TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives

Frequently asked questions about chlorophyll fluorescence, the sequel

[EN] Using chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence many aspects of the photosynthetic apparatus can be studied, both in vitro and, noninvasively, in vivo. Complementary techniques can help to interpret changes in the Chl a fluorescence kinetics. Kalaji et al. (Photosynth Res 122: 121-158, 2014a) addressed several questions about instruments, methods and applications based on Chl a fluorescence. Here, additionalChl a fluorescence-related topics are discussed again in a question and answer format. Examples are the effect of connectivity on photochemical quenching, the correction of F-V/F-M values for PSI fluorescence, the energy partitioning concept, the interpretation of the complementary area, probing the donor side of PSII, the assignment of bands of 77 K fluorescence emission spectra to fluorescence emitters, the relationship between prompt and delayed fluorescence, potential problems when sampling tree canopies, the use of fluorescence parameters in QTL studies, the use of Chl a fluorescence in biosensor applications and the application of neural network approaches for the analysis of fluorescence measurements. The answers draw on knowledge fromdifferent Chl a fluorescence analysis domains, yielding in several cases new insights.Kalaji, H.; Schansker, G.; Brestic, M.; Bussotti, F.; Calatayud, A.; Ferroni, L.; Goltsev, V.... (2017). Frequently asked questions about chlorophyll fluorescence, the sequel. 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Biochim Biophys Acta 292:162–168Berden-Zrimec M, Drinovec L, Zrimec A (2011) Delayed fluorescence. In: Suggett DJ, Borowitzka M, Prášil O (eds) Chlorophyll a fluorescence in aquatic sciences: methods and applications, developments in applied phycology, vol 4. Springer, The Netherlands, pp 293–309Berger S, Sinha AK, Roitsch T (2007) Plant physiology meets phytopathology: plant primary metabolism and plant-pathogen interactions. J Exp Bot 58:4019–4026Bernacchi CJ, Leakey ADB, Heady LE, Morgan PB, Dohleman FG, McGrath JM, Gillespie GM, Wittig VE, Rogers A, Long SP, Ort DR (2006) Hourly and seasonal variation in photosynthesis and stomatal conductance of soybean grown at future CO2 and ozone concentrations for 3 years under fully open-air field conditions. Plant Cell Environ 29:2077–2090Betterle N, Ballotari M, Zorzan S, de Bianchi S, Cazzaniga S, Dall’Osto L, Morosinotto T, Bassi R (2009) Light-induced dissociation of an antenna hetero-oligomer is needed for non-photochemical quenching induction. J Biol Chem 284:15255–15266Bielczynski LW, Schansker G, Croce R (2016) Effect of light acclimation on the organization of photosystem II super and sub-complexes in Arabidopsis thaliana. Front Plant Sci. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2016.00105Björkman O, Demmig-Adams B (1995) Regulation of photosynthetic light energy capture, conversion, and dissipation in leaves of higher plants. In: Schulze ED, Caldwell MM (eds) Ecophysiology of photosynthesis. Springer, Berlin, pp 17–47Blubaugh DJ, Cheniae GM (1990) Kinetics of photoinhibition in hydroxylamine-extracted photosystem II membranes: relevance to photoactivation and site of electron donation. 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TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits—the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants—determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait‐based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits—almost complete coverage for ‘plant growth form’. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait–environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives

Vacancy-oxygen defects in silicon: the impact of isovalent doping

Silicon is the mainstream material for many nanoelectronic and photovoltaic applications. The understanding of oxygen related defects at a fundamental level is essential to further improve devices, as vacancy-oxygen defects can have a negative impact on the properties of silicon. In the present review we mainly focus on the influence of isovalent doping on the properties of A-centers in silicon. Wherever possible, we make comparisons with related materials such as silicon germanium alloys and germanium. Recent advanced density functional theory studies that provide further insights on the charge state of the A-centers and the impact of isovalent doping are also discussed in detail

Globally coherent water cycle response to temperature change during the past two millennia

The response of the global water cycle to changes in global surface temperature remains an outstanding question in future climate projections and in past climate reconstructions. The stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope compositions of precipitation (δprecip), meteoric water (δMW) and seawater (δSW) integrate processes from microphysical to global scales and thus are uniquely positioned to track global hydroclimate variations. Here we evaluate global hydroclimate during the past 2,000 years using a globally distributed compilation of proxies for δprecip, δMW and δSW. We show that global mean surface temperature exerted a coherent influence on global δprecip and δMW throughout the past two millennia, driven by global ocean evaporation and condensation processes, with lower values during the Little Ice Age (1450–1850) and higher values after the onset of anthropogenic warming (~1850). The Pacific Walker Circulation is a predominant source of regional variability, particularly since 1850. Our results demonstrate rapid adjustments in global precipitation and atmospheric circulation patterns—within decades—as the planet warms and cools

Genomic Designing of Pearl Millet:A Resilient Crop for Arid and Semi-arid Environments

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.; Syn. Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone] is the sixth most important cereal in the world. Today, pearl millet is grown on more than 30 million ha mainly in West and Central Africa and the Indian sub-continent as a staple food for more than 90 million people in agriculturally marginal areas. It is rich in proteins and minerals and has numerous health benefits such as being gluten-free and having slow-digesting starch. It is grown as a forage crop in temperate areas. It is drought and heat tolerant, and a climate-smart crop that can withstand unpredictable variability in climate. However, research on pearl millet improvement is lagging behind other major cereals mainly due to limited investment in terms of man and money power. So far breeding achievements include the development of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), maintenance counterparts (rf) system and nuclear fertility restoration genes (Rf) for hybrid breeding, dwarfing genes for reduced height, improved input responsiveness, photoperiod neutrality for short growing season, and resistance to important diseases. Further improvement of pearl millet for genetic yield potential, stress tolerance, and nutritional quality traits would enhance food and nutrition security for people living in agriculturally dissolute environments. Application of molecular technology in the pearl millet breeding program has a promise in enhancing the selection efficiency while shortening the lengthy phenotypic selection process ultimately improving the rate of genetic gains. Linkage analysis and genome-wide association studies based on different marker systems in detecting quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for important agronomic traits are well demonstrated. Genetic resources including wild relatives have been categorized into primary, secondary and tertiary gene pools based on the level of genetic barriers and ease of gene introgression into pearl millet. A draft on pearl millet whole genome sequence was recently published with an estimated 38,579 genes annotated to establish genomic-assisted breeding. Resequencing a large number of germplasm lines and several population genomic studies provided a valuable insight into population structure, genetic diversity and domestication history of the crop. Successful improvement in combination with modern genomic/genetic resources, tools and technologies and adoption of pearl millet will not only improve the resilience of global food system through on-farm diversification but also dietary intake which depends on diminishingly fewer crops