Article
Plant Sciences
Randy D. Dinkins, Julie A. Hancock, Derek M. Bickhart, Michael L. Sullivan, Hongyan Zhu
Summary: Red clover is an important forage crop that contributes nitrogen input to pastures through nitrogen fixation. Recent studies have identified genes specific to nodule formation in red clover, which may regulate nitrogen fixation efficiency. Understanding the variation and expression of these genes in red clover will provide insights into the legume-rhizobial symbiosis and aid in breeding of red clover genotypes with improved nitrogen fixation efficiency.
Article
Physics, Applied
Vida Mildaziene, Anatolii Ivankov, Giedre Pauzaite, Zita Nauciene, Rasa Zukiene, Laima Degutyte-Fomins, Audrius Pukalskas, Petras Rimantas Venskutonis, Irina Filatova, Veronika Lyushkevich
Summary: Treatment of red clover seeds with cold plasma and electromagnetic field stimulated seed germination, root growth, and nodulation, as well as caused changes in flavonoids important for communication with nitrogen-fixing rhizobacteria in root exudates.
PLASMA PROCESSES AND POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Eugene P. Law, Sandra Wayman, Christopher J. Pelzer, Antonio DiTommaso, Matthew R. Ryan
Summary: The study compared the grain and forage production of intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) and winter wheat, both in monoculture and intercropped with red clover. IWG had lower grain yield compared to wheat, but higher forage yield, suggesting potential for incorporation into integrated crop-livestock systems. Weed control was also improved in IWG plots.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anatolii Ivankov, Rasa Zukiene, Zita Nauciene, Laima Degutyte-Fomins, Irina Filatova, Veronika Lyushkevich, Vida Mildaziene
Summary: The study shows that the color of the seeds has an impact on germination and seedling growth in red clover, and the stimulative effects of CP and EMF treatments vary depending on the seed color.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xiaochen Lyu, Chunyan Sun, Tao Lin, Xuelai Wang, Sha Li, Shuhong Zhao, Zhenping Gong, Ziwei Wei, Chao Yan, Chunmei Ma
Summary: Nitrogen inhibits soybean nodulation and N-2 fixation, while isoflavones secreted by soybean roots can stimulate signal transduction for symbiotic nodules. This study demonstrates that nitrogen regulates soybean nodulation and N-2 fixation by systematically affecting the concentrations of isoflavones in the roots.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Giedrius Petrauskas, Egle Norkeviciene, Lesia Baistruk-Hlodan
Summary: The biodiversity of red clover is changing, making it harder to find new breeding material. Wild populations increasingly show characteristics of cultivated varieties. Therefore, it is important to identify the genetic structure and diversity of both wild populations and cultivars worldwide.
Article
Plant Sciences
Randy D. Dinkins, Julie Hancock, Brenda L. Coe, John B. May, Jack P. Goodman, William T. Bass, Jinge Liu, Yinglun Fan, Qiaolin Zheng, Hongyan Zhu
Summary: This study found that isoflavones in red clover do not play a key role in rhizobial signaling but may be involved in defense in the rhizosphere. Knocking out the key enzyme in isoflavone biosynthesis using CRISPR/Cas9 resulted in significantly reduced levels of isoflavones in mutant plants. Analysis of gene expression profiles suggested that the mutant plants might have been responding to cues in the surrounding rhizosphere due to lower levels of isoflavones.
PLANT CELL REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Hongyu Li, Xiangxiang Wang, Quanxi Liang, Xiaochen Lyu, Sha Li, Zhenping Gong, Shoukun Dong, Chao Yan, Chunmei Ma
Summary: This study demonstrated that increasing phosphorus supply significantly enhanced nodulation, nitrogenase activity, ureide content, number of bacteroids, number of infected cells, and relative expression of key nitrogen fixation genes in soybean root nodules. The results indicate that phosphorus supply systematically regulates nodulation and nitrogen fixation in soybeans.
Article
Ecology
Riin Tamme, Meelis Partel, Urmas Koljalg, Lauri Laanisto, Jaan Liira, Ulo Mander, Mari Moora, Ulo Niinemets, Maarja Opik, Ivika Ostonen, Leho Tedersoo, Martin Zobel
Summary: The distribution of nitrogen-fixing plant species worldwide shows regional hotspots and coldspots related to environmental conditions and biogeographical history. The diversity and relative richness of nitrogen-fixing plants are highest in warm and wet climates, dry biomes, Australasia, warm and dry climates, tropical and temperate grasslands, and Eurasia.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vida Nasrollahi, Ze-Chun Yuan, Qing Shi Mimmie Lu, Tim McDowell, Susanne E. Kohalmi, Abdelali Hannoufa
Summary: This study reveals the crucial role of SPL12 in regulating nodule development in alfalfa and its downregulation of AGL6. It suggests that SPL12 and AGL6 form a genetic module that regulates root development and nodulation in alfalfa.
PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Malinda S. Thilakarathna, Kevin R. Cope
Summary: Split-root assays are widely used in studies focusing on the regulatory mechanisms in legume-rhizobia symbioses, allowing separate treatment of divided root sections to monitor local and systemic plant responses. Various techniques can be used to establish split-root assemblies, mainly used in legume studies to understand mechanisms related to root nitrogen rhizodeposition, belowground nitrogen transfer, and nodulation regulation.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Mahran Sadiq, Nasir Rahim, Muhammad Aamir Iqbal, Mashael Daghash Alqahtani, Majid Mahmood Tahir, Afshan Majeed, Raees Ahmed
Summary: This study evaluated the agronomic performance and yield comparisons of two black gram cultivars under a temperate environment. The results showed that cultivar NARC Mash-II exhibited the highest nodule formation and yield under rhizobia inoculation and 25 kg N ha(-1) treatment. Correlation analyses indicated a significant association among nodule numbers, grain weight, and N contents in different plant organs.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Diptee Chaulagain, Julia Frugoli
Summary: Nitrogen is essential for plant growth and productivity, and legumes forming a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing rhizobia bacteria allows them to thrive in nitrogen-poor environments. However, hosting nitrogen-fixing bacteria comes with metabolic costs and requires regulation. The symbiosis is regulated through three signal transduction pathways, controlling the communication and organ formation of symbiotic signals.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Elena Tello-Garcia, Edoardo Mandolini, Erich Tasser, Maraike Probst, Ursula Peintner, Ulrike Tappeiner, Georg Leitinger
Summary: The effects of plant-soil interactions on plant productivity and traits under drought conditions were investigated in this study. The reduction of soil microbial load by soil steam sterilization resulted in increased plant productivity under wet conditions and led to plant traits associated with fast-growing strategies. Drought in sterilized soil decreased productivity, promoted earlier wilting and resulted in the development of plant traits associated with a more slow-growing strategy.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Mohamed A. Abd El-hady, Yasser M. Abd-Elkrem, Mohamed O. A. Rady, Elsayed Mansour, Khaled A. El-Tarabily, Synan F. AbuQamar, Mohamed E. El-temsah
Summary: Root activator and phosphorus fertilization have a positive impact on the growth and yield of lentils, especially at high levels of both treatments. However, under high levels of root activator, the recommended phosphorus level can be reduced without significant effects on yield and quality. Therefore, the simultaneous application of root activator and phosphorus fertilizer in low-fertility soil can enhance the growth and yield of lentils, while also providing economic and environmental benefits.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Yang Yuan, Jing Li, Jiafu Lin, Wenjuan Pan, Yiwen Chu, Balakrishnan Prithiviraj, Yidong Guo, Xinrong Wang, Kelei Zhao
Summary: Pseudomonas aeruginosa's extracellular products inhibit Escherichia coli growth and induce transcriptional reprogramming. E. coli has minimal impact on P. aeruginosa growth but disrupts the QS-regulated gene expression. E. coli's extracellular products enhance P. aeruginosa proliferation and lethality in a model infection.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Pushp Sheel Shukla, Tudor Borza, Alan T. Critchley, Balakrishnan Prithiviraj
Summary: The use of seaweed extracts to stimulate plant immunity is a viable strategy due to the bio-elicitors present in them. These bioactive elicitors activate defense responses in plants by priming the induced systemic resistance and systemic acquired resistance pathways. The diversity of modes of action among various seaweed extracts provides opportunities for developing new commercial products for crop protection in a sustainable manner.
Article
Plant Sciences
Pushp Sheel Shukla, Balakrishnan Prithiviraj
Summary: This study found that the application of ANE under P-limited conditions can increase the weight and phosphorous content of maize, activating biological processes at multiple levels. Furthermore, ANE also promotes maize growth by improving membrane stability and reducing oxidative damage.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pramod Rathor, Tudor Borza, Sophia Stone, Thierry Tonon, Svetlana Yurgel, Philippe Potin, Balakrishnan Prithiviraj
Summary: This study successfully expressed an unknown function gene, highly responsive to abiotic stresses in Ectocarpus sp., into Arabidopsis thaliana, leading to enhanced tolerance to salt and temperature stresses. The expression of key genes related to abiotic stress tolerance was significantly up-regulated in the transgenic line.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Basheer M. Iqdiam, Ehsan Feizollahi, Muhammad Faisal Arif, Brasathe Jeganathan, Thava Vasanthan, Malinda S. Thilakarathna, M. S. Roopesh
Summary: Air atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) treatment has the potential to reduce T-2 and HT-2 mycotoxins on wheat grains significantly. The ACP treatment does not affect the quality and color parameters of wheat grains and can improve germination parameters. This innovative technology shows promise in enhancing the safety of wheat grains while also improving their germination.
JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Jing Li, Xiaojie Chen, Jiafu Lin, Yang Yuan, Ting Huang, Lianming Du, Balakrishnan Prithiviraj, Aixue Zhang, Xinrong Wang, Yiwen Chu, Kelei Zhao
Summary: This study elucidates the impact of antibiotics on the interaction dynamics between different pathogenic bacteria, highlighting a mutual invasion relationship influenced by subinhibitory streptomycin between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The findings provide insight into the competitive advantage and coexistence status of bacterial populations under repeated antibiotic therapies.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Dilrukshi Kombala Liyanage, Ishan Chathuranga, Boyd A. Mori, Malinda S. Thilakarathna
Summary: Drought is a major constraint for global crop production. This study developed a low-cost and portable semi-automated lysimeter using an Arduino microcontroller to adjust soil moisture content in pot experiments, and validated its effectiveness with a greenhouse pot experiment using Canadian soybean varieties.
Article
Agronomy
Rhea Amor Lumactud, Danielito Dollete, Dilrukshi Kombala Liyanage, Krzysztof Szczyglowski, Brett Hill, Malinda S. S. Thilakarathna
Summary: Drought stress significantly reduced the nodulation, growth, and nitrogen fixation of soybeans, but increased the root-to-shoot ratio and nitrogen concentration in shoots.
JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Rhea Amor Lumactud, Linda Yuya Gorim, Malinda S. S. Thilakarathna
Summary: This review examines the impact of humic-based products (HPs) on soil microbial communities in an agronomic context. Although limited data is available, current results suggest that HPs application indirectly affects the composition and activities of microbial communities. Factors such as the source, form, soil type, geographic location, crop species, and management strategies of HPs also influence their efficacy as biostimulants.
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Dilrukshi Kombala Liyanage, Davoud Torkamaneh, Francois Belzile, Parthiba Balasubramanian, Brett Hill, Malinda S. Thilakarathna
Summary: Soybean varieties in Canada were evaluated under drought stress to identify allelic variations associated with symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF). Significant genotypic variability among soybean varieties was found for yield and nitrogen fixation traits. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified five QTL regions and candidate genes that are significantly associated with %Ndfa under drought stress.
Review
Agronomy
Pramod Rathor, Linda Yuya Gorim, Malinda S. S. Thilakarathna
Summary: The global population growth has led to concerns about food security. The use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers has negatively impacted arable lands, water resources, and the environment. Incorporating biostimulants from sustainable resources, such as humic substances, can reduce the use of synthetic chemicals and promote plant growth.
Article
Agronomy
Danielito Dollete, Rhea Amor Lumactud, Cameron N. Carlyle, Krzysztof Szczyglowski, Brett Hill, Malinda S. Thilakarathna
Summary: Drought stress negatively affects nodulation, plant growth, and nitrogen fixation ability of alfalfa and red clover. It also alters soil nitrogen availability and microbial diversity.
Review
Agronomy
Kwame Ampong, Malinda S. Thilakaranthna, Linda Yuya Gorim
Summary: Humic acids (HA) play essential roles in improving soil properties, plant growth, and agronomic parameters. They positively affect soil physical, chemical, and biological characteristics, as well as crop growth, nutrient uptake, and yield. Factors such as HA type, application rate, mode, and soil type influence the effects of HA on soil and crops.
FRONTIERS IN AGRONOMY
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Malinda S. Thilakarathna, Kevin R. Cope
Summary: Split-root assays are widely used in studies focusing on the regulatory mechanisms in legume-rhizobia symbioses, allowing separate treatment of divided root sections to monitor local and systemic plant responses. Various techniques can be used to establish split-root assemblies, mainly used in legume studies to understand mechanisms related to root nitrogen rhizodeposition, belowground nitrogen transfer, and nodulation regulation.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Malinda S. Thilakarathna, Davoud Torkamaneh, Robert W. Bruce, Istvan Rajcan, Godfrey Chu, Christopher M. Grainger, Krzysztof Szczyglowski, Brett Hill, Manish N. Raizada
Summary: This study evaluated pre-pod symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) traits in soybean cultivars across a century of breeding in Ontario, Canada. Modern soybean cultivars showed similar or slightly higher pre-pod SNF compared to historical cultivars, suggesting that despite no direct selection by breeders, SNF traits have been maintained and potentially improved in modern soybean breeding. However, some modern cultivars exhibited low pre-pod SNF levels, indicating a level of genetic drift may exist in certain pedigrees.
FRONTIERS IN AGRONOMY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Vikrant Khare, Rama Shankar Shukla, Sanjay Kumar Singh, Suneeta Pandey
Summary: This study explores the variation and recognition of heat responsive traits in wheat, aiming to enhance wheat productivity in high temperature stress conditions. The findings provide valuable insights into the key factors influencing grain yield and offer a framework for developing heat tolerant cultivars in the future.
JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE
(2024)