Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for IJMS Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Special Issue "State-of-the-Art Molecular Plant Sciences in Australia"

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Published Papers

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Plant Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2023 | Viewed by 7440

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Delphine Vincent

E-Mail Website
Collection Editor

Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
Interests: plant-microbe interactions; plant crops; cannabis sativa; milk; proteomics; secretomics; liquid chromatography; electrophoresis; mass spectrometry; systems biology, data mining; big data
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Nicolas L. Taylor

E-Mail Website
Collection Editor

ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences and Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
Interests: molecular phenotyping; salinity; thermal stress; wheat; pulses; protein; metabolite and lipid mass spectrometry; metabolism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Topical Collection provides an opportunity to present new and exciting plant molecular research that is being carried out in Australia. We invite contributions from Australian industry, government research institutes/laboratories, and Universities to showcase the cutting-edge research in molecular plant sciences that is being carried out on crops, horticultural products, medicinal agriculture, and model plants.

In this Topical Collection, we welcome submissions in the form of comprehensive reviews or new research articles on all topics related to plants. Potential topics include:

Abiotic stress,
Bioinformatics,
Biotechnology,
Biotic stress,
Breeding,
Cell biology,
Chemodiversity,
Computational biology,
Data mining,
Developmental biology,
Ecology,
Endophytes,
Genomics/epigenomics,
Holobionts,
Marine and freshwater plants,
Metabolism,
Metagenomics and metaproteomics,
Modelling,
Nutrition,
Pathogens,
Proteomics,
Metabolomics,
Physiology,
Phytoprotection,
Plant–microbe interactions,
Secretomics,
Structural biology,
Symbiotic interactions,
Synthetic biology,
Systematics and evolution,
Systems biology,
Technical advances,
Traffic and transport,
Volatilomics.

The editors look forward to reviewing your contributions.

Dr. Delphine Vincent
Dr. Nicolas L. Taylor
Collection Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

Open AccessArticle

Mining the Australian Grains Gene Bank for Rust Resistance in Barley

and

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(13), 10860; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241310860 - 29 Jun 2023

Viewed by 726

Abstract

Global barley production is threatened by plant pathogens, especially the rusts. In this study we used a targeted genotype-by-sequencing (GBS) assisted GWAS approach to identify rust resistance alleles in a collection of 287 genetically distinct diverse barley landraces and historical cultivars available in the Australian Grains Genebank (AGG) and originally sourced from Eastern Europe. The accessions were challenged with seven US-derived cereal rust pathogen races including Puccinia hordei (Ph-leaf rust) race 17VA12C, P. coronata var. hordei (Pch-crown rust) race 91NE9305 and five pathogenically diverse races of P. striiformis f. sp. hordei (Psh-stripe rust) (PSH-33, PSH-48, PSH-54, PSH-72 and PSH-100) and phenotyped quantitatively at the seedling stage. Novel resistance factors were identified on chromosomes 1H, 2H, 4H and 5H in response to Pch, whereas a race-specific QTL on 7HS was identified that was effective only to Psh isolates PSH-72 and PSH-100. A major effect QTL on chromosome 5HL conferred resistance to all Psh races including PSH-72, which is virulent on all 12 stripe rust differential tester lines. The same major effect QTL was also identified in response to leaf rust (17VA12C) suggesting this locus contains several pathogen specific rust resistance genes or the same gene is responsible for both leaf rust and stripe rust resistance. Twelve accessions were highly resistant to both leaf and stripe rust diseases and also carried the 5HL QTL. We subsequently surveyed the physical region at the 5HL locus for across the barley pan genome variation in the presence of known resistance gene candidates and identified a rich source of high confidence protein kinase and antifungal genes in the QTL region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Molecular Plant Sciences in Australia)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Scale Insects on Growth Parameters of cv. Chardonnay and cv. Sauvignon Blanc Grapevines Grown in a Greenhouse

and

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(2), 1544; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24021544 - 12 Jan 2023

Viewed by 852

Abstract

Plants can respond to insects that feed with stylet mouthparts using various processes that are initiated via the salicylic acid metabolic pathway. In Australia, scale insects of the genus Parthenolecanium can cause economic damage to grapevines as they feed on the vines and produce honeydew as a waste by-product, which supports the growth of black sooty mould on fruit and leaves, potentially affecting the plant growth and yield. Using rootlings of Sauvignon Blanc (SB, resistant) and Chardonnay (Char, susceptible), the growth and production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) following exposure to scale insect infestations were measured under controlled greenhouse conditions. At harvest, the numbers of scale insects per five leaves were higher on plants infested at the start of the study compared with the control plants. Infested SB had increased dry root and shoot mass compared with the SB control, which was also the case with Char (control and infested). Leaf volatiles differed between cultivars in response to scale infestation. Benzyl alcohol decreased among infested SB plants compared with the other treatments. A change in the salicylic acid pathway as indicated by the change in benzyl alcohol may cause the increased growth in SB associated with the increased scale insect infestation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Molecular Plant Sciences in Australia)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Open AccessArticle

Unique and Shared Proteome Responses of Rice Plants (Oryza sativa) to Individual Abiotic Stresses

