Salinity-induced ethylene accumulation caused by high production of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) hinders rice plant growth and development. Nevertheless, ACC deaminase may alleviate salt stress and high ethylene production in rice cultivars under salinity stress. Pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP), an ACC deaminase co-factor, could be a useful ACC inhibitor in plants; however, it has not been

The medicinal plant Panax notoginseng is considered a promising source of secondary metabolites due to its saponins. However, there are relatively few studies on the response of saponins to nitrogen (N) availability and the mechanisms underlying the N-driven regulation of saponins. Saponins content and saponins -related genes were analyzed in roots of P. notoginseng grown under low N (LN), moderate

Leaf color is affected primarily by the content and proportion of various pigments. Not only do photosynthetic pigments display various colors, they are also key to the physiological activities of plants. To precisely elucidate the mechanisms of chlorophyll and carotenoid biosynthesis and their interactions in red maple, transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling were performed on green, red and yellow

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most widely cultivated crops in the world. Tomato is a plant model and the relationship between yield and biotic/abiotic stress has attracted increasing scientific interest. Tomato cultivation under sub-optimal conditions usually negatively impacts growth and development; in particular, heat stress affects several cellular and metabolic processes, such

The development of genetic transformation methods is critical for enabling the thorough characterization of an organism and is a key step in exploiting any species as a platform for synthetic biology and metabolic engineering approaches. In this work we describe the development of an Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated hairy root transformation protocol for the crop and medicinal legume fenugreek (Trigonella

Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas. L) is an important food crop, harvested for its nutrient-rich tuberous roots. Drought and salt stresses are two major factors limiting the sweetpotato production. Since microRNAs (miRNAs) are well known to play crucial roles in regulation of plant stress responses, quantitative profiling of miRNA expression under stress conditions will facilitate identification and genetic

The nutritive tissues of galls induced by Ditylenchus gallaeformans (Nematoda) have promeristematic capacity, which may turn these galls into sinks of Al on their Melastomataceae Al-accumulating hosts. Such a sink of Al may affect gall growth and mineral nutrient intake. Based on the fact that galls are good models for plant developmental studies, we aimed to understand how Al-accumulating host plants

In higher plants, the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding (Lhc) proteins function in multiple processes that are critical to plant growth, development, and abiotic stress response. However, the Lhc gene family has not been well characterized in the important fruit crop, apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.). In this study, we identified 27 Lhc genes in the apple genome. Phylogenetic analysis showed

The WRKY transcription factors (TFs) are involved in aluminum (Al) stress and jasmonic acid (JA)-regulated resistance responses. WRKYs act as regulators of Al-activated malate transporter (ALMT) proteins (anion channels) by directly binding to their promoters and altering malate efflux, thereby regulating Al ion toxicity in plant roots. JA enhances Al-induced root growth inhibition in Arabidopsis.

Genes encoding HKT1-like Na+ transporters play a key role in the salinity tolerance mechanism in Arabidopsis and other plant species by retrieving Na+ from the xylem of different organs and tissues. In this study, we investigated the role of two HKT1;2 allelic variants in tomato salt tolerance in relation to vegetative growth and fruit yield in plants subjected to salt treatment in a commercial greenhouse

Our aim was to understand how moderately increased light intensities influenced the response of chickpea to high temperature. Three chickpea genotypes (Acc#3, Acc#7 and Acc#8) were treated at control (26 °C and 300 μmol m−2 s−1 photosynthetic photon flux density/PPFD), high temperature (38 °C and 300 μmol m−2 s−1 PPFD), increased light intensity (26 °C and 600 μmol m−2 s−1 PPFD) and combination of

Glutathione (GSH) is an important player in plant responses to cadmium (Cd) through its dual function as an antioxidant and precursor for metal-chelating phytochelatins (PCs). In addition, it was shown to be involved in cell cycle regulation in Arabidopsis thaliana roots, but its involvement in this process in leaves is largely unknown and has never been evaluated in Cd-exposed plants. This study aimed

