ABSTRACT
Agricultural crops are exposed to various abiotic stresses, such as salinity, water deficits, temperature extremes, floods, radiation, and metal toxicity. To overcome these challenges, breeding programs seek to improve methods and techniques. Gene editing by Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats-CRISPR/Cas-is a versatile tool for editing in all layers of the central dogma with focus on the development of cultivars of plants resistant or tolerant to multiple biotic or abiotic stresses. This systematic review (SR) brings new contributions to the study of the use of CRISPR/Cas in gene editing for tolerance to abiotic stress in plants. Articles deposited in different electronic databases, using a search string and predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, were evaluated. This SR demonstrates that the CRISPR/Cas system has been applied to several plant species to promote tolerance to the main abiotic stresses. Among the most studied crops are rice and Arabidopsis thaliana, an important staple food for the population, and a model plant in genetics/biotechnology, respectively, and more recently tomato, whose number of studies has increased since 2021. Most studies were conducted in Asia, specifically in China. The Cas9 enzyme is used in most articles, and only Cas12a is used as an additional gene editing tool in plants. Ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) have emerged as a DNA-free strategy for genome editing without exogenous DNA. This SR also identifies several genes edited by CRISPR/Cas, and it also shows that plant responses to stress factors are mediated by many complex-signaling pathways. In addition, the quality of the articles included in this SR was validated by a risk of bias analysis. The information gathered in this SR helps to understand the current state of CRISPR/Cas in the editing of genes and noncoding sequences, which plays a key role in the regulation of various biological processes and the tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses, with potential for use in plant genetic improvement programs.
ABSTRACT
Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) is the most limiting factor in the banana agribusiness worldwide. Therefore, studies regarding pathogen attack mechanisms, and especially host defense responses, in this pathosystem are of utmost importance for genetic breeding programs in the development of Foc-resistant banana cultivars. In this study, analysis at the molecular, histological and histochemical levels of the Musa spp. x Foc interaction was performed. Three Foc isolates representative of race 1 (R1), subtropical race 4 (ST4) and isolate 229A, which is a putative ST4, were inoculated in two Prata-type cultivars (Prata-Anã and BRS Platina) and one cultivar of the Cavendish type (Grand Naine). Of seven genes related to plant-pathogen interactions, five were overexpressed in 'BRS Platina' 12 h after inoculation (HAI) with Foc R1 and ST4 but had reduced or negative expression after inoculation with Foc 229A, according to RT-qPCR analyses. While hyphae, mycelia and spores of the Foc 229A isolate grow towards the central cylinder of the Grand Naine and Prata-Anã cultivars, culminating in the occlusion of the xylem vessels, the BRS Platina cultivar responds with increased presence of cellulose, phenolic compounds and calcium oxalate crystals, reducing colonization within 30 days after inoculation (DAI). In general, these data indicate that the cultivar BRS Platina has potential for use in banana-breeding programs focused on resistance to Foc tropical race 4 (TR4) and in aggregating information on the virulence relationships of the Foc pathogen and the defense responses of banana plants after infection.
ABSTRACT
Bananas are the main fruits responsible for feeding more than 500 million people in tropical and subtropical countries. Black Sigatoka, caused by the fungus Pseudocercospora fijiensis, is one of the most destructive disease for the crop. This fungus is mainly controlled with the use of fungicides; however, in addition to being harmful to human health, they are associated with a high cost. The development of resistant cultivars through crosses of susceptible commercial cultivars is one of the main focuses of banana breeding programs worldwide. Thus, the objective of the present study was to investigate the interaction between Musa sp. and P. fijiensis through the relative expression of candidate genes involved in the defence response to black Sigatoka in four contrasting genotypes (resistant: Calcutta 4 and Krasan Saichon; susceptible: Grand Naine and Akondro Mainty) using quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) in addition to histological and histochemical analyses to verify the defence mechanisms activated during the interaction. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to the jasmonic acid and ethylene signalling pathway, GDSL-like lipases and pathogenesis-related proteins (PR-4), were identified. The number and distance between stomata were directly related to the resistance/susceptibility of each genotype. Histochemical tests showed the production of phenolic compounds and callosis as defence mechanisms activated by the resistant genotypes during the interaction process. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed pathogenic structures on the leaf surface in addition to calcium oxalate crystals. The resistant genotype Krasan Saichon stood out in the analyses and has potential for use in breeding programs for resistance to black Sigatoka in banana and plantains.