Fatemeh Habibpourmehraban

Brian J. Atwell

and

Paul A. Haynes

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(24), 15552; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232415552 - 08 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 695

Abstract

Food safety of staple crops such as rice is of global concern and is at the top of the policy agenda worldwide. Abiotic stresses are one of the main limitations to optimizing yields for sustainability, food security and food safety. We analyzed proteome changes in Oryza sativa cv. Nipponbare in response to five adverse abiotic treatments, including three levels of drought (mild, moderate, and severe), soil salinization, and non-optimal temperatures. All treatments had modest, negative effects on plant growth, enabling us to identify proteins that were common to all stresses, or unique to one. More than 75% of the total of differentially abundant proteins in response to abiotic stresses were specific to individual stresses, while fewer than 5% of stress-induced proteins were shared across all abiotic constraints. Stress-specific and non-specific stress-responsive proteins identified were categorized in terms of core biological processes, molecular functions, and cellular localization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Molecular Plant Sciences in Australia)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Open AccessArticle

Metabolic Pathways for Observed Impacts of Crop Load on Floral Induction in Apple

and

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(11), 6019; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23116019 - 27 May 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1382

Abstract

The triggers of biennial bearing are thought to coincide with embryonic development in apple and occurs within the first 70 days after full bloom (DAFB). Strong evidence suggests hormonal signals are perceived by vegetative apple spur buds to induce flowering. The hormonal response is typically referred to as the floral induction (FI) phase in bud meristem development. To determine the metabolic pathways activated in FI, young trees of the biennial bearing cultivar ‘Nicoter’ and the less susceptible cultivar ‘Rosy Glow’ were forced into an alternate cropping cycle over five years and an inverse relationship of crop load and return bloom was established. Buds were collected over a four-week duration within 70 DAFB from trees that had maintained a four-year biennial bearing cycle. Metabolomics profiling was undertaken to determine the differentially expressed pathways and key signalling molecules associated with biennial bearing. Marked metabolic differences were observed in trees with high and low crop load treatments. Significant effects were detected in members of the phenylpropanoid pathway comprising hydroxycinnamates, salicylates, salicylic acid biosynthetic pathway intermediates and flavanols. This study identifies plant hormones associated with FI in apples using functional metabolomics analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Molecular Plant Sciences in Australia)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Research

Open AccessReview

RNA-Based Control of Fungal Pathogens in Plants

Christopher W. G. Mann

and

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(15), 12391; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241512391 - 03 Aug 2023

Viewed by 901

Abstract

Our duty to conserve global natural ecosystems is increasingly in conflict with our need to feed an expanding population. The use of conventional pesticides not only damages the environment and vulnerable biodiversity but can also still fail to prevent crop losses of 20–40% due to pests and pathogens. There is a growing call for more ecologically sustainable pathogen control measures. RNA-based biopesticides offer an eco-friendly alternative to the use of conventional fungicides for crop protection. The genetic modification (GM) of crops remains controversial in many countries, though expression of transgenes inducing pathogen-specific RNA interference (RNAi) has been proven effective against many agronomically important fungal pathogens. The topical application of pathogen-specific RNAi-inducing sprays is a more responsive, GM-free approach to conventional RNAi transgene-based crop protection. The specific targeting of essential pathogen genes, the development of RNAi-nanoparticle carrier spray formulations, and the possible structural modifications to the RNA molecules themselves are crucial to the success of this novel technology. Here, we outline the current understanding of gene silencing pathways in plants and fungi and summarize the pioneering and recent work exploring RNA-based biopesticides for crop protection against fungal pathogens, with a focus on spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS). Further, we discuss factors that could affect the success of RNA-based control strategies, including RNA uptake, stability, amplification, and movement within and between the plant host and pathogen, as well as the cost and design of RNA pesticides. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Molecular Plant Sciences in Australia)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Open AccessReview

Phloem Sap Composition: What Have We Learnt from Metabolomics?

and

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(8), 6917; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24086917 - 07 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2032

Abstract

Phloem sap transport is essential for plant nutrition and development since it mediates redistribution of nutrients, metabolites and signaling molecules. However, its biochemical composition is not so well-known because phloem sap sampling is difficult and does not always allow extensive chemical analysis. In the past years, efforts have been devoted to metabolomics analyses of phloem sap using either liquid chromatography or gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Phloem sap metabolomics is of importance to understand how metabolites can be exchanged between plant organs and how metabolite allocation may impact plant growth and development. Here, we provide an overview of our current knowledge of phloem sap metabolome and physiological information obtained therefrom. Although metabolomics analyses of phloem sap are still not numerous, they show that metabolites present in sap are not just sugars and amino acids but that many more metabolic pathways are represented. They further suggest that metabolite exchange between source and sink organs is a general phenomenon, offering opportunities for metabolic cycles at the whole-plant scale. Such cycles reflect metabolic interdependence of plant organs and shoot–root coordination of plant growth and development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Molecular Plant Sciences in Australia)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Special Issue "State-of-the-Art Molecular Plant Sciences in Australia"

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Published Papers (6 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI