Plants

23 pages, 2561 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Changes in Whole Gene Expression, Biological Process, and Molecular Functions Induced by Nickel in Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana)

by Alistar Moy, Karolina Czajka, Paul Michael and Kabwe Nkongolo

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2889; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152889 - 07 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 943

Abstract

Understanding the genetic response of plants to nickel stress is a necessary step to improving the utility of plants in environmental remediation and restoration. The main objective of this study was to generate whole genome expression profiles of P. banksiana exposed to nickel [...] Read more.

Understanding the genetic response of plants to nickel stress is a necessary step to improving the utility of plants in environmental remediation and restoration. The main objective of this study was to generate whole genome expression profiles of P. banksiana exposed to nickel ion toxicity compared to reference genotypes. Pinus banksiana seedlings were screened in a growth chamber setting using a high concentration of 1600 mg of nickel per 1 kg of soil. RNA was extracted and sequenced using the Illumina platform, followed by de novo transcriptome assembly. Overall, 25,552 transcripts were assigned gene ontology. The biological processes in water-treated samples were analyzed, and 55% of transcripts were distributed among five categories: DNA metabolic process (19.3%), response to stress (13.3%), response to chemical stimuli (8.7%), signal transduction (7.7%) and response to biotic stimulus (6.0%). For molecular function, the highest percentages of genes were involved in nucleotide binding (27.6%), nuclease activity (27.3%) and kinase activity (10.3%). Sixty-two percent of genes were associated with cellular compartments. Of these genes, 21.7% were found in the plasma membrane, 16.1% in the cytosol, 12.4% with the chloroplast and 11.9% in the extracellular region. Nickel ions induced changes in gene expression, resulting in the emergence of differentially regulated categories. Overall, there were significant changes in gene expression with a total 4128 genes upregulated and 3754 downregulated genes detected in nickel-treated genotypes compared to water-treated control plants. For biological processes, the highest percentage of upregulated genes in plants exposed to nickel were associated with the response to stress (15%), the response to chemicals (11,1%), carbohydrate metabolic processes (7.4%) and catabolic processes (7.4%). The largest proportions of downregulated genes were associated with the biosynthetic process (21%), carbohydrate metabolic process (14.3%), response to biotic stimulus (10.7%) and response to stress (10.7%). For molecular function, genes encoding for enzyme regulatory and hydrolase activities represented the highest proportion (61%) of upregulated gene. The majority of downregulated genes were involved in the biosynthetic processes. Overall, 58% of upregulated genes were located in the extracellular region and the nucleus, while 42% of downregulated genes were localized to the plasma membrane and 33% to the extracellular region. This study represents the first report of a transcriptome from a conifer species treated with nickel. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Plant Genomics and Transcriptome Analysis)

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23 pages, 997 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chemical Composition, Larvicidal and Molluscicidal Activity of Essential Oils of Six Guava Cultivars Grown in Vietnam

by Huynh Van Long Luu, Huy Hung Nguyen, Prabodh Satyal, Van Hoa Vo, Gia Huy Ngo, Van The Pham and William N. Setzer

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2888; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152888 - 07 Aug 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2143

Abstract

Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and snails cause a large burden of disease in less developed countries, especially those with low-income levels. An approach to control vectors and intermediate hosts based on readily available essential oils, which are friendly to the environment and human [...] Read more.

Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and snails cause a large burden of disease in less developed countries, especially those with low-income levels. An approach to control vectors and intermediate hosts based on readily available essential oils, which are friendly to the environment and human health, may be an effective solution for disease control. Guava is a fruit tree grown on a large scale in many countries in the tropics, an area heavily affected by tropical diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and snails. Previous studies have reported that the extracted essential oils of guava cultivars have high yields, possess different chemotypes, and exhibit toxicity to different insect species. Therefore, this study was carried out with the aim of studying the chemical composition and pesticide activities of six cultivars of guava grown on a large scale in Vietnam. The essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus for 6 h. The components of the essential oils were determined using gas-chromatography–mass-spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Test methods for pesticide activities were performed in accordance with WHO guidelines and modifications. Essential oil samples from Vietnam fell into two composition-based clusters, one of (E)-β-caryophyllene and the other of limonene/(E)-β-caryophyllene. The essential oils PG03 and PG05 show promise as environmentally friendly pesticides when used to control Aedes mosquito larvae with values of 24 h LC_50-aegypti of 0.96 and 0.40 µg/mL while 24 h LC_{50-albopictus} of 0.50 and 0.42 µg/mL. These two essential oils showed selective toxicity against Aedes mosquito larvae and were safe against the non-target organism Anisops bouvieri. Other essential oils may be considered as molluscicides against Physa acuta (48 h LC₅₀ of 4.10 to 5.00 µg/mL) and Indoplanorbis exustus (48 h LC₅₀ of 3.85 to 7.71 µg/mL) and with less toxicity to A. bouvieri. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacology and Toxicology of Plants and Their Constituents)

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20 pages, 4361 KiB

Open AccessArticle

14-3-3 Proteins and the Plasma Membrane H⁺-ATPase Are Involved in Maize (Zea mays) Magnetic Induction

by Anna Fiorillo, Ambra S. Parmagnani, Sabina Visconti, Giuseppe Mannino, Lorenzo Camoni and Massimo E. Maffei

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2887; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152887 - 07 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1048

Abstract

The geomagnetic field (GMF) is a natural component of the biosphere, and, during evolution, all organisms experienced its presence while some evolved the ability to perceive magnetic fields (MF). We studied the response of 14-3-3 proteins and the plasma membrane (PM) proton pump [...] Read more.

The geomagnetic field (GMF) is a natural component of the biosphere, and, during evolution, all organisms experienced its presence while some evolved the ability to perceive magnetic fields (MF). We studied the response of 14-3-3 proteins and the plasma membrane (PM) proton pump H⁺-ATPase to reduced GMF values by lowering the GMF intensity to a near-null magnetic field (NNMF). Seedling morphology, H⁺-ATPase activity and content, 14-3-3 protein content, binding to PM and phosphorylation, gene expression, and ROS quantification were assessed in maize (Zea mays) dark-grown seedlings. Phytohormone and melatonin quantification were also assessed by LG-MS/MS. Our results suggest that the GMF regulates the PM H⁺-ATPase, and that NNMF conditions alter the proton pump activity by reducing the binding of 14-3-3 proteins. This effect was associated with both a reduction in H₂O₂ and downregulation of genes coding for enzymes involved in ROS production and scavenging, as well as calcium homeostasis. These early events were followed by the downregulation of IAA synthesis and gene expression and the increase in both cytokinin and ABA, which were associated with a reduction in root growth. The expression of the homolog of the MagR gene, ZmISCA2, paralleled that of CRY1, suggesting a possible role of ISCA in maize magnetic induction. Interestingly, melatonin, a widespread molecule present in many kingdoms, was increased by the GMF reduction, suggesting a still unknown role of this molecule in magnetoreception. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses)

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16 pages, 3026 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bottom-Up Effects of Drought-Stressed Cotton Plants on Performance and Feeding Behavior of Aphis gossypii

by Jinping Liu, Chen Wang, Huatong Li, Yu Gao, Yizhong Yang and Yanhui Lu

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2886; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152886 - 07 Aug 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1083

Abstract

Drought, a major stress for crop plants, is expected to increase in frequency due to climate change. Drought can alter crop growth and levels of secondary plant metabolites, which in turn can affect herbivores, but this latter point is still controversial. This study [...] Read more.

Drought, a major stress for crop plants, is expected to increase in frequency due to climate change. Drought can alter crop growth and levels of secondary plant metabolites, which in turn can affect herbivores, but this latter point is still controversial. This study used three different polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) levels (0%, 1%, and 3%) to simulate drought stress and evaluated their effects on cotton plants and the impacts on the performance of the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii. Cotton plants under drought stress showed decreased water content, above-ground biomass, and nitrogen content and increased soluble protein, soluble sugar, and tannin contents. Based on analysis of the developmental time and fecundity data from individuals and at the population level, a significantly lower fecundity and population abundance of A. gossypii were detected on cotton plants with drought stress, which supports the “plant vigor hypothesis”. The poor development of A. gossypii is possibly related to lower xylem sap and phloem ingestion under drought stress. In addition, the increased tannin content of cotton plants induced by drought and lower detoxification enzyme activities of A. gossypii may have affected the responses of aphids to drought-stressed plants. Overall, the results showed that drought stress altered the physiological characteristics of the cotton plants, resulting in adverse bottom-up effects on cotton aphid performances. This implies that the adoption of drip irrigation under plastic film that can help alleviate drought stress may favor the population growth of cotton aphids. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Embracing Systems Thinking in Crop Protection Science)

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14 pages, 3150 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multiple-Genome-Based Simple Sequence Repeat Is an Efficient and Successful Method in Genotyping and Classifying Different Jujube Germplasm Resources

by Bin Li, Noor Muhammad, Shufeng Zhang, Yunxin Lan, Yihan Yang, Shoukun Han, Mengjun Liu and Meng Yang

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2885; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152885 - 07 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 975

Abstract

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) is a commercially important tree native to China, known for its high nutritional value and widespread distribution, as well as its diverse germplasm resources. Being resilient to harsh climatic conditions, the cultivation of jujube could provide a solution [...] Read more.

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) is a commercially important tree native to China, known for its high nutritional value and widespread distribution, as well as its diverse germplasm resources. Being resilient to harsh climatic conditions, the cultivation of jujube could provide a solution to food insecurity and income for people of arid and semi-arid regions in and outside of China. The evaluation of germplasm resources and genetic diversity in jujube necessitates the use of Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers. SSR markers are highly polymorphic and can be used to evaluate the genetic diversity within and between cultivars of Chinese jujube, and are important for conservation biology, breeding programs, and the discovery of important traits for Chinese jujube improvement in China and abroad. However, traditional methods of SSR development are time-consuming and inadequate to meet the growing research demands. To address this issue, we developed a novel approach called Multiple-Genome-Based SSR identification (MGB-SSR), which utilizes the genomes of three jujube cultivars to rapidly screen for polymorphic SSRs in the jujube genome. Through the screening process, we identified 12 pairs of SSR primers, which were then used to successfully classify 249 jujube genotypes. Based on the genotyping results, a digital ID card was established, enabling the complete identification of all 249 jujube plants. The MGB-SSR approach proved efficient in rapidly detecting polymorphic SSRs within the jujube genome. Notably, this study represents the first successful differentiation of jujube germplasm resources using 12 SSR markers, with 4 markers successfully identifying triploid jujube genotypes. These findings offer valuable information for the classification of Chinese jujube germplasm, thereby providing significant assistance to jujube researchers and breeders in identifying unknown jujube germplasm. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Jujube Research)

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22 pages, 4101 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Involvement of NO in V-ATPase Regulation in Cucumber Roots under Control and Cadmium Stress Conditions

by Magdalena Zboińska, Anna Janeczko and Katarzyna Kabała

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2884; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152884 - 07 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 934

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) is a signaling molecule that participates in plant adaptation to adverse environmental factors. This study aimed to clarify the role of NO in the regulation of vacuolar H⁺-ATPase (V-ATPase) in the roots of cucumber seedlings grown under control [...] Read more.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a signaling molecule that participates in plant adaptation to adverse environmental factors. This study aimed to clarify the role of NO in the regulation of vacuolar H⁺-ATPase (V-ATPase) in the roots of cucumber seedlings grown under control and Cd stress conditions. In addition, the relationship between NO and salicylic acid (SA), as well as their interrelations with hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), have been verified. The effect of NO on V-ATPase was studied by analyzing two enzyme activities, the expression level of selected VHA genes and the protein level of selected VHA subunits in plants treated with a NO donor (sodium nitroprusside, SNP) and NO biosynthesis inhibitors (tungstate, WO₄²⁻ and N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, L-NAME). Our results indicate that NO functions as a positive regulator of V-ATPase and that this regulation depends on NO generated by nitrate reductase and NOS-like activity. It was found that the mechanism of NO action is not related to changes in the gene expression or protein level of the V-ATPase subunits. The results suggest that in cucumber roots, NO signaling interacts with the SA pathway and, to a lesser extent, with two other known V-ATPase regulators, H₂O₂ and H₂S. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Redox Biology in Plants)

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18 pages, 15630 KiB

Open AccessArticle

YOLOv7-Plum: Advancing Plum Fruit Detection in Natural Environments with Deep Learning

by Rong Tang, Yujie Lei, Beisiqi Luo, Junbo Zhang and Jiong Mu

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2883; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152883 - 07 Aug 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1818

Abstract

The plum is a kind of delicious and common fruit with high edible value and nutritional value. The accurate and effective detection of plum fruit is the key to fruit number counting and pest and disease early warning. However, the actual plum orchard [...] Read more.

The plum is a kind of delicious and common fruit with high edible value and nutritional value. The accurate and effective detection of plum fruit is the key to fruit number counting and pest and disease early warning. However, the actual plum orchard environment is complex, and the detection of plum fruits has many problems, such as leaf shading and fruit overlapping. The traditional method of manually estimating the number of fruits and the presence of pests and diseases used in the plum growing industry has disadvantages, such as low efficiency, a high cost, and low accuracy. To detect plum fruits quickly and accurately in a complex orchard environment, this paper proposes an efficient plum fruit detection model based on an improved You Only Look Once version 7(YOLOv7). First, different devices were used to capture high-resolution images of plum fruits growing under natural conditions in a plum orchard in Gulin County, Sichuan Province, and a dataset for plum fruit detection was formed after the manual screening, data enhancement, and annotation. Based on the dataset, this paper chose YOLOv7 as the base model, introduced the Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM) attention mechanism in YOLOv7, used Cross Stage Partial Spatial Pyramid Pooling–Fast (CSPSPPF) instead of Cross Stage Partial Spatial Pyramid Pooling(CSPSPP) in the network, and used bilinear interpolation to replace the nearest neighbor interpolation in the original network upsampling module to form the improved target detection algorithm YOLOv7-plum. The tested YOLOv7-plum model achieved an average precision (AP) value of 94.91%, which was a 2.03% improvement compared to the YOLOv7 model. In order to verify the effectiveness of the YOLOv7-plum algorithm, this paper evaluated the performance of the algorithm through ablation experiments, statistical analysis, etc. The experimental results showed that the method proposed in this study could better achieve plum fruit detection in complex backgrounds, which helped to promote the development of intelligent cultivation in the plum industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Application of AI in Plants)

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15 pages, 8878 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Soil Acidification on the Production of Se-Rich Tea

by Bin Yang, Huan Zhang, Wenpei Ke, Jie Jiang, Yao Xiao, Jingjing Tian, Xujun Zhu, Lianggang Zong and Wanping Fang

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2882; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152882 - 07 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1122

Abstract

Selenium (Se)-enriched tea is a well-regarded natural beverage that is often consumed for its Se supplementation benefits. However, the production of this tea, particularly in Se-abundant tea plantations, is challenging due to soil acidification. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of [...] Read more.

