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Traditional culture techniques usually retrieve only a small fraction of the environmental marine microbial diversity, which mainly belong to the so-called rare biosphere. However, this paradigm has not been fully tested at a broad scale, especially in the deep ocean. Here, we examined the fraction of heterotrophic bacterial communities in photic and deep ocean layers that could be recovered by culture-dependent techniques at a large scale. We compared 16S rRNA gene sequences from a collection of 2003 cultured isolates of heterotrophic marine bacteria with global 16S rRNA metabarcoding datasets (16S TAGs) covering surface, mesopelagic and bathypelagic ocean samples that included 16 of the 22 samples used for isolation. These global datasets represent 60,322 unique 16S amplicon sequence variants (ASVs). Our results reveal a significantly higher proportion of isolates identical to ASVs in deeper ocean layers reaching up to a 28% of the 16S TAGs of the bathypelagic microbial communities, which included the isolation of 3 of the top 10 most abundant 16S ASVs in the global bathypelagic ocean, related to the generaSulfitobacter, Halomonas and Erythrobacter. These cultured isolates contributed differently to the prokaryotic communities across different plankton size fractions, recruiting between 38% in the free-living size fraction (0.2-0.8 μm) and up to 45% in the largest plankton size fraction (20-200 μm) in the bathypelagic ocean. Our findings support the hypothesis that sinking particles in the bathypelagic realm act as resource-rich habitats, suitable for the growth of heterotrophic bacteria with a copiotroph lifestyle that can be cultured, and that these cultivable bacteria can also thrive as free-living bacteria.

espanolEl reconocimiento de los derechos colectivos para las personas trabajadoras del servicio domestico viene dado por el articulo 2.2 del Estatuto de los Trabajadores, asi como por el silencio del Decreto 1620/2011, de 14 de noviembre, por el que se regula la relacion laboral de caracter especial del servicio del hogar familiar que supone la aplicacion supletoria de la normativa laboral comun, compatible con las peculiaridades de la relacion laboral especial, como ya senalaba la legislacion anterior en el Real Decreto 1424/1985 de 1 de agosto.Esta particularidad produce que el ejercicio de derechos colectivos por estas personas sea escaso, no porque el ordenamiento juridico lo prohiba, que no lo hace, sino porque las dificultades para su ejercicio no han sido resueltas por la norma reglamentaria. EnglishThe recognition of collective rights for domestic workers is given by article 2.2 of the Workers' Statute, as well as by the silence of Decree 1620/2011, of November 14, which regulates the employment relationship of a special nature of the family home service, which implies the supplementary application of the common labor regulations, compatible with the peculiarities of the special employment relationship, as already indicated by the previous legislation in Royal Decree 1424 / 1985 of August 1. This particularity causes that the exercise of collective rights by this group is scarce, not because the legal system prohibits it, which it does not do, but because the difficulties for its exercise have not been resolved by the regulatory norm.

Debemos partir de la base en este estudio, de que las labores domésticas y de cuidado son trabajo. Se hace esta afirmación, porque como sabemos, desde las primeras manifestaciones de la prestación de este tipo de trabajo, se encuentra ligado al servilismo, y aunque desde hace años, se ha señalado la mala calidad de estos empleos, se sigue manteniendo un vínculo con la presente esclavitud, pero ahora, disfrazada con distintas normas legales. En la actualidad, los modos tradicionales de atender las necesidades del de estas actividades están en crisis debido al desequilibrio entre la oferta y la demanda, como producto de un mayor número de personas que lo requieren (por el envejecimiento de la población y el aumento de la esperanza de vida de las personas, por ejemplo) y, al mismo tiempo, debido a la menor proporción de personas en condiciones de proveerlos, principalmente por la mayor incorporación de las mujeres al mercado de trabajo. We must start from the base in this study, that housework and care are work. This statement is made, because as we know, from the first manifestations of the provision of this type of work, it is linked to servility, and although for years, the poor quality of these jobs has been pointed out, a link with the current slavery, but now, disguised with different legal norms.At present, the traditional ways of attending to the needs of these activities are in crisis due to the imbalance between supply and demand, as a result of a greater number of people who require it (due to the aging of the population and the increase in the life expectancy of people, for example) and, at the same time, due to the lower proportion of people in a position to provide them, mainly due to the greater incorporation of women into the labor marke Universidad Pablo de Olavide

