Article
Plant Sciences
Akhtar Ali, Natalia Raddatz, Jose M. Pardo, Dae-Jin Yun
Summary: Plants cope with high salinity by limiting Na+ influx, compartmentalizing ions into vacuoles, exporting excess Na+ from cells, and distributing ions between aerial and root organs. Research on the salt overly sensitive (SOS) pathway and HKT1-type transporters in different species indicates that they use similar approaches to deal with salinity stress.
PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hao Liu, Xianyang Li, Yunfei Zi, Guoqing Zhao, Lihua Zhu, Ling Hong, Mingna Li, Shiqing Wang, Ruicai Long, Junmei Kang, Qingchuan Yang, Lin Chen
Summary: Heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) are important regulatory factors in plant stress responses and play important roles in growth and development. In this study, 104 HSF genes (MsHSFs) were identified and classified in the tetraploid alfalfa genome, and their expression patterns under different stress conditions were analyzed. The results provide valuable information for further understanding the functions of MsHSFs and improving stress resistance in alfalfa.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fei He, Lixia Zhang, Guoqing Zhao, Junmei Kang, Ruicai Long, Mingna Li, Qingchuan Yang, Lin Chen
Summary: This study identified 421 NAC genes in alfalfa and analyzed their characteristics and expression profiles. The results showed that these genes have various functions in alfalfa growth and development and are involved in stress responses. Specifically, several genes were found to respond to cold, drought, and salt stress. This study provides valuable information for further understanding the functions of these genes and improving stress resistance in alfalfa.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Faisal Saeed, Usman Khalid Chaudhry, Ali Raza, Sidra Charagh, Allah Bakhsh, Abhishek Bohra, Sumbul Ali, Annapurna Chitikineni, Yasir Saeed, Richard G. F. Visser, Kadambot H. M. Siddique, Rajeev K. Varshney
Summary: Climate change directly impacts the yield of vegetables through rising temperatures. Breeding for climate-resilient crops requires significant time and effort, but advancements in omics technologies have improved the efficiency of identifying pathways for high-temperature stress resilience in vegetable crops. Genomics-assisted breeding, gene editing, and speed breeding offer new approaches to develop temperature-resilient vegetables more efficiently. This review discusses the effects of heat stress on vegetables and highlights the use of omics and genome editing in producing temperature-resilient vegetables.
FUNCTIONAL & INTEGRATIVE GENOMICS
(2023)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Faisal Saeed, Usman Khalid Chaudhry, Allah Bakhsh, Ali Raza, Yasir Saeed, Abhishek Bohra, Rajeev K. Varshney
Summary: Plant epigenetics has great potential for improving plant adaptation to stress factors, but a thorough understanding and assessment of the functional relevance of epigenetic modifications are required. Modern technologies for profiling and engineering plants at the genome-wide scale have provided new insights into the mechanisms of epigenetic modifications in response to stress conditions and their contribution to plant phenotypes. Understanding the patterns of epigenetic variations can help develop breeding strategies for improving crop performance under stressed scenarios.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Michael Mendelsohn, Amanda A. Pierce, Wiebke Striegel
Summary: Before pesticides can be sold in the US, they must undergo thorough evaluation by the EPA to meet federal standards for human and environmental safety. Plant-incorporated protectants (PIPs) produced and used in plants are considered pesticides and require individual assessments and approval if created through biotechnology. In October 2020, the EPA proposed an exemption for certain biotechnology-created PIPs if they pose no greater risk than exempted PIPs and could have been created through conventional breeding.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Yumeng Chu, Xiaoming Gao, Lichao Wen, Zhichao Deng, Tao Liu, Yongfeng Guo
Summary: The CLE family of small secreted proteins plays important roles in plant development and stress responses. In this study, 84 members of the CLE family were identified in tobacco and related species. These CLE members formed 9 subgroups and several of them showed induced expression upon abiotic stress treatments. Synthetic peptides of some CLEs were also found to enhance tobacco's tolerance to osmotic and salinity stresses.
