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Objectives: Dengue emerged as a significant health threat in endemic regions in recent years. However, inconsistent diagnostic accuracy in sequential dengue infections necessitate improved testing methods to ensure effective management of dengue cases. Here, we evaluated a portable, rapid, and sensitive molecular assay—reverse transcriptase recombinase polymerase amplification assay (RT-RAA)—utilizing a mobile suitcase laboratory to detect infections in suspected dengue cases in Bangladesh. Methods: A total of 364 suspected patients with dengue were enrolled in the study. Dengue cases were confirmed by a positive result from any of the four tests: non-structural protein 1 (NS1) rapid diagnostic test (RDT), immunoglobulin (Ig) M RDT, quantitative reverse transcriptive-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and RT-RAA assay. IgG RDT was performed to differentiate between primary and secondary dengue infections. Results: Of 364 suspected cases, 320 were confirmed dengue cases, with 55.94% classified as primary and 44.06% as secondary infections. Laboratory results showed comparable positivity rates between RT-RAA (78.8%) and NS1 RDT (77.1%) in primary dengue, followed by quantitative RT-PCR (57.5%) and IgM RDT (12.8%). RT-RAA demonstrated superior positivity rates in secondary dengue (76.6%), surpassing RT-PCR (60.3%), NS1 RDT (27%), and IgM RDT (24.8%). Combining RT-RAA with NS1 RDT detected infections in 89.95% primary and 81.56% secondary dengue. Conclusions: The findings suggest that complementing RT-RAA with NS1 RDT could significantly improve dengue detection rate, particularly, for secondary infections.

Osmolytes proline (Pro) and glycine betaine (GB) have been reported to impart tolerance against salinity stress in many plants. However, there is no report available on the combined application of Pro and GB to mitigate salinity-induced growth inhibition in maize. Consequently, the goal of the current study is to assess Pro's and GB's potential as priming and exogenous agents in maize under salt stress. Therefore, the present study was conducted using a petri dish and hydroponic pot experiment to evaluate the morpho-physiological and biochemical characteristics of maize plants subjected to salt stress, with the addition of Pro and GB. The seeds of maize were germinated under 20 mM of each Pro or GB, with or without 120 mM salinity stress. The findings demonstrated that salt stress lessened the final germination percentage (FGP) (52.9 %), photosynthetic pigments (40.0 %), relative water content (RWC) (20.2 %), stomatal size (59.3 %), and leaf and root K+/Na+ ratios of maize seedlings compared to control. In addition, compared to the control, higher levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) (24.2 %) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (25.7 %) were observed, whereas lower levels of catalase (CAT) (43.8 %) and peroxidase (POX) (30.4 %) were noted. The priming with Pro, GB, Pro+GB significantly increased FGP, germination index (GI), shoot-root biomass, seed vigor index (SVI), and reduced mean germination time (MGT) under salt stress. Foliar application of Pro, GB, or Pro+GB resulted in a significant increment in chlorophyll contents, RWC, K+ absorption, and stomatal size under salt stress. Furthermore, supplementing with Pro, GB, or Pro+GB reduced the accumulation of H2O2 (24.0, 23.3, and 31.1 %, respectively) and MDA (22.8, 17.2, and 32.1 %, respectively) caused by salt and augmented the levels of CAT (33.3, 22.8, and 45.2 %, respectively) and POX (36.4, 23.5, and 47.2 %, respectively) in the leaves. Taken together, the current study's findings indicate that combining Pro and GB is one of the most effective techniques for improving the salinity-tolerant seed germination and seedling traits of maize plants. Consequently, this study recommends that Pro and GB can be used as seed priming and exogenous agents to help maize grow faster in salt-stress situations.

Abstract Background E2F/DP (Eukaryotic 2 transcription factor/dimerization partner) family proteins play an essential function in the cell cycle development of higher organisms. E2F/DP family genes have been reported only in a few plant species. However, comprehensive genome-wide characterization analysis of the E2F/DP gene family of Solanum lycopersicum has not been reported so far. Results This study identified eight nonredundant SlE2F/DP genes that were classified into seven groups in the phylogenetic analysis. All eight genes had a single E2F-TDP domain and few genes had additional domains. Two segmental duplication gene pairs were observed within tomato, in addition to cis-regulatory elements, miRNA target sites and phosphorylation sites which play an important role in plant development and stress response in tomato. To explore the three-dimensional (3D) models and gene ontology (GO) annotations of SlE2F/DP proteins, we pointed to their putative transporter activity and their interaction with several putative ligands. The localization of SlE2F/DP-GFP fused proteins in the nucleus and endoplasmic reticulum suggested that they may act in other biological functions. Expression studies revealed the differential expression pattern of most of the SlE2F/DP genes in various organs. Moreover, the expression of E2F/DP genes against abiotic stress, particularly SlE2F/DP2 and/or SlE2F/DP7, was upregulated in response to heat, salt, cold and ABA treatment. Furthermore, the co-expression analysis of SlE2F/DP genes with multiple metabolic pathways was co-expressed with defence genes, transcription factors and so on, suggested their crucial role in various biological processes. Conclusions Overall, our findings provide a way to understand the structure and function of SlE2F/DP genes; it might be helpful to improve fruit development and tolerance against abiotic stress through marker-assisted selection or transgenic approaches.