Photosynthesis is a key target to improve crop production in many species including soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. A challenge is that phenotyping photosynthetic traits by traditional approaches is slow and destructive. There is proof-of-concept for leaf hyperspectral reflectance as a rapid method to model photosynthetic traits. However, the crucial step of demonstrating that hyperspectral approaches can be used to advance understanding of the genetic architecture of photosynthetic traits is untested. To address this challenge, we used full-range (500–2,400 nm) leaf reflectance spectroscopy to build partial least squares regression models to estimate leaf traits, including the rate-limiting processes of photosynthesis, maximum Rubisco carboxylation rate, and maximum electron transport. In total, 11 models were produced from a diverse population of soybean sampled over multiple field seasons to estimate photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll content, leaf carbon and leaf nitrogen percentage, and specific leaf area (with R2 from 0.56 to 0.96 and root mean square error approximately

Changes in postharvest storage conditions due to climate change can directly affect energy usage and food supply and quality. However, no study has assessed climate change impacts on postharvest storage conditions in different climate regions over the contiguous United States (CONUS), a major agricultural producer around the world. The goal of this study is to assess the impact of climate change on cold storage conditions for the highest grossing crop for each of the nine climate regions within the CONUS. Storage degree days (SDDs) accumulate when ambient temperatures increase relative to crop storage base temperatures. Changes in SDDs and winter subperiod length were calculated for each regional crop using historical climate data and 20 downscaled global climate model projections. All regions project significant increases in SDD accumulation and decreases in winter subperiod length when compared with the historical reference period (1979–2005). Between years 2020 and 2080, Northwest and Northeast regions’ apples will be impacted most by SDD accumulation with yearly increases between 261 and 1004 SDDs. Between years 2020 and 2080, Midwest regions’ potatoes are projected to lose the most days of winter (24–39 days), and Southeast regions’ peanuts will experience the greatest decrease in winter length (17–23%). Increases in SDD accumulation and decreases in winter length will have direct implications on future food supply and storage costs. This study is the first comprehensive analysis of climate change impacts on the storage conditions for agricultural commodities over heterogenous climate conditions at national scale, providing useful information for long-term agricultural storage planning.

Se is beneficial to plants’ growth and it is an essential mineral for animals and humans. However, relatively little is known about the relationship between nano-Se concentrations and plant antioxi...

9 pages, 1 figure, 3 tables, Strain ISS155T, isolated from surface Mediterranean seawater, has cells that are Gram-reaction-negative, motile, strictly aerobic chemoorganotrophic, oxidase-positive, unable to reduce nitrate to nitrite, and able to grow with cellulose as the sole carbon and energy source. It is mesophilic, neutrophilic, slightly halophilic and has a requirement for sodium and magnesium ions. Its 16S rRNA gene sequence places the strain among members of Cellvibrionaceae, in the Gammaproteobacteria, with Agarilytica rhodophyticola 017T as closest relative (94.3¿% similarity). Its major cellular fatty acids are C18¿:¿1, C16¿:¿0 and C16¿:¿1; major phospholipids are phosphatidyl glycerol, phosphatidyl ethanolamine and an unidentified lipid, and the major respiratory quinone is Q8. The genome size is 6.09 Mbp and G+C content is 45.2¿mol%. A phylogenomic analysis using UBCG merges strain ISS155T in a clade with A. rhodophyticola, Teredinibacter turnerae, Saccharophagus degradans and Agaribacterium haliotis type strain genomes, all of them possessing a varied array of carbohydrate-active enzymes and the potential for polysaccharide degradation. Average amino acid identity indexes determined against available Cellvibrionaceae type strain genomes show that strain ISS155T is related to them by values lower than 60¿%, with a maximum of 58¿% to A. rhodophyticola 017T and 57¿% to T. turnerae T7902T and S. degradans 2-40T. These results, together with the low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities and differences in phenotypic profiles, indicate that strain ISS155T represents a new genus and species in Cellvibrionaceae, for which we propose the name Thalassocella blandensis gen. nov., sp. nov., and strain ISS155T (=CECT 9533T=LMG 31237T) as the type strain, Sequencing was funded by grant CTM2016-80095-C2-1-R to C.P.A. from the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad. Additional funding was obtained by grant CTM2017-87736-R to S.G.A. from the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, With the funding support of the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S), of the Spanish Research Agency (AEI)