N-(2-Chloro-4-pyridyl)-N′-phenylurea (CPPU) is a cytokinin-like plant growth regulator, which application in melon fruit set often produced bitter fruit caused by cucurbitacin B (Cu B) accumulation. However, more evidence is required to uncover the role of CPPU in regulating Cu B synthesis. In this study, two oriental melon cultivars ‘YMR’ (easy to present bitter fruit in maturation) and ‘HDB’ (hardly

Grain chalkiness is a highly undesirable trait that adversely affects rice quality. This chalkiness is easily influenced by the application of chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizer at the late growth stage. However, on the molecular mechanism underlying grain chalkiness caused by late N fertilization is not fully clear. In this study, proteomic differences in expression were determined in developing grains

In the past Aster tripolium has already proved to be a good candidate for saline agriculture in soils with low water availability. Thus, the aim of the present work was to disentangle the photobiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying the response of A. tripolium to PEG-induced drought stress, by exposing plants to PEG-induced moderate and severe drought conditions. Plant primary productivity

Inducible chemical defenses are more common in temperate seaweeds than tropical ones, and are directly detected by increase of chemical contents, or indirectly by differential consumption of live seaweed tissues or artificial food with algal extracts by herbivores. In general, seaweed-induced chemical defense occur between 11 and 20 days after both simulated/artificial or direct herbivory. Here, we

The flexible plant mitochondrial electron transport chain with cytochrome c oxidase (COX) and alternative oxidase (AOX) pathways is known to be modulated by abiotic stress conditions. The effect of salinity stress on the mitochondrial electron transport chain and the importance of COX and AOX pathways for optimization of photosynthesis under salinity stress conditions is not clearly understood. In

Previous studies in Siberian apricot (Prunus sibirica) seed kernel (SASK) have suggested the involvement of abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway in oil accumulation. However, there are few reports on the effects of ABA on the metabolism of fatty acids (FA) in seed development. Here, we first evaluated the response of developing SASK to ABA treatment, with a focus on oil content, FA composition, biodiesel

Proline dehydrogenase (ProDH) is a flavoenzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of proline (Pro) into Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C). In eukaryotes, ProDH coordinates with different Pro metabolism enzymes to control energy supply or stress responses signaling. Heterologous expression and crystallization of prokaryotic enzymes provided key data on their active center, folding capacity and oligomerization

The application of graphene oxide (GO) in the environment can have a positive or negative effect on the toxicity of pollutants, but the effect of GO on cadmium (Cd2+)-stressed lettuce has not yet been thoroughly studied. Therefore, we assessed the potential effects of foliar GO sprays on photosynthesis and antioxidant systems in Cd-stressed lettuce. We found that the foliar application of 30 mg L−1

Chromium (Cr) represents an important source of metallic stress in plants. Working with maize (Zea mays) seedlings, we characterize the suppressive effects of exogenously applied NaHS (a hydrogen sulfide; [H2S] donor) on the toxic effects of Cr (VI). Heavy metal treatment reduced radicle and epicotyl lengths and fresh weights in seedlings at 6 and 9 days following germination. The negative Cr (200 μM)

E-class MADS-box genes, SEPALLATA (SEP), participate in various aspects of plant development together with B-, C- and D-class MADS-box genes. IiSEP4, a homologous gene of SEP4, was cloned from Isatis indigotica. IiSEP4 was highly expressed in sepals, and its mRNA was mildly detected in leaves, inflorescences, flowers, stamens and young silicles. Constitutive expression of IiSEP4 in Arabidopsis thaliana

The study aimed to determine the phytohormone profile of sweet briar rose (Rosa rubiginosa L.) seedlings and privileged synthesis pathways of individual hormones including gibberellins, cytokinins and auxins in response to long-term soil drought. We detected 32 plant hormones, including eight gibberellins, nine auxins and fifteen cytokinins. Abscisic acid (ABA) was also detected as a sensitive indicator

Flower color is one of the most important features of ornamental plants. Anthocyanin composition and concentration are usually closely related to flower color formation. The biosynthesis of anthocyanin is regulated by a series of structural genes and regulatory genes. The basic helix-loop-helix proteins (bHLHs) are considered as one of the key transcription factors known as the regulators of anthocyanin