Architectural and planning education and practice have undergone significant changes since the 1960s and 70s, particularly in Developing Countries. This includes the adoption of an anti-poor vocabulary and the marginalisation of the state’s role in providing low-cost housing for low-income groups and ultimately resulted in a change in the goals of planning. However, placing the blame solely on the growth/adoption of neoliberalism would be reductionist since architects like Le Corbusier were promoting their ideas of modernist communities well before the former emerged onto the scene. The paper outlines the ways in which this change has impacted society and suggests that the values of equity and justice be promoted through architectural and planning education and practice so as to create a more sensitive and pro-poor society.

Abstract Background This study investigated the effects of daughter tiller removal on parent tiller development in Lolium perenne. Methods Plants of L. perenne were grown hydroponically to allow separation of roots by phytomer position on the tiller axis and allowed to form two daughter tillers. In Experiment 1, adult daughter tillers were excised and effects on subsequent main tiller growth were observed for 16 days, on average. In Experiment 2, the growth of main tillers with or without daughter tillers was compared over 90–100 days. Two cultivars, ‘Alto’ bred from New Zealand germplasm and ‘Aberdart’ bred from United Kingdom germplasm were tested. Results Excision of adult daughter tillers reduced the dry weight of older roots at the base of parent tiller axes and accelerated new phytomer appearance. Preventing tillers from forming daughter tillers by new tiller excision resulted in increased individual leaf and root dry weight in tillers without daughter tillers. Conclusions The data indicated that daughter tillers contributed substrate for root development of their parent tillers. The presence of daughter tillers reduced the size of their main tiller but greatly enhanced whole plant yield.

Abstract Background CONSTANS-like (CO-like, COL) are putative zinc-finger transcription factors known to play vital role in various plant biological processes such as control of flowering time, regulation of plant growth and development and responses to stresses. However, no systematic analysis of COL family gene regarding the plant development and stress response has been previously performed in any solanaceous crop. In the present study, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of COL family genes in petunia has been conducted to figure out their roles in development of organs and stress response. Results A total of 33 COL genes, 15 PaCOL genes in P. axillaris and 18 PiCOL genes in P. inflata, were identified in petunia. Subsequently, a genome-wide systematic analysis was performed in 15 PaCOL genes. Considering the domain composition and sequence similarity the 15 PaCOL and 18 PiCOL genes were phylogenetically classified into three groups those are conserved among the flowering plants. Moreover, all of the 15 PaCOL proteins were localized in nucleus. Furthermore, differential expression patterns of PaCOL genes were observed at different developmental stages of petunia. Additionally, transcript expression of 15 PaCOL genes under various abiotic and phytohormone treatments showed their response against stresses. Moreover, several cis-elements related to stress, light-responsive, hormone signaling were also detected in different PaCOL genes. Conclusion The phylogenetic clustering, organ specific expression pattern and stress responsive expression profile of conserved petunia COL genes indicating their involvement in plant growth and development and stress response mechanism. This work provide a significant foundation for understanding the biological roles of petunia COL genes in plant growth, development and in stress response.

Rapeseed and mustard dominate in the oilseed cultivation in Bangladesh. Exploration of both long duration and short duration rapeseed-mustard can reduce the gap between demand and production of oilseed. The aim of this study was to identify the difference in economic return between late maturing and early maturing rapeseed and mustard genotypes in terms of benefit-cost ratio. Two early maturing and twenty late maturing rapeseed and mustard lines were used in the experiment. Economic analysis was carried out for all genotypes. Three late maturing lines M-215, M-219 and M-224 showed outstanding results yielding 4.56 tons, 4.16 tons and 3.85 tons per ha, respectively. Their benefit-cost ratio over total cost was 4.34, 3.97 and 3.67 respectively, whereas two early maturing varieties accounted for a benefit-cost ratio of 1.29 and 1.43, which is far too low from the selected lines. The results of this study indicated that late maturing varieties are more profitable in terms of benefit-cost ratio although they decline cropping intensity. [Fundam Appl Agric 2021; 6(3.000): 303-308]