Article
Plant Sciences
Lihua Kang, Yangyang Teng, Qiwen Cen, Yunxia Fang, Quanxiang Tian, Xiaoqin Zhang, Hua Wang, Xian Zhang, Dawei Xue
Summary: This study identified and classified the R2R3-MYB transcription factors in rice using bioinformatics. The results showed that these genes are involved in various biological processes in plants and are associated with plant hormone and stress responses.
Article
Ecology
Malgorzata Wozniak, Renata Tyskiewicz, Sylwia Siebielec, Anna Galazka, Jolanta Jaroszuk-Scisel
Summary: Agricultural crops face various abiotic and biotic stresses, and focusing on a limited subset of key groups of organisms can help monitor the functions of human-managed ecosystems. Endophytic bacteria can enhance plant stress resistance and cope with stress factors by inducing different mechanisms that affect plant biochemistry and physiology. This study characterized endophytic bacteria isolated from different plants based on their metabolic activity, ability to synthesize ACCD, hydrolytic exoenzyme activity, TPC, and ICC. The results suggest that these tested endophytic bacterial strains have potential applications in mitigating climate change-associated stresses and inhibiting plant pathogens.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Dili Lai, Yue Fan, Guoxing Xue, Ailing He, Hao Yang, Chunlin He, Yijing Li, Jingjun Ruan, Jun Yan, Jianping Cheng
Summary: In this study, 18 SPL genes were identified in foxtail millet, and their phylogenetic relationships, gene structural features, duplication events, gene expression, and potential roles in foxtail millet development were studied. The findings provide a new perspective for the mining of excellent SiSPL genes and the molecular breeding of foxtail millet.
Review
Agronomy
Celian Roman-Figueroa, Leon Bravo, Manuel Paneque, Rodrigo Navia, Mara Cea
Summary: Frost is a significant abiotic stress for plants and crops, with two mechanisms for protection: freezing avoidance and freezing tolerance. While there are many products available for crop protection against freezing, more information is needed to determine their effectiveness.
JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Dili Lai, Xin Yao, Jun Yan, Anjing Gao, Hao Yang, Dabing Xiang, Jingjun Ruan, Yu Fan, Jianping Cheng
Summary: In this study, 28 GATA genes were identified and characterized in foxtail millet. Certain genes were found to be induced under stress conditions, providing important insights for future research and breeding of foxtail millet.
Review
Microbiology
Ntombikhona Appear Koza, Afeez Adesina Adedayo, Olubukola Oluranti Babalola, Abidemi Paul Kappo
Summary: Plants face challenges in harsh environments, but rhizosphere microorganisms can help improve stress tolerance and increase food production through various mechanisms.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hao Li, Maolan Yue, Leiyu Jiang, Yongqiang Liu, Nating Zhang, Xiaoling Liu, Yuyun Ye, Ximeng Lin, Yunting Zhang, Yuanxiu Lin, Mengyao Li, Yan Wang, Yong Zhang, Ya Luo, Xiaorong Wang, Qing Chen, Haoru Tang
Summary: C2H2-type zinc finger proteins play a crucial role in plant processes and responses to environmental stresses. This study identified 126 C2H2-ZFPs in strawberry and characterized 46 members with two zinc finger domains. These genes were unevenly distributed on chromosomes and classified into five groups based on phylogenetic relationship. Evolutionary analysis showed conservation of this gene subclass. Additionally, a specific C2H2-ZFP, FaZAT10, was isolated and found to be responsive to various abiotic stresses. These findings provide valuable information for further analysis of the ZFP gene family in strawberry and shed light on the regulatory mechanism of FaZAT10 in abiotic stress.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Wenhan Nie, Xin Zheng, Sai Wang, Iftikhar Ahmad, Bo Zhu
Summary: In this study, the complete genome of a novel bacterium, Ancylobacter pratisalsi sp. nov. E130(T), isolated from the rhizosphere of Plantago winteri Wirtg. was analyzed. The genomic analysis revealed its potential plant growth promotion abilities and its potential as a bioresource for successful production of economic crops in alkaline soil.