Abscisic acid, stress and ripening (ASR) transcription factors comprise a small family of proteins that play a key role in stress responses in plants. ASR genes involved in drought tolerance in moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) are largely unknown. In our study, an ASR gene, PheASR2, was isolated and characterized. The expression of PheASR2 was up-regulated under various abiotic stresses, including

Calcineurin B-like (CBL) proteins, a class of Ca2+-binding proteins, play vital roles in calcium signal transduction by interacting specifically with CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs), and these two gene families and their interacting complexes are involved in regulating plant responses to various environmental stimuli. In the present study, eight CBL and 25 CIPK genes were identified in tea

Nitrogen (N) is an important nutrient for plant growth. However, its excess application leads to environmental damage. Hence, improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of plant is one of the plausible options to solve the problems. Aim of this study was to identify candidate genes involved in enhancing NUE in potato cv. Kufri Gaurav (N efficient). Plants were grown in aeroponic with two contrasting N

Boron (B) is an essential trace element that plays a vital role in metabolic and physiological functions of higher plants. The adequate supply of B is important for plant growth and development. Grafting is a technique used to improve the ion uptake and plant growth. In this study, a commercial watermelon cultivar “Zaojia 8424” [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. and Nakai.] was grafted onto pumpkin

Toxic metals cause substantial reduction in crop yields every year. Therefore, worldwide scientific efforts are being made to reduce such losses in crop productivity by using certain chemical protectants such as nutrients like sulfur (S), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), glutathione (GSH), etc. Therefore in this study, we have tested potential of additional S, along with probable involvement of H2S and GSH

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are increasingly recognized as non-enzymatic players in the processes of radicle elongation growth and endosperm weakening during seed germination. NADPH oxidases (EC 1.6.3.1), also known as respiratory burst oxidase homologues (Rbohs), are key enzymes for the production of ROS. We previously reported that ROS are involved in the radicle elongation growth and endosperm

Rising atmospheric [CO2] influences plant growth, development, productivity and stress responses. Soybean is a major oil crop. At present, it is unclear how elevated [CO2] affects the physiological and biochemical pathways of soybean under drought stress. In this study, changes in the photosynthetic capacity, photosynthetic pigment and antioxidant level were evaluated in soybean at flowering stages

Monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG), the main component of the plastid membrane, is essential for chloroplast photosynthesis; however, little information is available about the function of MGDG synthases gene (TaMGD) in wheat grain. In this manuscript, three homologous genes were identified in wheat grain, and their functions were investigated by gene silencing and overexpression techniques. Three

Due to the increasing occurrence of drought events, drought recovery has become equally important as drought resistance for long-term growth and survival of plants. However, information regarding the mechanism that controls growth recovery of herbaceous perennials is not available. In this study, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) was rewatered after eight-day exposure to three drought intensities

Background : The amount of fluoride accumulation in tea leaves was gradually increase as the matures of tea plants, and the excessive fluoride intake can threaten people's health. Based on years of field investigations, a low level of fluoride variety Xiangbo Lǜ (XBL) and a high level of fluoride variety Zhenong 139 (ZN139) were selected. Results :In this study, the root, 1st and the 5th leaf of the

As a single nitrogen source, ammonium (NH4+) can inhibit the growth of plants, especially when applied in excess. Tandem mass tag (TMT) quantitative proteomics technology was employed in the current study to explore and analyze the mechanisms of ammonium-induced inhibition. F1 tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) was used in this study. Seedlings at the four leaf-stages grown in a greenhouse were

Plant growth promoting bacteria’ (PGPB) beneficial role on plant tolerance to salinity stress has previously been well recognized. However, bacteria-triggered plant physiological mechanisms involved in this response require investigation, especially in plants with innate salt tolerance. A glasshouse experiment was designed to investigate the effect of the PGPB Vibrio spartinae on Halimione portulacoides