In this study response surface methodology (RSM) with Box-Behnken design (BBD) was used to evaluate the effects of process parameters of reaction time, initial water volume, amount of feedstock and amount of catalyst on total gasification and hydrogen production yield by low temperature hydrothermal gasification of Sorghum biomass at 250°C. Ruthenium (III) chloride was used as a catalyst in catalytic runs. Significances of the main and interacting effects of independent parameters were determined by ANOVA. Numerical optimization was used to optimize the process parameters for maximum yield hydrogen production. The optimum conditions for maximum hydrogen production were determined as a residence time of 58.6 min, water volume of 24.5 mL and catalyst amount of 0.02g.

Introduction: While recent investigations show that klotho exerts reno-protective actions, it has not been fully addressed whether klotho protein supplementation reverses renal damage. Methods: The impacts of subcutaneous klotho supplementation on rats with subtotal nephrectomy were examined. Animals were divided into 3 groups: group1 (short remnant, SR): remnant kidney for 4 weeks, group 2 (long remnant, LR): remnant kidney for 12 weeks and group 3 (klotho supplementation: KL): klotho protein (20 μg/kg/day) supplementation on the remnant kidney. Blood pressure, blood and urine compositions with conventional methods such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and radioimmunoassay, kidney histology and renal expressions of various genes were analyzed. In vitro studies were also performed to support in vivo findings. Results: Klotho protein supplementation decreased albuminuria (-43%), systolic blood pressure (-16%), fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 23 (-51%) and serum phosphate levels (-19%), renal angiotensin II concentration (-43%), fibrosis index (-70%), renal expressions of collagen I (-55%) and transforming growth factor β (-59%) (p

The reproductive stage of cotton (Gossypium sp.) is highly sensitive to waterlogging. The identification of potential elite upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) cultivar(s) having higher waterlogging tolerance is crucial to expanding cotton cultivation in the low-lying areas. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of waterlogging on the reproductive development of four elite upland cotton cultivars, namely, Rupali-1, CB-12, CB-13, and DM-3, against four waterlogging durations (e.g., 0, 3, 6, and 9-day). Waterlogging stress significantly impacted morpho-physiological, biochemical, and yield attributes of cotton. Two cotton cultivars, e.g., CB-12 and Rupali-1, showed the lowest reduction in plant height (6 and 9%, respectively) and boll weight (8 and 5%, respectively) at the highest waterlogging duration of 9 days. Physiological and biochemical data revealed that higher leaf chlorophyll, proline, and relative water contents, and lower malondialdehyde contents, particularly in CB-12 and Rupali-1, were positively correlated with yield. Notably, CB-12 and Rupali-1 had higher seed cotton weight (90.34 and 83.10 g, respectively), lint weight (40.12 and 39.32 g, respectively), and seed weight (49.47 and 43.78 g, respectively) per plant than CB-13 and DM-3 in response to the highest duration of waterlogging of 9 days. Moreover, extensive multivariate analyses like Spearman correlation and the principle component analysis revealed that CB-12 and Rupali-1 had greater coefficients in yield and physiological attributes at 9-day waterlogging, whereas CB-13 and DM-3 were sensitive cultivars in response to the same levels of waterlogging. Thus, CB-12 and Rupali-1 might be well adapted to the low-lying waterlogging-prone areas for high and sustained yield.

While the future landscape of cyberspace is becoming quite complicated, NATO must define the potential threats and adapt its strategy to these challenges. In order to form an effective cyber security strategy, a significant number of challenges need to be taken into account for the foreseeable future. Apart from its member states NATO needs to cooperate with significant number of partner nations in order to establish an effective response mechanism against potential cyber threats for maintaining a safe, secure and resilient cyberspace. The paper focuses on the reasons that necessitated the formulation of NATO's cyber security strategy. The evolution of NATO’s cyber security policy has been delineated, various aspects of the latest strategy to prevent emerging cyber threats in the modern era and the prospects for partner countries have been examined, the proposals have been put forward to improve the cyber capabilities of Azerbaiajn Republic in cooperation with NATO.

