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Background High-throughput metabolomics analytical methodology is needed for population-scale studies of bioenergy-relevant feedstocks such as poplar (Populus sp.). Here, the authors report the relative abundance of secondary aromatic metabolites in Populus trichocarpa leaves rapidly estimated using pyrolysis-molecular beam mass spectrometry (py-MBMS). A training set of leaves was analyzed in conjunction with GC/MS analysis of extracts to determine key spectral features associated with the aromatic metabolites and build PLS models to predict the relative composition of extractable aromatic metabolites in a second test set of leaves. The relative abundance of major secondary aromatic metabolites for the test set of leaves was validated by GC/MS analysis of extracts. Results The Pearson correlation coefficient for the relative abundance of aromatic metabolites based on ranking between GC/MS analysis and py-MBMS analysis of the test leaf set was 0.86 with R2 = 0.76 using a simplified prediction approach from select ions in MBMS spectra. Metabolites most influential to py-MBMS spectral features in the training set included the following compounds: catechol, salicortin, salicyloyl-coumaroyl-glucoside, a-salicyloylsalicin, tremulacin, and to a lesser degree: benzyl-coumaroyl glucoside, benzoyl-salicyloylsalicin, tremuloidin, salireposide, trichocarpin, salicylic acid, salicyl-salicylic acid-2-O-glucoside, phenethyl-tremuloidin, coumaroyl-tremuloidin, 2,6-cyclohexadiene-1,2-diol, and salicyl-tremuloidin. Ions in py-MBMS spectra with the highest correlation to the abundance of aromatic secondary metabolites, particularly those previously mentioned as determined by GC/MS analysis of extracts, included m/z 68, 71, 77, 91, 94, 105, 107, 108, and 122, and were used to develop the simplified prediction approach without PLS models or a priori measurements. Conclusions The simplified py-MBMS method is capable of rapidly screening leaf tissue for relative abundance of extractable aromatic secondary metabolites to enable prioritization of samples in large populations requiring comprehensive metabolomics that will ultimately inform plant systems biology models and advance the development of optimized biomass feedstocks for renewable fuels and chemicals.

I. Background: Pistacia is kind of unisexual plant species that can take 4–5 years to initiate bearing stage of trees in terms of economic value. The fruits of species have an extreme importance in food, health and baking industry as a raw material. So, identify the individual in early juvenile period for pollination and position of trees is very crucial for growers. The objective of this study is developing markers for each Pistacia species which helps the screening the sex of plant seedling quickly before they reach reproduction stage without waiting morphological data. II. Methods and Results: Within the context, by using the power of KASP (Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR) assay technology as a marker screening system, we successfully discriminate 7 Pistacia species out of 8 which are P. atlantica, P. integerrima, P. khinjuk, P. mutica, P. terebinthus, P. vera and P. lentiscus. We have used a high-throughput DNA sequence read archive (SRA) to assemble a reference genome to use in our studies as de novo bioinformatics method. 4 genomic regions were sequenced with collected plant material from Antepfıstıgı Research Institute Collection Garden predominantly and 8 species were aligned intraspecifically for Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) mining. 12 SNP markers are converted to KASP markers and 5 of them (SNP-PIS-133396, SNP-PIS-167992, P-ATL-91951-565, P-INT-91951-256, P-KHI-91951-115) showed obvious allelic discrimination between male and female species. SNP-PIS-167992 and P-ATL-91951-565 were identified as best marker assays due to the allelic frequency differences in graphs which are apparent for all individuals and homozygosis/heterozygosis observed clearly. These markers could be most comprehensive for whole genus because the discriminability power of several species in once. III. Conclusions: As a conclusion, this study is reported first Pistacia gender discrimination by KASP, besides the precursor study for sex discrimination by KASP in plants.

Aims To study nitrogen contribution to cucumber derived from nitrogen fixation of Paenibacillus polymyxa WLY78.Methods The nif gene cluster deletion mutant (ΔnifB-V) of P. polymyxa WLY78 is constructed by a homologous recombination method. The GFP-labeled ΔnifB-V mutant was used to inoculate cucumber and to study colonization by confocal laser scanning microscope. The effects of plant-growth promotion were investigated by greenhouse experiments. The nitrogen fixation contribution was estimated by 15N isotope dilution experiments. Results Deletion of nif gene cluster of P. polymyxa WLY78 resulted in complete loss of nitrogenase activity. Observation by laser confocal microscopy revealed ΔnifB-V mutant can effectively colonize cucumber root, stem and leaf tissues, like wild-type P. polymyxa WLY78. Greenhouse experiments showed that inoculation with P. polymyxa WLY78 can significantly enhance the lengths and dry weights of cucumber roots and shoots, but inoculation with ΔnifB-V mutant can not. 15N isotope dilution experiments showed that cucumber plants derive 25.93% nitrogen from nitrogen fixation performed by P. polymyxa WLY78, but the ΔnifB-V mutant nearly can not provide nitrogen for plant growth. Conclusions This present study demonstrates that nitrogen fixation performed by P. polymyxa WLY78 is responsible for cucumber growth promotion.

Grass pea ( Lathyrus sativus L.) is a legume crop known to be an excellent source of protein, tolerant to drought, waterlogging, and salinity. The crop is used as an alternative source of protein to reduce malnutrition for resource-poor people and farmers leaving in marginal areas. However, due to the presence of a neurotoxin that causes lathyrism in the crop, it has been neglected and underutilized. As a necessary first step towards, therefore, this investigation was undertaken to assess the genetic diversity and population structure that existed within grass pea accessions collected from the North-Western part of Ethiopia using simple sequence repeat markers. Twenty-five grass pea accessions collected from the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute were planted at the College of Agricultural Science, Ebonyi State University, Nigeria. The genomic DNA was extracted using Quick-DNA™ ZR Plant/Seed Miniprep Kit and amplified by ABI Veriti PCR with 10 pairs of SSR markers in IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria. Out of 10 SSR primers, only eight primers were polymorphic. A total of 41 alleles were detected with an average of 5.13. The Polymorphic information content and gene diversity values ranged from 0.074 to 0.944 with a mean of 0.474 and 0.536 respectively. The largest pairwise genetic distance (0.365) was detected between North Gondar and East Gojam populations. The ФPT (analogs of FST test) estimated through AMOVA were 0.24, 0.20, and 0.05 for within accessions, among regions, and population within regions respectively. The highest genetic differentiation value (76%) resides within accessions followed by 20% among regions. Both population structure and cluster analysis grouped the 25 grass pea accessions into two distinctive subgroups. This grouping pattern indicates the presence of gene flow among geographic regions. In general, the findings of this study indicate that despite few numbers of SSR markers it was possible to detect genetic diversity among grass pea accessions indicating the power of the SSR marker in picking up the existing genetic diversity within the studied accessions.

