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1.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 121(28): e2404887121, 2024 Jul 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38968100

ABSTRACT

The timing of seed germination is controlled by the combination of internal dormancy and external factors. Temperature is a major environmental factor for seed germination. The permissive temperature range for germination is narrow in dormant seeds and expands during after-ripening (AR) (dormancy release). Quantitative trait loci analyses of preharvest sprouting in cereals have revealed that MKK3, a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade protein, is a negative regulator of grain dormancy. Here, we show that the MAPKKK19/20-MKK3-MPK1/2/7/14 cascade modulates the germination temperature range in Arabidopsis seeds by elevating the germinability of the seeds at sub- and supraoptimal temperatures. The expression of MAPKKK19 and MAPKKK20 is induced around optimal temperature for germination in after-ripened seeds but repressed in dormant seeds. MPK7 activation depends on the expression levels of MAPKKK19/20, with expression occurring under conditions permissive for germination. Abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin (GA) are two major phytohormones which are involved in germination control. Activation of the MKK3 cascade represses ABA biosynthesis enzyme gene expression and induces expression of ABA catabolic enzyme and GA biosynthesis enzyme genes, resulting in expansion of the germinable temperature range. Our data demonstrate that the MKK3 cascade integrates temperature and AR signals to phytohormone metabolism and seed germination.


Subject(s)
Arabidopsis Proteins , Arabidopsis , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Germination , Seeds , Temperature , Germination/physiology , Germination/genetics , Arabidopsis/genetics , Arabidopsis/metabolism , Arabidopsis/growth & development , Seeds/growth & development , Seeds/metabolism , Seeds/genetics , Arabidopsis Proteins/metabolism , Arabidopsis Proteins/genetics , MAP Kinase Kinase 3/metabolism , MAP Kinase Kinase 3/genetics , MAP Kinase Signaling System/physiology , Plant Dormancy/genetics , Plant Dormancy/physiology , Signal Transduction , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics
2.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 14988, 2024 07 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38951551

ABSTRACT

Breeding high yielding groundnut cultivars with 2-3 weeks of fresh seed dormancy, particularly in Spanish-type cultivars, enhances the sustainability of agriculture in groundnuts. In this context, we conducted a comprehensive phenotypic and genotypic evaluation of advanced breeding lines developed in the genetic background of Spanish types. By employing multi-phenotyping and marker data, we identified PBS 15044, 16004, 16013, 16015, 16016, 16017, 16020, 16021, 16026, 16031, 16035, 16037, 16038, 16039, 16041, and 16042 with 2-3 weeks dormancy (> 90%).The various parametric and non-parametric estimates identified the stable fresh dormant genotypes with one or more superior economic trait. PBS 16021, 15044, 16038, and 16039 identified with high hundred pod weight (HPW) were also reported having high intensity of dormancy (> 90% for up to 3 weeks); PBS 15044, 16016, PBS 16038 and PBS 16039 with high hundred kernel weight (HKW) also reported with up to 3 weeks fresh seed dormancy; and PBS 16013, 16031, and 16038 with up to 3 weeks fresh seed dormancy had high shelling percentage (SP). They can be used to develop lines with the desired level of dormancy, and high yields, by designing appropriate breeding strategies.


Subject(s)
Genotype , Phenotype , Plant Breeding , Plant Dormancy , Seeds , Plant Dormancy/genetics , Plant Breeding/methods , Seeds/genetics , Seeds/growth & development , Spain , Arachis/genetics , Crosses, Genetic
3.
BMC Plant Biol ; 24(1): 624, 2024 Jun 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38951758

ABSTRACT

Drought poses significant risks to maize cultivation by impairing plant growth, water uptake and yield; nano priming offers a promising avenue to mitigate these effects by enhancing plant water relations, stress tolerance and overall productivity. In the current experiment, we tested a hypothesis that seed priming with iron oxide nanoparticles (n-Fe2O3) can improve maize performance under water stress by improving its growth, water relations, yield and biochemical attributes. The experiment was conducted on a one main plot bisected into two subplots corresponding to the water and drought environments. Within each subplot, maize plants were raised from n-Fe2O3 primed seeds corresponding to 0 mg. L- 1 (as control treatment), 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg. L- 1 (as trial treatments). Seed priming with n-Fe2O3 at a concentration of 75 mg. L- 1 improved the leaf relative water content, water potential, photosynthetic water use efficiency, and leaf intrinsic water use efficiency of maize plants by 13%, 44%, 64% and 17%, respectively compared to control under drought stress. The same treatments improved plant biochemical attributes such as total chlorophyll content, total flavonoids and ascorbic acid by 37%, 22%, and 36%, respectively. Seed priming with n-Fe2O3 accelerated the functioning of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and POD and depressed the levels of leaf malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide significantly. Seed priming with n-Fe2O3 at a concentration of 75 mg. L- 1 improved cob length, number of kernel rows per cob, and 100 kernel weight by 59%, 27% and 33%, respectively, under drought stress. Seed priming with n-Fe2O3 can be used to increase maize production under limited water scenarios.


Subject(s)
Dehydration , Seeds , Water , Zea mays , Zea mays/drug effects , Zea mays/physiology , Zea mays/growth & development , Zea mays/metabolism , Seeds/drug effects , Seeds/growth & development , Seeds/physiology , Water/metabolism , Droughts , Photosynthesis/drug effects , Ferric Compounds , Chlorophyll/metabolism , Plant Leaves/drug effects , Plant Leaves/physiology
4.
Physiol Plant ; 176(4): e14425, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38982330

ABSTRACT

Flowering plants adjust their reproductive period to maximize the success of the offspring. Monocarpic plants, those with a single reproductive cycle that precedes plant senescence and death, tightly regulate both flowering initiation and flowering cessation. The end of the flowering period involves the arrest of the inflorescence meristem activity, known as proliferative arrest, in what has been interpreted as an evolutionary adaptation to maximize the allocation of resources to seed production and the viability of the progeny. Factors influencing proliferative arrest were described for several monocarpic plant species many decades ago, but only in the last few years studies performed in Arabidopsis have allowed to approach proliferative arrest regulation in a comprehensive manner by studying the physiology, hormone dynamics, and genetic factors involved in its regulation. However, these studies remain restricted to Arabidopsis and there is a need to expand our knowledge to other monocarpic species to propose general mechanisms controlling the process. In this work, we have characterized proliferative arrest in Pisum sativum, trying to parallel available studies in Arabidopsis to maximize this comparative framework. We have assessed quantitatively the role of fruits/seeds in the process, the influence of the positional effect of these fruits/seeds in the behavior of the inflorescence meristem, and the transcriptomic changes in the inflorescence associated with the arrested state of the meristem. Our results support a high conservation of the factors triggering arrest in pea and Arabidopsis, but also reveal differences reinforcing the need to perform similar studies in other species.


Subject(s)
Flowers , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Inflorescence , Meristem , Pisum sativum , Seeds , Meristem/genetics , Meristem/growth & development , Meristem/physiology , Pisum sativum/genetics , Pisum sativum/physiology , Pisum sativum/growth & development , Inflorescence/genetics , Inflorescence/physiology , Inflorescence/growth & development , Flowers/genetics , Flowers/physiology , Flowers/growth & development , Seeds/genetics , Seeds/growth & development , Seeds/physiology , Plant Dormancy/genetics , Plant Dormancy/physiology
5.
Methods Mol Biol ; 2827: 189-196, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38985271

ABSTRACT

The aquatic monocot, Aponogeton ulvaceus Baker, is endemic to Madagascar and is a commercially valuable ornamental aquarium plant. Members of the genus Aponogeton contain a spectrum of phytochemicals associated with a broad range of biological activities. However, much remains to be known about this genus, and the A. ulvaceus population is declining due to anthropogenic activities and climate change. To address these challenges, adopting plant tissue culture technology will be a viable solution for the sustainable production of pest- and pathogen-free plants to meet the demands of the ornamental aquatic plant trade, for conservation and research purposes. A simple micropropagation protocol for A. ulvaceus is described here, starting with seeds to establish sterile stock plants, from which immature tubers were acquired as explants for indirect organogenesis.


Subject(s)
Plant Tubers , Tissue Culture Techniques , Plant Tubers/growth & development , Tissue Culture Techniques/methods , Seeds/growth & development , Acclimatization
6.
Methods Mol Biol ; 2827: 267-278, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38985276

ABSTRACT

In ornamental plants, artificial polyploidization has enabled the creation of new cultivars. Due to their high commercial value in the international flower market and their ornamental characteristics, such as the shape, size, color, and durability of their flower, orchids have received great attention in studies of artificial polyploidization. Here we described the protocol used for polyploid induction in Oncidium crispum, an epiphyte species native of southeastern Brazil, of great ornamental interest and widely sold in flower shops. The species stands out for having inflorescence with large flowers, brown in color with yellow spots. In addition, O. crispum has great potential for use in genetic improvement programs since the species is widely used in interspecific crosses. Closed capsules containing mature O. crispum seeds were subjected to running sterilized water for 10 min and then to a 1.5% sodium hypochlorite solution for 10 min. Small portions of seeds were introduced into 50 mL of water-soluble fertilizer with macro- and micronutrients (B>M) plus 0.7% agar. Explants originating from seeds previously in vitro germinated were submitted to 0.05% and 0.1% of colchicine for 4 days and 8 days. Flow cytometry and chromosome counts confirmed that the protocol successfully produced synthetic polyploid plants.


Subject(s)
Orchidaceae , Seeds , Tetraploidy , Orchidaceae/genetics , Orchidaceae/growth & development , Seeds/genetics , Seeds/growth & development , Chromosomes, Plant/genetics , Germination , Colchicine/pharmacology
7.
Methods Mol Biol ; 2827: 291-301, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38985278

ABSTRACT

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is a clear example of cellular totipotency. The SE of the genus Coffea has become a model for in vitro propagation for woody species and for the large-scale production of disease-free plants that provide an advantage for modern agriculture. Temporary immersion systems (TIS) are in high demand for the propagation of plants. The success of this type of bioreactor is based on the alternating cycles of immersion of the plant material in the culture medium, usually a few minutes, and the permanence outside the medium of the tissues for several hours. Some bioreactors are very efficient for propagating one species but not another. The efficiency of bioreactors depends on the species, the tissue used to propagate, the species' nutritional needs, the amount of ethylene produced by the tissue, and many more. In this protocol, we show how we produce C. canephora plants that are being taken to the field.


Subject(s)
Coffea , Plant Somatic Embryogenesis Techniques , Plant Somatic Embryogenesis Techniques/methods , Coffea/growth & development , Coffea/genetics , Bioreactors , Seeds/growth & development , Culture Media/chemistry
8.
Methods Mol Biol ; 2827: 279-290, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38985277

ABSTRACT

This chapter presents an efficient protocol for regenerating Carica papaya plants via somatic embryogenesis from immature zygotic embryos from economically important papaya genotypes. To achieve regenerated plants from somatic embryos, in the present protocol, four induction cycles are required, followed by one multiplication cycle and one regeneration cycle. With this optimized protocol, 80% of somatic embryos can be obtained in only 3.5 months. At this stage, calli containing more than 50% globular structures can be used for transformation (via agrobacterium, biobalistics, or any other transformation method). Once transformed, calli can be transferred to the following steps (multiplication, elongation, maturation, rooting, and ex vitro acclimatization) to regenerate a transformed somatic embryo-derived full plant.


Subject(s)
Carica , Genotype , Plant Somatic Embryogenesis Techniques , Carica/genetics , Carica/embryology , Plant Somatic Embryogenesis Techniques/methods , Transformation, Genetic , Plants, Genetically Modified/genetics , Regeneration/genetics , Seeds/genetics , Seeds/growth & development
9.
Methods Mol Biol ; 2827: 363-376, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38985282

ABSTRACT

Omic tools have changed the way of doing research in experimental biology. The somatic embryogenesis (SE) study has not been immune to this benefit. The transcriptomic tools have been used to compare the genes expressed during the induction of SE with the genes expressed in zygotic embryogenesis or to compare the development of the different stages embryos go through. It has also been used to compare the expression of genes during the development of calli from which SE is induced, as well as many other applications. The protocol described here is employed in our laboratory to extract RNA and generate several transcriptomes for the study of SE on Coffea canephora.


