Article
Plant Sciences
Yuan-Jie Deng, Ao-Qi Duan, Hui Liu, Ya-Hui Wang, Rong-Rong Zhang, Zhi-Sheng Xu, Ai-Sheng Xiong
Summary: Betalains are plant pigments found in plants and fungi, and they have attracted scientific and economic interest due to their simple biosynthesis pathway, attractive colors, and health-promoting properties. The researchers engineered carrots to produce unique colors by co-expressing specific genes. The highest betalains content was achieved in the transgenic carrots, and the production of betalains in a specific tissue created a unique phenotype. The betalains-fortified carrot has potential as a functional vegetable and a valuable germplasm resource for breeding.
HORTICULTURE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Olga Rosspopoff, Emmanuel Cazottes, Christophe Huret, Agnese Loda, Amanda J. Collier, Miguel Casanova, Peter J. Rugg-Gunn, Edith Heard, Jean-Francois Ouimette, Claire Rougeulle
Summary: XCI is a crucial process with remarkable diversity among mammalian species. Through analysis of single-cell RNA-seq data and functional assays, we find that FTX shows functional inconsistency in humans, while JPX acts as a major regulator of XIST expression in both species. However, we reveal that different forms of JPX control the production of XIST at different steps depending on the species. Overall, this study highlights the functional versatility of LRGs and suggests diversified mechanisms of action for functionally conserved orthologous LRGs.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Davinder Singh, Tarsem Singh Dhillon, Talha Javed, Rajinder Singh, Jalpa Dobaria, Surender Kumar Dhankhar, Farzad Kianersi, Baber Ali, Peter Poczai, Uttam Kumar
Summary: This study evaluated the genetic diversity of 81 carrot genotypes through multivariate analysis, grouping them into ten clusters. Significant differences were observed between clusters, with some clusters showing higher average values for important traits. Total sugar content and anthocyanin content contributed the most to genetic divergence.
Article
Plant Sciences
Maria Belen Perez, Sofia Carvajal, Vanesa Beretta, Florencia Bannoud, Maria Florencia Fangio, Federico Berli, Ariel Fontana, Maria Victoria Salomon, Roxana Gonzalez, Lucia Valerga, Jorgelina C. Altamirano, Mehtap Yildiz, Massimo Iorizzo, Philipp W. Simon, Pablo F. Cavagnaro
Summary: The present study characterized a diverse collection of purple and non-purple carrot accessions for their concentration of anthocyanins, phenolics, carotenoids, and antioxidant capacity. Significant variation was found among the accessions, with acylated anthocyanins being the most dominant pigment. Purple carrots exhibited higher levels of anthocyanins, phenolics, and antioxidant capacity compared to non-purple carrots. Antioxidant capacity was positively correlated with anthocyanin content and total phenolic content, but not with carotenoids. Certain accessions were identified as potential sources for food dyes or increased nutraceutical value.
Article
Biology
Antonio Cuevas-Navarro, Laura Rodriguez-Munoz, Joaquim Grego-Bessa, Alice Cheng, Katherine A. Rauen, Anatoly Urisman, Frank McCormick, Gerardo Jimenez, Pau Castel
Summary: The research findings suggest that RIT1 orthologs are preferred substrates of LZTR1, with specific phenotypes observed in fruit flies and mice. In mice, Lztr1 is haplosufficient, and deletion of Rit1 can rescue embryonic lethality caused by homozygous null allele.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Antara Anika Piya, Michael DeGiorgio, Raquel Assis
Summary: This study presents PiXi, the first machine learning framework for predicting gene expression divergence between single-copy orthologs. PiXi models gene expression evolution as an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process and combines it with multi-layer neural network, random forest, and support vector machine architectures for predictions. PiXi achieves high accuracy and precision in predicting gene expression divergence and estimating expression optima in two species.
GENOME BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Keo E. Corak, Rue K. Genger, Phillip W. Simon, Julie C. Dawson
Summary: This study developed and evaluated genomic prediction strategies to identify valuable breeding material in crop germplasm collections. The models had moderate ability to predict trait values of evaluated germplasm accessions, suggesting that genomic selection may allow for the identification of valuable germplasm accessions without extensive field evaluation.
