Differential gene expression analysis of the Coix transcriptome under PEG stress

Drought stress severely affects plant growth and crop yield. Coix lachryma-jobi L (Coix) commonly known as Job’s tears, is a member of the grass family in the tribe Maydeae. To understand the transcriptome dynamics and explore the important drought resistant genes during drought stress in coix seedlings, in this study,YiLiao 5, with good resistant drought was taken as the experimental material. The results showed 92,865 unigenes were detected and the average gene length was 737.85 bp, the N50 was 1,26bp. A comparison of the treatment and the control samples revealed that 1,128 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were expressed, including 662 and 466 genes that were up-and down-regulated, respectively. According to the Gene Ontology (GO) database, among biological processes the metabolic process group was the largest group (14,908 genes, 24.28%) and contained high frequency of differentially expressed genes (352 genes, 24.22%). The DEGs are involved in 170 metabolic pathways. The plant hormone signal transduction and starch and sucrose metabolism were relatively obvious. Some DEGs and proteins were found, such as response to abscisic acid genes, 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase, some Transcription factors (TFs), protein serine/threonine phosphatase, late embryogenesis abundant protein (LEA). Eight genes analyzed by Quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) confirmed the transcriptome results. Overall, this study had done the transcriptome sequencing and established a genomics database of Coix for the first time. Meanwhile the results also provided a molecular basis and theoretical resource for mechanistic studies on drought resistance in Coix

Oriental melon roots metabolites changing response to the pathogen of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis mediated by Trichoderma harzianum

IntroductionTrichoderma spp. is a recognized bio-control agent that promotes plant growth and enhances resistance against soil-borne diseases, especially Fusarium wilt. It is frequently suggested that there is a relationship between resistance to melon wilt and changes in soil microbiome structures in the rhizosphere with plant metabolites. However, the exact mechanism remains unclear.MethodThis study aims to investigate the effects of Trichoderma application on the metabolic pathway of oriental melon roots in response to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis in a pot experiment. The experiment consisted of three treatments, namely water-treated (CK), FOM-inoculated (KW), and Trichoderma-applied (MM) treatments, that lasted for 25 days. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electron spray ionization-mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS) was used to analyze the compounds in melon roots.ResultsThe results show that Trichoderma harzianum application resulted in a reduction in the severity of oriental melon Fusarium wilt. A total of 416 distinct metabolites, categorized into four groups, were detected among the 886 metabolites analyzed. Additionally, seven differential metabolites were identified as key compounds being accumulated after inoculation with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis (FOM) and Trichoderma. The mechanism by which Trichoderma enhanced melon's resistance to Fusarium wilt was primarily associated with glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, flavone and flavonol biosynthesis, and the biosynthesis of cofactors pathway. In comparison with the treatments of CK and MM, the KW treatment increased the metabolites of flavone and flavonol biosynthesis, suggesting that oriental melon defended against pathogen infection by increasing flavonol biosynthesis in the KW treatment, whereas the application of Trichoderma harzianum decreased pathogen infection while also increasing the biosynthesis of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and biosynthesis of cofactors pathway, which were related to growth. This study also aims to enhance our understanding of how melon responds to FOM infection and the mechanisms by which Trichoderma harzianum treatment improves melon resistance at the metabolic level

Role of the Arabidopsis PIN6 auxin transporter in auxin homeostasis and auxin-mediated development

Plant-specific PIN-formed (PIN) efflux transporters for the plant hormone auxin are required for tissue-specific directional auxin transport and cellular auxin homeostasis. The Arabidopsis PIN protein family has been shown to play important roles in developmental processes such as embryogenesis, organogenesis, vascular tissue differentiation, root meristem patterning and tropic growth. Here we analyzed roles of the less characterised Arabidopsis PIN6 auxin transporter. PIN6 is auxin-inducible and is expressed during multiple auxin–regulated developmental processes. Loss of pin6 function interfered with primary root growth and lateral root development. Misexpression of PIN6 affected auxin transport and interfered with auxin homeostasis in other growth processes such as shoot apical dominance, lateral root primordia development, adventitious root formation, root hair outgrowth and root waving. These changes in auxin-regulated growth correlated with a reduction in total auxin transport as well as with an altered activity of DR5-GUS auxin response reporter. Overall, the data indicate that PIN6 regulates auxin homeostasis during plant development.Christopher I. Cazzonelli, Marleen Vanstraelen, Sibu Simon, Kuide Yin, Ashley Carron-Arthur, Nazia Nisar, Gauri Tarle, Abby J. Cuttriss¤, Iain R. Searle, Eva Benkova, Ulrike Mathesius, Josette Masle, Jiří Friml, Barry J. Pogso

Potential implications for epigenetic regulation of carotenoid biosynthesis during root and shoot development

