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Synergistic regulation in leaf architecture and photosynthesis is essential for salt tolerance. However, how plant sex and inorganic nitrogen sources alter salt stress-dependent photosynthesis remains unknown. Leaf anatomical characteristics and photosynthesis of Populus cathayana Rehder females and males were investigated under salt stress conditions combined with nitrate NO3− and ammonium NH4+ supplies to clarify the underlying mechanisms. In salt-stressed females, we observed an increased mesophyll spongy cell density, a reduced chloroplast density, a decreased surface area of chloroplasts adjacent to the intercellular air space (S c/ S) and an increased mesophyll cell area per transverse section width (S / W), consequently causing mesophyll conductance (g m) and photosynthesis inhibition, especially under NH4+ supply. Conversely, males with a greater mesophyll palisade tissue thickness and chloroplast density, but a lower spongy cell density had lower S / W and higher S c/ S , and higher g m and photosynthesis. NH4+-fed females had a lower CO2 conductance through cell wall and stromal conductance perpendicular to the cell wall, but a higher chloroplast conductance from the cell wall (g cyt1) than females supplied with NO3−, whereas males had a higher chloroplast conductance and lower CO2 conductance through cell wall when supplied with NO3− instead of NH4+ under salt stress. These findings indicate sex-specific strategies in coping with salt stress related to leaf anatomy and g m under both types of nitrogen supplies, which may contribute to sex-specific CO2 capture and niche segregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The replication and partitioning of chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes to daughter cells at cell division occur in a flexible manner, unlike in the case of nuclear genomes. Many of the genes present in the prokaryotic endosymbionts that became chloroplasts and mitochondria have been lost or transferred to the nucleus of the host, where they have joined the stringent genetic system of the nuclear genome, including also sexual recombination and more efficient DNA repair. However, genes retained within the cytoplasmic organelles can be involved in selection processes both within and among individuals. In the case of heteroplasmy, which is attributed to mutations or biparental inheritance, within-individual selection on cytoplasmic DNA may provide a mechanism by which to adapt rapidly. The persistence of genes in cytoplasmic genomes indicates that chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes can be maintained in the process of evolution. The inheritance of cytoplasmic genomes is not universally maternal (e.g. about one-third of the angiosperm genera seem to display biparental chloroplast inheritance to some degree) and, therefore, unlikely to be a mere consequence of the asymmetry in gamete sizes. The presence of inheritance patterns other than the strictly maternal pattern indicates that different strategies have been adopted among different organisms.

Currently, there is a lack of genetic markers capable of effectively detecting polymorphisms in Clematis. Therefore, we developed new markers to investigate inter- and intraspecific diversity in Clematis. Based on the complete chloroplast genome of Clematis terniflora, simple sequence repeats were explored and primer pairs were designed for all ten adequate repeat regions (cpSSRs), which were tested in 43 individuals of 11 Clematis species. In addition, the nuclear ITS region was sequenced in 11 Clematis species. Seven cpSSR loci were found to be polymorphic in the genus and serve as markers that can distinguish different species and be used in different genetic analyses, including cultivar identification to assist the breeding of new ornamental cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medemia argun is a rare wild palm tree species. Its global existence is assumed to include the main population of about 1000 trees in the Nubian Desert of Sudan and some scattered individuals in southern Egypt. The species had previously been assumed to be extinct, but then reported to be extant about 20 years ago. Aims: To assess genetic variation and explore population genetic structure of M. argun, through development and analysis of microsatellite markers. Methods: The genome sequence mining approach was applied in order to identify microsatellites in the chloroplast genome of Bismarckia nobilis, a species closely related of M. argun. A set of 49 markers were designed, and their characteristics are now provided. Seven chloroplast DNA markers were developed for use in the genetic characterisation of this threatened species. Results: Five markers were found polymorphic in M. argun, which enabled the assessment of the genetic diversity of the species. Significant genetic differentiation was observed among generations and collection sites, accompanied by low genetic variation. The seven markers developed were polymorphic among the wild relatives Hyphaene thebaica and Borassus aethiopum. Conclusions: This is the first study to report molecular markers for M. argun. Our results suggest that the genetic consequences of population fragmentation in M. argun are beginning to be evident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: High Mn poisoned male and femalePopulus cathayana. The toxicity could be alleviated by exogenous ABA application. Intriguingly, ABA granted higher resistance to males than to females under high Mn stress because ABA could induce more blocking of Mn translocation to leaf in males than in females.Abstract: Abscisic acid (ABA) is involved in plants’ adaptive responses to various environmental stresses. However, little is known about the sex-related detoxification of ABA in plants under excess manganese (Mn) conditions. To reveal potentially different ABA detoxification mechanisms between Populus cathayana males and females against excess Mn exposure, photosynthesis performance, Mn2+ concentrations and morphologic changes were investigated. High Mn stress led to a more severe chloroplast destruction and, thus, greater reduction in the photosynthesis of P. cathayana females when compared to males. Under high Mn conditions, Mn reallocated mainly to leaves in females, while in males, it was distributed equally to roots and leaves. With the application of ABA, photosynthesis was restored more in males and more integrated grana in males than in females. It should be noted that Mn concentrations in males were lower in leaves and higher in roots and stems than those in females when