Euryodendron excelsum H. T. Chang, a critically endangered species endemic to China, is a source of valuable material for the furniture and construction industries. However, this species has some challenges associated with rooting during in vitro propagation that have yet to be resolved. In this study, we optimized rooting and conducted a transcriptomic analysis to appreciate its molecular mechanism, thereby promoting the practical application of in vitro propagation of E. excelsum, and providing technical support for the ecological protection of this rare and endangered species. Results showed that ex vitro rooting performed the highest rooting percentage with 98.33% at 25 d. During ex vitro rooting, there was a wide fluctuation of endogenous levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at the stage of root primordia formation. Transcriptome analysis revealed multiple differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in AR development. DEGs involved in plant hormone signal transduction, such as genes encoding auxin-induced protein, auxin-responsive protein, and IAA-amido synthetase Gretchen Hagen3, and in response to H2O2, oxidative stress, abiotic and biotic stimuli were significantly up- or down-regulated by ex vitro treatment with 1 mM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Our results indicate that ex vitro rooting is an effective method to induce AR from E. excelsum plantlets during micropropagation. DEGs involved in the plant hormone signal transduction pathway played a crucial role in AR formation. H2O2, produced by environmental stimulation, might be related to AR induction as a result of the synergistic action with IBA, ultimately regulating the level of endogenous IAA.

The combined pollution, instead of single pollution, has become a widespread contamination phenomenon in aquatic environment. However, little information is now available about the joint effects of the combined pollution, especially co-existed pesticides and heavy metals, on aquatic plants. In the present study, using continuous excitation chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and the OJIP transient, comparisons of herbicide atrazine (ATZ) phytotoxicity on Iris pseudacorus between in the presence and absence of cadmium (Cd) were evaluated over an exposure period of three weeks under laboratory conditions. Results showed that both ATZ and Cd were toxic to I. pseudacorus. The ratio Fv/Fo, specific electron transport energy (ET0/RC) and photochemistry efficiency (PIabs and PItotal) of this emergent plant species at individual ATZ and Cd concentrations were significantly lower than those of the control. ATZ mainly inhibited electron transport beyond QA at PSII acceptor side as indicated by the sharp rise of the J-step level of fluorescence rise kinetics. A pronounced K-step and the loss of I-step due to the damage on the OEC and PSI also occurred when ATZ was at or above 1.0 mg·L− 1. In comparison to ATZ alone, ATZ combined with Cd resulted in a lower amplitude rise in J-step with apparent J-I and I-P phases; and significantly lower Fo with higher Fv/Fo, as well as greater ET0/RC with higher values of PIabs and PItotal. However, the adverse influences of ATZ combined with Cd on the above indicators were still significant as compared with the control. Therefore, the coexistence of Cd alleviated the individual phytotoxicities of ATZ, whereas combined pollution of ATZ and Cd still induced the decline in photosynthetic performance of I. pseudacorus, and its potential ecological impacts on the aquatic vegetation cannot be ignored. Our findings offer a better understanding of the joint effects of the pesticide and heavy metal on non-target aquatic plants, and provided valuable insights into the interaction of these pollutants in aquatic environment.

Population genetic diversity contributes to the protection and utilization of germplasm resources, especially via genetic breeding. In the present study, start codon targeted polymorphism (SCoT) molecular markers were used to study the genetic diversity of 278 individuals from 10 Prunus sibirica populations in Inner Mongolia. A total of 289 polymorphic bands were amplified with 23 SCoT primers, showing a polymorphism percentage of 97.94% and an average of 12.6 polymorphic bands per primer. The SCoT21, SCoT32, and SCoT53 primers amplified up to 17 bands, and the polymorphism percentage was 100%. The minimum number of bands amplified by SCoT3 was 9, and the polymorphism percentage was 90%. Therefore, SCoT molecular markers were shown to be highly polymorphic and suitable for genetic diversity studies of Prunus sibirica in Inner Mongolia. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that 39% of the observed genetic differentiation occurred among populations and 61% occurred within populations, indicating that the genetic differentiation within populations was greater than that among populations. The results of the unweighted pair-group method with an arithmetic (UPGMA) cluster analysis, principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and STRUCTURE analysis were basically the same and divided the 278 individuals from the 10 populations into 2 groups. The results indicated that the efficient SCoT molecular marker-based genetic diversity analysis of Prunus sibirica in Inner Mongolia can provide a reference for Prunus sibirica variety breeding and resource development.

Studying the legume nodule microbiome is important for understanding the development and nutrition of the plants inhabited by the various microbes within and upon them. We analyzed the microbiomes of these underground organs from both an important crop plant (Medicago sativa) and a related legume (M. polymorpha) using metagenomic and culture-based techniques to identify the main cultivatable contributors to plant growth enhancement. Using high-throughput sequencing, culturing, and in planta techniques, we identified and analyzed a broad population of the bacterial taxa within Medicago nodules and the surrounding soil. Fifty-one distinct bacterial strains were isolated and characterized from nodules of both Medicago species and their growth-promoting activities were studied. Sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons showed that in addition to Ensifer, the dominant genus, a large number of Gram-positive bacteria belonging to the Firmicutes and Actinobacteria were also present. After performing ecological and plant growth-promoting trait analyses, selecting the most promising strains, and then performing in planta assays, we found that strains of Bacillus and Micromonospora among others could play important roles in supporting the growth, health, and productivity of the host plant. To our knowledge, the comparison of the biodiversity of the microbiota of undomesticated vs. cultivated Medicago roots and nodules is novel and shows the range of potential Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria that could be used for plants of agricultural interest. These and other nodule-isolated microbes could also serve as inoculants with rhizobia with the goal of replacing synthetic fertilizers and pesticides for sustainable agriculture.

