The karyotype of Nothoscordum arenarium Herter (Gilliesioideae, Alliaceae): A populational and cytomolecular analysis

The genus Nothoscordum Kunth comprises approximately 20 species native to South America. Karyologically, the genus is remarkable for its large chromosomes and Robertsonian translocations. Variation in chromosome number has been recorded in a few polyploid species and it is unknown among diploids. This study presents the chromosome number and morphology of 53 individuals of seven populations of N. arenarium Herter (2n = 10). In addition, karyotype analyses after C-banding, staining with CMA and DAPI, and in situ hybridization with 5S and 45S rDNA probes were performed in six individuals from one population. All individuals exhibited 2n = 10 (6M + 4A), except for one tetraploid (2n = 20, 12M + 8A) and one triploid (2n = 15, 9M + 6A) plant. C-banding revealed the presence of CMA+ /DAPI - heterochromatin in the short arm and in the proximal region of the long arm of all acrocentric chromosomes. The 45S rDNA sites co-localized with the CMA + regions of the acrocentrics short arms, while the 5S rDNA probe only hybridized with the subterminal region of a pair of metacentric chromosomes. A change in the pattern of CMA bands and rDNA sites was observed in only one individual bearing a reciprocal translocation involving the long arm of a metacentric and the long arm of an acrocentric chromosome. These data suggest that, despite isolated cases of polyploidy and translocation, the karyotype of N. arenarium is very stable and the karyotypic instability described for other species may be associated with their polyploid condition

Sebacinales Everywhere: Previously Overlooked Ubiquitous Fungal Endophytes

Inconspicuous basidiomycetes from the order Sebacinales are known to be involved in a puzzling variety of mutualistic plant-fungal symbioses (mycorrhizae), which presumably involve transport of mineral nutrients. Recently a few members of this fungal order not fitting this definition and commonly referred to as ‘endophytes’ have raised considerable interest by their ability to enhance plant growth and to increase resistance of their host plants against abiotic stress factors and fungal pathogens. Using DNA-based detection and electron microscopy, we show that Sebacinales are not only extremely versatile in their mycorrhizal associations, but are also almost universally present as symptomless endophytes. They occurred in field specimens of bryophytes, pteridophytes and all families of herbaceous angiosperms we investigated, including liverworts, wheat, maize, and the non-mycorrhizal model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. They were present in all habitats we studied on four continents. We even detected these fungi in herbarium specimens originating from pioneering field trips to North Africa in the 1830s/40s. No geographical or host patterns were detected. Our data suggest that the multitude of mycorrhizal interactions in Sebacinales may have arisen from an ancestral endophytic habit by specialization. Considering their proven beneficial influence on plant growth and their ubiquity, endophytic Sebacinales may be a previously unrecognized universal hidden force in plant ecosystems

Unique arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities uncovered in date palm plantations and surrounding desert habitats of Southern Arabia

The main objective of this study was to shed light on the previously unknown arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) communities in Southern Arabia. We explored AMF communities in two date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) plantations and the natural vegetation of their surrounding arid habitats. The plantations were managed traditionally in an oasis and according to conventional guidelines at an experimental station. Based on spore morphotyping, the AMF communities under the date palms appeared to be quite diverse at both plantations and more similar to each other than to the communities under the ruderal plant, Polygala erioptera, growing at the experimental station on the dry strip between the palm trees, and to the communities uncovered under the native vegetation (Zygophyllum hamiense, Salvadora persica, Prosopis cineraria, inter-plant area) of adjacent undisturbed arid habitat. AMF spore abundance and species richness were higher under date palms than under the ruderal and native plants. Sampling in a remote sand dune area under Heliotropium kotschyi yielded only two AMF morphospecies and only after trap culturing. Overall, 25 AMF morphospecies were detected encompassing all study habitats. Eighteen belonged to the genus Glomus including four undescribed species. Glomus sinuosum, a species typically found in undisturbed habitats, was the most frequently occurring morphospecies under the date palms. Using molecular tools, it was also found as a phylogenetic taxon associated with date palm roots. These roots were associated with nine phylogenetic taxa, among them eight from Glomus group A, but the majority could not be assigned to known morphospecies or to environmental sequences in public databases. Some phylogenetic taxa seemed to be site specific. Despite the use of group-specific primers and efficient trapping systems with a bait plant consortium, surprisingly, two of the globally most frequently found species, Glomus intraradices and Glomus mosseae, were not detected neither as phylogenetic taxa in the date palm roots nor as spores under the date palms, the intermediate ruderal plant, or the surrounding natural vegetation. The results highlight the uniqueness of AMF communities inhabiting these diverse habitats exposed to the harsh climatic conditions of Southern Arabia

Insights into the evolution of mammalian telomerase: Platypus TERT shares similarities with genes of birds and other reptiles and localizes on sex chromosomes