Subject(s)
Coffea , Gene Expression Profiling , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Plant Somatic Embryogenesis Techniques , Transcriptome , Coffea/genetics , Coffea/embryology , Coffea/growth & development , Plant Somatic Embryogenesis Techniques/methods , Gene Expression Profiling/methods , Transcriptome/genetics , Seeds/genetics , Seeds/growth & development , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
10.
Physiol Plant ; 176(4): e14433, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38994561

ABSTRACT

Cadmium (Cd) is a leading environmental issue worldwide. The current study was conducted to investigate Cd tolerance of 10 commercial white clover (Trifolium repens) cultivars during seed germination and to further explore differences in lipid remodelling, glycometabolism, and the conversion of lipids into sugars contributing to Cd tolerance in the early phase of seedling establishment as well as the accumulation of Cd in seedlings and mature plants. The results show that Cd stress significantly reduced seed germination of 10 cultivars. Compared to Cd-sensitive Sulky, Cd-tolerant Pixie accelerated amylolysis to produce more glucose, fructose, and sucrose by maintaining higher amylase and sucrase activities under Cd stress. Pixie maintained higher contents of various lipids, higher DGDG/MGDG ratio, and lower unsaturation levels of lipids, which could be beneficial to membrane stability and integrity as well as signal transduction in cells after being subjected to Cd stress. In addition, Pixie upregulated expression levels of key genes (TrACX1, TrACX4, TrSDP6, and TrPCK1) involved in the conversion of lipids into sugars for early seedling establishment under Cd stress. These findings indicate that lipid remodelling, enhanced glycometabolism, and accelerated conversion of lipids into sugars are important adaptive strategies for white clover seed germination and subsequent seedling establishment under Cd stress. In addition, Pixie not only accumulated more Cd in seedlings and mature plants than Sulky but also had significantly better growth and phytoremediation efficiency under Cd stress. Pixie could be used as a suitable and critical germplasm for the rehabilitation and re-establishment of Cd-contaminated areas.


Subject(s)
Cadmium , Germination , Seeds , Trifolium , Cadmium/toxicity , Germination/drug effects , Trifolium/drug effects , Trifolium/metabolism , Trifolium/genetics , Trifolium/growth & development , Trifolium/physiology , Seeds/drug effects , Seeds/genetics , Seeds/growth & development , Seeds/metabolism , Seedlings/drug effects , Seedlings/genetics , Seedlings/growth & development , Seedlings/metabolism , Sugars/metabolism , Lipid Metabolism/drug effects , Lipids , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/drug effects
11.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 15994, 2024 Jul 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38987328

ABSTRACT

Mitigating pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) and post-harvest food loss (PHFL) is essential for enhancing food securrity. To reduce food loss, the use of plant derived specialized metabolites can represent a good approach to develop a more eco-friendly agriculture. Here, we have discovered that soybean seeds hidden underground during winter by Tscherskia triton and Apodemus agrarius during winter possess a higher concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) compared to those remaining exposed in fields. This selection by rodents suggests that among the identified volatiles, 3-FurAldehyde (Fur) and (E)-2-Heptenal (eHep) effectively inhibit the growth of plant pathogens such as Aspergillus flavus, Alternaria alternata, Fusarium solani and Pseudomonas syringae. Additionally, compounds such as Camphene (Cam), 3-FurAldehyde, and (E)-2-Heptenal, suppress the germination of seeds in crops including soybean, rice, maize, and wheat. Importantly, some of these VOCs also prevent rice seeds from pre-harvest sprouting. Consequently, our findings offer straightforward and practical approaches to seed protection and the reduction of PHS and PHFL, indicating potential new pathways for breeding, and reducing both PHS and pesticide usage in agriculture.


