Genome-Wide Diversity of MADS-Box Genes in Bread Wheat is Associated with its Rapid Global Adaptability

MADS-box gene family members play multifarious roles in regulating the growth and development of crop plants and hold enormous promise for bolstering grain yield potential under changing global environments. Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a key stable food crop around the globe. Until now, the available information concerning MADS-box genes in the wheat genome has been insufficient. Here, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis identified 300 high confidence MADS-box genes from the publicly available reference genome of wheat. Comparative phylogenetic analyses with Arabidopsis and rice MADS-box genes classified the wheat genes into 16 distinct subfamilies. Gene duplications were mainly identified in subfamilies containing unbalanced homeologs, pointing towards a potential mechanism for gene family expansion. Moreover, a more rapid evolution was inferred for M-type genes, as compared with MIKC-type genes, indicating their significance in understanding the evolutionary history of the wheat genome. We speculate that subfamily-specific distal telomeric duplications in unbalanced homeologs facilitate the rapid adaptation of wheat to changing environments. Furthermore, our in-silico expression data strongly proposed MADS-box genes as active guardians of plants against pathogen insurgency and harsh environmental conditions. In conclusion, we provide an entire complement of MADS-box genes identified in the wheat genome that could accelerate functional genomics efforts and possibly facilitate bridging gaps between genotype-to-phenotype relationships through fine-tuning of agronomically important traits

Extract from Curcuma longa L. triggers the sunflower immune system and induces defence-related genes against Fusarium root rot

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) has economic value worldwide Fusarium root rot, caused by Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc., is the most important disease in sunflower crops, causing considerable economic losses. Seed treatment with a turmeric aqueous extract was tested for control of Fusarium root rot. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the extract identified three major constituents; ar-curcumin, camphor and α-turmerone. The greenhouse experiment showed that incidence and severity of sunflower root rot were significantly reduced after treatment with turmeric extract. Plant growth parameters also increased 2 and 4 weeks after inoculation. In addition, treatment with turmeric extract triggered the sunflower immune system, as indicated by the induction of host phenolic content and activity of antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase). Differential display-PCR of the treated plants showed distinct profiles of gene expression in response to the treatments. Of the four bands randomly selected for sequencing and identification, three up-regulated genes that encode defence-related proteins (glutathione S-transferase 6, ascorbate peroxidase, and defensin) were detected. A time-course real-time quantitative PCR was carried out on mRNA of the defence-related genes defensin and chitinase of the treated sunflower seedlings. After 14 d, treatment with turmeric extract enhanced the expression levels of chitinase by > nine-fold and defensin genes by > four-fold. Based on these results, we recommend treatment of sunflower seeds with turmeric extract as a disease management method against Fusarium root rot

Wheat in the Era of Genomics and Transgenics

Wheat, as one of the most important cereal crops in the world and second major caloric source in the world after rice, is the major staple food in South Asia and many other countries of the world. Prior to onset of “Green Revolution,” South Asian countries were facing the threat of severe famine. Green Revolution wheat genotypes brought out these countries from the crisis they were facing and has helped them to sustain their productions for more than half a century. With the emergence of molecular biology and biotechnology, another window of opportunity is opened to sustain wheat yields by using modern techniques of genes identification and utilization. Through this chapter, we have tried to gather information that was generated for wheat improvement in last 3 decades. These afforest included the development of molecular markers, mapping of genes, sequencing of markers genes, and their utilization through marker-assisted selection. The other part recorded various efforts to genetically transform wheat for traits improvements and/or to study their molecular control

Exogenous application of melatonin and methyl jasmonate as a pre-harvest treatment enhances growth of barhi date palm trees, prolongs storability, and maintains quality of their fruits under storage conditions

Fresh date palm fruits (cv. Barhi) have received much attention due to their sweet taste and popularity in marketing. There is a critical need to prolong their storability, as well as maintain their quality during the postharvest and marketing periods. In this study, the effects of spraying date palm trees with melatonin (Mt) and/or methyl jasmonate (Mj) at 10, 20, and 50 ppm, on their growth and yield were investigated. In addition, impacts on quality and storability of the fruits were also studied. In general, application of Mt was mostly more effective than that of Mj, even at 50 ppm, with regard to all evaluated parameters. However, the dual treatment at 50 ppm recorded the highest relative chlorophyll and nutrient content in date palm leaves, as well as the yield and its components. Regarding the date palm fruits stored at 4 °C for 28 days, this dual treatment recorded the lowest weight loss and fruit decay values (0.14 and 2%, respectively), the highest firmness (6 g·cm(−2)), total soluble solids content (36 °Brix), total sugar content (32.5 g/100 g fresh weight), and the lowest total acidity (0.16 g citric acid/100 mL juice). Moreover, the highest total phenolic content and activity of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase enzymes in the stored fruits were also recorded for the dual treatment. In contrast to the untreated fruits, scanning electron microscopy observations showed that the sprayed fruits had a very good microstructure, showing intact and thick exocarp tissue with a dense layer of epicuticular wax. The mesocarp tissue showed a normal and clear cellular framework with well organized and arranged cells, after 28 days storage at 4 °C. Based on these results, we can conclude that application of the dual treatment (Mt + Mj) at 50 ppm is a promising way to prolong the storability of date palm fruits and maintain their quality during storage periods

