Results of nodule detection along AUV track SO239_115-1_AUV9 (Abyss_175) during SONNE cruise SO239

Images were acquired by the DeepSurvey Camera on board GEOMAR's AUV Abyss. Nodules were delineated by the CoMoNoD algorithm [see related to references]. Result files are computed per AUV dive. Nodule detections below 5cm^2 are neglected as are detections above 707cm^2. Abundance statistics are computed per m^2 and gridded per m^2 as well. For overlapping images, max-pooling has been applied to select the values reported in the result files. Pixel values in the rendered maps correspond to the units reported in the ASCI files (median-nodule-size: cm^2, nodule-number: m^-2, percent-coverage: %, sorting, skewness and pixel-contributions are unit-free)

Comparison of growth of newly emerging third leaves of control and apoplast (T27 and T27R) or Golgi (T28 and T29) FAE expressing plants.

<p>Growth as increase in leaf length (A), distribution of growth within the elongation zone of leaf blades, determined as the relative segmental elongation rate (B), maximum daily extension rate (C), and leaf length at maximum extension rate (D). Mean ± SEM (n = 20–30 from each plant). Third leaves from tillers of 2–3 plants per line were measured until leaf length was constant. Letters indicate significant difference (Tukey’s, α = 0.05) among mean values.</p

Chlorophyll content of leaves of control and an FAE expressing plant (T27R) during leaf senescence.

<p>Chlorophyll content of leaves of control and an FAE expressing plant (T27R) during leaf senescence.</p

Ester linked HCAs in mature roots.

<p><i>p</i>-coumaric acid (A), ferulate monomers (B) and ferulate dimers (C). Ferulate monomers = trans- ferulic+ cis-ferulic acid. Ferulate dimers = 8-0-4’-diferulate + 5–5’ diferulate + 8-5cyclic diferulate (benzo form) + 8–5’-diferulate + an unknown ferulate dimer. Mean ± SEM (n = 2). Different letters indicate significant differences from the control (Tukey’s = 0.05).</p

Probing the role of cell wall feruloylation during maize development by differential expression of an apoplast targeted fungal ferulic acid esterase.

While many aspects of the growth of maize are well understood, the role of cell wall feruloylation particularly during internode elongation has not been firmly established, but results so far indicate that it has significant implications for both biofuel feedstock conversion and for crop yield. The growth of the cell wall is achieved by synthesis, integration and cross-linking between wall polymers. As ferulate oxidative coupling of arabinoxylan side chains constitutes a significant type of cross-link in grass cell walls, it is expected to have a crucial role in plant growth. Making use of plants expressing an apoplast targeted Aspergillus niger FAEA under the control of either a constitutive or an inducible promoter, the role of cell wall feruloylation in maize internode expansion was investigated. Analysis of FAEA expressing plants showed that where FAEA was targeted to the apoplast under a constitutive promoter, plants varied in stature either from semi-dwarf plants with a 40-60% height reduction, to extreme dwarf mutants with over 90% reduction in plant heights compared to controls. Results indicate that disruption of cell wall feruloylation by FAEA occurs before the start of rapid internode expansion is initiated and affects the normal course of internode elongation, resulting in short internodes and dwarfed plants. In contrast, when under the inducible Lm See1 senescence promoter, FAEA activity was found to be low up to the VT stage of development but increased significantly at the VR stage as plants began to senesce, strongly suggesting that normal cell wall feruloylation is required for the process of internode expansion. In addition, with apoplast targeted expression of FAEA under control of the senescence enhanced promoter it was possible to demonstrate decreased cell wall feruloylation without affecting internode expansion or other aspects of plant development

Levels of FAE enzyme activity in 10 mm segments along 12–14 cm leaf blades starting at the cell elongation zone of control, apoplast (T27 and T27R) and Golgi (T28 and T29) FAE expressing plants.

<p>Mean ± SEM (n = 2–3 replicates of 25–30 leaf sections from two independent transformed plants). L = ligula; EZ = extension zone. One unit of FAEA activity equals 1 μg ferulic acid released from ethyl ferulate in 24 h at 28°C.</p