Review
Plant Sciences
Haiguang Gong, Fazal Rehman, Yun Ma, Biao A, Shaohua Zeng, Tianshun Yang, Jianguo Huang, Zhong Li, Dongpo Wu, Ying Wang
Summary: This review systematically introduces the present germplasm resources, cytological examination, and molecular-assisted breeding progress in Lycium species. It also provides insights into the distribution of Lycium species, fertility analysis between species, strategies for quantitative trait locus mapping, and potential traits in different organs. The future direction of goji breeding research is also discussed and concluded.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
In-Su Choi, Martin F. Wojciechowski, Kelly P. Steele, Andrew Hopkins, Tracey A. Ruhlman, Robert K. Jansen
Summary: Medicago truncatula is a model legume that has been extensively studied in various subdisciplines of plant science. This study investigated the phylogenetic position of different M. truncatula accessions within the genus and found heterogeneity and potential gene flow between closely related species, suggesting mistaken identities.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xing He, Tian-Quan Lu, Jiang-Ying Li, Ping Mao, Li Zhang, Guo-Wei Zheng, Bo Tian
Summary: This study reports the fatty acid profiles and germplasm diversity of six plant species, including M. oleifera and M. indica which have higher levels of NA and can potentially serve as a source for NA enrichment. The results contribute to the establishment of a germplasm resource nursery and breeding program for improving NA-enriched plants.
Article
Biology
Wim H. Quint, Kirke C. D. Tadema, Erik de Vrieze, Rachel M. Lukowicz, Sanne Broekman, Beerend H. J. Winkelman, Melanie Hoevenaars, H. Martijn de Gruiter, Erwin van Wijk, Frank Schaeffel, Magda Meester-Smoor, Adam C. Miller, Rob Willemsen, Caroline C. W. Klaver, Adriana I. Iglesias
Summary: The study reveals the association of the GJD2 gene with myopia, with gjd2a playing a regulatory role in ocular biometry and gjd2b having an additional role in the crystalline lens besides being found in the retina.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ayaka Yabe, Shuh-ichi Nishikawa
Summary: Nuclear fusion is essential for sexual reproduction in various organisms, including angiosperms. In this study, the researchers found that the expression of GEX1 orthologs rescued the nuclear fusion defects in mutant plants, indicating functional conservation between Arabidopsis and O. sativa GEX1 orthologs, despite their relatively low sequence identities.
Article
Horticulture
Aneela Nijabat, Saba Manzoor, Samia Faiz, Naima Huma Naveed, Adam Bolton, Bilal Ahmad Khan, Aamir Ali, Philipp Simon
Summary: Drought is a major challenge for crop production, including carrot seed germination. This study aims to identify the appropriate osmotic potential for evaluating drought tolerance of carrot, evaluate the response of diverse carrot germplasm to drought stress during seed germination, and assess the relation between amylase activity and germination rate of drought-tolerant and drought-sensitive accessions. The results show significant differences in drought tolerance among accessions and indicate that tolerant accessions exhibit higher alpha-amylase activity and are less affected by increasing osmotic potential during seed germination compared to sensitive accessions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Felix Langschied, Matthias S. Leisegang, Ralf P. Brandes, Ingo Ebersberger
Summary: Researchers have developed a method for detecting miRNA orthologs in unannotated genome sequences. By matching miRNA annotations from multi-tissue transcriptomes, they reveal the transmission and evolution of miRNA orthologs across different species. This has important implications for understanding the evolution of miRNAs and their associated regulatory networks.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Katarzyna Mackowska, Katarzyna Stelmach-Wityk, Ewa Grzebelus
Summary: The study successfully produced interspecific somatic hybrid plants between cultivated and wild carrot using protoplast fusion and early selection methods, and found that this approach can effectively overcome the sexual barriers between the two species.