Assessment of antioxidant activities in roots of Miswak (Salvadora persica) plants grown at two different locations in Saudi Arabia

AbstractTraditionally, in Middle Eastern countries, many cultures use chewing sticks of arak for medicinal purposes especially, for oral cleanliness care. It was used by Muslims for treatment of teeth and highly recommended to be used by Muslims during the whole day. Therefore, the present work aimed to determine the total phenolic content and total flavonoids in two Miswak extracts obtained from arak roots collected from two different localities in Saudi Arabia. They were extracted with aqueous ethanol (80%) and used to estimate in vitro their antioxidative abilities. The new findings showed that the two tested extracts contained significantly different amounts of both total phenolic content and total flavonoids. According to the increase of total phenolic contents and total flavonoids obtained from the two extracts, Miswak collected from the southern region was found to contain more contents than those collected from the middle region. The results of antioxidant activities of Miswak root extract obtained by using different in vitro methods were varied depending on the technique used. According to the malondialdehyde (MDA) method, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging ability and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) methods, the two Miswak extracts exhibited to have high to very high antioxidant activities. Mostly, the values of antioxidant activities of Southern region have been shown to be always the highest

Identification and Characterization of Salt-Responsive MicroRNAs in <i>Vicia faba</i> by High-Throughput Sequencing

Salt stress has detrimental effects on plant growth and development. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs that are involved in post-transcriptional gene expression regulation. In this study, small RNA sequencing was employed to identify the salt stress-responsive miRNAs of the salt-sensitive Hassawi-3 and the salt-tolerant ILB4347 genotypes of faba bean, growing under salt stress. A total of 527 miRNAs in Hassawi-3 plants, and 693 miRNAs in ILB4347 plants, were found to be differentially expressed. Additionally, 284 upregulated and 243 downregulated miRNAs in Hassawi-3, and 298 upregulated and 395 downregulated miRNAs in ILB4347 plants growing in control and stress conditions were recorded. Target prediction and annotation revealed that these miRNAs regulate specific salt-responsive genes, which primarily included genes encoding transcription factors and laccases, superoxide dismutase, plantacyanin, and F-box proteins. The salt-responsive miRNAs and their targets were functionally enriched by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses, which showed that the miRNAs were involved in salt stress-related biological pathways, including the ABC transporter pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, plant hormone signal transduction, and the phosphatidylinositol signaling system, among others, suggesting that the miRNAs play an important role in the salt stress tolerance of the ILB4347 genotype. These results offer a novel understanding of the regulatory role of miRNAs in the salt response of the salt-tolerant ILB4347 and the salt-sensitive Hassawi-3 faba bean genotypes

Genetic Variation and Alleviation of Salinity Stress in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) represents one of the most important cereals cultivated worldwide. Investigating genetic variability and structure of barley is important for enhancing the crop productivity. This study aimed to investigate the diversity and structure of 40 barley genotypes originated from three European countries (France, the Netherlands, Poland) using amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs). It also aimed to study 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) effect on salinity tolerance of six barley genotypes. The expected heterozygosity (He) diverged from 0.126 to 0.501, with a mean of 0.348. Polymorphic information content (PIC) diverged from 0.103 to 0.482 across barley genotypes, with a mean of 0.316, indicating that barley genotypes are rich in a considerable level of genetic diversity. The 40 barley genotypes were further studied based on their geographical origin (Western Europe and Eastern Europe). The Eastern European region (Poland) has a higher barley variability than the Western European region (France and the Netherlands). Nei&rsquo;s distance-based cluster tree divided the 40 barley accessions into two major clusters; one cluster comprised all the varieties originated from the Eastern European region, while the other major cluster included all accessions originated from the Western European region. Structure analysis results were in a complete concordance with our cluster analysis results. Slaski 2, Damseaux and Urbanowicki genotypes have the highest diversity level, whereas Carmen, Bigo and Cambrinus genotypes have the lowest level. The response of these six varieties to NaCl stress was also investigated. Salt stress (100 mM NaCl) slightly decreased levels of chlorophyll, carotenoid and osmolytes (proteins, soluble sugars, phenolics and flavonoids) in the leaves of Slaski 2, Damseaux and Urbanowicki genotypes at non-significant level, as compared to control samples. However, pigment contents and osmolytes in leaves of Carmen, Bigo and Cambrinus genotypes were significantly decreased by salt stress. Antioxidant enzyme activities were significantly increased in Slaski 2 genotype, but non-significantly increased in Carmen by salt stress. Priming Slaski 2 and Carmen cultivars with ALA under salt stress significantly induced pigment contents, antioxidants enzymes activity and stress-responsive genes expression, relative to NaCl-stressed plants. In conclusion, this study suggested a correlation between variability percentage and degree of salinity resistance. ALA improved salt tolerance in barley