Review
Plant Sciences
Denise L. Lindsay, Joanna Freeland, Ping Gong, Xin Guan, Nathan E. Harms, Kurt P. Kowalski, Richard F. Lance, Dong-Ha Oh, Bradley T. Sartain, Douglas L. Wendell
Summary: Phragmites australis subsp. australis is an invasive and ecologically detrimental plant in North America. Differentiating between subspecies or haplotypes is necessary for targeted management of the invader. This review discusses current genetic discrimination methods, control tools, and implications for implementation, highlighting the need for faster and more accurate differentiation among native and introduced subspecies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yutong Liu, Mengting Li, Jinlei Yu, Ao Ma, Jie Wang, Dae-Jin Yun, Zheng-Yi Xu
Summary: The salinization of irrigated land reduces agricultural productivity. A mutation in OsHKT1;5 leads to a salt stress-sensitive phenotype, caused by a decrease in transcripts. This phenotype is due to the loss of function of OsDNAJ15, which encodes a plasma membrane-localized heat shock protein 40 (Hsp40).
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Pramod Pantha, Dong-Ha Oh, David Longstreth, Maheshi Dassanayake
Summary: Research found that high potassium concentration in the growth medium leads to salinity stress in plants. Comparing Arabidopsis and its extremophyte relative Schrenkiella parvula, it was discovered that S. parvula can limit excess potassium accumulation while sustaining growth, by promoting nitrogen uptake and assimilation. On the other hand, Arabidopsis showed growth limitations due to poor balance between stress signaling, increased reactive oxygen species levels, and reduced photosynthesis. The ability to regulate nutrient uptake and coordinate transcriptomic responses are crucial for plants to survive high potassium-induced salinity stress.
Article
Agronomy
E. Appolloni, G. Pennisi, I. Paucek, A. Cellini, A. Crepaldi, F. Spinelli, G. Gianquinto, X. Gabarrell, F. Orsini
Summary: Growing conditions and agronomical inputs are crucial for fruit quality and nutritional traits. Supplementary LED interlighting during greenhouse tomato cultivation can increase fruit firmness, extend storage time, and maintain nutritional content.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ivan Paucek, Emanuele Durante, Giuseppina Pennisi, Stefania Quaini, Giorgio Gianquinto, Francesco Orsini
Summary: African agriculture is facing challenges for its future development, but indoor vertical farms with artificial lighting provide opportunities for high productivity, food quality, year-round production, and sustainable use of resources. This study assesses the potential for vertical farming in Africa and identifies countries like South Africa, Seychelles, and Egypt where sustainable implementation is possible.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Junghoon Park, Axel J. Giudicatti, Zein Eddin Bader, Min Kyun Han, Christian Moller, Agustin L. Arce, Zheng-Yi Xu, Seong Wook Yang, Pablo A. Manavella, Dae-Jin Yun
Summary: The HOS15-HDA9 complex in Arabidopsis is a conditional suppressor of miRNA biogenesis, particularly in response to ABA. The miRNA itself can guide this complex to MIRNA loci, showing that miRNA can act as a regulator of its own expression by establishing a negative feedback loop.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Michael Martin, Elin Bengtsson, Laura Carotti, Kristin Orrestig, Francesco Orsini
Summary: This study aims to assess the environmental performance of a horticultural greenhouse in Sweden producing herbs. Different scenarios are analyzed using life cycle assessment, showing that past measures reduced GHG emissions by 32% per kg edible portion, and future measures such as increasing biofueled logistics, switching to LEDs, and densifying production can further reduce emissions and other environmental impacts.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gaia Stringari, Joan Villanueva, Antoni Rosell-Mele, Nuria Moraleda-Cibrian, Francesco Orsini, Gara Villalba, Xavier Gabarrell
Summary: The promotion of urban green installations can increase sustainable and accessible food production, as well as improve the environmental performance and liveability of city buildings. However, the increase in biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) caused by these installations, especially indoors, may raise health concerns and limit the implementation of building-integrated agriculture.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Agronomy