The recent advancement in LED technology led many incubator manufacturers and research labs to switch to these more efficient, yet spectrally restricted, light sources. Potential effects of commercially available broad range “white” light systems on phytoplankton growth, productivity, light absorption spectra, and cellular composition have not yet been characterized but could affect our interpretation of lab-based projections on responses to environmental changes. In this study, we investigated such effects using cultures of Prochlorococcus marinus, Synechococcus sp., and Thalassiosira weissflogii grown under three different commercially available LED lights as well as one fluorescent growth light. Photosynthetically active radiation was equal for each species, while photosynthetically usable radiation differed among the combinations of species and treatments. Growth rate was unaffected across species, yet all species displayed changes in cellular carbon, nitrogen, and chlorophyll a quotas as a direct response to the different light spectra. 14C-based primary productivity was also affected in P. marinus and T. weissflogii. Analysis of pigment ratios and photophysiological data indicated changes in the photoacclimation state between different light environments. The results of this study show that these species undergo changes in underlying cellular metabolism which in turn affect cellular composition while keeping specific growth constant. The data presented here illustrate ecophysiological responses of differently pigmented species when grown under different artificial growth light spectra. These cellular acclimation responses should be considered when designing laboratory-based incubation experiments, especially when comparing responses to specific changes in environmental conditions, or when implementing physiological parameters, derived from laboratory experiments, into numerical models.

Orbilia xanthostigma, with golden yellow to yellow-orange apothecia and O. leucostigma, with white to very pale rose-lilaceous apothecia, were described by E.M. Fries over 200 years ago. Each of the two taxa, which are not easy to interpret because type material is lacking, was proposed in the past as lectotype of the genus Orbilia. In the here presented circumscription, which follows the current usage, O. xanthostigma is among the most frequently recorded species of the genus, whereas O. leucostigma appears to be much less common. Both grow gregariously on decorticated hygric gymno- and angiosperm wood or rarely bark and show a worldwide distribution. They are characterised by minute, strongly curved, warted ascospores and a dicranidion-like anamorph. Except for apothecial colour, there are no other notable morphological differences between them, either in the teleomorph (asci, ascospores, paraphyses) or anamorph (conidiophores, conidia). Because of their strong similarities, the two taxa have often been treated as infraspecific variants (subspecies, varieties) of a single species or even as synonyms. In order to overcome the ambiguities associated with the two names, O. delicatula, a name proposed by P.A. Karsten for a collection with golden yellow apothecia, was suggested by B. Spooner as a replacement name for them. The present study reveals unexpectedly high ITS and LSU variation within a morphologically extremely homogeneous group, representing over 16 more or less invariable genotypes whenever more than one sample with a sequence was available. ITS and LSU rDNA data from European (Luxembourg, Germany, Ukraine) and Macaronesian (Tenerife) collections suggest that the two colour variants represent two distinct species with a 16.5% ITS and 3.5% LSU D1–D2 distance, but very low infraspecific variation (0.2% ITS, 0% LSU). A sample with scattered yellow apothecia from Luxembourg on a xeric branch deviates from typical European-Macaronesian O. xanthostigma by 4% (ITS) and 0.7% (LSU). Further available sequences from samples from Asia, New Zealand and North America with mainly yellow apothecia clustered in various other clades that represent further distinct genotypes. In the absence of morphological characteristics, none of these genotypes are given names pending further investigation. Only two of these genotypes are sufficiently distinct to be recognised morphologically: O. aureocrenulata from tropical, Middle and South America, with golden yellow apothecia with a crenulate margin and prominent stipe, and O. xanthoflexa from temperate, northeastern North America with yellow sessile apothecia with a smooth margin and larger, less curved, smooth-walled ascospores.

Pereskia aculeata is a non-conventional vegetable belonging to the family Cactaceae, native to the Americas. The leaves are very appreciated in cooking in some Brazilian regions, specially Minas Gerais. Plants of P. aculeata showing severe leaf spot diseases and stem rot were observed in Vicosa, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Colletotrichum sp. was observed on the diseased plant tissue and since no records of this fungus (and anthracnose disease) are reported for this host, the present study has aimed to identify the Colletotrichum sp. associated to P. aculeata and elucidate the etiology of the anthracnose disease. Based on the analyses of morphological characters combined with phylogenetic data from ITS, GAPDH, CHS-1, HIS3, ACT, and TUB2, a new species, namely Colletotrichum pereskiae sp. nov., is proposed, which belongs to the C. orchidearum species complex. A representative isolate was inoculated on healthy P. aculeata plants and reproduced the severe symptoms observed in the field. Colletotrichum pereskiae is the etiological agent of anthracnose on Pereskia aculeata in Brazil.

The integration of taxonomic and ecological traits is a more balanced approach in the systematic identification of living organisms. We isolated ten strains of Dunaliella from different geographical regions of Iran, including six terrestrial and four aquatic taxa. All strains belonged to the section Dunaliella based on the morphological and molecular investigation. First, optimal salinity was determined for bio-pigment accumulation. Each alga had its own optimum salinity, and the range of 1.5 to 2.5 M NaCl was further studied. Dunaliella parva YzS produced the maximum biomass density (231.92 mg L−1), while Dunaliella salina MrL accumulated the highest value of total carotenoid (1.72%AFDW). At the early stationary growth phase, the algae had a 11.7 to 41.7% lipid content. FAMEs varied from C10 to C24 with one or more double bonds. The results showed highly significant levels of palmitic (C16) and α-linolenic (C18:3n3) acids. According to the fatty acid profiles, the clustering pattern aligns with the sample origin. Compared to aquatic strains, terrestrials were more resistant to harsh conditions, e.g., dry conditions due to the synthesis of very long chain fatty acids. Lipid compositions may therefore be attributable to the environmental origins of taxa. The fatty acid composition was affected by the environmental conditions, while the accumulation of carotenoid was dependent on the biological and genetic entity of algal taxa. Examination of habitat parameters revealed that aquatic strains were well adapted to maintain homeostasis in higher salinity and conductivity; terrestrial strains were much better able to tolerate high concentrations of nitrate and phosphate.