Article
Plant Sciences
Mario Martinez-Azorin, Manuel B. Crespo, Maria Angeles Alonso-Vargas, Michael Pinter, Neil R. Crouch, Anthony P. Dold, Ladislav Mucina, Martin Pfosser, Wolfgang Wetschnig
Summary: The taxonomy and systematics of Urgineoideae have been controversial, but this study provides a comprehensive analysis using morphological and DNA data to resolve the classification. Phylogenetic analysis reveals well-defined clades corresponding to known genera, and consistent character syndromes support genus recognition. The forthcoming revised classification of Urgineoideae is outlined.
JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Keo E. Corak, Rue K. Genger, Phillip W. Simon, Julie C. Dawson
Summary: This study developed and evaluated genomic prediction strategies to identify valuable breeding material in crop germplasm collections. The models had moderate ability to predict trait values of evaluated germplasm accessions, suggesting that genomic selection may allow for the identification of valuable germplasm accessions without extensive field evaluation.
Article
Plant Sciences
M. Martinez-Azorin, Anthony P. Dold, Manuel B. Crespo, Maria Angeles Alonso Vargas
Summary: Our field work in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa led to the discovery of an undescribed species of Austronea, which has similarities with A. marginata and related species but differs in morphological characters and distribution. We describe Austronea oblongifolia, which has compact scales on its bulbs, a single oblong leaf, appressed to the ground with minutely scabridulous upper surface and undifferentiated leaf margin, subcapitate inflorescence with short peduncle, lowermost bracts with broad spur, and reddish flowers with smooth filaments. We also provide a detailed description of its morphology, as well as information on its ecology and distribution.
Article
Plant Sciences
Alba De Juan-Perez, Mario Martinez-Azorin, Manuel B. Crespo, Maria Angeles Alonso-Vargas
Summary: A new nothospecies, Teucrium x murcigerum, is described as a result of natural hybrids between Teucrium murcicum and Teucrium lanigerum, two species endemic to the SE Iberian Peninsula. This is the first report on intersubsectional hybridization between T. subsect. Polium and subsect. Simplicipilosa. The article includes a morphological description, highlighting the diagnostic features that distinguish it from its parent species, as well as information on its biology, ecology, distribution, and relationship with other related nothospecies.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Samuel Pizarro, Narcisa G. Pricope, Deyanira Figueroa, Carlos Carbajal, Miriam Quispe, Jesus Vera, Lidiana Alejandro, Lino Achallma, Izamar Gonzalez, Wilian Salazar, Hildo Loayza, Juancarlos Cruz, Carlos I. Arbizu
Summary: The spatial heterogeneity of soil properties affects crop growth, making it challenging to adopt site-specific crop management practices. Traditional laboratory-based analyses are costly and data extrapolation for mapping soil properties using high-resolution imagery is time-consuming. This study explored the feasibility of using Google Earth Engine (GEE) to develop a digital soil mapping approach using high-resolution reflectance imagery derived from a thermal infrared and multispectral camera. The results indicate that the predictions based on spectral indices, in combination with machine learning algorithms, are superior to those based on individual spectral bands, and the inclusion of a digital surface model improves the prediction accuracy.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Gloria P. Cardenas, Nino Bravo, Elgar Barboza, Wilian Salazar, Jimmy Ocana, Miguel Vazquez, Roiser Lobato, Pedro Injante, Carlos I. Arbizu
Summary: This study models the current and potential future distribution of Dipteryx spp., a tree species with high economic value, under different climate change scenarios. The findings highlight the threat of overexploitation and provide valuable information for conservation, restoration, reforestation, and sustainable management.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Flor-Anita Corredor, Deyanira Figueroa, Richard Estrada, Wilian Salazar, Carlos Quilcate, Hector V. Vasquez, Jhony Gonzales, Jorge L. Maicelo, Percy Medina, Carlos I. Arbizu
Summary: New-generation sequencing technologies were used to study the genetic diversity and population structure of Peruvian cattle. The results revealed high levels of genetic diversity in Peruvian cattle, but some breeds showed lower diversity. This study contributes to the appropriate management of genetic resources and future improvements in Peruvian cattle.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Maria Belen Perez, Sofia Carvajal, Vanesa Beretta, Florencia Bannoud, Maria Florencia Fangio, Federico Berli, Ariel Fontana, Maria Victoria Salomon, Roxana Gonzalez, Lucia Valerga, Jorgelina C. Altamirano, Mehtap Yildiz, Massimo Iorizzo, Philipp W. Simon, Pablo F. Cavagnaro