Subject(s)
Agriculture , Glycine max , Seeds , Volatile Organic Compounds , Seeds/microbiology , Seeds/growth & development , Volatile Organic Compounds/metabolism , Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis , Volatile Organic Compounds/pharmacology , Animals , Glycine max/microbiology , Glycine max/growth & development , Agriculture/methods , Germination , Crops, Agricultural/microbiology , Crops, Agricultural/growth & development , Rodentia/microbiology
12.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 15946, 2024 Jul 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38987397

ABSTRACT

Ghaf, a resilient tree in arid environments, plays a critical role in ecological restoration, desertification mitigation, and cultural heritage preservation. However, the seeds' inherent challenges, notably their hard outer coating restricting germination, emphasize the pressing need for innovative strategies. This work aimed to investigate the optimization of Ghaf seed germination process through seed priming with ZnO nanoparticles treatment (duration (t), concentration (c), temperature (T), and agitation (a), employing the Taguchi method for efficient experimental design. Furthermore, the study includes Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), analysis for the regression model to assess the significance of predictor variables and their interactions, thereby strengthening the statistical validity of our optimization approach. Notably, it revealed that concentration is a pivotal influencer in optimization of Ghaf seed germination. The results showed that the concentration of ZnO nanoparticles has no linear relation with any other parameters. To verify the outcomes, validation tests were performed utilizing the predicted optimal parameters. The observed low error ratio, falling within the range of 1 to 6%, confirmed the success of the Taguchi methodology in identifying optimal levels of the factors chosen. Significantly, ZnO-primed seeds showcased a remarkable enhancement in Ghaf seed germination, increasing from 15 to 88%. This study introduces a novel approach utilizing ZnO nanoparticle treatment optimized through the Taguchi method, significantly enhancing seed germination rates of Ghaf seeds and offering a promising avenue for sustainable agricultural practices in arid environments.


Subject(s)
Germination , Seeds , Zinc Oxide , Germination/drug effects , Seeds/drug effects , Seeds/growth & development , Nanoparticles , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Temperature , Trees/drug effects
13.
Commun Biol ; 7(1): 841, 2024 Jul 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38987396

ABSTRACT

Cereal seeds are vital for food, feed, and agricultural sustainability because they store and provide essential nutrients to human and animal food and feed systems. Unraveling molecular processes in seed development is crucial for enhancing cereal grain yield and quality. We analyze spatiotemporal transcriptome and metabolome profiles during sorghum seed development in the inbred line 'BTx623'. Morphological and molecular analyses identify the key stages of seed maturation, specifying starch biosynthesis onset at 5 days post-anthesis (dpa) and protein at 10 dpa. Transcriptome profiling from 1 to 25 dpa reveal dynamic gene expression pathways, shifting from cellular growth and embryo development (1-5 dpa) to cell division, fatty acid biosynthesis (5-25 dpa), and seed storage compounds synthesis in the endosperm (5-25 dpa). Network analysis identifies 361 and 207 hub genes linked to starch and protein synthesis in the endosperm, respectively, which will help breeders enhance sorghum grain quality. The availability of this data in the sorghum reference genome line establishes a baseline for future studies as new pangenomes emerge, which will consider copy number and presence-absence variation in functional food traits.


Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Metabolome , Seeds , Sorghum , Transcriptome , Sorghum/genetics , Sorghum/metabolism , Seeds/metabolism , Seeds/genetics , Seeds/growth & development , Gene Regulatory Networks , Gene Expression Profiling , Endosperm/metabolism , Endosperm/genetics , Starch/biosynthesis , Starch/metabolism , Edible Grain/genetics , Edible Grain/metabolism
14.
Int J Mol Sci ; 25(13)2024 Jun 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39000350