Background The TERT gene encodes the catalytic subunit of the telomerase complex and is responsible for maintaining telomere length. Vertebrate telomerase has been studied in eutherian mammals, fish, and the chicken, but less attention has been paid to other vertebrates. The platypus occupies an important evolutionary position, providing unique insight into the evolution of mammalian genes. We report the cloning of a platypus TERT (OanTERT) ortholog, and provide a comparison with genes of other vertebrates. Results The OanTERT encodes a protein with a high sequence similarity to marsupial TERT and avian TERT. Like the TERT of sauropsids and marsupials, as well as that of sharks and echinoderms, OanTERT contains extended variable linkers in the N-terminal region suggesting that they were present already in basal vertebrates and lost independently in rayfinned fish and eutherian mammals. Several alternatively spliced OanTERT variants structurally similar to avian TERT variants were identified. Telomerase activity is expressed in all platypus tissues like that of cold-blooded animals and murine rodents. OanTERT was localized on pseudoautosomal regions of sex chromosomes X3/Y2, expanding the homology between human chromosome 5 and platypus sex chromosomes. Synteny analysis suggests that TERT co-localized with sex-linked genes in the last common mammalian ancestor. Interestingly, female platypuses express higher levels of telomerase in heart and liver tissues than do males. Conclusions OanTERT shares many features with TERT of the reptilian outgroup, suggesting that OanTERT represents the ancestral mammalian TERT. Features specific to TERT of eutherian mammals have, therefore, evolved more recently after the divergence of monotremes.Radmila Hrdličková, Jiří Nehyba, Shu Ly Lim, Frank Grützner, Henry R Bose J

Arbuscular mycorrhizal community structure on co-existing tropical legume trees in French Guiana

Aims We aimed to characterise the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) community structure and potential edaphic determinants in the dominating, but poorly described, root-colonizing Paris-type AMF community on co-occurring Amazonian leguminous trees. Methods Three highly productive leguminous trees (Dicorynia guianensis, Eperua falcata and Tachigali melinonii were targeted) in species-rich forests on contrasting soil types at the Nouragues Research Station in central French Guiana. Abundant AMF SSU rRNA amplicons (NS31-AM1 & AML1-AML2 primers) from roots identified via trnL profiling were subjected to denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), clone library sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Results Classical approaches targeting abundant SSU amplicons highlighted a diverse root-colonizing symbiotic AMF community dominated by members of the Glomeraceae. DGGE profiling indicated that, of the edaphic factors investigated, soil nitrogen was most important in influencing the AMF community and this was more important than any host tree species effect. Conclusions Dominating Paris-type mycorrhizal leguminous trees in Amazonian soils host diverse and novel taxa within the Glomeraceae that appear under edaphic selection in the investigated tropical forests. Linking symbiotic diversity of identified AMF taxa to ecological processes is the next challenge ahead

Kinetics of struvite precipitation in synthetic biologically treated swine wastewaters

International audienceAn experimental design was set up to understand the influence of five process parameters on the kinetics of struvite precipitation in synthetic swine wastewaters. The responses studied were the kinetics of phosphorus (P) removal, the struvite precipitation rate and the dissolution rate of amorphous calcium phosphates (ACP). The kinetic study showed that the Premoval was complete in less than 1 h and was influenced positively by the added MgO. The precipitation of struvite with MgO was confirmed to follow a first-order kinetic. This study showed that ACP co-precipitated with struvite during the first 30 min. Afterwards, ACP dissolved to maintain the phosphates balance limiting the struvite growth. An initial Mg:Ca > 1.5 induced a complete dissolution of ACP in 1 h. Another experiment was conducted and it validated the results of the statistical model. This experiment also determined that 7–10 h was the best time to recover large crystals. After 10 h, the crystals were broken by stirring

Effects of organic matter on crystallization of struvite in biologically treated swine wastewater

International audienceA sustainable way to recover phosphorus (P) in swine wastewater involves a preliminary step of P dissolution followed by the separation of particulate organic matter (OM). The next two steps are firstly the precipitation of struvite crystals done by adding a crystallization reagent (magnesia) and secondly the filtration of the crystals. To develop the process successfully at an industrial scale, the control of the mechanisms of precipitation is the key point in order to obtain high value-added products, that is, big struvite crystals easy to harvest and handle. Experiments with process parameters optimized previously in a synthetic swine wastewater were performed on real swine wastewater to assess the role of the OM on struvite crystallization. After 24'h, with a pH increase to 6.8 only, 90% of the initial P was precipitated and 60% was precipitated as struvite. 80% of the solid recovered was in the fraction'>'100'µm. The other forms recovered were brushite, amorphous calcium phosphate, NaCl, KCl and OM. The influence of OM on struvite precipitation in acidified swine wastewater was negative on the reaction kinetics but positive on the size of the struvite crystals. The presence of colloidal particles increased the size of the struvite crystals but slowed down the kinetics due to the viscosity induced by the repulsive force of the colloids. The maximum size of single struvite crystals (200'µm) was observed with the presence of particulate OM. © 2015 IRSTEA. Published by Taylor & Francis