Geranyl geranyl pyrophosphate synthase (GGPPS) is known to form an integral subunit of the heteromeric GPPS (geranyl pyrophosphate synthase) complex and catalyzes the biosynthesis of monoterpene in plants. Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex Benth., a medicinally important high altitude plant is known for picroside biomolecules, the monoterpenoids. However, the significance of heteromeric GPPS in P. kurrooa

Low Fe availability affects plant production mainly by impairing the photosynthetic pathway, since Fe plays an essential role in chlorophyll synthesis as well as in the photosynthetic electron transport chain. Under these conditions, plant cells require the activation of protective mechanisms to prevent photo-inhibition. Among these mechanisms, photorespiration (PR) has been relatively little investigated

In photosynthesis, the antenna system captures solar energy and transfers the excitations to photosystem II (PSII) core complex where charge separation, water splitting and oxygen evolution occur. In the evolution of photosynthesis from aquatic to terrestrial environments, the structure of PSII core complex was highly conserved while a variety of antenna forms became differentiated. In order to study

The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of potassium deficiency on cotton seedling growth and development at the individual, physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels. Potassium is an important plant nutrient; our results show that potassium deficiency significantly affected cotton seedling growth and development, evidenced by reduced plant height, and total areas of the leaves

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi as an important soil microbe have been demonstrated to mitigate the harmful effects of stress on plants. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying the AM symbiotic response to low temperature. Here, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the maize seedlings were identified after inoculating AMF under low temperature conditions. A total of 10,400

Combining hydraulic and carbon-related measurements can help elucidate drought-induced plant mortality. To study drought mortality mechanisms, seedlings of two woody species, including the anisohydric Robinia pseudoacacia and isohydric Quercus acutissima, were cultivated in a greenhouse and subjected to intense drought by withholding water and mild drought by adding half of the amount of daily water

High relative air humidity (RH ≥ 85%) is frequent in controlled environments, and not uncommon in nature. In this review, we examine the high RH effects on plants with a special focus on stomatal characters. All aspects of stomatal physiology are attenuated by elevated RH during leaf expansion (long-term) in C3 species. These include impaired opening and closing response, as well as weak diel oscillations

Although fruit expansion during ripening has been extensively studied, the structural and metabolic mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we report the critical roles of cell separation and cell wall metabolism in the coordinated regulation of fruit expansion in Fragaria vesca. Anatomical observations indicated that a syndrome of cell separation occurred from the very earliest stage of fruit set

WD40 proteins play crucial roles in response to abiotic stress. By screening the genome sequences of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, 225 SmWD40 genes were identified and divided into 9 subfamilies (I-IX). Physiological, biochemical, gene structure, conserved protein motif and GO annotation analyses were performed on SmWD40 family members. The SmWD40-170 was found in 110 SmWD40 genes that contain drought

Peach gummosis caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae is one of the most detrimental diseases to peaches in southern China. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play major roles in plant-pathogen interactions, however, their roles in the pathogenesis of peach gummosis, especially shoot disease in perennials, are largely unknown. In this study, the effects of L. theobromae on ROS production-scavenging systems

High temperatures limit the successful cultivation of the Hylocereus species on a global basis. We aimed to investigate the degree of heat tolerance in three species, namely, the diploids Hylocereus undatus and H. monacanthus, and the tetraploid H. megalanthus, and nine of their interspecific-interploid hybrids. Rooted cuttings were exposed to heat stress (45/35 °C) or control conditions (25/20 °C)

Root growth is reduced in soils with low pH [H+] and abundant soluble aluminum [Al3+], which can be a consequence of the interaction between Al3+ and cell wall composition. The competition between Al3+ and Ca2+ toward binding to pectin molecules was evaluated in roots of Urochloa decumbens, an African grass highly adapted to acidic Al-rich soils. Variations in the composition and distribution of pectins

Drought stress influences the growth of plants and thus grafting has been widely used to improve tolerance to abiotic stresses. Poplars possess sex-specific responses to drought stress, but how male or female rootstock affect the grafted plant is little known. To explore the mechanisms underlying changes in drought tolerance caused by grafting, we investigated the changes in growth, leaf traits, gas