ABSTRACT

Low temperature is the most common abiotic factor that usually occurs during the seed germination of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). However, the potential regulatory mechanisms involved in alfalfa seed germination under low temperature stress are still ambiguous. Therefore, to determine the relevant key genes and pathways, the phenotypic and transcriptomic analyses of low-temperature sensitive (Instict) and low-temperature tolerant (Sardi10) alfalfa were conducted at 6 and 15 h of seed germination under normal (20 °C) and low (10 °C) temperature conditions. Germination phenotypic results showed that Sardi10 had the strongest germination ability under low temperatures, which was manifested by the higher germination-related indicators. Further transcriptome analysis indicated that differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in galactose metabolism and carbon metabolism pathways, which were the most commonly enriched in two alfalfa genotypes. Additionally, fatty acid metabolism and glutathione metabolism pathways were preferably enriched in Sardi10 alfalfa. The Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) suggested that genes were closely related to galactose metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and glutathione metabolism in Sardi10 alfalfa at the module with the highest correlation (6 h of germination under low temperature). Finally, qRT-PCR analysis further validated the related genes involved in the above pathways, which might play crucial roles in regulating seed germination of alfalfa under low temperature conditions. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of seed germination underlying the low temperature stress in alfalfa.


Subject(s)
Gene Expression Profiling , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Germination , Medicago sativa , Phenotype , Seeds , Transcriptome , Medicago sativa/genetics , Medicago sativa/physiology , Medicago sativa/metabolism , Germination/genetics , Seeds/genetics , Seeds/growth & development , Gene Expression Profiling/methods , Cold Temperature , Cold-Shock Response/genetics , Gene Regulatory Networks
15.
Int J Mol Sci ; 25(13)2024 Jul 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39000510

ABSTRACT

Poplar coma, the fluff-like appendages of seeds originating from the differentiated surface cells of the placenta and funicle, aids in the long-distance dispersal of seeds in the spring. However, it also poses hazards to human safety and causes pollution in the surrounding environment. Unraveling the regulatory mechanisms governing the initiation and development of coma is essential for addressing this issue comprehensively. In this study, strand-specific RNA-seq was conducted at three distinct stages of coma development, revealing 1888 lncRNAs and 52,810 mRNAs. The expression profiles of lncRNAs and mRNAs during coma development were analyzed. Subsequently, potential target genes of lncRNAs were predicted through co-localization and co-expression analyses. Integrating various types of sequencing data, lncRNA-miRNA-TF regulatory networks related to the initiation of coma were constructed. Utilizing identified differentially expressed genes encoding kinesin and actin, lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks associated with the construction and arrangement of the coma cytoskeleton were established. Additionally, relying on differentially expressed genes encoding cellulose synthase, sucrose synthase, and expansin, lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks related to coma cell wall synthesis and remodeling were developed. This study not only enhances the comprehension of lncRNA but also provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms governing the initiation and development of poplar coma.


Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Gene Regulatory Networks , High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing , MicroRNAs , Populus , RNA, Long Noncoding , RNA, Messenger , Populus/genetics , RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , MicroRNAs/genetics , Gene Expression Profiling/methods , Seeds/genetics , Seeds/growth & development
16.
Sensors (Basel) ; 24(13)2024 Jun 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39001004

ABSTRACT

The survival and growth of young plants hinge on various factors, such as seed quality and environmental conditions. Assessing seedling potential/vigor for a robust crop yield is crucial but often resource-intensive. This study explores cost-effective imaging techniques for rapid evaluation of seedling vigor, offering a practical solution to a common problem in agricultural research. In the first phase, nine lettuce (Lactuca sativa) cultivars were sown in trays and monitored using chlorophyll fluorescence imaging thrice weekly for two weeks. The second phase involved integrating embedded computers equipped with cameras for phenotyping. These systems captured and analyzed images four times daily, covering the entire growth cycle from seeding to harvest for four specific cultivars. All resulting data were promptly uploaded to the cloud, allowing for remote access and providing real-time information on plant performance. Results consistently showed the 'Muir' cultivar to have a larger canopy size and better germination, though 'Sparx' and 'Crispino' surpassed it in final dry weight. A non-linear model accurately predicted lettuce plant weight using seedling canopy size in the first study. The second study improved prediction accuracy with a sigmoidal growth curve from multiple harvests (R2 = 0.88, RMSE = 0.27, p < 0.001). Utilizing embedded computers in controlled environments offers efficient plant monitoring, provided there is a uniform canopy structure and minimal plant overlap.