HighlightsCorn response to irrigation was influenced by the precipitation distribution in 2018 and 2019, and that impacted the response of CWSI as an irrigation scheduling signaling method.CWSI was sensitive to changes in soil water storage, increasing due to crop evapotranspiration and decreasing after a precipitation or irrigation event.In 2018, both seasonal CWSI and yield were not different among the irrigation treatments, while in 2019, seasonal CWSI and yield were all statistically different among the treatments evaluated.Post analysis of canopy and air temperature indicated that the temperature-time threshold (TTT) method might not appropriately signal crop water stress in a humid environment.Abstract. Irrigation scheduling based on the crop water stress index (CWSI) and temperature-time threshold (TTT) methods is promising for semi-arid and arid climates. The objective of this study was to investigate if CWSI and TTT methods could be used as irrigation signaling tools for a humid environment in the southeastern U.S. Corn canopy temperature data were collected in Alabama in 2018 and 2019 using infrared leaf temperature sensors on a fully irrigated treatment and on two limited irrigation treatments. A set of three soil water sensors installed at 0.15, 0.3, and 0.6 m soil depth were used to prescribe irrigation time and amount. CWSI was sensitive to precipitation, irrigation, and plant water uptake. No statistical differences in CWSI or yield among the three irrigation levels were found in 2018 when precipitation was well distributed during the season. In contrast, during 2019 both CWSI and yield differed significantly among the three irrigation treatments. Precipitation events in 2019 were sparse compared to 2018; therefore, irrigation promoted greater differences in water availability between treatments. Inconsistencies observed in potential irrigation signaling using the TTT method with or without the inclusion of a limiting relative humidity algorithm indicate that the TTT method may not be a reliable irrigation signaling tool for humid environments. Keywords: Corn yield, Crop water stress index, Irrigation scheduling, Limiting relative humidity, Soil water depletion, Temperature-time threshold.

10 pages, 4 figures, 1 table, supporting information https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c05635, Microbial reduction of inorganic divalent mercury (Hg2+) and methylmercury (MeHg) demethylation is performed by the mer operon, specifically by merA and merB genes, respectively, but little is known about the mercury tolerance capacity of marine microorganisms and its prevalence in the ocean. Here, combining culture-dependent analyses with metagenomic and metatranscriptomic data, we show that marine bacteria that encode mer genes are widespread and active in the global ocean. We explored the distribution of these genes in 290 marine heterotrophic bacteria (Alteromonas and Marinobacter spp.) isolated from different oceanographic regions and depths, and assessed their tolerance to diverse concentrations of Hg2+ and MeHg. In particular, the Alteromonas sp. ISS312 strain presented the highest tolerance capacity and a degradation efficiency for MeHg of 98.2% in 24 h. Fragment recruitment analyses of Alteromonas sp. genomes (ISS312 strain and its associated reconstructed metagenome assembled genome MAG-0289) against microbial bathypelagic metagenomes confirm their prevalence in the deep ocean. Moreover, we retrieved 54 merA and 6 merB genes variants related to the Alteromonas sp. ISS312 strain from global metagenomes and metatranscriptomes from Tara Oceans. Our findings highlight the biological reductive MeHg degradation as a relevant pathway of the ocean Hg biogeochemical cycle, This study was supported by grants: MER_CLUB (863584-MER_CLUB-EMFF-BlueEconomy-2018) from the European Commission to S.G.A. and O.S. and the Marie Curie Individual Fellowship (H2020-MSCA-IF-2016; project-749645) to A.G.B., With the institutional support of the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S)

Este artículo contiene 9 páginas, 1 tabla, 1 figura., [EN] Ramon Margalef was a pioneering scientist who introduced an interdisciplinary approach to ecological studies. His studies were among the first to incorporate various concepts in the literature of aquatic ecology, covering topics such as organisms, ecosystem interactions and evolution. To bring Margalef’s approach into current scientific studies, in this review we explore his vision of aquatic ecology within four interrelated fields of study: ecological theory, microbial diversity, biogeochemical cycles and global environmental changes. Taking inspiration from his studies, we analyse current scientific challenges and propose an integrated approach, considering the unifying concept of Margalef’s Mandala with the aim of improving future studies on aquatic microbial ecology., [ES] Ramon Margalef fue un científico pionero que introdujo un enfoque interdisciplinario a los estudios ecológicos. Sus estudios fueron de los primeros en incorporar diferentes conceptos en la literatura de la ecología acuática, desde los organismos y las interacciones de los ecosistemas hasta la evolución. Para llevar el enfoque de Margalef a los estudios científicos actuales, en este articulo exploramos su visión de la ecología acuática dentro de cuatro campos de estudio interrelacionados: teoría ecológica, diversidad microbiana, ciclos biogeoquímicos y cambios ambientales globales. Inspirándonos en sus estudios pasados, analizamos en este texto los desafíos científicos actuales y proponemos un enfoque integrado considerando el concepto unificador del Mandala de Margalef con el objetivo de mejorar los estudios futuros sobre la ecología microbiana acuática, With the institutional support of the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S).