Selenium (Se)-enriched tea is a well-regarded natural beverage that is often consumed for its Se supplementation benefits. However, the production of this tea, particularly in Se-abundant tea plantations, is challenging due to soil acidification. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of changes in Se under acidified soil conditions. Eight tea plantation soil monitoring sites in Southern Jiangsu were first selected. Simulated acid rain experiments and experiments with different acidification methods were designed and soil pH, as well as various Al-ion and Se-ion concentrations were systematically determined. The data were analyzed using R statistical software, and a correlation analysis was carried out. The results indicated that as the pH value dropped, exchangeable selenium (Exc-Se) and residual selenium (Res-Se) were transformed into acid-soluble selenium (Fmo-Se) and manganese oxide selenium (Om-Se). As the pH increased, exchange state aluminum (Alex) and water-soluble aluminum (Alw) decreased, Fmo-Se and Om-Se declined, and Exc-Se and Res-Se increased, a phenomenon attributed to the weakened substitution of Se ions by Al ions. In the simulated acid rain experiment, P1 compared to the control (CK), the pH value of the YJW tea plantation decreased by 0.13, Exc-Se decreased by 4 ug mg⁻¹, Res-Se decreased by 54.65 ug kg⁻¹, Fmo-Se increased by 2.78 ug mg⁻¹, and Om-Se increased by 5.94 ug mg⁻¹ while Alex increased by 28.53 mg kg⁻¹. The decrease in pH led to an increase in the content of Alex and Alw, which further resulted in the conversion of Exc-Se to Fmo-Se and Om-Se. In various acidification experiments, compared with CK, the pH value of T6 decreased by 0.23, Exc-Se content decreased by 8.35 ug kg⁻¹, Res-Se content decreased by 40.62 ug kg⁻¹, and Fmo-Se content increased by 15.52 ug kg⁻¹ while Alex increased by 33.67 mg kg⁻¹, Alw increased by 1.7 mg kg⁻¹, and Alh decreased by 573.89 mg kg⁻¹. Acidification can trigger the conversion of Exc-Se to Fmo-Se and Om-Se, while the content of available Se may decrease due to the complexation interplay between Alex and Exc-Se. This study provides a theoretical basis for solving the problem of Se-enriched in tea caused by soil acidification. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tea Plants Cultivation)

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14 pages, 3251 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Saline–Alkaline Stress Resistance of Cabernet Sauvignon Grapes Grafted on Different Rootstocks and Rootstock Combinations

by Baolong Zhao, Zhiyu Liu, Chunmei Zhu, Zhijun Zhang, Wenchao Shi, Qianjun Lu and Junli Sun

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2881; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152881 - 06 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1086

Abstract

Grafting the wine grape variety Cabernet Sauvignon onto salinity-tolerant rootstocks can improve salinity tolerance and grape yields in regions with high salinity soils. In this experiment, the effects of different rootstocks and rootstock combinations on the saline–alkaline stress (modified Hoagland nutrient solution + [...] Read more.

Grafting the wine grape variety Cabernet Sauvignon onto salinity-tolerant rootstocks can improve salinity tolerance and grape yields in regions with high salinity soils. In this experiment, the effects of different rootstocks and rootstock combinations on the saline–alkaline stress (modified Hoagland nutrient solution + 50 mmol L⁻¹ (NaCl + NaHCO₃)) of Cabernet Sauvignon were studied. Correlation and principal component analyses were conducted on several physiological indicators of saline–alkaline stress. Salinity limited biomass accumulation, induced damage to the plant membrane, reduced the chlorophyll content and photosynthetic capacity of plants, and increased the content of malondialdehyde, sodium (Na⁺)/potassium (K⁺) ratio, and antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase). Significant differences in several indicators were observed among the experimental groups. The results indicate that the saline–alkaline tolerance of Cabernet Sauvignon after grafting was the same as that of the rootstock, indicating that the increased resistance of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes to saline–alkaline stress stems from the transferability of the saline–alkaline stress resistance of the rootstock to the scion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Response to Abiotic Stress and Climate Change)

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11 pages, 1720 KiB

Open AccessArticle

PlantMetSuite: A User-Friendly Web-Based Tool for Metabolomics Analysis and Visualisation

by Yu Liu, Hao-Zhuo Liu, Ding-Kang Chen, Hong-Yun Zeng, Yi-Li Chen and Nan Yao

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2880; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152880 - 06 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1729

Abstract

The advancement of mass spectrometry technologies has revolutionised plant metabolomics research by enabling the acquisition of raw metabolomics data. However, the identification, analysis, and visualisation of these data require specialised tools. Existing solutions lack a dedicated plant-specific metabolite database and pose usability challenges. [...] Read more.

The advancement of mass spectrometry technologies has revolutionised plant metabolomics research by enabling the acquisition of raw metabolomics data. However, the identification, analysis, and visualisation of these data require specialised tools. Existing solutions lack a dedicated plant-specific metabolite database and pose usability challenges. To address these limitations, we developed PlantMetSuite, a web-based tool for comprehensive metabolomics analysis and visualisation. PlantMetSuite encompasses interactive bioinformatics tools and databases specifically tailored to plant metabolomics data, facilitating upstream-to-downstream analysis in metabolomics and supporting integrative multi-omics investigations. PlantMetSuite can be accessed directly through a user’s browser without the need for installation or programming skills. The tool is freely available and will undergo regular updates and expansions to incorporate additional libraries and newly published metabolomics analysis methods. The tool’s significance lies in empowering researchers with an accessible and customisable platform for unlocking plant metabolomics insights. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Lipid Synthesis and Metabolism)

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11 pages, 1937 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Leaf Essential Oil from Endemic Gynoxys laurifolia (Kunth) Cass. of Southern Ecuador: Chemical and Enantioselective Analyses

by Gianluca Gilardoni, Luis Rubén Lara, Nixon Cumbicus and Omar Malagón

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2878; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152878 - 06 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1072

Abstract

The fresh leaves of Gynoxys laurifolia (Kunth) Cass. (Asteraceae), collected in the province of Loja (Ecuador), were submitted to steam distillation, producing an essential oil with a yield of 0.02% by weight. This volatile fraction, described here for the first time, was submitted to [...] Read more.

