Article
Forestry
Saija Huuskonen, Tuulia Lahtinen, Jari Miina, Karri Uotila, Simone Bianchi, Pentti Niemisto
Summary: Mixed-species forests in Fennoscandia are gaining attention for their potential to enhance resilience, biodiversity, and productivity. This study aimed to investigate the growth dynamics of spruce-birch stands in managed forests with artificial regeneration. The findings showed that spruces were not suppressed by birches and were able to coexist in the same canopy layer. The fast growth of planted spruces suggests that maintaining the birch mixture should start in the early stage of stand management. These findings contribute to the establishment and management of mixed-species forests, improving biodiversity in boreal, planted spruce forests.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aleksandra Ostapiuk, Lukasz Kurach, Maciej Strzemski, Jacek Kurzepa, Anna Hordyjewska
Summary: The study compared the antioxidant properties of extracts from inner and outer bark layers of silver birch and black birch. It was found that the inner bark extract of black birch contains a high content of betulin and lupeol. Differences in chemical composition of the outer bark extracts between black and silver birch indicate the potential of black birch as a valuable source of biologically active substances.
Article
Plant Sciences
Baiba Krivmane, Kaiva Solvita Runge, Ineta Samsone, Dainis Edgars Rungis
Summary: In plants, the transition from the juvenile stage to maturity is controlled by highly conserved microRNAs, which regulate physiological and anatomical changes. In this study, conserved miRNAs involved in the phase change of silver birch were identified and analyzed. The findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms governing vegetative phase change in woody plant species and can potentially improve in vitro propagation efficiency.
Article
Plant Sciences
L. Hamberg, A. Poimala, S. Velmala, J. Perttunen, R. Muilu-Makela, R. Sievanen
Summary: The study investigated the effects of Phytophthora inoculation on silver birch seedlings, showing that dark discolorations were found in the roots of inoculated seedlings and the number of root segments decreased, while leaf and shoot wilting was observed in the shoots of inoculated birches.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaoyue Zhang, Kun Chen, Wei Wang, Guifeng Liu, Chuanping Yang, Jing Jiang
Summary: The study found significant changes in leaf morphology in tetraploid birches, especially the basal part of the leaf. The leaf area of tetraploid birches was significantly larger than that of diploid birches, mainly due to differences in their growth rates. Increased cell expansion capacity was the major reason for the giant leaves of tetraploid birches.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Josefin A. Nilsson, Grace Jones, Charlotta Hakansson, Asa Blom, Johan Bergh
Summary: The study found that juvenile silver birch trees in mixed conifer stands treated with fertilizer have faster growth, wider growth rings, thinner cell wall thickness, and slightly lower stem mean density. Fertilization can accelerate growth and achieve a fixed diameter earlier, but also lead to thinner cell walls.
Article
Plant Sciences
Kun Chen, Chang Qu, Xiao-yue Zhang, Wei Wang, Chen-rui Gu, Gui-feng Liu, Qi-bin Yu, Chuan-ping Yang, Jing Jiang
Summary: BpPIN3 gene plays a crucial role in leaf polarity formation in Betula pendula by regulating the expression of auxin response-related genes and the polar transport of auxin.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shilin Sun, Bo Wang, Qi Jiang, Zhuoran Li, Site Jia, Yucheng Wang, Huiyan Guo
Summary: This study identified 26 BpDof genes in birch through whole-genome analysis, revealing diversity in structure, expression, and function in response to drought stress. Overexpressing BpDof4, BpDof11, and BpDof17 genes enhanced plant tolerance to drought, showing improved ROS scavenging capabilities and reduced cell damage in birch.
Article
Plant Sciences
Xiaojin Lei, Zhongyuan Liu, XinPing Li, Bing Tan, Jing Wu, Caiqiu Gao
Summary: In this study, 11 BpHMG genes were cloned and characterized from Betula platyphylla, showing response to salt, osmotic stress and ABA treatment. Particularly, BpHMG6 exhibited significant upregulation in birch stems under salt stress. Overexpression of BpHMG6 in birch enhanced salt tolerance by increasing protective enzyme activity and ROS scavenging capacity, while silenced plants showed opposite responses. Therefore, BpHMG6 potentially plays a role in salt stress tolerance in transgenic birch plants.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Arnis Gailis, Ineta Samsone, Silva Senhofa, Elva Girgzde, Rolands Kapostins, Aris Jansons
Summary: Micropropagation of silver birch genotypes showed that explants collected from 1-year-old trees and in spring developed a higher proportion of shoots, with cultures on the Murashige and Skoog basal medium exhibiting a higher multiplication rate.