En la actualidad aún seguimos notando una tendencia maternalista y servilista hacia los problemas del servicio doméstico, por lo que para mejorar las condiciones laborales y de protección social en este sector hace falta profesionalizar las actividades que realizan, así como que el gobierno se involucre a distintos niveles, para dar respuesta a esta necesidad, como podría ser la ratificación del Convenio 189 de la Organización Internacional del Trabajo, además de sensibilizar a la parte empleadora al respecto We are currently still noticing a maternalist and servilista trend towards domestic problems, so to improve the working conditions and social protection in this sector need to professionalise activities carried out in domestic service, as well as that the Government be involved at different levels, to respond to this need, such as the ratification of the Convention 189 of the of the ILO, as well as sensitize the employers to the connection Universidad Pablo de Olavide

Memoria de tesis doctoral presentada por Isabel Sanz Saez para obtener el título de Doctora en Microbiologia por la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), realizada bajo la dirección de la Dra. Silvia González Acinas del Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC) y de la Dra. Olga Sánchez Martínez de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB).-- 172 pages, 26 figures, 6 tables, supplementary material [EN] The world’s oceans sustain the life for an estimated total of 10 microbial cells. Marine bacteria are responsible for most part of the ocean respiration and are key in most biogeochemical cycles of the Earth. Accordingly, the study of the bacterial diversity present in different marine ecosystems is essential, and having access to their genomes through isolation or genomic centric studies is important to decipher their metabolic potential. Isolation of marine microorganisms is fundamental to gather information about their physiology, ecology and genomic content. To date, most of the bacterial isolation efforts have focused on the photic ocean leaving the deep ocean less explored. In this thesis, standard plating techniques allowed to create a marine culture collection of heterotrophic bacteria (MARINHET). More than 2000 isolates were retrieved from samples collected from a variety of oceanographic regions, from different depths including surface, mesopelagic and bathypelagic waters, and also covering different seasons and years. Chapter 1 describes the taxonomy, the phylogenetic diversity and the biogeography of culturable heterotrophic marine bacteria, and reveals that an important percentage of the strains (37 %) are 100 % identical in their partial 16S rRNA gene between photic and aphotic layers. In addition, we identified Alteromonas and Erythrobacter genera as the most frequently retrieved heterotrophic bacteria from the ocean in standard marine agar medium. [...] [ES] Los océanos contienen aproximadamente un total de 10 células microbianas. Las bacterias marinas son responsables de la mayor parte de la respiración que se produce en el océano y son esenciales en los ciclos biogeoquímicos de la Tierra. Estudiar la diversidad bacteriana de los ecosistemas marinos y tener acceso a los genomas mediante estudios dependientes e independientes de cultivo es importante para descifrar el potencial metabólico de las bacterias marinas. Los cultivos nos aportan información sobre la fisiología bacteriana, ecología y contenido genómico, pero la mayoría de los esfuerzos en aislar bacteria marinas provienen de la zona fótica del océano, dejando las profundidades marinas menos exploradas. En esta tesis, técnicas estándar de cultivo han permitido crear una colección marina de bacterias heterótrofas (MARINHET), compuesta por más de 2000 aislados, recuperados de varias regiones oceanográficas, de varias profundidades (superficie, mesopelágico y batipelágico), y cubriendo varias estaciones y años. El Capítulo 1 describe su taxonomía, diversidad filogenética y biogeografía y revela que un 37% de las cepas son 100% idénticas en la secuencia parcial del gen ribosomal 16S (16S rRNA) entre la zona fótica (superficie) y afótica (mesopelágico y batipelágico). Además, hemos identificado Alteromonas y Erythrobacter entre los géneros marinos heterótrofos más comunes que recuperamos en cultivo usando un medio marino estándar. [...] [CAT] Els oceans conten aproximadament un total de 10 cèl·lules microbianes. Els bacteris marins són responsables de la major part de la respiració que es produeix en l’oceà i són essencials en els cicles biogeoquímics de la Terra. Estudiar la diversitat bacteriana dels ecosistemes marins i tenir accés als genomes mitjançant estudis dependents o independents de cultiu és important per desxifrar el potencial metabòlic dels bacteris marins. El cultius ens aporten informació sobre la fisiologia bacteriana, ecologia i contingut genòmic, però la majoria dels esforços en aïllar bacteris marins provenen de la zona fòtica de l’oceà, deixant les profunditats marines menys explorades. En aquesta tesi, tècniques estàndard de cultiu han permès crear una col·lecció marina de cultius de bacteris heterotròfics (MARINHET), composada per més de 2000 aïllats, recuperats de diverses regions oceanogràfiques, de diverses profunditats (superfície, mesopelàgic i batipelàgic) i cobrint diverses estacions i anys. El Capítol 1 descriu la seva taxonomia, diversitat filogenètica i biogeografia i revela que un 37% de les soques aïllades són 100% idèntiques en el gen ribosomal 16S (16S rRNA) entre la zona fòtica (superfície) i afòtica (mesopelàgic i batipelàgic). A més, hem identificat Alteromonas i Erythrobacter entre els gèneres marins heterotròfics més comuns que recuperem en cultiu usant un medi marí estàndard. [...] During the realization of this thesis, Isabel Sanz Sáez held a Ph.D Fellowship FPU (FPU14/03590) funded by the Spanish Ministry of Universities and was a student of UAB’s PhD program in Microbiology