The fungal pathogen, Leptosphaeria maculans causes a severe and economically important disease to Brassica crops globally, well-known as blackleg. Besides, the anti-oxidative defense response of glucosinolates to fungal pathogens is widely established. Despite notable importance of glucosinolates in blackleg disease resistance the association of glucosinolate pathway genes in glucosinolate mediated defense response after L. maculans infection remains incompletely understood. The current study was designed to identify glucosinolate-biosynthesis specific genes among the eight selected candidates induced by L. maculans and associated alterations in glucosinolate profiles to explore their roles in blackleg resistance at the seedling stage of cabbage plants. The defense responses of four cabbage inbred lines, two resistant and two susceptible, were investigated using two L. maculans isolates, 03-02s and 00-100s. Pathogen-induced glucosinolate accumulation dynamically changed from two days after inoculation to four days after inoculation. In general, glucosinolate biosynthetic genes were induced at 24 h after inoculation and glucosinolate accumulation enhanced at two days after inoculation. An increase in either aliphatic (GIB, GRA) or indolic (GBS and MGBS) glucosinolates was associated with seedling resistance of cabbage. Pearson correlation showed the enhanced accumulation of MGBS, GBS, GIB, GIV and GRA after the inoculation of fungal isolates was associated with expression of specific genes. Principal component analysis separated two resistant cabbage lines—BN4098 and BN4303 from two susceptible cabbage lines—BN4059 and BN4072 for variable coefficients of disease scores, glucosinolate accumulation and expression levels of genes. Enhanced MGBS content against both fungal isolates, contributing to seedling resistance in two interactions—BN4098 × 03-02s and BN4303 × 00-100s and enhanced GBS content only in BN4098 × 03-02s interaction. Aliphatic GRA took part in resistance of BN4098 × 00-100s interaction whereas aliphatic GIB took part is resistance of BN4098 × 03-02s interaction. Aliphatic GIV accumulated upon BN4098 × 03-02s interaction but GSL-OH-Bol033373 and CYP81F2-Bol026044 showed enhanced expression in BN4303 × 03-02s interaction. The association between the selected candidate genes, corresponding glucosinolates, and seedling resistance broaden the horizon of glucosinolate conciliated defense against L. maculans in cabbage seedlings.

Abstract Background Plasmodiophora brassicae is a soil-borne plant pathogen that causes clubroot disease, which results in crop yield loss in cultivated Brassica species. Here, we investigated whether a quantitative trait locus (QTL) in B. rapa might confer resistance to a Korean P. brassicae pathotype isolate, Seosan. We crossed resistant and susceptible parental lines and analyzed the segregation pattern in a F2 population of 348 lines. We identified and mapped a novel clubroot resistance QTL using the same mapping population that included susceptible Chinese cabbage and resistant turnip lines. Forty-five resistant and 45 susceptible F2 lines along with their parental lines were used for double digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq). High resolution melting (HRM)-based validation of SNP positions was conducted to confirm the novel locus. Results A 3:1 ratio was observed for resistant: susceptible genotypes, which is in accordance with Mendelian segregation. ddRAD-seq identified a new locus, CRs, on chromosome A08 that was different from the clubroot resistance (CR) locus, Crr1. HRM analysis validated SNP positions and constricted CRs region. Four out of seventeen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) positions were within a 0.8-Mb region that included three NBS-LRR candidate genes but not Crr1. Conclusion The newly identified CRs locus is a novel clubroot resistance locus, as the cultivar Akimeki bears the previously known Crr1 locus but remains susceptible to the Seosan isolate. These results could be exploited to develop molecular markers to detect Seosan-resistant genotypes and develop resistant Chinese cabbage cultivars.

Clubroot is one of the most economically important diseases of the Brassicaceae family. Clubroot disease is caused by the obligate parasite Plasmodiophora brassicae, which is difficult to study because it is non-culturable in the laboratory and its races are genetically variable worldwide. In Korea, there are at least five races that belongs to four pathotype groups. A recent study conducted in Korea attempted to develop molecular markers based on ribosomal DNA polymorphism to detect P. brassicae isolates, but none of those markers was either race-specific or pathotype-specific. Our current study aimed to develop race- and isolate-specific markers by exploiting genomic sequence variations. A total of 119 markers were developed based on unique variation exists in genomic sequences of each of the races. Only 12 markers were able to detect P. brassicae strains of each isolate or race. Ycheon14 markers was specific to isolates of race 2, Yeoncheon and Hoengseong. Ycheon9 and Ycheon10 markers were specific to Yeoncheon isolate (race 2, pathotype 3), ZJ1-3, ZJ1-4 and ZJ1-5 markers were specific to Haenam2 (race 4) isolate, ZJ1-35, ZJ1-40, ZJ1-41 and ZJ1-49 markers were specific to Hoengseong isolate and ZJ1-56 and ZJ1-64 markers were specific to Pyeongchang isolate (race 4, pathotype 3). The PCR-based sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers developed in this study are able to detect five Korean isolates of P. brassicae. These markers can be utilized in identifying four Korean P. brassicae isolates from different regions. Additional effort is required to develop race- and isolate-specific markers for the remaining Korean isolates.