Summary: The present study characterized a diverse collection of purple and non-purple carrot accessions for their concentration of anthocyanins, phenolics, carotenoids, and antioxidant capacity. Significant variation was found among the accessions, with acylated anthocyanins being the most dominant pigment. Purple carrots exhibited higher levels of anthocyanins, phenolics, and antioxidant capacity compared to non-purple carrots. Antioxidant capacity was positively correlated with anthocyanin content and total phenolic content, but not with carotenoids. Certain accessions were identified as potential sources for food dyes or increased nutraceutical value.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Amelia Huaringa-Joaquin, Carla L. Saldana, David Saravia, Sady Garcia-Bendezu, Pedro Rodriguez-Grados, Wilian Salazar, Felix Camarena, Pedro Injante, Carlos I. Arbizu
Summary: This study used SNP markers to infer the genetic diversity and population structure of tarwi accessions from nine Andean regions of Peru. The results showed that tarwi can be divided into two clusters with low genetic difference. This information is important for the genetic improvement and conservation of tarwi.
Article
Plant Sciences
Lluis Serra, Jose C. Hernandez, Ma Angeles Alonso, Manuel B. B. Crespo
Summary: A new species called Helianthemum bilyanense was discovered in inland Alicante province in the south-eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula. It is closely related to H. polygonoides, but has noticeable differences in appearance, floral pieces, and stem, fruit, and seed indumentum. The study provides data on the new species' morphology, ecology, distribution, and conservation, and discusses its taxonomic affinities based on phylogenetic analyses. Due to its scarce population, limited habitat, and serious threats, it is suggested that H. bilyanense be labeled as critically endangered and included in threatened plant species catalogs.
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Manuel B. B. Crespo, M. angeles Alonso, Mario Martinez-Azorin
Article
Plant Sciences
Mario Martinez-Azorin, Giacomo Paonessa, Bert Zaalberg, Manuel b. Crespo, Maria Angeles Alonso Vargas
Summary: The study identified an undescribed species of Trimelopter from the Northern Cape province of South Africa, which exhibits unique morphological characters. The researchers provided a detailed morphological description and additional data on ecology and distribution. The study also reported new findings and illustrations of a known species, complementing its previously limited description.
Article
Plant Sciences
Maria Angeles Alonso, Manuel B. Crespo, Mario Martinez-Azorin, Ladislav Mucina
Summary: The plant incorrectly named Spergularia hanoverensis Simon in central-western South Africa has been revisited. After revising herbarium material and conducting taxonomic research, it was found that this plant is distinct from other South African species and has therefore been effectively published under the name S. hanoverensis. A detailed description of its morphology, ecology, distribution, and genetic relationships has been provided.
Article
Plant Sciences
Manuel B. Crespo, Maria Angeles Alonso, Mario Martinez-Azorin, Jose Luis Villar, Ladislav Mucina
Summary: This article discusses the taxonomic identity and phylogenetic relationships of several southern African perennial taxa related to Frankenia repens. The study restores the species status of F. nodiflora and describes two new sea-heath species, F. nummularia and F. anneliseae, within an independent lineage close to F. repens. Molecular analyses and morphological divergence support the recognition of these new species, and a detailed morphological description, ecology, habitat, distribution, and taxonomic relationships are provided. An identification key is also presented to aid in recognizing southern African taxa of Frankenia.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jose Luis Villar, Maria Angeles Alonso, Manuel B. Crespo, Mario Martinez-Azorin
Summary: This paper discusses the taxonomic and nomenclatural issues of ten species of Tamarix collected in the southwestern parts of the Mediterranean basin. Through the analysis of original material, eight intended holotypes are corrected, and one epitype, 30 isolectotypes, and 11 syntypes are identified. The taxonomic identity of all names and their possible synonymic placement are also discussed.
