Grant ID: LP220200872
Start Date: 07-2023
End Date: 06-2027
Amount: $704,970.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityARC Future Fellowships - Grant ID: FT210100366
Start Date: 05-2022
End Date: 04-2026
Amount: $1,024,000.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded Activity