Major regulators of carotenoid biosynthesis have remained rather elusive even though the flux through the branch in the carotenoid pathway can affect plant development in response to environmental stimuli, such as light. Our recent investigations demonstrated that the production of the most abundant carotenoid in plants, lutein, is regulated by carotenoid isomerase (CRTISO) activity at a rate-limiting step of this branch point in carotenoid biosynthesis. CRTISO is required to isomerase ciscarotenes, such as tetra-cis-lycopene to all-trans-lycopene. In order to maintain permissive transcriptional regulation of CRTISO, active marks of histone lysine methylation are targeted to the promoter region by the SET DOMAIN GROUP8 (SDG8) methyltransferase. Mutants of SDG8 (ccr1) and CRTISO (ccr2) show an increase in shoot branching, which may be partly explained by limiting synthesis of the carotenoid-derived branching hormone, strigolactone. In this addendum, we demonstrate new functions for SDG8 in mediating branching in Arabidopsis roots. The roles that carotenoids and SDG8 play in root and shoot development begins to open new doors for investigating the regulation of carotenoid composition in response to epigenetic events

Potential implications for epigenetic regulation of carotenoid biosynthesis during root and shoot development

Major regulators of carotenoid biosynthesis have remained rather elusive even though the flux through the branch in the carotenoid pathway can affect plant development in response to environmental stimuli, such as light. Our recent investigations demonstrated that the production of the most abundant carotenoid in plants, lutein, is regulated by carotenoid isomerase (CRTISO) activity at a rate-limiting step of this branch point in carotenoid biosynthesis. CRTISO is required to isomerase cis-carotenes, such as tetra-cis-lycopene to all-trans-lycopene. In order to maintain permissive transcriptional regulation of CRTISO, active marks of histone lysine methylation are targeted to the promoter region by the SET DOMAIN GROUP8 (SDG8) methyltransferase. Mutants of SDG8 (ccr1) and CRTISO (ccr2) show an increase in shoot branching, which may be partly explained by limiting synthesis of the carotenoid-derived branching hormone, strigolactone. In this addendum, we demonstrate new functions for SDG8 in mediating branching in Arabidopsis roots. The roles that carotenoids and SDG8 play in root and shoot development begins to open new doors for investigating the regulation of carotenoid composition in response to epigenetic events

Improved drought tolerance in soybean by protein elicitor AMEP412 induced ROS accumulation and scavenging

AbstractDrought stress is a major limiting factor for soybean production. In this study, protein elicitor AMEP412 was applied on soybean seedlings to promote drought tolerance, and its correlation with alterations in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in leaves was studied. The plants of soybean cv. Suinong 26 were sprayed with AMEP412 at the V1 stage and then treated with drought stress and rehydration. The alterations in phenotypes, physiological indices, ROS levels and antioxidant system as well as lipid peroxidation were monitored. The results showed that spraying AMEP412 significantly promoted the drought tolerance of soybean seedlings. Soybean seedlings pre-treated with AMEP412 performed better in phenotypes and physiological indexes, like leaf relative water content (RWC), leaf relative conductivity (RC) and osmolytes (free proline, soluble sugar and protein). In addition, the in situ and quantification detection of ROS revealed that AMEP412 pretreatment led to higher accumulation of ROS at the early stage and faster scavenging of ROS at the late stage. Moreover, AMEP412 pretreatment increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and the levels of ascorbate (AsA) and glutathione (GSH), but decreased the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) as compared with only drought treatment. Overall, the results indicated that AMEP412 was effective in alleviating the adverse effects of drought stress, which was partially attributable to the ROS accumulation and scavenging triggered by AMEP412

Effects of Biochar on the Microenvironment of Saline-Sodic Soil and Maize Growth

Biochar is a valuable soil amendment substance. However, no systematic study has investigated the effects of biochar on the microenvironment of saline-sodic soils and maize yield in cold areas of Heilongjiang Province. We investigated variations in soil physicochemical properties, soil bacterial and fungal community structure, maize root formation, plant dry matter accumulation, grain filling rate, and maize yield in saline soils treated with biochar (0, 20, 40, and 80 t/ha). Biochar improved saline soil properties and structure, slightly decreasing bulk density and pH and increasing the water-stable aggregate stabilization rate. Furthermore, the relative abundances of Sphingomonas, Lysobacter, Nitrospira, and Gemmatimonas and the fungal genus Guehomyces were increased, promoting the conversion of soil organic carbon and available nitrogen and phosphorus. Moreover, biochar reduced the relative abundance of some fungal pathogenic genera, including Fusarium, Gibberella, Cladosporium, Alternaria, and Epicoccum. However, shifts in soil bacterial and fungal community structure were indirectly driven by biochar-induced changes in soil physicochemical properties, with organic carbon as the most critical. Biochar promoted maize growth, development, and yield (root length, surface area, volume, dry matter accumulation, grain filling rate, and final weight). Biochar application at 40 t/ha had the greatest effect on soil microenvironment improvement, with the highest maize yield

Plant grafting relieves asymmetry of jasmonic acid response induced by wounding between scion and rootstock in tomato hypocotyl.