Memoria de tesis doctoral presentada por Isabel Sanz Saez para obtener el título de Doctora en Microbiologia por la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), realizada bajo la dirección de la Dra. Silvia González Acinas del Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC) y de la Dra. Olga Sánchez Martínez de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB).-- 172 pages, 26 figures, 6 tables, supplementary material, [EN] The world’s oceans sustain the life for an estimated total of 10 microbial cells. Marine bacteria are responsible for most part of the ocean respiration and are key in most biogeochemical cycles of the Earth. Accordingly, the study of the bacterial diversity present in different marine ecosystems is essential, and having access to their genomes through isolation or genomic centric studies is important to decipher their metabolic potential. Isolation of marine microorganisms is fundamental to gather information about their physiology, ecology and genomic content. To date, most of the bacterial isolation efforts have focused on the photic ocean leaving the deep ocean less explored. In this thesis, standard plating techniques allowed to create a marine culture collection of heterotrophic bacteria (MARINHET). More than 2000 isolates were retrieved from samples collected from a variety of oceanographic regions, from different depths including surface, mesopelagic and bathypelagic waters, and also covering different seasons and years. Chapter 1 describes the taxonomy, the phylogenetic diversity and the biogeography of culturable heterotrophic marine bacteria, and reveals that an important percentage of the strains (37 %) are 100 % identical in their partial 16S rRNA gene between photic and aphotic layers. In addition, we identified Alteromonas and Erythrobacter genera as the most frequently retrieved heterotrophic bacteria from the ocean in standard marine agar medium. [...], [ES] Los océanos contienen aproximadamente un total de 10 células microbianas. Las bacterias marinas son responsables de la mayor parte de la respiración que se produce en el océano y son esenciales en los ciclos biogeoquímicos de la Tierra. Estudiar la diversidad bacteriana de los ecosistemas marinos y tener acceso a los genomas mediante estudios dependientes e independientes de cultivo es importante para descifrar el potencial metabólico de las bacterias marinas. Los cultivos nos aportan información sobre la fisiología bacteriana, ecología y contenido genómico, pero la mayoría de los esfuerzos en aislar bacteria marinas provienen de la zona fótica del océano, dejando las profundidades marinas menos exploradas. En esta tesis, técnicas estándar de cultivo han permitido crear una colección marina de bacterias heterótrofas (MARINHET), compuesta por más de 2000 aislados, recuperados de varias regiones oceanográficas, de varias profundidades (superficie, mesopelágico y batipelágico), y cubriendo varias estaciones y años. El Capítulo 1 describe su taxonomía, diversidad filogenética y biogeografía y revela que un 37% de las cepas son 100% idénticas en la secuencia parcial del gen ribosomal 16S (16S rRNA) entre la zona fótica (superficie) y afótica (mesopelágico y batipelágico). Además, hemos identificado Alteromonas y Erythrobacter entre los géneros marinos heterótrofos más comunes que recuperamos en cultivo usando un medio marino estándar. [...], [CAT] Els oceans conten aproximadament un total de 10 cèl·lules microbianes. Els bacteris marins són responsables de la major part de la respiració que es produeix en l’oceà i són essencials en els cicles biogeoquímics de la Terra. Estudiar la diversitat bacteriana dels ecosistemes marins i tenir accés als genomes mitjançant estudis dependents o independents de cultiu és important per desxifrar el potencial metabòlic dels bacteris marins. El cultius ens aporten informació sobre la fisiologia bacteriana, ecologia i contingut genòmic, però la majoria dels esforços en aïllar bacteris marins provenen de la zona fòtica de l’oceà, deixant les profunditats marines menys explorades. En aquesta tesi, tècniques estàndard de cultiu han permès crear una col·lecció marina de cultius de bacteris heterotròfics (MARINHET), composada per més de 2000 aïllats, recuperats de diverses regions oceanogràfiques, de diverses profunditats (superfície, mesopelàgic i batipelàgic) i cobrint diverses estacions i anys. El Capítol 1 descriu la seva taxonomia, diversitat filogenètica i biogeografia i revela que un 37% de les soques aïllades són 100% idèntiques en el gen ribosomal 16S (16S rRNA) entre la zona fòtica (superfície) i afòtica (mesopelàgic i batipelàgic). A més, hem identificat Alteromonas i Erythrobacter entre els gèneres marins heterotròfics més comuns que recuperem en cultiu usant un medi marí estàndard. [...], During the realization of this thesis, Isabel Sanz Sáez held a Ph.D Fellowship FPU (FPU14/03590) funded by the Spanish Ministry of Universities and was a student of UAB’s PhD program in Microbiology