Interactions between Sphagnum (peat moss) and cyanobacteria play critical roles in terrestrial carbon and nitrogen cycling processes. Knowledge of the metabolites exchanged, the physiological processes involved, and the environmental conditions allowing the formation of symbiosis is important for a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying these interactions. In this study, we used a cross-feeding approach with spatially resolved metabolite profiling and metatranscriptomics to characterize the symbiosis between Sphagnum and Nostoc cyanobacteria. A pH gradient study revealed that the Sphagnum–Nostoc symbiosis was driven by pH, with mutualism occurring only at low pH. Metabolic cross-feeding studies along with spatially resolved matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) identified trehalose as the main carbohydrate source released by Sphagnum, which were depleted by Nostoc along with sulfur-containing choline-O-sulfate, taurine and sulfoacetate. In exchange, Nostoc increased exudation of purines and amino acids. Metatranscriptome analysis indicated that Sphagnum host defense was downregulated when in direct contact with the Nostoc symbiont, but not as a result of chemical contact alone. The observations in this study elucidated environmental, metabolic, and physiological underpinnings of the widespread plant–cyanobacterial symbioses with important implications for predicting carbon and nitrogen cycling in peatland ecosystems as well as the basis of general host-microbe interactions.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, large-scale industrial production has been stagnant and reduced, the urban air quality has been greatly improved. It provided an excellent opportunity to explore the effects of air pollutants on the sensitization of pollen allergen proteins in the environment. Platanus pollen grains sampled in the spring of 2019 and 2020 were used for detailed characterization and analysis. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray spectroscopy (XPS), trypan blue staining, and western blot analysis were employed to characterize Platanus pollen protein released from pollen grains. Our data showed that the viability of the pollen grains in 2019 was lower compared that in 2020, and the pollen grains collected in 2019 had a higher absorption peak of protein functional groups. The XPS spectra assay result demonstrated that the binding energy of the high-resolution components had not variation on the surface of pollen grains, but relative content of nitrogen and peptide chain in the pollen grains sampled in 2019 were higher than in 2020. These results suggested that more protein in the pollen grains was released onto the surface of pollen grains. In addition, western blot assay showed that the expression of Pla a3 protein in pollen grains sampled in 2019 was significantly higher than that in 2020, revealing that air pollutants could enhance the expression of Pla a3 proteins in Platanus pollen.

A rapid increase in the number of Gossypium hirsutum L. plants suddenly wilting and dying in a commercial cotton field in Central Queensland initiated this study. The aim was to characterise fungal species recovered from discoloured vascular tissue of dead plants and determine if they contributed to their death. Isolations were consistently dominated by one fungus based on culture morphology. Identification was established on sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA and revealed that the isolates all belong to Diatrypaceae, with high homology to Eutypella scoparia. Further analyses showed that there were two distinct Eutypella species present in the isolates, which are quite different from E. scoparia from the sequence dissimilarity due to the presence of ITS1 and ITS2 insertions. In diseased root samples, community profiling showed two operational taxonomic units (OTUs) related to E. scoparia were the most abundant fungi accounting for 45 to 99% of all sequences. Pathogenicity tests showed that a Eutypella isolate when inoculated into the stem of healthy G. hirsutum using two inoculation methods caused cankerous growth and necrosis of vascular tissue, typical of trunk disease. The fungus caused a red—brown streaking of the vascular tissue like that observed in diseased field plants. This study shows that the fungal isolates, which form a distinct group within the Eutypella, are associated with the root and stem of dying G. hirsutum and were the dominant fungi of diseased roots. This is the first known case of Eutypella affecting cotton worldwide and is considered an expansion of this genus’ host range.

With active physiological and biochemical activities, tissue-specific protoplasts from cambial derivatives, could serve as a specific source for information on xylogenesis for softwood species resistant to stable genetic transformation and lacking available mutants. In this study, protoplasts were isolated from developing xylem of the Chinese red pine, Pinus massoniana, by enzymolysis. High-quality RNAs were extracted from developing xylem and their protoplasts for constructing transcriptome libraries. Using Illumina HiSeq 2500 PE150 platform, a total of 362,328,426 clean paired-end reads (54.35G) were generated from multiple cDNA libraries and assembled into 146,422 unigenes. The transcriptome data were further analysed to identify 1567 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the isolated protoplasts and developing xylem of P. massoniana (Masson pine), 1126 DEGs were upregulated in protoplasts relative to developing xylem cells and 441 were downregulated. Most of the differentially expressed genes in biological process terms are related to plant response, which may be due to the response to cell wall removal. Further, the expression pattern of 71 unigenes involved in lignin biosynthesis was verified by RNA-seq. This study is the first to report the transcriptome profiles of the developing xylem and its protoplasts of coniferous trees, which provide a new perspective and valuable resource for tracking transcriptional regulatory events in wood formation of Masson pine.

To highlight the importance of the soil-root interface in bacterial root colonization, we performed 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform to characterize the bacterial endophytes of rice plants grown by two experiments – soil and hydroponic, considering their soil, solution, and endosphere compartments. We hypothesized that rice plants from both experiments would exhibit dissimilar endophytic bacterial communities. Alpha-diversity (richness (ASVs), Shannon index, Faith’s phylogenetic diversity, and Pielou’s evenness) for bacterial endophytes was lower in the soil experiment than in the hydroponic experiment. However, the rhizospheric soil exhibited higher microbial diversity and richness than the hydroponic solution after 6 weeks. Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the most dominant phyla in both experiments, while several other bacterial taxa showed major differences at genus levels. A Venn diagram revealed that 5 overlapping bacterial genera were shared by the endosphere and rhizosphere/solution compartments of both experiments. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) based on weighted UniFrac distances showed a clear distinction between microbial communities of all sampled compartments. Furthermore, PERMANOVA results showed that the endophyte communities of both experiments differed significantly (p

Bacteria survived and thrived inside any part of plant without damaging its host are called endophytic bacteria. Many studies have focused on plant–endophytic bacterium interactions and their Plant-growth-promoting (PGP) abilities. Albino tea plants are widely investigated because of their high amino acid concentrations. Previous studies mainly elucidated specific metabolite mechanisms in albino tea plants, while the present study identified the variation in diversity and endophytic bacterial abundance in albino and non-albino tea leaves using culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. With different culture media, we identified a total of 110 isolates, of which 58 endophytic bacteria belonged to three phyla (Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria). Moreover, we identified a total of 1856 operational taxonomic units as 513 endophytic bacteria belonging to 27 phyla including Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria. In addition, comparing to non-albino tea leaves, endophytic bacteria obtained from albino tea leaves showed higher diversity and abundance. Endophytic bacteria isolated from albino leaves also exhibited higher PGP properties than those from non-albino ones, and their PGP effects on rice and tea cuttings were examined. The results indicated differences in endophytic bacteria between albino and non-albino leaves. Specific endophytic bacteria isolated from albino leaves may have a relationship with the albino phenotype. Our study indicated that PGP bacteria isolated from albino leaves are expected to become a plant growth promoter in the future.