Grasses have a segmental morphology. Compared to leaf development, data on root development at the phytomer level are scarce. Leaf appearance interval was recorded over time to allow inference about the age of segmental sites that later form roots. Hydroponically grown Lolium perenne cv. Aberdart tillers were studied in both spring and autumn in increasing and decreasing day length conditions, respectively, and dissected to define the development status of roots of known age on successive phytomers basipetally on the tiller axis. Over a 90-day observation period spring and autumn tillers produced 10.4 and 18.1 root bearing phytomers (Pr), respectively. Four stages of root development were identified: (0) main axis elongation (~0–10 days), (1) primary branching (~10–18 days), (2) secondary branching (~18–25 days), and (3) tertiary and quaternary branching without further increase in root dry weight. The individual spring roots achieved significantly greater dry weight (35%) than autumn roots, and a mechanism for seasonal shift in substrate supply to roots is proposed. Our data define a root turnover pattern likely also occurring in field swards and provide insight for modelling the turnover of grass root systems for developing nutrient efficient or stress tolerant ryegrass swards.

Abstract Background Zinc finger homeodomain proteins (ZHD) constitute a plant-specific transcription factor family with a conserved DNA binding homeodomain and a zinc finger motif. Members of the ZHD protein family play important roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses. Genome-wide characterization of ZHD genes has been carried out in several model plants, including Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa, but not yet in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Results In this study, we performed the first comprehensive genome-wide characterization and expression profiling of the ZHD gene family in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). We identified 22 SlZHD genes and classified them into six subfamilies based on phylogeny. The SlZHD genes were generally conserved in each subfamily, with minor variations in gene structure and motif distribution. The 22 SlZHD genes were distributed on six of the 12 tomato chromosomes, with segmental duplication detected in four genes. Analysis of Ka/Ks ratios revealed that the duplicated genes are under negative or purifying selection. Comprehensive expression analysis revealed that the SlZHD genes are widely expressed in various tissues, with most genes preferentially expressed in flower buds compared to other tissues. Moreover, many of the genes are responsive to abiotic stress and phytohormone treatment. Conclusion Systematic analysis revealed structural diversity among tomato ZHD proteins, which indicates the possibility for diverse roles of SlZHD genes in different developmental stages as well as in response to abiotic stresses. Our expression analysis of SlZHD genes in various tissues/organs and under various abiotic stress and phytohormone treatments sheds light on their functional divergence. Our findings represent a valuable resource for further analysis to explore the biological functions of tomato ZHD genes.

Wheat crop in drought-prone regions of Bangladesh suffers from osmotic stress. The objective of this study was to investigate the response of wheat genotypes with respect to root morphology and root hair traits under polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced osmotic stress. A total of 22 genotypes of wheat were grown hydroponically and two treatments—0% and 10% PEG—were imposed at 14 days after germination. Plant growth was reduced in terms of plant height, number of live leaves per tiller, shoot dry weight, number of root-bearing phytomers, and roots per tiller. Notably, PEG-induced osmotic stress increased root dry weight per tiller by increasing length of the main axis and lateral roots, as well as the diameter and density of both lateral roots and root hairs of the individual roots. A biplot was drawn after a principal component analysis, taking three less-affected (high-yielding genotypes) and three highly affected (low-yielding genotypes and landrace) genotypes under 10% PEG stress, compared to control. Principal component 1 separated PEG-treated wheat genotypes from control-treated genotypes, with a high and positive coefficient for the density of lateral roots and root hairs, length and diameter of the main axis, and first-order lateral roots and leaf injury scores, indicating that these traits are associated with osmotic stress tolerance. Principal component 2 separated high-yielding and tolerant wheat genotypes from low-yielding and susceptible genotypes, with a high coefficient for root dry weight, density of root hairs and second-order lateral roots, length of the main axis, and first-order lateral roots. An increase in root dry weight in PEG-stress-tolerant wheat genotypes was achieved through an increase in length and diameter of the main axis and lateral roots. The information derived from this research could be exploited for identifying osmotic stress-tolerant QTL and for developing abiotic-tolerant cultivars of wheat.