Subject(s)
Germination , Lactuca , Seedlings , Lactuca/growth & development , Lactuca/physiology , Germination/physiology , Seedlings/growth & development , Seedlings/physiology , Chlorophyll/analysis , Chlorophyll/metabolism , Seeds/growth & development , Seeds/physiology
17.
Sensors (Basel) ; 24(13)2024 Jun 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39001005

ABSTRACT

Salinity stress is a common challenge in plant growth, impacting seed quality, germination, and general plant health. Sodium chloride (NaCl) ions disrupt membranes, causing ion leakage and reducing seed viability. Gibberellic acid (GA3) treatments have been found to promote germination and mitigate salinity stress on germination and plant growth. 'Bauer' and 'Muir' lettuce (Lactuca sativa) seeds were soaked in distilled water (control), 100 mM NaCl, 100 mM NaCl + 50 mg/L GA3, and 100 mM NaCl + 150 mg/L GA3 in Petri dishes and kept in a dark growth chamber at 25 °C for 24 h. After germination, seedlings were monitored using embedded cameras, capturing red, green, and blue (RGB) images from seeding to final harvest. Despite consistent germination rates, 'Bauer' seeds treated with NaCl showed reduced germination. Surprisingly, the 'Muir' cultivar's final dry weight differed across treatments, with the NaCl and high GA3 concentration combination yielding the poorest results (p < 0.05). This study highlights the efficacy of GA3 applications in improving germination rates. However, at elevated concentrations, it induced excessive hypocotyl elongation and pale seedlings, posing challenges for two-dimensional imaging. Nonetheless, a sigmoidal regression model using projected canopy size accurately predicted dry weight across growth stages and cultivars, emphasizing its reliability despite treatment variations (R2 = 0.96, RMSE = 0.11, p < 0.001).


Subject(s)
Germination , Gibberellins , Lactuca , Seedlings , Seeds , Gibberellins/pharmacology , Lactuca/growth & development , Lactuca/drug effects , Seedlings/drug effects , Seedlings/growth & development , Germination/drug effects , Germination/physiology , Seeds/drug effects , Seeds/growth & development , Salt Stress/drug effects , Sodium Chloride/pharmacology
18.
Sensors (Basel) ; 24(13)2024 Jun 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39001015

ABSTRACT

The decline in seed quality over time due to natural aging or mishandling requires assessing seed vigor for resilience in adverse conditions. Accelerated aging (AA) methods simulate seed deterioration by subjecting seeds to high temperatures and humidity. Saturated salt accelerated aging (SSAA) is an AA method adopted for small seeds like lettuce (Lactuca sativa). In this study, we subjected seeds of two lettuce cultivars ('Muir' and 'Bauer') to SSAA by sealing them in a box containing 40 g/100 mL of a sodium chloride (NaCl) solution in a dark growth chamber at 41 °C for 24, 48, and 72 h with a control. We monitored their vigor using embedded computer cameras, tracking the projected canopy size (PCS) daily from sowing to harvest. The cultivar 'Muir' exhibited consistent PCS values across the treatments, while 'Bauer' showed PCS variations, with notable declines after prolonged aging. The germination rates dropped significantly after 48 and 72 h of SSAA. A nonlinear regression model revealed a strong relationship between PCS and shoot dry weight across harvests and cultivars (R2 = 0.93, RMSE = 0.15, p < 0.001). The research found that the projected canopy size and shoot dry weight increased over time with significant differences in treatments for the cultivar 'Bauer' but not for 'Muir,' with the canopy size being a strong predictor of dry weight and no significant impact from the SSAA treatments. This study highlights cultivar-specific responses to aging and demonstrates the efficacy of our imaging tool in predicting lettuce dry weight despite treatment variations. Understanding how aging affects different lettuce varieties is crucial for seed management and crop sustainability.