Camelina (Camelina sativa L. Crantz) is a short-season oilseed crop of the Brassicaceae family that consists of both summer and winter annual biotypes. Winter biotypes require non-freezing cold conditions for acquiring freezing tolerance (cold acclimation) and floral initiation (vernalization). Transcriptome profiles of a summer (CO46) biotype with poor freezing tolerance after acclimation and a winter (Joelle) biotype with excellent freezing tolerance after acclimation were compared prior to and after an 8-week cold treatment to identify key molecular pathways and genes responsive to cold acclimation and vernalization and potentially associated with freezing tolerance. Gene-set enrichment analyses identified AraCyc pathways involved in photosynthesis and lipid and hormone biosynthesis that were different between the two biotypes. Sub-network enrichment analyses identified hubs of molecular networks such as circadian clock, flowering, and hormone and stress responsive genes that were likely involved in vernalization but may also overlap with cold-induced freezing tolerance. A microRNA involved in floral initiation (MIR172A) was identified as a central hub for microRNA targets among upregulated genes for Joelle post-acclimation. Combined results are generally consistent with many previously identified molecular pathways and genes acting together to control vernalization, cold acclimation, and freezing tolerance. Our research provides new insights into the regulation of cold acclimation and molecular genetic mechanisms underlying cold tolerance and floral induction for the winter biotype Joelle.

In the present study, the surface and external structure of petals, sepals, hypanthium and pedicel of eight Rosa species were examined. Micromorphological investigation of distribution and dimension of different trichome types, which were found in analysed plant parts was done using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Our results showed that the adaxial epidermal cells of all analysed petals formed papillae, whereas the abaxial epidermis was with flat walls and had cuticle striation. Two types of trichomes, the capitate glandular and nonglandular trichomes (ribbon and acicles) were observed. Ribbon trichomes were presented on the adaxial side of all analysed sepals with the exception of R. spinosissima samples. Multicellular glandular trichomes were distributed on the surface of the hypanthium and the sepals of R. gallica, R. micrantha, R. pendulina, R. tomentosa and R. villosa samples. In addition, they were presented on the pedicel of most analysed species, except in R. dumetorum samples. Micromorphological analysis had shown that capitate glandular trichomes, based on their size, can be classified into two typeslong and short trichomes. Their presence, type and length were specific for each analysed species. Additionally, acicles were found only on the pedicel and hypanthium of R. spinosissima and R. gallica samples. This study provided useful information of different trichomes of genus Rosa which could be helpful in more accurate plant determination.

The four chemotypes of adult C. camphora released different monoterpenes which protected these plants against high temperature by lowering ROS levels and maintaining photosynthetic abilities. High temperature seriously impacts plant growth and development, and terpenes are believed to improve plant thermotolerance through indoor experiments using seedlings. To uncover the actual protection effects of monoterpenes on outdoor adult plants, we investigated the monoterpene emissions, reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism, and photosynthetic abilities in four chemotypes of adult Cinnamomum camphora that were blocked monoterpene synthesis by fosmidomycin (Fos) under high temperature in summer (the mean highest temperature at about 38.2 °C). Eucalyptol (EuL), linalool (Lnl), borneol (BeL), and camphor (CmR) chemotypes of C. camphora released an abundance of monoterpenes, with eucalyptol, linalool, endo-borneol, and camphor as the typical monoterpene, respectively. When the four chemotypes of C. camphora were treated with Fos, their monoterpene emission was inhibited remarkably, with disappearance of some monoterpenes. In that case, the content of O2−, H2O2, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) in the four chemotypes of C. camphora significantly increased although antioxidant enzyme activities remarkably increased, and the photosynthetic abilities significantly decreased by declining the quantum production and electron transport in photosystem II and increasing the dissipation of absorbed light energy. Among the four chemotypes, monoterpenes might play the maximum roles in CmR lowering ROS levels and in EuL maintaining photosynthesis. It can be speculated that monoterpenes can protect adult C. camphora against high temperature by lowering ROS levels and maintaining photosynthetic abilities.

Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) have been increasingly cultivated in Portugal. Although blueberry is known to be susceptible to twig blight and dieback caused by pestalotioid fungi, there is still scarce information regarding this issue. To bridge this gap, a survey on blueberry plantations in Portugal was carried out to assess the diversity of pestalotioid fungi associated with symptomatic blueberry plants. A collection of 51 fungal isolates was characterized by multilocus sequence analyses of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1-α) and β-tubulin (tub2). The phylogenetic analyses revealed the presence of Pestalotiopsis australis, P. biciliata, P. chamaeropis, Neopestalotiopsis rosae and three novel species described as Neopestalotiopsis scalabiensis, N. vaccinii and N. vacciniicola. The new species were fully characterized based on their morphology and temperature growth requirements. The pathogenicity trials carried out on cultivar “Duke” revealed that all isolates tested were pathogenic to blueberry plants, with N. rosae being the most aggressive species. This study provides the first report of P. chamaeropis, P. biciliata and P. australis associated with blueberry dieback and twig blight symptoms in Portugal and worldwide. Additionally, N. rosae is also newly reported from Portugal. This survey disclosed the occurrence of several pestalotioid species, which may represent a threat to Portuguese blueberry plantations.

Marine invasive species and their bioactive metabolites have become critical ecological issues in the Mediterranean Sea. In particular, the highly invasive green algae Caulerpa taxifolia and Caulerpa cylindracea are known to contain the bioactive sesquiterpene caulerpenyne (1) and the bisindolic alkaloid caulerpin (2), potentially acting as chemical stressors for native species. The recent spread of a variety of C. taxifolia, Caulerpa taxifolia var. distichophylla, also raises urgent questions about its chemical composition. Indeed, the only chemical data available for this alga are limited to the seasonal variations of caulerpenyne (1) in samples collected in the Eastern Mediterranean. In this study, we confirmed the presence of 1 also in C. taxifolia var. distichophylla collected along the Sicilian coast, while 2 was not detected in the alga. However, caulerpin(2) was found both in a Mediterranean specimen of C. taxifolia, and at a much higher level in the congeneric C. cylindracea. This suggests that C. taxifolia var. distichophylla differs from C. taxifolia in its secondary metabolism, potentially exerting dissimilar chemically mediated impacts on native biota. Further chemical investigations on the terpenoidic content of C. taxifolia var. distichophylla led to isolate and identify squalene 2,3 oxide (3), phytol (4), and plastoquinone (5), along with the two unreported sesquiterpene lactones 6 and 7. Finally, chemoecological assays clarified that caulerpenyne (1) at its natural concentration in C. taxifolia var. distichophylla elicits avoidance responses in native shrimp, although sensitization was a prerequisite to significantly induce food rejection.