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is an economically important crop in the family Brassicaceae. Black rot disease is a top ranked cabbage disease, which is caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) and may reduce 50% crop loss. Therefore, we need a clear understanding of black rot disease resistance for sustainable disease management. The secondary metabolites, like Glucosinolate (GSL) presents in Brassica species, which plays a potential role in the defense mechanism against pathogens. However, there is little known about GSL-regulated resistance mechanisms and GSL biosynthesis and the breakdown related gene expression after black rot disease infection in cabbage. In this study, relative expression of 43 biosynthetic and breakdown related GSLs were estimated in the black rot resistant and susceptible cabbage lines after Xcc inoculation. Ten different types of GSL from both aliphatic and indolic groups were identified in the contrasting cabbage lines by HPLC analysis, which included six aliphatic and four indolic compounds. In the resistant line, nine genes (MYB122-Bol026204, MYB34-Bol017062, AOP2-Bo9g006240, ST5c-Bol030757, CYP81F1-Bol017376, CYP81F2-Bol012237, CYP81F4-Bol032712, CYP81F4-Bol032714 and PEN2-Bol030092) showed consistent expression patterns. Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed positive and significant association between aliphatic GSL compounds and expression values of ST5c-Bol030757 and AOP2-Bo9g006240 genes as well as between indolic GSL compounds and the expression of MYB34-Bol017062, MYB122-Bol026204, CYP81F2-Bol012237, CYP81F4-Bol032712 and CYP81F4-Bol032714 genes. This study helps in understanding the role of GSL biosynthesis and breakdown related genes for resistance against black rot pathogen in cabbage, which could be further confirmed through functional characterization either by overexpression or knock-out mutation.

Wheat is an important cereal crop worldwide that often suffers from moisture deficits at the reproductive stage. Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-treated hydroponic conditions create negative osmotic potential which is compared with moisture deficit stress. An experiment was conducted in a growth chamber to study the effects of PEG on root hair morphology and associated traits of wheat varieties. Plants of 13 wheat varieties were grown hydroponically and three different doses of PEG 6000 (w/v): 0% (control), 0.3% and 0.6% (less than −1 bar) were imposed on 60 days after sowing for 20 days’ duration. A low PEG concentration was imposed to observe how initial low moisture stress might affect root hair development. PEG-treated hydroponic culture significantly decreased root hair diameter and length. Estimated surface area reduction of root hairs at the main axes of wheat plants was around nine times at the 0.6% PEG level compared to the control plants. Decrease in root hair diameter and length under PEG-induced culture decreased “potential” root surface area per unit length of main root axis. A negative association between panicle traits, length and dry weight and the main axis length of young roots indicated competition for carbon during their development. Data provides insight into how a low PEG level might alter root hair development.

Glucosinolates are anti-carcinogenic, anti-oxidative biochemical compounds that defend plants from insect and microbial attack. Glucosinolates are abundant in all cruciferous crops, including all vegetable and oilseed Brassica species. Here, we studied the expression of glucosinolate biosynthesis genes and determined glucosinolate contents in the edible organs of a total of 12 genotypes of Brassica oleracea: three genotypes each from cabbage, kale, kohlrabi and cauliflower subspecies. Among the 81 genes analyzed by RT-PCR, 19 are transcription factor-related, two different sets of 25 genes are involved in aliphatic and indolic biosynthesis pathways and the rest are breakdown-related. The expression of glucosinolate-related genes in the stems of kohlrabi was remarkably different compared to leaves of cabbage and kale and florets of cauliflower as only eight genes out of 81 were expressed in the stem tissues of kohlrabi. In the stem tissue of kohlrabi, only one aliphatic transcription factor-related gene, Bol036286 (MYB28) and one indolic transcription factor-related gene, Bol030761 (MYB51), were expressed. The results indicated the expression of all genes is not essential for glucosinolate biosynthesis. Using HPLC analysis, a total of 16 different types of glucosinolates were identified in four subspecies, nine of them were aliphatic, four of them were indolic and one was aromatic. Cauliflower florets measured the highest number of 14 glucosinolates. Among the aliphatic glucosinolates, only gluconapin was found in the florets of cauliflower. Glucoiberverin and glucobrassicanapin contents were the highest in the stems of kohlrabi. The indolic methoxyglucobrassicin and aromatic gluconasturtiin accounted for the highest content in the florets of cauliflower. A further detailed investigation and analyses is required to discern the precise roles of each of the genes for aliphatic and indolic glucosinolate biosynthesis in the edible organs.