Soybean (Glycine max L.) future response to elevated [CO] has been shown to differ when inoculated with B. japonicum strains isolated at ambient or elevated [CO]. Plants, inoculated with three Bradyrhizobium strains isolated at different [CO], were grown in chambers at current and elevated [CO] (400 vs. 700 ppm). Together with nodule and leaf metabolomic profile, characterization of nodule N-fixation and exchange between organs were tested through N-labeling analysis. Soybeans inoculated with SFJ14-36 strain (isolated at elevated [CO]) showed a strong metabolic imbalance, at nodule and leaf levels when grown at ambient [CO], probably due to an insufficient supply of N by nodules, as shown by N-labeling. In nodules, due to shortage of photoassimilate, C may be diverted to aspartic acid instead of malate in order to improve the efficiency of the C source sustaining N-fixation. In leaves, photorespiration and respiration were boosted at ambient [CO] in plants inoculated with this strain. Additionally, free phytol, antioxidants, and fatty acid content could be indicate induced senescence due to oxidative stress and lack of nitrogen. Therefore, plants inoculated with Bradyrhizobium strain isolated at elevated [CO] may have lost their capacity to form effective symbiosis at ambient [CO] and that was translated at whole plant level through metabolic impairment., This work was financially supported by the following grants: GRUPO Gobierno Vasco IT1022-16 and projects 32-2016-00043, 37-2017-00047, and 000049-IDA2019-38 from the Economic Development and Infrastructures Department of the Basque Country, Spain. DS was a recipient of a Ph.D. grant supported by the Public University of Navarra. AS-S was partially supported by a postdoctoral fellowship granted by the Education, and Linguistic Policy Department of the Basque Country, Spain and the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station and the Hatch Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture. Technical support by Azucena González, Phytotron Service, SGIker (UPV/EHU) is gratefully acknowledged.