The conditions experienced by one plant generation can influence the growth of the offspring generation. These maternal effects can reduce performance of foliar-feeding insects, through accumulation of plant defences. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inhabit the roots of plants and are known to influence the performance of foliar-feeding insects. However, all published studies of the interactions between insects and AMF have taken place within one plant generation, but none across generations. Thus, in the present study, Senecio vulgaris plants were grown with or without aphids and AMF (termed ‘induction events’), and seeds from each treatment were used to grow plants experiencing that same treatment over four successive generations, all grown in identical environmental conditions. Naïve aphids were reared on Senecio plants whose parents had experienced 0, 1, 2 or 3 induction events. We found strong negative maternal effects of herbivory on aphid growth, which were not mitigated by the mycorrhiza. However, teneral weight and growth rate showed a gradual recovery; aphids reared on plants whose previous three generations suffered attack were similar in size to those at the beginning of the study. Herbivory had positive or negative effects on the mycorrhiza, dependent upon the number of previous generations suffering attack or having mycorrhizal associations. We conclude that the outcome of many insect plant fungal experiments is likely to have been influenced by and need to account for maternal effects of the parental plant’s growth conditions.

Evolution of the spread strategies of plant pathogens may be described using the vector manipulation hypothesis (VMH), which posits that pathogens can enhance their transmission to new host plants through their effects on mobile vectors. Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) transmitted by aphid vectors in wheat has become increasingly important as a model pathosystem. However, the role of alate aphids in virus spread has attracted little attention although the migratory morph is a key vector for the long-distance dispersal of plant pathogens. Herein, we first examined the selection preferences of alate or aptera morphs of the vector Schizaphis graminum for healthy/mock-inoculated/BYDV-infected wheat plants and then identified possible volatile components that influenced alate S. graminum selection behavior. The results showed that noninfective S. graminum (either alate or aptera) mainly tended to select BYDV-infected wheat while infective S. graminum (only aptera) preferentially selected noninfected wheat. In addition, we found that the BYDV-infected plants showed significant differences in the content and quantity of volatiles compared with healthy or mock-inoculated wheat plants and that the increased volatiles (trans-2-hexen-1-al or decanal) released by BYDV-infected plants may play a critical role in attracting noninfective alate aphids in a concentration-dependent manner. These findings describe a novel mechanism by which the volatile profiles released by virus-infected plants may influence alate aphid colonization preference, providing further or new evidences for the VMH. This study extends our knowledge base on plant virus transmission to new host plants with potential ramifications for the integrated management of both the vector and disease.

Gymnema wiyadae A.Kidyoo, recently discovered in eastern Thailand, is here described and compared with the morphologically similar species, G. inodorum (Lour.) Decne. and G. foetidum Tsiang. These three species are characterised by umbelliform cymes with subhypocrateriform, yellow flowers and corolline corona of five longitudinal ridges with lines of stiff golden-brown trichomes running along two sides. Gymnema wiyadae is, however, clearly distinguished from the other two species by its pubescent stem and branches with trichomes arranged in two rows, stout peduncles and pedicels, and style-head with obtuse apex. Illustrations and photographs of the new species as well as an updated identification key for all known species of Gymnema R.Br. occurring in Thailand are provided.

Garlic chives (Allium tuberosum Rottler ex Sprengel) are an underutilized and neglected food crop of the Allium genus. For the future genetic development of alliums, phenotypic characterization and insights of breeding behaviour could be the aid to breed the new garlic chives varieties. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) was used to reveal the morphological features of male gametophytes. The anther was reticulate, conspicuous, folded surface with scaly plates, and pollen was found to be sub-ovoid morphologies with long regulate and striated sexine. Spectra from FESEM-based Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) revealed the elemental composition and distribution. The micrograph of an anther sample revealed the presence of O, C, K, P, N, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Mg minerals, as well as C, O, N, P, K, Fe, Ca, Mn, Mg, Zn, Cu, Na, and Cl minerals in the pollen grain. These insights of male gametophytes traits and characteristics, relative mineral composition and breeding behaviour could aid in the better understanding, characterization, identification and genetic improvement of A. tuberosum.

Uraria pulchra has been considered as a synonym of U. lacei since 1987. In the present investigation, U. pulchra is reinstated as a separate taxon. The morphological differences between the two species are described and illustrated with photographs. A specimen housed at ABD is selected as the lectotype. A key to the species of the genus Uraria in India is provided.

Bryophyta comprises one of the earliest lineages of land plants that had implemented remarkable innovations to their lipid metabolic systems for successful adaptation to terrestrial habitat. This study presents a comprehensive investigation of fatty acid profiles of mosses from Eastern Himalayas with an aim to trace their chemotaxonomic and evolutionary implications. Fatty acid compositions of 40 random mosses belonging to major families of Bryophyta were explored by gas chromatographic analysis. A diverse array of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids including rare acetylenic fatty acids were detected. Hexadecanoic acid (C16:0), 9,12 (Z,Z)-octadecadienoic acid (C18:2n6) and 9,12,15 (Z,Z,Z)-octadecatrienoic acid (C18:3n3) were the predominant fatty acids in all the mosses. However, quantitative variation of C20 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), specifically 5,8,11,14 (Z,Z,Z,Z)-eicosatetraenoic acid (C20:4n6), among the investigated mosses was the most prominent outcome. The diplolepidous members of Bryidae, especially the mosses of Hypnales, Bryales and Bartramiales contained higher amount of C20 PUFAs compared with the haplolepidous orders. Principal component analyses based on individual fatty acids and other related parameters validated C20:4n6 content and the ratio of C20:4n6/C18:2n6 as the apparent chemotaxonomic discriminants. The prevalent notion of considering 9,12,15-octadecatrien-6-ynoic acid (C18:4a) as the chemomarker of Dicranaceae has also been challenged, since the compound was detected not only in different families of Dicranales, but also in a Pottiales member, Leptodontium viticulosoides. Therefore, an ensemble of fatty acids instead of a single one can be considered as the chemical signature for taxonomic interpretation which may also be vital from an evolutionary standpoint.