Subject(s)
Germination , Lactuca , Seedlings , Seeds , Lactuca/growth & development , Lactuca/physiology , Germination/physiology , Seeds/growth & development , Seeds/physiology , Seedlings/growth & development , Seedlings/physiology
19.
Molecules ; 29(13)2024 Jul 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38999081

ABSTRACT

Abscisic acid (ABA) is one of the many naturally occurring phytohormones widely found in plants. This study focused on refining APAn, a series of previously developed agonism/antagonism switching probes. Twelve novel APAn analogues were synthesized by introducing varied branched or oxygen-containing chains at the C-6' position, and these were screened. Through germination assays conducted on A. thaliana, colza, and rice seeds, as well as investigations into stomatal movement, several highly active ABA receptor antagonists were identified. Microscale thermophoresis (MST) assays, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation showed that they had stronger receptor affinity than ABA, while PP2C phosphatase assays indicated that the C-6'-tail chain extending from the 3' channel effectively prevented the ligand-receptor binary complex from binding to PP2C phosphatase, demonstrating strong antagonistic activity. These antagonists showed effective potential in promoting seed germination and stomatal opening of plants exposed to abiotic stress, particularly cold and salt stress, offering advantages for cultivating crops under adverse conditions. Moreover, their combined application with fluridone and gibberellic acid could provide more practical agricultural solutions, presenting new insights and tools for overcoming agricultural challenges.


Subject(s)
Abscisic Acid , Germination , Molecular Docking Simulation , Abscisic Acid/chemistry , Germination/drug effects , Arabidopsis/drug effects , Arabidopsis/metabolism , Plant Growth Regulators/chemistry , Plant Growth Regulators/pharmacology , Seeds/drug effects , Seeds/chemistry , Seeds/growth & development , Oryza/drug effects , Oryza/metabolism , Oryza/growth & development , Arabidopsis Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors , Arabidopsis Proteins/metabolism , Molecular Dynamics Simulation , Agriculture/methods , Gibberellins/chemistry , Gibberellins/metabolism , Pyridones
20.
J Agric Food Chem ; 72(28): 15601-15612, 2024 Jul 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38950526

ABSTRACT

Peanut southern blight, caused by the soil-borne pathogen Sclerotium rolfsii, is a widespread and devastating epidemic. Frequently, it is laborious to effectively control by labor-intensive foliar sprays of agrochemicals due to untimely find. In the present study, seed treatment with physcion (PHY) at doses of 0.08, 0.16, and 0.32 g AI kg-1 seed significantly improved the growth and photosynthetic activity of peanuts. Furthermore, PHY seed treatment resulted in an elevated enzymatic activity of key enzymes in peanut roots, including peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, polyphenol oxidase, catalase, lipoxygenase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, as well as an increase in callus accumulation and lignin synthesis at the infection site, ultimately enhancing the root activity. This study revealed that PHY seed treatment could promote the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, salicylic acid (SA), and jasmonic acid (JA)/ethylene (ET) in peanut roots, while also decreasing the content of malondialdehyde levels in response to S. rolfsii infection. The results were further confirmed by transcriptome data and metabolomics. These findings suggest that PHY seed treatment activates the plant defense pathways mediated by SA and JA/ET in peanut roots, enhancing the resistance of peanut plants to S. rolfsii. In short, PHY is expected to be developed into a new plant-derived immunostimulant or fungicide to increase the options and means for peanut disease control.


Subject(s)
Arachis , Basidiomycota , Plant Diseases , Arachis/microbiology , Arachis/metabolism , Arachis/growth & development , Plant Diseases/microbiology , Plant Diseases/prevention & control , Fungicides, Industrial/pharmacology , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Plant Proteins/genetics , Plant Roots/microbiology , Plant Roots/metabolism , Plant Roots/growth & development , Seeds/microbiology , Seeds/growth & development , Seeds/metabolism , Seeds/drug effects , Salicylic Acid/metabolism , Salicylic Acid/pharmacology , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism , Superoxide Dismutase/genetics
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