Blackleg, a fungal disease caused by Leptosphaeria maculans, is one of the most devastating diseases of Brassica crops worldwide. Despite notable progress elucidating the roles of glucosinolates in pathogen defense, the complex interaction between B. oleracea (cabbage) and L. maculans infection that leads to the selective induction of genes involved in glucosinolate production and subsequent modulation of glucosinolate profiles remains to be fully understood. The current study was designed to identify glucosinolate-biosynthesis genes induced by L. maculans and any associated alterations in glucosinolate profiles to explore their roles in blackleg resistance in 3-month-old cabbage plants. The defense responses of four cabbage lines, two resistant and two susceptible, were investigated using two L. maculans isolates, 03–02 s and 00–100 s. A simultaneous increase in the aliphatic glucosinolates glucoiberverin (GIV) and glucoerucin (GER) and the indolic glucosinolates glucobrassicin (GBS) and neoglucobrassicin (NGBS) was associated with complete resistance. An increase in either aliphatic (GIV) or indolic (GBS and MGBS) glucosinolates was associated with moderate resistance. Indolic glucobrassicin (GBS) and neoglucobrassicin (NGBS) were increased in both resistant and susceptible interactions. Pearson correlation showed positive association between GER content with GSL-OH (Bol033373) expression. Expressions of MYB34 (Bol007760), ST5a (Bol026200), and CYP81F2 (Bol026044) were positively correlated with the contents of both GBS and MGBS. Our results confirm that L. maculans infection induces glucosinolate-biosynthesis genes in cabbage, with concomitant changes in individual glucosinolate contents. In resistant lines, both aliphatic and indolic glucosinolates are associated with resistance, with aliphatic GIV and GER and indolic MGBS glucosinolates particularly important. The association between the genes, the corresponding glucosinolates, and plant resistance broaden our molecular understanding of glucosinolate mediated defense against L. maculans in cabbage.

Diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella L., is a devastating pest of cabbage worldwide whose feeding attributes are influenced by glucosinolate profiles of the plant. Identifying the specific glucosinolates associated with plants’ resistance mechanism can provide cues to novel points of intervention in developing resistant cultivars. We studied the DBM larval feeding preference and extent of damage on cabbage leaves via controlled glass-house and in vitro multiple- and two-choice feeding tests. These feeding attributes were associated with the individual glucosinolate profiles, analyzed by HPLC, of each of the eight cabbage genotypes using multivariate analytical approach to identify the glucosinolates that may have roles in resistance. Both the glass-house and in vitro multiple-choice feeding tests identified the genotype BN4303, BN4059, and BN4072 as the least preferred (resistant) and Rubra, YR Gold and BN3383 as most preferred (susceptible) genotypes by DBM larvae. The principal component analysis separated the genotypes based on lower feeding scores in association with higher contents of glucobrassicin, glucoiberin, glucoiberverin in one direction and 4-hydroxyglucobrassicin, glucoerucin, glucoraphanin, and progoitrin in opposite direction in a way to explain the major variation in resistant versus susceptible genotypes based on their extent of preference and leaf area damage. The simultaneous presence (or higher contents) of glucobrassicin, glucoiberin, and glucoiberverin and the absence (or lower contents) of 4-hydroxyglucobrassicin, glucoerucin, glucoraphanin, and progoitrin in the least preferred genotypes and vice-versa in most preferred genotypes indicated their apparent role as putative repellents and attractants of DBM larvae in cabbage genotypes, respectively. These novel findings add to the current knowledgebase on the roles of glucosinolates in plant–herbivore interactions and will be helpful in setting breeding priorities for improving the resistance against DBM in cabbage using conventional and biotechnological approaches.

Plant roots show morphological plasticity and play a substantial role in tolerance to various edaphic stresses. The aim of this study was to explore salinity-induced morphogenic responses of root traits and root hairs of two rapeseed varieties, BARI Sarisha-8 and Binasarisha-5, at the reproductive stage and perceive the effects on their reproductive growth. The experiment was conducted in a hydroponic culture. Two treatments, 0 mM NaCl as control and 100 mM NaCl, were imposed 55 d after germination. Plants exposed to 100 mM NaCl for seven days displayed greater damage in the leaves, flowers, and siliquae compared to control. Length of root hairs on first-order and third-order lateral roots, density of root hairs on first-order lateral roots, and length of third-order lateral roots were significantly greater by 91%, 22%, 29%, and 48%, respectively, in the treated condition compared to the control. An increase in estimated root surface area by 20% under salt stress conditions indicated that the spontaneous responses of plants to uptake more water and nutrients allowed a plant to cope with stressful conditions. The results of this study suggest that any future stress breeding programs should consider plasticity of root traits intensively.