Dalbergia latifolia Roxb. (Fabaceae), famed for its wood, is a vulnerable plant species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List as a result of its over-utilisation. This mini-review, which provides a synthesis of the micropropagation of this woody plant species, can be useful for the establishment of a more focused and comprehensive micropropagation protocol. An in-depth analysis of previously published reports indicates that the most commonly employed explant in D. latifolia in vitro regeneration protocols are seedling-derived explants such as cotyledonary nodes since the use of ex vitro material leads to considerable contamination and phenolic oxidation. The media composition for culture initiation, multiplication, maintenance and rooting has been thoroughly studied but in most studies, pertinent information about acclimatization and plant survival in the field was not provided, reducing the reproducibility of protocols. This mini-review provides possible solutions to overcome explant contamination and browning during D. latifolia in vitro culture establishment.

Three new species of Ronnbergia (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae) and two new records of the same genus for Colombia are described. The three new species correspond to (1) Ronnbergia igneosepala from the slopes of the Western Cordillera in Narino (Colombia), which is unique by its orange floral bracts and sepals; (2) R. robusta from the Pacific Littoral of Colombia, which can be easily recognized by its involucrate peduncle bracts that only cover 1/3 of the inflorescence, green to dull-purple sepals and long sepal mucros; and (3) R. veitchioides, a species from the isolated mountain peak of Cerro del Torra (Choco) that can be identified by its serrulate, purple, reflexed floral bracts, and long sepals. We report the occurrence of R. campanulata in the department of Cauca, almost 800 km apart from the already known populations in the Cordillera del Condor of southern Ecuador. Moreover, we register R. aciculosa in Colombia and provide a short discussion on the differentiation of this species from R. tonduzii.

Giant clams are ecologically and economically relevant reef inhabitants that host photosynthetic dinoflagellates inside tubules located mainly in their colorful outer mantle. This study examined the effects of exposure to darkness for 30 days and the subsequent 11 days of recovery under a normal photoperiod on the outer mantle of the fluted giant clam Tridacna squamosa. Changes in the abundance of iridocytes and symbionts were assessed by fluorescence microscopy. Light microscopy was applied to quantify symbionts isolated from the outer mantle, while chlorophyll was extracted and analyzed by spectroscopy. The transcript levels of the host’s vacuolar-type H+-ATPase subunit A (ATP6V1A) and symbionts’ form II ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Zoox-rbcII) were determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and used as proxies for iridocyte abundance and phototrophic potential, respectively. The protein abundance of ATP6V1A and Zoox-RBCII was quantified by western blotting. After exposure to darkness for 30 days, the outer mantle of T. squamosa individuals lost the distinct multiple color patterns, and the gene and protein expression levels of ATP6V1A/ATP6V1A and Zoox-rbcII/Zoox-RBCII decreased dramatically. Microscopy assessment confirmed the reduction in iridocyte and symbiont populations, and the chlorophyll level also decreased considerably. However, just 11 days after returning to a normal light:dark regimen, the quantity of coccoid dinoflagellates and the expression of Zoox-rbcII/Zoox-RBCII in the outer mantle increased significantly to levels higher than those of the individuals prior to exposure to darkness (control), while the chlorophyll content returned to the control level. Additionally, the outer mantle regained most of its coloration with partial recovery of the iridocyte population. These results are relevant not only for understanding the phenomena of light deprivation and symbiont loss in dinoflagellate-associated reef organisms, but also signify that the giant clam-coccoid dinoflagellate holobiont is phototrophically plastic and particularly tolerant to bleaching.

Rhizospheric soils and corms of Crocus sativus L. accommodate 13 different nematode taxa in the saffron fields of Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Out of which, three are identified as free-living, two predatory and eight plant-parasitic. Among free-living, predatory and plant-parasitic nematodes Acrobeles spp., Mononchus spp. and Helicotylenchus spp. respectively were the most frequently and densely available nematodes with high prominence value. Shannon diversity index (H′ = 2.43) and evenness index (J = 0.95) determined that Crocus sativus L. rhizosphere in Kishtwar is rich in terms of nematode diversity.

Engineering diazotrophic rice having either an integral component of diazotrophic microbes or placing microbial origin nif gene to the rice plant is the dream of biotechnologist. Rice-Aeschynomene ecosystem of pristine chaur land provides a suitable niche to search Rhizobium endophytes in rice. Accordingly, the work was initiated to search suitable endophytic Rhizobium strain for artificial symbiosis within the roots of Desariya rice and its source through morphological, biochemical and molecular approaches. Detection of Acetylene reduction assay (ARA) activity in sterilized Desariya rice root confirmed the presence of putative diazotrophic endophytes in rice root. Isolates from Aeschynomene aspera L. nodulating and Desariya rice endophytic Rhizobium were evaluated for growth, IAA, morphological and biochemical features. Carbon profiling pattern of both these isolates indicated that Desariya rice endophytic Rhizobium has its similarity with Aeschynomene aspera L. nodulating Rhizobium. 16S rRNA gene sequencing confirmed the presence of endophytic Bradyrhizobium sp. in Desariya rice roots and its similarity with Aeschynomene aspera L. nodulating Bradyrhizobium. Desariya rice Bradyrhizobium may be an ideal candidate in the future for creating artificial symbiosis in rice due to its similarity with Aeschynomene aspera L. Bradyrhizobium.

Endophytes are known to activate induced systemic resistance (ISR) in plants. However, detailed studies regarding the location, host, and pathogen specificity are limited. To investigate the influence of the source of endophytes on ISR, we collected Argemone mexicana and Datura metel plants from two different locations in northeast India. We isolated endophytes from these plants and tested their ability to confer ISR-mediated protection. We found that endophytes from D. metel from both locations activated ISR in D. metel plants. However, endophytes from A. mexicana from only one place triggered ISR in A. mexicana. We also observed cross-protection by the endophytes from these plants in Arabidopsis thaliana in a host- and pathogen-specific manner. The results altogether demonstrated that endophytes found in plants under the natural environment play a significant role in generating broad-spectrum resistance against soil microbes. These endophytes might be selectively used to induce ISR in plants.