The fresh leaves of Gynoxys laurifolia (Kunth) Cass. (Asteraceae), collected in the province of Loja (Ecuador), were submitted to steam distillation, producing an essential oil with a yield of 0.02% by weight. This volatile fraction, described here for the first time, was submitted to qualitative (GC–MS) and quantitative (GC–FID) chemical analyses, on two orthogonal columns (non-polar and polar stationary phase). A total of 90 components, corresponding to 95.9–95.0% by weight on the non-polar and polar stationary phase, respectively, were detected and quantified with at least one column. Major constituents (≥3%) were: germacrene D (18.9–18.0%), (E)-β-caryophyllene (13.2–15.0%), α-pinene (11.0–10.3%), β-pinene (4.5–4.4%), β-phellandrene (4.0–3.0%), bicyclogermacrene (4.0–3.0%), and bakkenolide A (3.2–3.4%). This essential oil was dominated by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (about 45%), followed by monoterpene hydrocarbons (about 25–30%). This research was complemented with the enantioselective analysis of some common chiral terpenes, carried out through 2,3-diethyl-6-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-β-cyclodextrin and 2,3-diacetyl-6-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-β-cyclodextrin as stationary phase chiral selectors. As a result, (1S,5S)-(−)-β-pinene, (R)-(−)-α-phellandrene, (R)-(−)-β-phellandrene, (S)-(−)-limonene, (S)-(+)-linalyl acetate, and (S)-(−)-germacrene D were observed as enantiomerically pure compounds, whereas α-pinene, linalool, terpinene-4-ol, and α-terpineol were present as scalemic mixtures. Finally, sabinene was practically racemic. Due to plant wildness and the relatively low distillation yield, no industrial applications can be identified, in the first instance for this essential oil. The focus of the present study is therefore academic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Essential Oils of Plants (Chemical Composition, Variation and Properties))

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12 pages, 1480 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a New Micropropagation Protocol and Transfer of In Vitro Plants to In Vivo Conditions for Cascade Hop

by Nicolò Iacuzzi, Francesco Salamone, Davide Farruggia, Noemi Tortorici, Lorena Vultaggio and Teresa Tuttolomondo

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2877; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152877 - 06 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2207

Abstract

The vegetative propagation of hops, despite being a reliable method, is not very common due to the unavailability of the plant material. In this study, the technique of in vitro propagation was applied to the Cascade variety of Humulus lupulus L. The plant [...] Read more.

The vegetative propagation of hops, despite being a reliable method, is not very common due to the unavailability of the plant material. In this study, the technique of in vitro propagation was applied to the Cascade variety of Humulus lupulus L. The plant material was collected from a private field in Sicily; the explants were subjected to sterilization before in vitro culture. Single-node explants were placed in in vitro culture in nine different culture media for multiplication. Thidiazuron (TDZ), Benzyladenine (BAP) and meta-Topoline (mT) were tested for multiplication phase. For the rooting phase, five types of different culture media were evaluated. Binodal cuttings coming from the previous multiplication test were placed in the culture. The rooting media differ from each other in the concentration and ratio of two auxin hormones: Indolo-3-acetic acid (IAA) and Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). In vitro rooted plants obtained from the rooting phase were transferred to ex vitro conditions in a microbox with agri-perlite and a solution containing Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium at half concentration. With a culture medium containing the highest TDZ doses (H6) and combination with cytokinin (H8 and H9), the highest shoot percentage was obtained. After 3 months of in vitro culture, the highest shoot percentage was observed in the culture medium with 2 mL L⁻¹ of BAP. The highest rooting percentage, roots numbers and root length were found when the culture medium was supplemented with 1 mL L⁻¹ of IAA. The usage of agri-perlite and MS at half concentration, without PGR, allowed us to obtain a 99.1% survival rate. This micropropagation protocol is useful for obtaining virus-free plants and for the development of the brewery industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Applications in Plant Tissue Culture)

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18 pages, 2399 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Seed Halopriming: A Promising Strategy to Induce Salt Tolerance in Indonesian Pigmented Rice

by Yekti Asih Purwestri, Siti Nurbaiti, Sekar Pelangi Manik Putri, Ignasia Margi Wahyuni, Siti Roswiyah Yulyani, Alfino Sebastian, Tri Rini Nuringtyas and Nobutoshi Yamaguchi

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2879; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152879 - 05 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1264

Abstract

Unfavorable environmental conditions and climate change impose stress on plants, causing yield losses worldwide. The Indonesian pigmented rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars Cempo Ireng Pendek (black rice) and Merah Kalimantan Selatan (red rice) are becoming popular functional foods due to their high [...] Read more.

Unfavorable environmental conditions and climate change impose stress on plants, causing yield losses worldwide. The Indonesian pigmented rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars Cempo Ireng Pendek (black rice) and Merah Kalimantan Selatan (red rice) are becoming popular functional foods due to their high anthocyanin contents and have great potential for widespread cultivation. However, their ability to grow on marginal, high-salinity lands is limited. In this study, we investigated whether seed halopriming enhances salt tolerance in the two pigmented rice cultivars. The non-pigmented cultivars IR64, a salt-stress-sensitive cultivar, and INPARI 35, a salt tolerant, were used as control. We pre-treated seeds with a halopriming solution before germination and then exposed the plants to a salt stress of 150 mM NaCl at 21 days after germination using a hydroponic system in a greenhouse. Halopriming was able to mitigate the negative effects of salinity on plant growth, including suppressing reactive oxygen species accumulation, increasing the membrane stability index (up to two-fold), and maintaining photosynthetic pigment contents. Halopriming had different effects on the accumulation of proline, in different rice varieties: the proline content increased in IR64 and Cempo Ireng Pendek but decreased in INPARI 35 and Merah Kalimantan Selatan. Halopriming also had disparate effects in the expression of stress-related genes: OsMYB91 expression was positively correlated with salt treatment, whereas OsWRKY42 and OsWRKY70 expression was negatively correlated with this treatment. These findings highlighted the potential benefits of halopriming in salt-affected agro-ecosystems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Stress Physiology and Molecular Biology)

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12 pages, 1263 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genetic Diversity and Relationship of Shanlan Upland Rice Were Revealed Based on 214 Upland Rice SSR Markers

by Rongju Li, Yinling Huang, Xinsen Yang, Meng Su, Huaiyang Xiong, Yang Dai, Wei Wu, Xinwu Pei and Qianhua Yuan

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2876; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152876 - 05 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1321

Abstract

Shanlan upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a unique upland rice variety cultivated by the Li nationality for a long time, which has good drought resistance and high utilization value in drought resistance breeding. To explore the origin of Shanlan upland rice [...] Read more.