treated with the combination of Mn and ABA. Conclusively, due to the reduction of root–shoot Mn transportation induced by ABA in P. cathayana males, males experienced less physiological injuries than do females, which suggest that males possess greater ABA-inducible resistance to Mn stress than do females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Lead (Pb) contamination seriously threatens agroforestry production and safety. We aim to determine the interactive influence of Pb and sexual competition on the growth performance, photosynthetic and biochemical traits, ultrastructure and phytoremediation-related parameters of males and females. Methods: In the present study, eco-physiological responses and phytoremediation traits of Populus cathayana females and males were evaluated under interactive treatments of Pb and competition. Results: There were significant sex-specific competition effects on biomass partition, photosynthetic activities, carbohydrate contents, nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiencies, ultrastructure and phytoremediation under Pb stress. When competition within the same sex was compared, females were more sensitive to Pb stress, while males possessed greater Pb contents, and a higher bioconcentration factor and tolerance index. Under inter-sexual competition, males alleviated competition effects through greater Pb absorption, and lower photosynthetic rates, nutrient use efficiencies and biomass accumulation. Moreover, Pb stress altered competition intensities of both sexes. Conclusions: Sex-specific competition and neighbor effects may regulate responses and phytoremediation under heavy metal stress in dioecious plants. In the future, more attention should be paid on the effects of inter- and intra-sexual competition on dioecious species in the process of forestation and restoration of contaminated soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sex ratios of co-existing Populus and Salix vary depending on altitude and species: 1:1 equlibrium sex ratios are observed at mid-altitude but skewed ones at high altitudes, where Populus shows male-biased and Salix female-biased sex ratios. However, the underlying ecological mechanisms are poorly known. Reproductive investments of Populus purdomii Rehd. and Salix magnifica Hemsl. were assessed at altitudes of 2000 and 2600 m in the Gongga Mountain by different metrics, including biomass, carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations and construction cost, and by estimating the payback time that combines energy gain and associated costs. Reproductive investment measured as C, N and P concentrations, and construction cost was higher in P. purdomii females at 2600 m. However, in S. magnifica, no difference was observed for biomass, C and N at 2600 m, but the investments for P and construction cost were even greater in males. The payback time showed no significant differences for the sexes at 2000 m, but it was shorter for P. purdomii males and S. magnifica females at 2600 m. We concluded that nutrient- and construction cost-based estimates of reproductive allocation can provide more informative insight into the cost of reproduction than does biomass, and together with the payback time they can supply an explanation for divergent sex ratios in Populus and Salix. Consequently, our results improve our understanding of the causes and consequences of sexual dimorphism in dioecious species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, intra- and interspecific competition were investigated in early successional Salix rehderiana Schneider and laterappearing Populus purdomii Rehder under non-fertilized (control) and nitrogen (N)-fertilized conditions in the Hailuogou glacier retreat area. Our aim was to discover whether N is a key factor in plant-plant competition and whether N drives the primary succession process in a glacier retreat area. We analyzed differences in responses to intra- and interspecific competition and N fertilization between P. purdomii and S. rehderiana, including parameters such as biomass accumulation, nutrient absorption, non-structural carbohydrates, photosynthetic capacity, hydrolysable amino acids and leaf ultrastructure. In the control treatments, S. rehderiana individuals subjected to interspecific competition benefited from the presence of P. purdomii plants, as indicated by higher levels of biomass accumulation, photosynthetic capacity, N absorption, amino acid contents and photosynthetic N-use efficiency. However, in the N-fertilized treatments, P. purdomii individuals exposed to interspecific competition benefited from the presence of S. rehderiana plants, as shown by a higher growth rate, enhanced carbon gain capacity, greater amino acid contents, and elevated water-use efficiency, whereas the growth of S. rehderiana was significantly reduced. Our results demonstrate that N plays a pivotal role in determining the asymmetric competition pattern among Salicaceae species during primary succession. We argue that the interactive effects of plant-plant competition and N availability are key mechanisms that drive primary succession in the Gongga Mountain glacier retreat area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we conducted DNA metabarcoding (the nuclear ITS2 region) for indoor fungal samples originating from two nursery schools with a suspected mould problem (sampling before and after renovation), from two university buildings, and from an old farmhouse. Good-quality sequences were obtained, and the results showed that DNA metabarcoding provides high resolution in fungal identification. The pooled proportions of sequences representing filamentous ascomycetes, filamentous basidiomycetes, yeasts, and other fungi equalled 62.3%, 8.0%, 28.3%, and 1.4%, respectively, and the total number of fungal genera found during the study was 585. When comparing fungal diversities and taxonomic composition between different types of buildings, no obvious pattern was detected. The average pairwise values of SørensenChao indices that were used to compare similarities for taxon composition between samples among the samples from the two university buildings, two nurseries, and farmhouse equaled 0.693, 0.736, 0.852, 0.928, and 0.981, respectively, while the mean similarity index for all samples was 0.864. We discovered that making explicit conclusions on the relationship between the indoor air quality and mycoflora is complicated by the lack of appropriate indicators for air quality and by the occurrence of wide spatial and temporal changes in diversity and compositions among samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]