The detrimental effects of heavy metals on tributaries exert pressure on water quality, Crossocheilus aplocheilus, and the well-being of human health

Abstract The escalating presence of heavy metals (HMs) in the Panjkora River water and their impact on fish pose a significant challenge to both the ecological community and human health. Consequently, a study was conducted with the primary aim of elucidating their influence on human health-related issues. To address this, the concentrations of heavy metals, including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), in both water and the fish species Crossocheilus diplocheilus were investigated across various locations within the study area. The quantification of HMs concentration was carried out utilizing an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The highest concentration in water was found as 0.060 mg/L for Pb and lowest for Fe, whereas the highest concentration in fish was 2.028 mg/kg for Pb and lowest for As. Human health risk associated with fish eating was evaluated by using health risk indices (HRI) for non-carcinogenic health risks and targeted cancer risk (TR) for carcinogenic health risks. The values of the health risk index (HRI) were found greater than 1 except Fe (0.0792), Zn (0.782), and Mn (0.541). The highest mean HRI > 1 was recorded for As (62.99), Cd (26.85), and Pb (10.56). This implies that fish consumption from river Panjkora is not safe up to some extent. Similarly, the TR value for As, Cd, and Pb was found 2.8 $$\times {10}^{-2}$$ × 10 - 2 , 1.6 $$\times {10}^{-2}$$ × 10 - 2 , 2.8 × $${10}^{-3}$$ 10 - 3 which showed cancer risk. There is a detected risk to human health associated with the consumption of fish from the Panjkora River. The government must implement adaptive measures to address this significant issue of water pollution in the study area. Additionally, there is a need for further extensive and prolonged research studies in this context

Serratia liquefaciens KM4 Improves Salt Stress Tolerance in Maize by Regulating Redox Potential, Ion Homeostasis, Leaf Gas Exchange and Stress-Related Gene Expression

High salinity mitigates crop productivity and quality. Plant growth-promoting soil rhizobacteria (PGPR) improve plant growth and abiotic stress tolerance via mediating various physiological and molecular mechanisms. This study investigated the effects of the PGPR strain Serratia liquefaciens KM4 on the growth and physiological and molecular responsiveness of maize (Zea mays L.) plants under salinity stress (0, 80, and 160 mM NaCl). High salinity significantly reduced plant growth and biomass production, nutrient uptake, leaf relative water content, pigment content, leaf gas exchange attributes, and total flavonoid and phenolic contents in maize. However, osmolyte content (e.g., soluble proteins, proline, and free amino acids), oxidative stress markers, and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants levels were increased in maize under high salinity. On the other hand, Serratia liquefaciens KM4 inoculation significantly reduced oxidative stress markers, but increased the maize growth and biomass production along with better leaf gas exchange, osmoregulation, antioxidant defense systems, and nutrient uptake under salt stress. Moreover, it was found that all these improvements were accompanied with the upregulation of stress-related genes (APX, CAT, SOD, RBCS, RBCL, H+-PPase, HKT1, and NHX1), and downregulation of the key gene in ABA biosynthesis (NCED). Taken together, the results demonstrate the beneficial role of Serratia liquefaciens KM4 in improving plant growth and salt stress tolerance in maize by regulating ion homeostasis, redox potential, leaf gas exchange, and stress-related genes expression

Correction: Rubnawaz et al. Polyphenol Rich Ajuga bracteosa Transgenic Regenerants Display Better Pharmacological Potential. Molecules 2021, 26, 4874

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