Shanlan upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a unique upland rice variety cultivated by the Li nationality for a long time, which has good drought resistance and high utilization value in drought resistance breeding. To explore the origin of Shanlan upland rice and its genetic relationship with upland rice from other geographical sources, 214 upland rice cultivars from Southeast Asia and five provinces (regions) in southern China were used to study genetic diversity by using SSR markers. Twelve SSR primers were screened and 164 alleles (Na) were detected, with the minimum number of alleles being 8 and the maximum number of alleles being 23, with an average of 13.667. The analysis of genetic diversity and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that the differences among the materials mainly came from the individuals of upland rice. The results of gene flow and genetic differentiation revealed the relationship between the upland rice populations, and Hainan Shanlan upland rice presumably originated from upland rice in Guangdong province, and some of them were genetically differentiated from Hunan upland rice. It can be indirectly proved that the Li nationality in Hainan is a descendant of the ancient Baiyue ethnic group, which provides circumstantial evidence for the migration history of the Li nationality in Hainan, and also provides basic data for the advanced protection of Shanlan upland rice, and the innovative utilization of germplasm resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Plant Species)

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17 pages, 2704 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Cold Storage Temperature and Shelf Life on Ripening Physiology, Quality Attributes, and Nutritional Value in Apricots—Implication of Cultivar

by Mina Kafkaletou, Anna Velliou, Miltiadis V. Christopoulos, Georgia Ouzounidou and Eleni Tsantili

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2875; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152875 - 04 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1256

Abstract

This work aimed to investigate the storability potential of Orange Red and Orange Rubis apricots harvested at commercial maturity stage during cold storage (CS) at 1 or 5 °C for up to 28 days, followed by shelf life (SL) at 20 °C for [...] Read more.

This work aimed to investigate the storability potential of Orange Red and Orange Rubis apricots harvested at commercial maturity stage during cold storage (CS) at 1 or 5 °C for up to 28 days, followed by shelf life (SL) at 20 °C for 2 days. The variables evaluated included total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH only at harvest, weight loss (WL), ethylene production rates, peel color, firmness, chilling injury incidence (CI), concentrations of total phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, total antioxidant capacity, b-carotene, b-cryptoxantine, and lutein. The main results showed that storage at 5 °C resulted in higher WL and CI symptoms than at 1 °C during both CS and SL, increased ethylene production during CS, whereas there was limited or no effect of CS temperatures on changes in firmness, color, and all antioxidants during CS. Firmness decreased abruptly soon after harvest in Orange Rubis, but progressively in the remaining samples of both cultivars during CS and SL. SL advanced fruit deterioration according to WL, CI, and softening. During SL, ethylene production increased in all samples. Orange Red exhibited higher ethylene rates during SL and antioxidant concentrations throughout CS and SL, by comparison. Conclusively, storage temperature at 1 °C retained WL, CI, and ethylene production, and both cultivars were marketable up to 21 days CS without SL or up to 14 days CS followed by SL, although Orange Rubis exhibited CI after 14 days, while Orange Red exhibited CI after 21 days of CS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pre and Postharvest Physiology and Biochemistry of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables)

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30 pages, 1862 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Genebanks at Risk: Hazard Assessment and Risk Management of National and International Genebanks

by Theresa Herbold and Johannes M. M. Engels

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2874; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152874 - 04 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2008

Abstract

Genebanks are crucial for safeguarding global crop diversity but are themselves exposed to several risks. However, a scientific basis for identifying, assessing, and managing risks is still lacking. Addressing these research gaps, this study provides risk analysis for three key risk groups: natural [...] Read more.

Genebanks are crucial for safeguarding global crop diversity but are themselves exposed to several risks. However, a scientific basis for identifying, assessing, and managing risks is still lacking. Addressing these research gaps, this study provides risk analysis for three key risk groups: natural hazards, political risks, and financial risks, carried out on a sample of 80 important national and international genebanks, comprising at least 4.78 million accessions or roughly 65% of the reported total of ex situ conserved accessions worldwide. The assessment tool of Munich Re “Natural Hazards Edition” allowed a location-specific comparison of the natural hazard exposure. Results showed that genebanks in the Asia-Pacific region are most exposed to natural hazards, while institutions in African and some Asian countries are rather vulnerable to political risks. Financing is a major problem for national genebanks in developing countries, whereas the Global Crop Diversity Trust achieved considerable financial security for international genebanks. Large differences in the risk exposure of genebanks exist, making a location- and institution-specific risk assessment indispensable. Moreover, there is significant room for improvement with respect to quality and risk management at genebanks. Transferring risks of genebanks to third parties is underdeveloped and should be used more widely. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Critical Review of the Current Approaches and Procedures of Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Facilitating Use: Theory and Practice)

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23 pages, 1795 KiB

Open AccessReview

Insights into Grape Ripe Rot: A Focus on the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Species Complex and Its Management Strategies

by Ting-Fang Hsieh, Yuan-Min Shen, Jin-Hsing Huang, Jyh-Nong Tsai, Ming-Te Lu and Chu-Ping Lin

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2873; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152873 - 04 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1505

Abstract

Grape ripe rot, which is predominantly caused by the Colletotrichum species, presents a growing threat to global grape cultivation. This threat is amplified by the increasing populations of the Colletotrichum species in response to warmer climates. In this review, we investigate the wide-ranging [...] Read more.

Grape ripe rot, which is predominantly caused by the Colletotrichum species, presents a growing threat to global grape cultivation. This threat is amplified by the increasing populations of the Colletotrichum species in response to warmer climates. In this review, we investigate the wide-ranging spectrum of grape ripe rot, specifically highlighting the role and characteristics of the C. gloeosporioides species complex (CGSC). We incorporate this understanding as we explore the diverse symptoms that lead to infected grapevines, their intricate life cycle and epidemiology, and the escalating prevalence of C. viniferum in Asia and globally. Furthermore, we delve into numerous disease management strategies, both conventional and emerging, such as prevention and mitigation measures. These strategies include the examination of host resistances, beneficial cultivation practices, sanitation measures, microbiome health maintenance, fungicide choice and resistance, as well as integrated management approaches. This review seeks to enhance our understanding of this globally significant disease, aspiring to assist in the development and improvement of effective prevention and control strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interactions between Colletotrichum Species and Plants III)

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13 pages, 3735 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Waterlogging Tolerance of Actinidia valvata Dunn Is Associated with High Activities of Pyruvate Decarboxylase, Alcohol Dehydrogenase and Antioxidant Enzymes

by Minxia Gao, Chaoyue Gai, Xinyu Li, Xin Feng, Ruilian Lai, Yuanyuan Song, Rensen Zeng, Daoqian Chen and Yiting Chen

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2872; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152872 - 04 Aug 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 927

Abstract

Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) is susceptible to waterlogging stress. Although abundant wild germplasm resources exist among Actinidia plants for improving the waterlogging tolerance of kiwifruit cultivars, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, a comparative study was undertaken using one wild germplasm, Maorenshen [...] Read more.

Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) is susceptible to waterlogging stress. Although abundant wild germplasm resources exist among Actinidia plants for improving the waterlogging tolerance of kiwifruit cultivars, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, a comparative study was undertaken using one wild germplasm, Maorenshen (A. valvata Dunn, MRS), and one cultivar, Miliang-1 (A. chinensis var. deliciosa (A.Chev.) A.Chev. cv. Miliang-1, ML). Under stress, the ML plantlets were seriously damaged with wilted chlorotic leaves and blackened rotten roots, whereas the symptoms of injury in the MRS plantlets were much fewer, along with higher photosynthetic rates, chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics and root activity under stress conditions. However, neither aerenchyma in the root nor adventitious roots appeared in both germplasms upon stress exposure. The activities of pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), as well as their transcript levels, were constitutively higher in MRS than those in ML under both normal and stress conditions. Waterlogging stress significantly enhanced the PDC and ADH enzyme activities in both germplasms, which were 60.8% and 22.4% higher in the MRS roots than those in the ML roots under waterlogging stress, respectively. Moreover, MRS displayed higher activities of antioxidant enzymes, including SOD, CAT, and APX, as well as DPPH-radical scavenging ability, and decreased H₂O₂ and MDA accumulation under both normal and stress conditions. Our findings suggest that the waterlogging tolerance of the wild A. valvata germplasm was associated with high PDC and ADH, as well as antioxidant ability. Full article

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19 pages, 3894 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preliminary Phytochemical and Biological Evaluation of Rudbeckia hirta Flowers

by Ana Flavia Burlec, Łukasz Pecio, Cornelia Mircea, Cristina Tuchiluș, Andreia Corciovă, Corina Danciu, Oana Cioancă, Ioana Cezara Caba, Solomiia Pecio, Wiesław Oleszek and Monica Hăncianu

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2871; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152871 - 04 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1321

Abstract

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta L.), a flowering plant with various traditional medicinal uses, has recently garnered interest for its therapeutic properties. However, little is known about the potential therapeutic activities of the plant species. The current study focused on conducting a comprehensive [...] Read more.

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta L.), a flowering plant with various traditional medicinal uses, has recently garnered interest for its therapeutic properties. However, little is known about the potential therapeutic activities of the plant species. The current study focused on conducting a comprehensive investigation into the chemical composition and bioactivity of black-eyed Susan cultivated in Romania. Untargeted metabolite profiling and UHPLC-HR-MS phytochemical analysis of the studied extract revealed the presence of more than 250 compounds pertaining to different classes, including sesquiterpene lactones, polyphenolic acids, flavonoids, amino acids, and fatty acids. The tested extract exhibited inhibitory activity against Gram-positive bacteria and showed promising antifungal activity. It also demonstrated potent antioxidant properties through iron chelation and 15-LOX inhibition capacities, as well as inhibition of cell growth, particularly on the MCF-7 cell line, suggesting potential anticancer effects. Therefore, current research provides valuable information on the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antitumor potential of Rudbeckia hirta flowers. Implicitly, the discovery of such a wide range of biosubstances, together with the biological activity observed for the studied extract in these preliminary in vitro studies, paves the way for future investigation of the potential application of the plant in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Medicinal Plants: New Advances in Phytochemicals and Their Health Benefits)

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13 pages, 4363 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Methoxylated Flavonols and ent-Kaurane Diterpenes from the South African Helichrysum rutilans and Their Cosmetic Potential

by Olugbenga K. Popoola, Jeanine L. Marnewick, Emmanuel I. Iwuoha and Ahmed A. Hussein

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2870; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152870 - 04 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 902

Abstract

Chromatographic fractionation of a methanol extract of Helichrysum rutilans afforded seven known compounds. The isolated compounds were identified as 5,7,8-trihydroxy-3,6-dimethoxyflavone-8-O-2-methyl-2-butanoate (C-1), 5,7-dihydroxy-3,6,8-trimethoxyflavone (C-2), 5-hydroxy-3,6,7,8-tetramethoxyflavone (C-3), 5-hydroxy-3,6,7-trimethoxyflavone (C-4), ent-kaurenoic acid (C-5), [...] Read more.

Chromatographic fractionation of a methanol extract of Helichrysum rutilans afforded seven known compounds. The isolated compounds were identified as 5,7,8-trihydroxy-3,6-dimethoxyflavone-8-O-2-methyl-2-butanoate (C-1), 5,7-dihydroxy-3,6,8-trimethoxyflavone (C-2), 5-hydroxy-3,6,7,8-tetramethoxyflavone (C-3), 5-hydroxy-3,6,7-trimethoxyflavone (C-4), ent-kaurenoic acid (C-5), ent-kauran-18-al (C-6), and 15-α-hydroxy-(-)-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (C-7). Compounds C-1–C-4 demonstrated high antioxidant capacities on ORAC hydroxyl radical (2.114 ± 4.01; 2.413 ± 6.20; 1.924 ± 16.40; 1.917 ± 3.91) × 10⁶; ORAC peroxyl radical (3.523 ± 3.22; 2.935 ± 0.13; 2.431 ± 8.63; 2.814 ± 5.20) × 10³ µMTE/g; and FRAP (1251.45 ± 4.18; 1402.62 ± 5.77) µMAAE/g, respectively. Moderate inhibitory activities against Fe²⁺-induced lipid peroxidation were observed for C-1–C-4 as IC₅₀ values of 13.123 ± 0.34, 16.421 ± 0.92, 11.64 ± 1.72, 14.90 ± 0.06 µg/mL, respectively, while their respective anti-tyrosinase activities with IC₅₀ values of 25.735 ± 9.62, 24.062 ± 0.61, 39.03 ± 13.12, 37.67 ± 0.98 µg/mL were also observed. All compounds demonstrated TEAC values within the range of 1105–1424 µMTE/g. The result is an indication that a methanol extract of H. rutilans might possibly be a good source of natural antioxidants against ailments caused by cellular oxidative stress and as inhibitors against skin depigmentation, as well as possible raw materials needed for slowing down perishable agricultural products. This is the first report on the phytochemical and biological evaluation of H. rutilans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research on African Medicinal Plants)

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22 pages, 2630 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Primary Metabolite Screening Shows Significant Differences between Embryogenic and Non-Embryogenic Callus of Tamarillo (Solanum betaceum Cav.)

by André Caeiro, Ivana Jarak, Sandra Correia, Jorge Canhoto and Rui Carvalho

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2869; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152869 - 04 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1061

Abstract

Tamarillo is a solanaceous tree that has been extensively studied in terms of in vitro clonal propagation, namely somatic embryogenesis. In this work, a protocol of indirect somatic embryogenesis was applied to obtain embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus from leaf segments. Nuclear magnetic resonance [...] Read more.

Tamarillo is a solanaceous tree that has been extensively studied in terms of in vitro clonal propagation, namely somatic embryogenesis. In this work, a protocol of indirect somatic embryogenesis was applied to obtain embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus from leaf segments. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to analyze the primary metabolome of these distinct calli to elucidate possible differentiation mechanisms from the common genetic background callus. Standard multivariate analysis methods were then applied, and were complemented by univariate statistical methods to identify differentially expressed primary metabolites and related metabolic pathways. The results showed carbohydrate and lipid metabolism to be the most relevant in all the calli assayed, with most discriminant metabolites being fructose, glucose and to a lesser extent choline. The glycolytic rate was higher in embryogenic calli, which shows, overall, a higher rate of sugar catabolism and a different profile of phospholipids with a choline/ethanolamine analysis. In general, our results show that a distinct primary metabolome between embryogenic and non-embryogenic calli occurs and that intracellular levels of fructose and sucrose and the glucose to sucrose ratio seem to be good candidates as biochemical biomarkers of embryogenic competence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Applications in Plant Tissue Culture)

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20 pages, 1708 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Transcriptome Analysis Identified Key Expansin Genes Associated with Wheat Cell Wall, Grain Weight and Yield

by Juan P. Mira, Anita Arenas-M, Daniel F. Calderini and Javier Canales

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2868; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152868 - 04 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1235

Abstract

This research elucidates the dynamic expression of expansin genes during the wheat grain (Triticum aestivum L.) development process using comprehensive meta-analysis and experimental validation. We leveraged RNA-seq data from multiple public databases, applying stringent criteria for selection, and identified 60,852 differentially expressed [...] Read more.

This research elucidates the dynamic expression of expansin genes during the wheat grain (Triticum aestivum L.) development process using comprehensive meta-analysis and experimental validation. We leveraged RNA-seq data from multiple public databases, applying stringent criteria for selection, and identified 60,852 differentially expressed genes across developmental stages. From this pool, 28,558 DEGs were found to exhibit significant temporal regulation in at least two different datasets and were enriched for processes integral to grain development such as carbohydrate metabolism and cell wall organization. Notably, 30% of the 241 known expansin genes showed differential expression during grain growth. Hierarchical clustering and expression level analysis revealed temporal regulation and distinct contributions of expansin subfamilies during the early stages of grain development. Further analysis using co-expression networks underscored the significance of expansin genes, revealing their substantial co-expression with genes involved in cell wall modification. Finally, qPCR validation and grain morphological analysis under field conditions indicated a significant negative correlation between the expression of select expansin genes, and grain size and weight. This study illuminates the potential role of expansin genes in wheat grain development and provides new avenues for targeted genetic improvements in wheat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Bioinformatics in Plant Resources and Omics)

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11 pages, 2419 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Valorization of Two African Typical Crops, Sorghum and Cassava, by the Production of Different Dry Pasta Formulations

by Elena Galassi, Laura Gazza, Francesca Nocente, Phabiola Kouagang Tchakoutio, Chiara Natale and Federica Taddei

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2867; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152867 - 04 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 953

Abstract

Mediterranean diet is changing to keep up with the increasingly multiethnic Italian society. With food being considered as a means of integration, innovative foods capable of mixing different raw materials could be of interest. In this work, some of the most consumed African [...] Read more.

Mediterranean diet is changing to keep up with the increasingly multiethnic Italian society. With food being considered as a means of integration, innovative foods capable of mixing different raw materials could be of interest. In this work, some of the most consumed African foods such as sorghum, cassava, and durum wheat were used to produce wholegrain spaghetti to valorize their nutritional and sensorial aspects and to combine Italian and foreign tastes. Different pasta formulations (cassava, semolina, cassava:semolina, cassava:sorghum, cassava:durum wheat whole meal, sorghum:semolina) were developed and compared for their content of proteins, total starch, resistant starch, amylose, fiber, total antioxidant capacity, ash, cooking quality and sensorial characteristics. The enrichment of cassava flour with durum wheat and sorghum wholegrain enhanced the total antioxidant capacity, protein, and fiber content with respect to 100% cassava pasta. The presence of cassava or sorghum resulted in a high diameter variability of pasta samples, lower water absorption, and shorter optimal cooking time with respect to semolina pasta. Sensory evaluation of cooked pasta revealed better scores in blends containing semolina. Although the obtained pasta samples were interesting for their nutritional aspects, further adjustments are required in the pasta-making process to improve pasta quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cereals: Aspects of Quality, Health, Technology, and Innovation)

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20 pages, 3032 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Engaging Precision Phenotyping to Scrutinize Vegetative Drought Tolerance and Recovery in Chickpea Plant Genetic Resources

by Madita Lauterberg, Henning Tschiersch, Roberto Papa, Elena Bitocchi and Kerstin Neumann

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2866; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152866 - 04 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1405

Abstract

Precise and high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) of vegetative drought tolerance in chickpea plant genetic resources (PGR) would enable improved screening for genotypes with low relative loss of biomass formation and reliable physiological performance. It could also provide a basis to further decipher the quantitative [...] Read more.

Precise and high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) of vegetative drought tolerance in chickpea plant genetic resources (PGR) would enable improved screening for genotypes with low relative loss of biomass formation and reliable physiological performance. It could also provide a basis to further decipher the quantitative trait drought tolerance and recovery and gain a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms. In the context of climate change and novel nutritional trends, legumes and chickpea in particular are becoming increasingly important because of their high protein content and adaptation to low-input conditions. The PGR of legumes represent a valuable source of genetic diversity that can be used for breeding. However, the limited use of germplasm is partly due to a lack of available characterization data. The development of HTP systems offers a perspective for the analysis of dynamic plant traits such as abiotic stress tolerance and can support the identification of suitable genetic resources with a potential breeding value. Sixty chickpea accessions were evaluated on an HTP system under contrasting water regimes to precisely evaluate growth, physiological traits, and recovery under optimal conditions in comparison to drought stress at the vegetative stage. In addition to traits such as Estimated Biovolume (EB), Plant Height (PH), and several color-related traits over more than forty days, photosynthesis was examined by chlorophyll fluorescence measurements on relevant days prior to, during, and after drought stress. With high data quality, a wide phenotypic diversity for adaptation, tolerance, and recovery to drought was recorded in the chickpea PGR panel. In addition to a loss of EB between 72% and 82% after 21 days of drought, photosynthetic capacity decreased by 16–28%. Color-related traits can be used as indicators of different drought stress stages, as they show the progression of stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Breeding and Cultivation Management of Legumes)

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19 pages, 2559 KiB

Open AccessReview

Subcellular Proteomics to Elucidate Soybean Response to Abiotic Stress

by Xin Wang and Setsuko Komatsu

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2865; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152865 - 04 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1100

Abstract

Climate change jeopardizes soybean production by declining seed yield and quality. In this review, the morphophysiological alterations of soybean in response to abiotic stress are summarized, followed by illustrations of cellular metabolisms and regulatory mechanisms to organellar stress based on subcellular proteomics. This [...] Read more.

Climate change jeopardizes soybean production by declining seed yield and quality. In this review, the morphophysiological alterations of soybean in response to abiotic stress are summarized, followed by illustrations of cellular metabolisms and regulatory mechanisms to organellar stress based on subcellular proteomics. This highlights the communications associated with reactive oxygen species scavenging, molecular chaperones, and phytohormone signals among subcellular compartments. Given the complexity of climate change and the limitations of plants in coping with multiple abiotic stresses, a generic response to environmental constraints is proposed between calcium and abscisic acid signals in subcellular organelles. This review summarizes the findings of subcellular proteomics in stressed soybean and discusses the future prospects of subcellular proteomics for promoting the improvement of climate-tolerant crops. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Plants Response to Abiotic Stresses)

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1 pages, 185 KiB

Open AccessCorrection

Correction: Ehlenfeldt et al. Asymmetric Reciprocal Crossing Behavior of an Andean Blueberry (V. meridionale) × Lingonberry (V. vitis-idaea) Hybrid. Plants 2022, 11, 3152

by Mark K. Ehlenfeldt, Elizabeth Ogden and Lisa J. Rowland

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2864; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152864 - 04 Aug 2023

Viewed by 387

Abstract

In the original publication [...] Full article

17 pages, 5337 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis of Physicochemical Properties and Storability of a New Citrus Variety, Yellowball, and Its Parent

by Dong-Shin Kim, Sung-man Jeong, Seong-Ho Jo, Saoraya Chanmuang, Sang Suk Kim, Suk Man Park, Su Hyun Yun, Seung-Gab Han, Jeong-Yong Cho, Inhae Kang and Hyun-Jin Kim

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2863; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152863 - 03 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1067

Abstract

Although numerous citrus varieties have recently been developed to enhance their quality, information on their quality characteristics is limited. We assessed the quality characteristics of Yellowball, a novel citrus variety, by evaluating its appearance, storability, sensory properties, functionality, and metabolite profiles and then [...] Read more.