Plant grafting is a sequential wound healing process. However, whether wounding induces a different jasmonic acid (JA) response within half a day (12 h) after grafting or non-grafting remains unclear. Using the tomato hypocotyl grafting method, we show that grafting alleviates the asymmetrical accumulation of JA and jasmonic acid isoleucine conjugate (JA-Ile) in scion and rootstock caused by wounding, and from 2 h after tomato micrografting, grafting obviously restored the level of JA-Ile in the scion and rootstock. Meanwhile, five JA-related genes, SlLOX11, SlAOS, SlCOI1, SlLAPA and SlJA2L, are detected and show significant changes in transcriptional expression patterns within 12 h of grafting, from asymmetrical to symmetrical, when the expression of 30 JA- and defense-related genes were analyzed. The results indicated that grafting alleviates the asymmetrical JA and defense response between scion and rootstock of the tomato hypocotyl within 12 h as induced by wounding. Moreover, we demonstrate that in the very early hours after grafting, JA-related genes may be involved in a molecular mechanism that changes asymmetrical expression as induced by wounding between scion and rootstock, thereby promoting wound healing and grafting success

Image_1_Oriental melon roots metabolites changing response to the pathogen of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis mediated by Trichoderma harzianum.JPEG

IntroductionTrichoderma spp. is a recognized bio-control agent that promotes plant growth and enhances resistance against soil-borne diseases, especially Fusarium wilt. It is frequently suggested that there is a relationship between resistance to melon wilt and changes in soil microbiome structures in the rhizosphere with plant metabolites. However, the exact mechanism remains unclear.MethodThis study aims to investigate the effects of Trichoderma application on the metabolic pathway of oriental melon roots in response to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis in a pot experiment. The experiment consisted of three treatments, namely water-treated (CK), FOM-inoculated (KW), and Trichoderma-applied (MM) treatments, that lasted for 25 days. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electron spray ionization-mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS) was used to analyze the compounds in melon roots.ResultsThe results show that Trichoderma harzianum application resulted in a reduction in the severity of oriental melon Fusarium wilt. A total of 416 distinct metabolites, categorized into four groups, were detected among the 886 metabolites analyzed. Additionally, seven differential metabolites were identified as key compounds being accumulated after inoculation with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis (FOM) and Trichoderma. The mechanism by which Trichoderma enhanced melon's resistance to Fusarium wilt was primarily associated with glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, flavone and flavonol biosynthesis, and the biosynthesis of cofactors pathway. In comparison with the treatments of CK and MM, the KW treatment increased the metabolites of flavone and flavonol biosynthesis, suggesting that oriental melon defended against pathogen infection by increasing flavonol biosynthesis in the KW treatment, whereas the application of Trichoderma harzianum decreased pathogen infection while also increasing the biosynthesis of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and biosynthesis of cofactors pathway, which were related to growth. This study also aims to enhance our understanding of how melon responds to FOM infection and the mechanisms by which Trichoderma harzianum treatment improves melon resistance at the metabolic level.</p

Image_3_Oriental melon roots metabolites changing response to the pathogen of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis mediated by Trichoderma harzianum.JPEG

IntroductionTrichoderma spp. is a recognized bio-control agent that promotes plant growth and enhances resistance against soil-borne diseases, especially Fusarium wilt. It is frequently suggested that there is a relationship between resistance to melon wilt and changes in soil microbiome structures in the rhizosphere with plant metabolites. However, the exact mechanism remains unclear.MethodThis study aims to investigate the effects of Trichoderma application on the metabolic pathway of oriental melon roots in response to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis in a pot experiment. The experiment consisted of three treatments, namely water-treated (CK), FOM-inoculated (KW), and Trichoderma-applied (MM) treatments, that lasted for 25 days. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electron spray ionization-mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS) was used to analyze the compounds in melon roots.ResultsThe results show that Trichoderma harzianum application resulted in a reduction in the severity of oriental melon Fusarium wilt. A total of 416 distinct metabolites, categorized into four groups, were detected among the 886 metabolites analyzed. Additionally, seven differential metabolites were identified as key compounds being accumulated after inoculation with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis (FOM) and Trichoderma. The mechanism by which Trichoderma enhanced melon's resistance to Fusarium wilt was primarily associated with glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, flavone and flavonol biosynthesis, and the biosynthesis of cofactors pathway. In comparison with the treatments of CK and MM, the KW treatment increased the metabolites of flavone and flavonol biosynthesis, suggesting that oriental melon defended against pathogen infection by increasing flavonol biosynthesis in the KW treatment, whereas the application of Trichoderma harzianum decreased pathogen infection while also increasing the biosynthesis of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and biosynthesis of cofactors pathway, which were related to growth. This study also aims to enhance our understanding of how melon responds to FOM infection and the mechanisms by which Trichoderma harzianum treatment improves melon resistance at the metabolic level.</p