Article
Agronomy
Inge Dox, Tore Skroppa, Mieke Decoster, Peter Prislan, Aina Gasco, Jozica Gricar, Holger Lange, Matteo Campioli
Summary: This study monitored the leaf and wood phenological events of silver birch in Norway and found that drought advanced wood growth and delayed leaf phenology. It also observed an unexpected advance in leaf phenology in 2019 compared to 2018 and 2020. Additionally, the study showed that wood growth is more sensitive to site fertility than autumn leaf phenology.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Laura Pikkarainen, Jaana Luoranen, Heli Peltola
Summary: The study suggests that for small-sized silver birch and Scots pine container seedlings, the optimal planting depth is 6-8 cm. Deeper planting depth can increase the growth height of silver birch seedlings and reduce damage to Scots pine seedlings.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Surendra Ranpal, Miriam Sieverts, Verena Woerl, Georgia Kahlenberg, Stefanie Gilles, Maria Landgraf, Kira Koepke, Franziska Kolek, Daria Luschkova, Tobias Heckmann, Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann, Carmen Buttner, Athanasios Damialis, Susanne Jochner-Oette
Summary: Intraspecific genetic variation may limit the influence of environmental factors on plant traits. This study investigated the pollen production of 28 birch individuals and found temporal and clonal variations in pollen production. Synchronized high or low pollen production is not strictly dependent on genotypes or site-specific factors. The study suggests the advantage of appropriate clone selection based on application and long-term monitoring.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Baiba Krivmane, Elva Girgzde, Ineta Samsone, Dainis Rungis
Summary: This study aimed to assess the expression of miRNAs and target genes in silver birch during in vitro culture and to investigate factors affecting in vitro morphogenic ability. Potential precursor sequences and target genes of miR156 and miR172 were determined by alignment to the birch unigene set. The best correlation with juvenility/maturity was found in the expression patterns of miR156_511, miR156_789, miR172_1931, BpSPL1, and BpAP2 in the analyzed samples. This study provides initial molecular markers for assessing phase change in silver birch during in vitro micropropagation.
PLANT CELL TISSUE AND ORGAN CULTURE
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Yangao Jiang, Yuting Cao, Shijie Han, Junhui Zhang, Lin Hao
Summary: Tree growth in mountain ecosystems, specifically Betula platyphylla, shows varying growth/climate relationships along an altitudinal gradient in Changbai Mountain of northeast China. The study found that at different altitudes, the growth of BP trees is influenced by different climatic factors, and with continued warming, these trees are expected to move to higher altitudes in the future.
Article
Forestry
Haijiao Huang, Shuo Wang, Huiyu Li, Jing Jiang
Summary: Lignin, an important component of plant secondary cell walls, plays crucial roles in maintaining stem strength, enhancing stem transport ability, and providing resistance to various stresses. This study demonstrates that the suppression of BpAP1 can alter the expression of lignin pathway-related genes in white birch, resulting in thinner cell walls and reduced lignin content in the transgenic birch. Additionally, BpAP1 may also play a role in regulating the expression of lignin biosynthesis genes in birch, providing new insights into the function of AP1 genes in woody species.