3 pages,1 figure, [EN] Mercury (Hg) poses a recognized global environmental problem with worrisome environmental and public health impacts (UNEP 2019). While natural sources of Hg such as volcanic eruptions, geothermal activity and weathering of Hg-rich rocks in the earth’s crust have always existed, in the last century human activities such as artisanal and small-scale gold mining, coal combustion, production of non-ferrous metals, cement production and disposal of wastes containing Hg have outpaced natural sources. Around 80% of the Hg emitted to the atmosphere from natural and anthropogenic source is deposited in the ocean, resulting in a tripling of Hg concentrations in surface marine waters compared with pre-industrial levels. The World Health Organization has placed Hg among the top 10 chemicals of major public health concern. Spain is one of the 130 signatories of a global treaty, the Minamata Convention, that seeks to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of Hg and came into force in August 2017. Some of the convention’s proposed actions include a phase-out and phase-down of Hg use in a number of products and industrial processes, a ban on new Hg mines and the phase-out of existing ones, monitoring of Hg air emissions and releases to land and water, and regulation of the informal sector of artisanal and small-scale gold mining. The EU has also established environmental policies for monitoring and modelling global Hg distribution such as the Global Mercury Observation System. Understanding the global Hg biogeochemical cycle of the oceans is key for predicting Hg levels in aquatic food webs and evaluating the impact of reduction strategies on human exposure. […], [ES] El mercurio (Hg) plantea un problema ambiental reconocido a nivel mundial con preocupantes impactos ambientales y de salud pública (UNEP 2019). Si bien siempre han existido fuentes naturales de Hg como erupciones volcánicas, actividad geotérmica y meteorización de rocas ricas en Hg en la corteza terrestre, en el siglo pasado las actividades humanas como la minería de oro artesanal y en pequeña escala, la combustión de carbón, la producción de metales no-ferrosos, la producción de cemento y la eliminación de desechos que contienen Hg han superado a las fuentes naturales. Alrededor del 80% del Hg emitido a la atmósfera de fuentes naturales y antropogénicas se deposita en el océano, lo que ha resultado en una triplicación de las concentraciones de Hg en las aguas marinas superficiales en comparación con los niveles preindustriales. Por ello, la Organización Mundial de la Salud ha colocado al Hg entre las 10 principales sustancias químicas de mayor preocupación para la salud pública. España es uno de los 130 signatarios de un tratado global, el Convenio de Minamata, que busca proteger la salud humana y el medio ambiente de los efectos adversos del Hg y que entró en vigor en agosto del 2017. Algunas de las acciones propuestas del convenio incluyen una eliminación del uso de Hg en una serie de productos y procesos industriales, la prohibición de nuevas minas de Hg y la eliminación de las existentes, el monitoreo de las emisiones de Hg al aire y las liberaciones a la tierra y el agua, y la regulación del sector informal de minería de oro artesanal y en pequeña escala. En este contexto, la Unión Europea ha establecido políticas ambientales para monitorear y modelar la distribución global de Hg, un ejemplo es el Sistema Global de Observación de Mercurio. Comprender el ciclo biogeoquímico global del Hg en los océanos es clave para predecir los niveles de Hg en las redes alimentarias acuáticas y evaluar el impacto de las estrategias de reducción en la exposición humana. […], [CAT] El mercuri (Hg) planteja un problema ambiental reconegut a nivell mundial amb preocupants impactes ambientals i de salut pública (UNEP 2019). Si bé sempre han existit fonts naturals de Hg com les erupcions volcàniques, l’activitat geotèrmica i la meteorització de roques riques en Hg en l’escorça terrestre, en el segle passat les activitats humanes com la mineria d’or artesanal i en petita escala, la combustió de carbó, la producció de metalls no-ferrosos, la producció de ciment i l’eliminació de deixalles que contenen Hg han superat a les fonts naturals. Al voltant del 80% del Hg emès a l’atmosfera de fonts naturals i antropogèniques es diposita a l’oceà, la qual cosa ha resultat en una triplicació de les concentracions de Hg en les aigües marines superficials en comparació amb els nivells preindustrials. Per això, l’Organització Mundial de la Salut ha col·locat al Hg entre les 10 principals substàncies químiques de major preocupació per a la salut pública. Espanya és un dels 130 signataris d’un tractat global, el Conveni de Minamata, que busca protegir la salut humana i el medi ambient dels efectes adversos del Hg i que va entrar en vigor a l’agost del 2017. Algunes de les accions proposades del conveni inclouen l’eliminació de l’ús de Hg en una sèrie de productes i processos industrials, la prohibició de noves mines de Hg i l’eliminació de les existents, el monitoratge de les emissions de Hg a l’aire i els alliberaments a la terra i l’aigua, i la regulació del sector informal de mineria d’or artesanal i en petita escala. En aquest context, la Unió Europea ha establert polítiques ambientals per a monitorar i modelar la distribució global de Hg, un exemple és el Sistema Global d’Observació de Mercuri. Comprendre el cicle biogeoquímic global del Hg als oceans és clau per a predir els nivells de Hg en les xarxes alimentàries aquàtiques i avaluar l’impacte de les estratègies de reducció en l’exposició humana. […]