Marco Esposito, Anna S. Westbrook, Albino Maggio, Valerio Cirillo, Antonio DiTommaso
Summary: Weeds are an integral part of agroecosystems and their mismanagement can lead to substantial crop losses. This study introduces the concept of neutral weed communities that coexist with crops without impacting crop yield and quality negatively. Management practices promoting neutral weed communities can reduce the need for herbicides and soil tillage while enhancing ecosystem services and biodiversity.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
M. D'ostuni, C. Stanghellini, A. Boedijn, L. Zaffi, F. Orsini
Summary: Recent studies have shown that Urban Agriculture (UA) can contribute to sustainable urban developments by integrating agricultural practices in cities. The use of soil-less cultivation in mixed-use buildings can create synergies between the built environment and the urban food system. This research focuses on the feasibility of using urine and greywater as nutrient solutions in a theoretical model of Building-Integrated Agriculture (BIA) in Amsterdam. The results indicate that it is feasible, although adjustments may be required to match nutrient concentrations.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Elisa Appolloni, Ivan Paucek, Giuseppina Pennisi, Luigi Manfrini, Xavier Gabarrell, Giorgio Gianquinto, Francesco Orsini
Summary: In a high-wire tomato greenhouse, solar radiation is mostly intercepted by the top of the crop canopy, and the role of lower leaves diminishes with age, turning them into sink organs rather than sources. Basal leaf defoliation is a widely used practice in high-wire greenhouse cultivation management. However, supplemental LED lighting for high-density tomato production may affect the role of basal leaves, promoting their source role for fruit development and growth.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Francesco Cirone, Mara Petruzzelli, Fabio De Menna, Antonella Samoggia, Enrico Buscaroli, Emanuele Durante, Francesco Orsini, Marti Rufi-Salis, Pietro Tonini, Xavier Gabarrell Durany, Luuk Graamans, Agnes Fargue-Lelievre, Veronique Saint-Ges, Runrid Fox-Kaemper, Kathrin Specht, Jose J. Pascual-Fernandez, Matteo Vittuari
Summary: To assess the sustainability of City Region Food Systems in Europe, a simplified scoring system was designed and tested based on a Life Cycle Thinking approach. The research involved stakeholders from multidisciplinary expertise and resulted in a qualitative-quantitative appraisal survey tool, providing insights on the social, economic, and environmental impacts.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Kieu-Nga Tran, Pramod Pantha, Guannan Wang, Narender Kumar, Chathura Wijesinghege, Dong-Ha Oh, Samadhi Wimalagunasekara, Nick Duppen, Hongfei Li, Hyewon Hong, John C. Johnson, Ross Kelt, Megan G. Matherne, Thu T. Nguyen, Jason R. Garcia, Ashley Clement, David Tran, Colt Crain, Prava Adhikari, Yanxia Zhang, Maryam Foroozani, Guido Sessa, John C. Larkin, Aaron P. Smith, David Longstreth, Patrick Finnegan, Christa Testerink, Simon Barak, Maheshi Dassanayake
Summary: Schrenkiella parvula, a leading extremophyte model in Brassicaceae, is capable of growing and completing its lifecycle in high salinity conditions. This study aimed to identify the key physiological and structural traits that contribute to the plant's stress-resilient and uncompromised growth. The plant's resilient growth was promoted by traits such as primary root growth, expansion of xylem vessels, and the development of thicker succulent leaves to maintain tissue water levels during salt stress. Additionally, salt-induced early flowering was observed, which contributed to successful reproductive transition and viable seed production.
Article
Plant Sciences
Xu Huang, Hao Tian, Jeongmoo Park, Dong-Ha Oh, Jianhong Hu, Rodolfo Zentella, Hong Qiao, Maheshi Dassanayake, Tai-Ping Sun
Summary: DELLA genes encode conserved master growth regulators that control plant development in response to internal and environmental cues. This study reveals that the PFYRE subdomain of DELLA interacts with histone H2A to form a TF-DELLA-H2A complex, which stabilizes on the target chromatin. These findings provide insights into the modular functions of DELLA in genome-wide transcription regulation in plants.