JOURNAL OF FORESTRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shihui Niu, Jiang Li, Wenhao Bo, Weifei Yang, Andrea Zuccolo, Stefania Giacomello, Xi Chen, Fangxu Han, Junhe Yang, Yitong Song, Yumeng Nie, Biao Zhou, Peiyi Wang, Quan Zuo, Hui Zhang, Jingjing Ma, Jun Wang, Lvji Wang, Qianya Zhu, Huanhuan Zhao, Zhanmin Liu, Xuemei Zhang, Tao Liu, Surui Pei, Zhimin Li, Yao Hu, Yehui Yang, Wenzhao Li, Yanjun Zan, Linghua Zhou, Jinxing Lin, Tongqi Yuan, Wei Li, Yue Li, Hairong Wei, Harry X. Wu
Summary: This study provides important resources and insights into conifer evolution and further research on conifer adaptation and development. The researchers found that the large genome size of conifers is mainly due to intergenic regions and transposable element content. Large genes with long introns exhibit higher expression levels. Additionally, the expansion of gene families in conifers is mainly related to stress responses.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Shentong Tao, Peng Liu, Yining Shi, Yilong Feng, Jingjing Gao, Lifen Chen, Aicen Zhang, Xuejiao Cheng, Hairong Wei, Tao Zhang, Wenli Zhang
Summary: This study reveals the involvement of several transcription factor families, including HSF and COL, in the regulation of maize mesophyll cell development at different stages, with the involvement of epigenetic regulation.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hanzeng Wang, Solme Pak, Jia Yang, Ye Wu, Wenlong Li, He Feng, Jingli Yang, Hairong Wei, Chenghao Li
Summary: Adventitious rooting is a crucial process in the vegetative propagation of horticultural and forest tree species. Through short-term low phosphate treatment, a hierarchical gene regulatory network, primarily governed by PuMYB40 and PuWRKY75, was discovered to promote adventitious root formation in Populus ussuriensis.
PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mengxuan Ren, Yang Zhang, Ruiqi Wang, Yingying Liu, Meiliang Li, Xueying Wang, Xuebing Chen, Xue Luan, Huaxin Zhang, Hairong Wei, Chuanping Yang, Zhigang Wei
Summary: This study characterized a transcription factor called PtrHAT22, which plays a crucial regulatory role in the secondary development of woody plants. Overexpression of PtrHAT22 led to reduced plant growth and alterations in the characteristics of secondary cell walls. Additionally, PtrHAT22 directly repressed the activities of genes associated with lignification. These findings highlight the importance of PtrHAT22 in the biosynthesis of secondary cell wall components in poplar.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yang Zhang, Yingying Liu, Xueying Wang, Ruiqi Wang, Xuebing Chen, Shuang Wang, Hairong Wei, Zhigang Wei
Summary: In this study, a plant-specific transcription factor PtrWOX13A was identified and characterized for its role in secondary cell wall formation in Populus trichocarpa. Overexpression of PtrWOX13A resulted in enhanced growth potential and increased secondary cell wall thickness, fiber length, and lignin and hemicellulose contents. PtrWOX13A directly activated its target genes through binding to specific cis-elements in their promoter regions. Furthermore, PtrWOX13A was found to be responsive to gibberellin signaling and could regulate genes involved in GA homeostasis. The discovery of PtrWOX13A's role in secondary cell wall formation and its regulatory functions has important implications for improving wood quality through genetic engineering.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yang Zhang, Jiajie Yu, Xiuyue Xu, Ruiqi Wang, Yingying Liu, Shan Huang, Hairong Wei, Zhigang Wei
Summary: The plant hormone auxin plays a crucial role in regulating various developmental processes throughout all stages of plant growth. Recent studies have revealed more details about the molecular mechanisms of auxin responses and the differences between different types of responses. Genetically modifying auxin response genes can also impact various traits in plants. There are still important aspects and unsolved questions regarding auxin responses that need further research.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ming Wei, Mengqiu Zhang, Jiali Sun, Ying Zhao, Solme Pak, Miaomiao Ma, Yingxi Chen, Han Lu, Jingli Yang, Hairong Wei, Yuhua Li, Chenghao Li
Summary: This study revealed a novel regulatory mechanism in which PuHox52 modulated a coordinated uptake of nitrate, phosphate, and iron in poplar roots under N deficiency, leading to enhanced plant growth.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yingying Liu, Ruiqi Wang, Jiajie Yu, Shan Huang, Yang Zhang, Hairong Wei, Zhigang Wei
Summary: This study systematically investigated the PtrARF gene family and provided comprehensive information on their phylogenetic relationships, chromosomal locations, synteny relationships, exon/intron structures, cis-elements, conserved motifs, and protein characteristics. The expression patterns of PtrARF genes were analyzed, and it was found that certain genes were preferentially expressed in primary stems and participated in different phases of wood formation. Some PtrARF genes showed different responses to exogenous IAA and ABA treatment. Three PtrARF proteins were characterized and their interactions with other proteins were demonstrated. This study lays the foundation for future research on PtrARF genes in tree development and growth, especially wood formation, in response to cellular signaling and environmental cues.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jiang Li, Fangxu Han, Tongqi Yuan, Wei Li, Yue Li, Harry X. Wu, Hairong Wei, Shihui Niu
Summary: This study reveals that the level of cytosine DNA methylation gradually increases with age in Chinese pine. It also suggests that DNA methylation serves as an important epigenetic signature of developmental age in conifers.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jiang Li, Caili Li, Yuxing Deng, Hairong Wei, Shanfa Lu
Summary: This study analyzed the DNA methylome of Salvia miltiorrhiza and found that DNA methylation is associated with gene and small RNA expression. Specifically, CHH methylation plays a crucial regulatory role in tanshinone biosynthesis. Additionally, the use of a DNA methylation inhibitor significantly promotes tanshinone production in S. miltiorrhiza.