Kinetics of struvite precipitation in synthetic biologically treated swine wastewaters

International audienceAn experimental design was set up to understand the influence of five process parameters on the kinetics of struvite precipitation in synthetic swine wastewaters. The responses studied were the kinetics of phosphorus (P) removal, the struvite precipitation rate and the dissolution rate of amorphous calcium phosphates (ACP). The kinetic study showed that the Premoval was complete in less than 1 h and was influenced positively by the added MgO. The precipitation of struvite with MgO was confirmed to follow a first-order kinetic. This study showed that ACP co-precipitated with struvite during the first 30 min. Afterwards, ACP dissolved to maintain the phosphates balance limiting the struvite growth. An initial Mg:Ca > 1.5 induced a complete dissolution of ACP in 1 h. Another experiment was conducted and it validated the results of the statistical model. This experiment also determined that 7–10 h was the best time to recover large crystals. After 10 h, the crystals were broken by stirring

Content of fusarium-mycotoxins in some spring barley varieties (artificial and natural infection).

A quantitative immunochemical technique ELISA was used to determine DON content in samples of spring barley varieties inoculated by Fusarium culmorum in 2000 (12 varieties) and 2001 (19 varieties). DON content in the samples from 2000 crop ranged from 5.1 (Forum) to 19.1 ppm (Jersey) with average 9.7 ppm while the range of DON content in 2001 crop was from 1.3 (Madeira) to 8.2 ppm (CI.4196) with average 3.8 ppm. DON content was also determined in another set of 32 samples of spring barley varieties from fields in 24 districts of the CR from 2001 crop and a mycological examination was made using the method of mycologically monitored grains to identify the species of fungal pathogen. ELISA detected DON in all samples of this set; its content ranged from 0.03 to 3.77 ppm, average content was 0.4 ppm, the limit value was exceeded in one sample only. Fusarium graminearum was a prevailing toxicogenic species in spring barley in 2001; its capture coincided with higher levels of DON. It was stated that ELISA and GC were compatible methods for DON determination.A quantitative immunochemical technique ELISA was used to determine DON content in samples of spring barley varieties inoculated by Fusarium culmorum in 2000 (12 varieties) and 2001 (19 varieties). DON content in the samples from 2000 crop ranged from 5.1 (Forum) to 19.1 ppm (Jersey) with average 9.7 ppm while the range of DON content in 2001 crop was from 1.3 (Madeira) to 8.2 ppm (CI.4196) with average 3.8 ppm. DON content was also determined in another set of 32 samples of spring barley varieties from fields in 24 districts of the CR from 2001 crop and a mycological examination was made using the method of mycologically monitored grains to identify the species of fungal pathogen. ELISA detected DON in all samples of this set; its content ranged from 0.03 to 3.77 ppm, average content was 0.4 ppm, the limit value was exceeded in one sample only. Fusarium graminearum was a prevailing toxicogenic species in spring barley in 2001; its capture coincided with higher levels of DON. It was stated that ELISA and GC were compatible methods for DON determination

Geometric parameters of wheat grain determined by image analysis and FEM approach

Digital image analysis was used to test the quality parameters of six varieties of Triticum aestivum L. and one variety of Triticum duro-compactum L. — projected area, equivalent diameter, MaxFeret and MinFeret (minimum or maximum perpendicular distance between parallel tangents touching opposite sides of the profile of the chosen object), perimeter, thickness and crease depth (both measured using a digital calliper) of a kernel ranging from 16.52–20.22 mm 2 , 4.58–5.07 mm, 16.70–20.82 mm, 6.21–7.29 mm, 3.32–3.78 mm, 2.69–3.12 mm, 0.23–0.42 mm. The size data were used for calculation of volumes and surface areas of wheat kernels modelled as a general ellipsoid. The calculation of surface area using finite element method (FEM) was based on computer software MAPLE 9.0 and the results were compared with a simplified method. The volumes of kernels from the ellipsoid model were corrected with consideration of measured average crease depth; the difference was then max. 3.6%.We tested the correlation of volume and surface areas obtained from the ellipsoidal model with the measured projected areas; the resulting high correlation coefficient for the varieties of Triticum aestivum enables the use of only 2D image analysis measurement, for quick estimation of surface and volume parameters, without time consuming thickness measuring. However, the shape of Triticum duro-compactum kernels was a little different and the designed geometrical model was thus not suitable.We recommend image analysis as a simple and rapid method for obtaining the parameters of wheat grain for engineering purposes