Several structural attributes associated with the buds of shoot apices of angiosperms have been related to protection both at the mechanical and chemical defense levels. Although several characteristics related to the protection of shoot buds are known in different taxa of Sapindales, their occurrence in the neotropical genus Homalolepis (Simaroubaceae) are still unknown. Homalolepis includes 28 species mostly with extra-Amazonian distribution, occurring mainly in the Brazilian domains of the “Cerrado” and the Atlantic Forest. Its species vary widely in terms of habit, many of which are considered adaptations to the environments in which they occur. In this study, usual light and scanning electron microscopy techniques were applied in order to analyze the morphoanatomical and histochemical characteristics associated with the protection of apical and lateral shoot buds in phanerophyte (H. arenaria Devecchi & Pirani (Devecchi & Pirani), H. glabra (Engl.) Devecchi & Pirani and H. insignis (A.St.-Hil. & Tul.) Devecchi & Pirani) and geophyte (H. pumila Devecchi & Pirani, H. salubris (Engl.) Devecchi & Pirani and H. suffruticosa (Engl.) Devecchi & Pirani) species. Glandular prophylls, cataphylls, suberized layer on the leaf primordium, colleters, non-glandular trichomes, as well as a secretory canal with precocious development in the leaf primordium are among the characteristics that can be considered strategies for the protection of shoot buds in the studied species. Such structures are related to physical (cataphyll and suberized layer) and chemical (prophylls and secretory canal) protection or both (trichomes), against desiccation or attack by herbivores.

The microbial community within the root system, the rhizosphere closely connected to the root, and their symbiotic relationship with the host are increasingly seen as possible drivers of natural pathogen resistance. Resistant cultivars have the most effective strategy in controlling the Chinese wheat yellow mosaic disease, but the roles of the root and rhizosphere microbial interactions among different taxonomic levels of resistant cultivars are still unknown. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether these microbial community composition and network characteristics are related to disease resistance and to analyze the belowground plant-associated microflora. Relatively high microbial diversity and stable community structure for the resistant cultivars were detected. Comparison analysis showed that some bacterial phyla were significantly enriched in the wheat root or rhizosphere of the resistant wheat cultivar. Furthermore, the root and rhizosphere of the resistant cultivars greatly recruited many known beneficial bacterial and fungal taxa. In contrast, the relative abundance of potential pathogens was higher for the susceptible cultivar than for the resistant cultivar. Network co-occurrence analysis revealed that a much more complex, more mutually beneficial, and a higher number of bacterial keystone taxa in belowground microbial networks were displayed in the resistant cultivar, which may have been responsible for maintaining the stability and ecological balance of the microbial community. Overall, compared with the susceptible cultivar, the resistant cultivar tends to recruit more potential beneficial microbial groups for plant and rhizosphere microbial community interactions. These findings indicate that beneficial rhizosphere microbiomes for cultivars should be targeted and evaluated using community compositional profiles. KEY POINTS: • Different resistance levels in cultivars affect the rhizosphere microbiome.. • Resistant cultivars tend to recruit more potential beneficial microbial groups. • Bacteria occupy a high proportion and core position in the microflora network.

Polyploidization can be a way to produce new varieties in vegetatively propagated species where options on increasing genetic variability are limited compared with sexual reproduction. While there are hundreds of publications with in vitro methods in somatic doubling, it is cardinal to custom-test for a target species of interest on choosing specific reagents and optimizing conditions. This research was performed to provide a reference process for Zingiberaceae species of which the majority is reproduced with vegetative propagation. Ginger lilies, Hedychium gardnerianum Shepard ex Ker Gawl. and Hedychium coronarium J. Koenig, were employed to optimize chromosome doubling for tetraploid production as they are typically used by vegetative propagation. However, they have the popularity as ornamentals globally due to their horticultural aspects. Tetraploid induction was optimized by in vitro somatic chromosome doubling on H. coronarium and H. gardnerianum through callogenesis. The explant segments of young leaf blades or leaf sheaths were treated with different concentrations of either with colchicine or with oryzalin. The regenerated shoots from callus cultures were transferred to basal MS medium for 2mo to confirm somatic stability. The ploidy was assessed by flow cytometry, measuring the size and density of stomata, counting chromosomes, and chloroplasts in guard cells. The highest percentage of tetraploid regenerated plants was observed with 1250 µM colchicine treatment for Hedychium gardnerianum when compared to the other treatments tested, while no tetraploid plants were obtained from the oryzalin treatment. In H. coronarium, four mixoploid regenerated plants treated with 15 µM oryzalin were confirmed and no shoots were obtained from the colchicine treatment. The results indicated that the in vitro polyploid induction is optimized with the two Hedychium species, which could reference other Zingiberaceae species.

Microbial association is considered as a significant innovation for land colonization of mosses. Plagiomnium rostratum (Schrad.) T.J. Kop. (Family—Mniaceae), a widely distributed moss in Darjeeling hills, plays a significant role in forest community structure. The moss samples were collected from six different sites of Darjeeling town adjoining areas. Micro-organisms from phyllospheric region were isolated using six different culture media. The number of colony-forming units (CFU) ranged from 1 × 107 to 250 × 10 8 g−1 of fresh plant. Moss-associated bacterial (MAB) isolates were characterized by their colony morphology, cell morphology and arrangement, motility, cell wall characteristics, sporulation and capsulation properties. A good number of MAB showed phosphate solubilization and nitrogen scavenging efficiency, starch, cellulose and casein degrading ability. On the basis of microscopic observations and biochemical characterizations, the site-specific predominant MABs were tentatively identified as the members of family Bacillaceae, Moraxellaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and Lactobacillaceae. Furthermore, several strains of Actinobacteria, fungi, namely Aspergillus and Penicillium, were also present onto the moss. Variation in microbial association was found to be significantly correlated with the total carbohydrate and phosphorus contents of the gametophytes as evaluated by regression analysis.

SummaryThe neotropical genusRuageaH.Karst. is revised. Fifteen species are recognised, including threeR. obovataT.D.Penn.,R. beckiiT.D.Penn. andR. parvifructaT.D.Penn. which are described as new to science. A key to the species is presented, along with information on the morphology, distribution, ecology, conservation assessments, local names, uses and field characters. All species are mapped and illustrated with line drawings and all specimens seen are cited in a list of exsiccatae.