HORTICULTURE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Lihu Wang, Lixin Wang, Tingting Ye, Jin Zhao, Lili Wang, Hairong Wei, Ping Liu, Mengjun Liu
Summary: Artificially induced polyploidization is an effective technique for improving fruit tree properties. This study compared morphological, cytological characteristics, and fruit quality between diploid and autotetraploid sour jujubes. The autotetraploid showed dwarf phenotypes, larger flowers, pollen, stomata, leaves, and higher chlorophyll contents. Although the autotetraploid had lower levels of pollen activities, ascorbic acid, titratable acid, and soluble sugar, it had significantly higher cyclic adenosine monophosphate content and a higher sugar/acid ratio, resulting in a different and better taste. The autotetraploid sour jujube meets breeding goals for improved sour jujubes and can also be used for generating other polyploids and studying evolution.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Xuewei Cao, Ling Zhang, Md Khairul Islam, Mingxia Zhao, Cheng He, Kui Zhang, Sanzhen Liu, Qiuying Sha, Hairong Wei
Summary: This study developed four statistical selection methods for inferring TF-TG pairs and two methods for inferring pathway GRNs. An improved APGD algorithm was used to solve the regressions, resulting in a faster and equally effective algorithm. The methods were tested with synthetic data and overexpression transcriptomic data, and showed superior performance compared to other methods. The TF-TG identification methods fill the gap in genome-wide TG prediction and have potential for validating ChIP/DAP-seq results, while the Net-based methods are instrumental for predicting pathway GRNs.
NAR GENOMICS AND BIOINFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Md Khairul Islam, Sai Teja Mummadi, Sanzhen Liu, Hairong Wei
Summary: In this study, we utilized several algorithms to analyze public transcriptomic data of Arabidopsis thaliana in order to identify key transcription factors involved in regeneration. By constructing a collaborative network, performing functional analysis, searching for TF-binding sites, and evaluating the interactions between TFs and genes involved in regeneration, we identified potential candidate TFs and discussed their roles in regeneration. Our findings provide valuable insights into the regulatory mechanisms of regeneration and demonstrate the importance of the tools and procedures used for analyzing transcriptomic data.
Article
Plant Sciences
Xiong Huang, Wenling Wang, Ting Gong, David Wickell, Li-Yaung Kuo, Xingtan Zhang, Jialong Wen, Hoon Kim, Fachuang Lu, Hansheng Zhao, Song Chen, Hui Li, Wenqi Wu, Changjiang Yu, Su Chen, Wei Fan, Shuai Chen, Xiuqi Bao, Li Li, Dan Zhang, Longyu Jiang, Xiaojing Yan, Zhenyang Liao, Gongke Zhou, Yalong Guo, John Ralph, Ronald R. Sederoff, Hairong Wei, Ping Zhu, Fay-Wei Li, Ray Ming, Quanzi Li
Summary: This study presents new insights into the evolution of fern genomes and stem formation in tree ferns by assembling the genome of Alsophila spinulosa. The researchers also discovered a phenolic compound called alsophilin and provided the molecular basis for its biosynthesis. The findings contribute to our understanding of unique aspects of tree fern biology and fill a gap in the plant genomic landscape.