Leaf-level gas exchange data support the mechanistic understanding of plant fluxes of carbon and water. These fluxes inform our understanding of ecosystem function, are an important constraint on parameterization of terrestrial biosphere models, are necessary to understand the response of plants to global environmental change, and are integral to efforts to improve crop production. Collection of these data using gas analyzers can be both technically challenging and time consuming, and individual studies generally focus on a small range of species, restricted time periods, or limited geographic regions. The high value of these data is exemplified by the many publications that reuse and synthesize gas exchange data, however the lack of metadata and data reporting conventions make full and efficient use of these data difficult. Here we propose a reporting format for leaf-level gas exchange data and metadata to provide guidance to data contributors on how to store data in repositories to maximize their discoverability, facilitate their efficient reuse, and add value to individual datasets. For data users, the reporting format will better allow data repositories to optimize data search and extraction, and more readily integrate similar data into harmonized synthesis products. The reporting format specifies data table variable naming and unit conventions, as well as metadata characterizing experimental conditions and protocols. For common data types that were the focus of this initial version of the reporting format, i.e., survey measurements, dark respiration, carbon dioxide and light response curves, and parameters derived from those measurements, we took a further step of defining required additional data and metadata that would maximize the potential reuse of those data types. To aid data contributors and the development of data ingest tools by data repositories we provided a translation table comparing the outputs of common gas exchange instruments. Extensive consultation with data collectors, data users, instrument manufacturers, and data scientists was undertaken in order to ensure that the reporting format met community needs. The reporting format presented here is intended to form a foundation for future development that will incorporate additional data types and variables as gas exchange systems and measurement approaches advance in the future. The reporting format is published in the U.S. Department of Energy's ESS-DIVE data repository, with documentation and future development efforts being maintained in a version control system. publishedVersion

By 2050 future global food demand is projected to require a doubling of agricultural output, and climate change will exacerbate this challenge by intensifying the exposure of field crops to abiotic stress conditions, including rising temperature, increased drought, and increased CO2 concentration ([CO2]). One of the keys to improving crop yield under different stresses is studying is photosynthesis. Photosynthetic parameters, such as the maximum rate of carboxylation of RuBP (Vc,max), and the maximum rate of electron transport driving RuBP regeneration (Jmax) vary in response to climate conditions and have been identified as a target for improvement. However, the techniques used to measure these physiological parameters are very time consuming, ranging from 30 to 70 min per measurement and require specialized personnel. Therefore, breeding or genetic mapping for these traits under these conditions is prohibitively time-consuming. Spatial and temporal variation in plant photosynthesis can be estimated using remote sensing-derived spectral vegetation indices. Spectral estimates of green vegetation biomass and vigor, including vegetation indices such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), are widely used to estimate vegetation productivity across spatial and temporal scales but are unable to provide assessments of specific photosynthetic parameters. For that reason, hyperspectral remote sensing shows promise for predicting photosynthetic capacity based on more detailed leaf optical properties. In this study, we developed and assessed estimates of Vcmax and Jmax through four different advanced regression models: PLS, BR, ARDR, and LASSO based on leaf reflectance metrics measured with an ASD FieldSpec4 Hi-RES of different crops under different environmental conditions such as (1) different varieties of soybean under high [CO2] and high temperature, (2) different varieties of peanut under drought stress and (3) 20 varieties of cotton diverse origin and grown under field conditions. Both phenotypic variability and varying levels of stress were employed with each crop to ensure adequate ranges of responses. Model sensitivities were assessed for each crop and treatment separately and in combination in order to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of each model in all the different conditions. For the combination of three species, all the models suggest a robust prediction of Vcmax around R2:0.67 and the same for the Jmax R2: 0.55.

Stomata are pores in the epidermal tissue of plants formed by specialized cells called occlusive cells or guard cells. Analyzing the number and behavior of stomata is a task carried out by studying microscopic images, and that can serve, among other things, to better manage crops in agriculture. However, quantifying the number of stomata in an image is an expensive process since a stomata image might contain dozens of stomata. Therefore, it is interesting to automate such a detection process. This problem can be framed in the context of object detection, a task widely studied in computer vision. Currently, the best approaches to tackle object detection problems are based on deep learning techniques. Although these techniques are very successful, they might be difficult to use. In this work, we face this problem, specifically for the detection of stomata, by building a Jupyter notebook in Google Colaboratory that allows biologists to automatically detect stomata in their images.