ABSTRACT
A cana-de-açúcar é uma fonte importante de alimento e bioenergia. Assim, o estudo da interação com bactérias endofíticas que fixam o nitrogênio atmosférico (FBN) e produzem o ácido indol acético (AIA) vem sendo amplamente explorado. Porém, devido à sensibilidade bacteriana, tanto a produção de AIA, como a FBN, podem sofrer o impacto de fatores edafoclimáticos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência de diferentes concentrações de NaCl sobre o crescimento bacteriano, a FBN e a produção de AIA in vitro de linhagens bacterianas do gênero Burkholderia, isoladas endofiticamente de plantas de cana-de-açúcar, cultivadas no estado de Pernambuco. Para tanto, duas linhagens bacterianas endofíticas das espécies Burkholderia gladioli e B. heleia foram inoculadas em meio TSA (com L-triptofano) acrescido de cinco concentrações de NaCl: 0,1; 1; 10; 25 e 50 g.L-1 e incubadas sob agitação. O crescimento bacteriano e a produção de AIA foram avaliados através de um espectrofotômetro por 48 horas. Para o teste de fixação de nitrogênio, as linhagens foram inoculadas em meio LGI-P semi-sólido acrescido de cinco concentrações de NaCl: 0,1; 1; 10; 25 e 50 g.L1 e incubadas a 28ºC por 10 dias. Foi possível observar que altas concentrações de NaCl influenciaram negativamente o crescimento bacteriano e a produção do AIA in vitro por B. glaidoli e B. heleia. E que, concentrações de NaCl acima de 25 g.L-1 inibiram a capacidade de fixar nitrogênio, de ambas as linhagens.
The sugarcane is an important source of food and bioenergy. So, the study of its interaction with endophytic bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen (BNF) and produce indole acetic acid (IAA) has been widely explored. However, due to bacterial sensitivity, both the production of IAA as the BNF may suffer the impact of soil and climatic factors. The goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of the NaCl different concentrations on the bacterial growth, on the BNF and on the IAA production in vitro by endophytic bacterial strains of the genus Burkholderia isolated from sugarcane plants grown in the Pernambuco State. In this study, two endophytic bacterial strains of Burkholderia gladioli and B. heleia species were inoculated in TSA (with L-tryptophan) added of five NaCl concentrations: 0.1, 1, 10, 25 and 50 g.L-1 and incubated under agitation. Bacterial growth and IAA production were assessed using a spectrophotometer for 48 hours. The nitrogen fixation test was carried out by the inoculation of the bacteria in semi-solid LGP-I added of five NaCl concentrations: 0.1, 1, 10, 25 and 50 g.L-1 and incubated at 28°C during 10 days. It was observed that high concentrations of NaCl influenced negatively the bacterial growth and indole acetic acid production in vitro by B. glaidoli and B. heleia. Nevertheless, NaCl concentrations above 25 g.L-1 inhibited the ability to fix nitrogen in both strains.
Subject(s)
Sodium Chloride , Saltpetre Soils , Burkholderia , Saccharum , Burkholderia gladioli , Nitrogen Fixation , BiofuelsABSTRACT
A cana-de-açúcar é uma cultura de grande importância agrícola, nacional e mundial, requerendo grandes quantidades de fertilizantes nitrogenados e fosfatados. Além disso, apresenta associação com bactérias que podem promover o desenvolvimento vegetal. O objetivo deste trabalho foi selecionar bactérias diazotróficas, associadas a plantas de cana-de-açúcar, capazes de solubilizar fosfato inorgânico e avaliar a variabilidade genética bacteriana. Para tanto, foram avaliadas 68 linhagens bacterianas diazotróficas, endofíticas de folha e raiz e do rizoplano, de plantas de três variedades de cana-de-açúcar. A seleção de bactérias solubilizadoras de fosfato inorgânico foi realizada em meio sólido suplementado com fosfato insolúvel, sendo avaliado o índice de solubilização. A análise da variabilidade genética foi realizada pela técnica de BOX-PCR. Os resultados revelaram que 74% das linhagens diazotróficas foram capazes de solubilizar fosfato, apresentando índices de solubilização diferentes. Foi observado que o tecido vegetal e a variedade de cana influenciaram a interação entre bactérias diazotróficas solubilizadoras de fosfato e plantas de cana. O BOX-PCR revelou alta variabilidade genética entre as linhagens analisadas. Logo, conclui-se que as bactérias diazotróficas associadas a plantas de cana-deaçúcar avaliadas expressam a capacidade de solubilizar fosfato inorgânico e que algumas bactérias avaliadas pela técnica de BOX-PCR apresentam alta variabilidade genética.
The sugarcane is a culture of great importance for the Brazilian agriculture. Every year this culture consumes great amounts of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers. However, the use of plant growth-promoting bacteria can reduce the use of the chemical fertilizers, contributing to the economy and the environment conservation. So, the goal of this study was to select sugarcane-associated diazotrophic bacteria able to solubilize inorganic phosphate and to evaluate the genetic diversity of these bacteria. A total of 68 diazotrophic bacteria, leaf and root endophytic and rizoplane, of three sugarcane varieties. The selection of inorganic phosphate solubilizing diazotrophic bacteria was assayed by the solubilization index (SI) in solid medium containing insoluble phosphate. The genetic variability was analyzed by the BOX-PCR technique. The results showed that 74% of the diazotrophic strains were able to solubilize inorganic phosphate, presenting classes of different SI. The results showed that the vegetal tissue and the genotype plant influenced in the interaction between phosphate solubilizing diazotrophic bacteria and sugarcane plants. BOX-PCR revealed high genetic variability among the strains analyzed. So, sugarcane-associated diazotrophic bacteria express the capacity to solubilize inorganic phosphate and they present high genetic diversity.