Although numerous citrus varieties have recently been developed to enhance their quality, information on their quality characteristics is limited. We assessed the quality characteristics of Yellowball, a novel citrus variety, by evaluating its appearance, storability, sensory properties, functionality, and metabolite profiles and then comparing these characteristics with those of its parent varieties, Haruka and Kiyomi. The metabolite profiles between the citrus varieties differed significantly, resulting in distinct physicochemical and functional qualities. The storability of Yellowball was significantly increased compared with that of its parent varieties owing to its strong antifungal activity and unique peel morphology, including the stoma and albedo layers. While we did not investigate the volatile compounds, overall functional activities, and detailed characteristics of each metabolite, our data provide valuable insights into the relationship between citrus metabolites, peel morphology, physicochemical properties, and storability, and demonstrate the potential of Yellowball as a promising variety in the citrus industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Phytochemistry)

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18 pages, 5938 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Tomato mTERF Gene Family and Study of the Stress Resistance Function of SLmTERF-13

by Ao Su, Siyu Ge, Boyan Zhou, Ziyu Wang, Liping Zhou, Ziwei Zhang, Xiaoyu Yan, Yu Wang, Dalong Li, He Zhang, Xiangyang Xu and Tingting Zhao

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2862; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152862 - 03 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1112

Abstract

Mitochondrial transcription termination factor (mTERF) is a DNA-binding protein that is encoded by nuclear genes, ultimately functions in mitochondria and can affect gene expression. By combining with mitochondrial nucleic acids, mTERF regulates the replication, transcription and translation of mitochondrial genes and plays an [...] Read more.

Mitochondrial transcription termination factor (mTERF) is a DNA-binding protein that is encoded by nuclear genes, ultimately functions in mitochondria and can affect gene expression. By combining with mitochondrial nucleic acids, mTERF regulates the replication, transcription and translation of mitochondrial genes and plays an important role in the response of plants to abiotic stress. However, there are few studies on mTERF genes in tomato, which limits the in-depth study and utilization of mTERF family genes in tomato stress resistance regulation. In this study, a total of 28 mTERF gene family members were obtained through genome-wide mining and identification of the tomato mTERF gene family. Bioinformatics analysis showed that all members of the family contained environmental stress or hormone response elements. Gene expression pattern analysis showed that the selected genes had different responses to drought, high salt and low temperature stress. Most of the genes played key roles under drought and salt stress, and the response patterns were more similar. The VIGS method was used to silence the SLmTERF13 gene, which was significantly upregulated under drought and salt stress, and it was found that the resistance ability of silenced plants was decreased under both kinds of stress, indicating that the SLmTERF13 gene was involved in the regulation of the tomato abiotic stress response. These results provide important insights for further evolutionary studies and contribute to a better understanding of the role of the mTERF genes in tomato growth and development and abiotic stress response, which will ultimately play a role in future studies of tomato gene function. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Basis of Crops and Fruit Plants in Response to Stress)

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29 pages, 1926 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Phosphorus Plays Key Roles in Regulating Plants’ Physiological Responses to Abiotic Stresses

by Fahad Khan, Abu Bakar Siddique, Sergey Shabala, Meixue Zhou and Chenchen Zhao

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2861; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152861 - 03 Aug 2023

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 8717

Abstract

Phosphorus (P), an essential macronutrient, plays a pivotal role in the growth and development of plants. However, the limited availability of phosphorus in soil presents significant challenges for crop productivity, especially when plants are subjected to abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity and [...] Read more.

Phosphorus (P), an essential macronutrient, plays a pivotal role in the growth and development of plants. However, the limited availability of phosphorus in soil presents significant challenges for crop productivity, especially when plants are subjected to abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity and extreme temperatures. Unraveling the intricate mechanisms through which phosphorus participates in the physiological responses of plants to abiotic stresses is essential to ensure the sustainability of agricultural production systems. This review aims to analyze the influence of phosphorus supply on various aspects of plant growth and plant development under hostile environmental conditions, with a special emphasis on stomatal development and operation. Furthermore, we discuss recently discovered genes associated with P-dependent stress regulation and evaluate the feasibility of implementing P-based agricultural practices to mitigate the adverse effects of abiotic stress. Our objective is to provide molecular and physiological insights into the role of P in regulating plants’ tolerance to abiotic stresses, underscoring the significance of efficient P use strategies for agricultural sustainability. The potential benefits and limitations of P-based strategies and future research directions are also discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Stomatal Activities in Abiotic Stress Tolerant Wild Relatives of Crop)

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42 pages, 6324 KiB

Open AccessReview

Phytochemistry, Biological, and Pharmacological Properties of Abies alba Mill.

by Robert Ancuceanu, Marilena Viorica Hovaneț, Anca Miron, Adriana Iuliana Anghel and Mihaela Dinu

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2860; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152860 - 03 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1741

Abstract

Abies alba Mill. (Pinaceae), silver fir, is a widespread gymnosperm species in Europe, important for its ecological, economic, social, and cultural significance, as well as for its use for food and bioremediation purposes. The various parts of the plant (leaves, branches, cones, wood, [...] Read more.

Abies alba Mill. (Pinaceae), silver fir, is a widespread gymnosperm species in Europe, important for its ecological, economic, social, and cultural significance, as well as for its use for food and bioremediation purposes. The various parts of the plant (leaves, branches, cones, wood, bark) are also of pharmaceutical interest due to their composition of active compounds. In the last three decades, an impressive amount of research has been dedicated to this species. The variability of the chemical composition of essential oils (whether they come from leaves, oleoresin from branches, or other parts of the plant) is impressive, even in the case of specimens collected from the same geographical area. For essential oils prepared from needles or twigs and branches, limonene, β-pinene, α-pinene, camphene, β-phellandrene, and bornyl acetate are the leading compounds, although their wide variations seem to correspond to multiple chemotypes. Both bark and wood are rich in lignans and phenolic compounds. Matairesinol is apparently the dominant lignan in bark, and secoisolariciresinol and lariciresinol are the dominant ones in wood samples. Pharmacological studies with promising results have evaluated the antioxidant effect (mainly due to essential oils), but also the antimicrobial, antitumor, probiotic, antidiabetic, anti-steatosis, and anti-psoriatic activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Review Papers in Phytochemistry)

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Plants, Volume 12, Issue 15 (August-1 2023) – 138 articles

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