Despite the importance of roots in determining plant performance, the factors controlling their development and longevity remain poorly understood. Grass morphology is based on repeating units called phytomers, with each capable of producing one leaf, one daughter tiller, and one or more roots. We developed a phytomer-based understanding of root birth, growth and senescence in Lolium perenne, using a modeling approach to explore seasonal effects on root turnover dynamics, and to explore cultivar differences in these processes. Similar to leaves, roots exhibit a clear progression from initiation, growing for approximately seven phyllochrons, with growth rates strongly influenced by environmental conditions. In spring, the phyllochron decreased over the experiment, while it increased in autumn. In spring, C availability exceeding maintenance respiratory requirements allowed root growth at each phytomer position, with a 70/30 split between maintenance and growth. Under C-deficient conditions in autumn, this split was approximately 80/20, with growth limited to younger phytomer positions, while older roots were more susceptible to starvation-induced senescence due to their high C requirements for maintenance respiration.

Onions (Allium cepa L.) are a medicinally and economically important vegetable species rich in sulphur compounds, polyphenols, and antioxidants. In Korea, most of the onion cultivars are of the open-pollinated, heterozygous, short duration, and early spring type, which are generally harvested in April. Precise varietal identification is crucially important to warrant the authenticity of supreme onion genotypes, which aid in affirming the genetic identity of breeding materials at both the breeders and farmers levels. A set of markers identified from the double-digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq) database of Allium cepa L. and involving single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were deployed for genotyping deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples extracted from seven genetically diverse onion cultivars collected in Korea and Japan. The validation process led us to designating 43 SNPs out of 48 that unequivocally identified all seven genotypes with high statistical validity (p < 0.001). Phylogenetic relationships and varietal identity among the cultivars were ascertained by Bayesian clustering and ordination analyses. Two genotypes, Singsingball and Taegeukhwang of Korean origin, showed a greater genetic distance from the five other onion cultivars. The SNP markers deployed in this study effectively authenticated the DNA fingerprints of the early spring onion cultivars utilizing a high-throughput genotyping protocol. The method exploited in this study provides an efficient pathway of verifying genetic identity of onion genotypes for their quality control. The markers developed are highly useful in the management and conservation of elite onion breeding materials at the farmers’ level.

Glucosinolates have anti-carcinogenic properties. In the recent decades, the genetics of glucosinolate biosynthesis has been widely studied, however, the expression of specific genes involved in glucosinolate biosynthesis under exogenous phytohormone treatment has not been explored at the subspecies level in Brassica oleracea. Such data are vital for strategies aimed at selective exploitation of glucosinolate profiles. This study quantified the expression of 38 glucosinolate biosynthesis-related genes in three B. oleracea subspecies, namely cabbage, broccoli and kale, and catalogued associations between gene expression and increased contents of individual glucosinolates under methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA) treatments. Glucosinolate accumulation and gene expression in response to phytohormone elicitation was subspecies specific. For instance, cabbage leaves showed enhanced accumulation of the aliphatic glucoiberin, progoitrin, sinigrin and indolic neoglucobrassicin under both MeJA and SA treatment. MeJA treatment induced strikingly higher accumulation of glucobrassicin (GBS) in cabbage and kale and of neoglucobrassicin (NGBS) in broccoli compared to controls. Notably higher expression of ST5a (Bol026200), CYP81F1 (Bol028913, Bol028914) and CYP81F4 genes was associated with significantly higher GBS accumulation under MeJA treatment compared to controls in all three subspecies. CYP81F4 genes, trans-activated by MYB34 genes, were expressed at remarkably high levels in all three subspecies under MeJA treatment, which also induced in higher indolic NGBS accumulation in all three subspecies. Remarkably higher expression of MYB28 (Bol036286), ST5b, ST5c, AOP2, FMOGS-OX5 (Bol031350) and GSL-OH (Bol033373) was associated with much higher contents of aliphatic glucosinolates in kale leaves compared to the other two subspecies. The genes expressed highly could be utilized in strategies to selectively increase glucosinolate compounds in B. oleracea subspecies. These results promote efforts to develop genotypes of B. oleracea and other species with enhanced levels of desired glucosinolates.

This study aimed to elucidate seasonal dynamics of ryegrass root systems in field swards. Established field swards of perennial ryegrass with white clover removed by herbicide and fertilised with nitrogen (N) to replace clover N fixation were subjected to lax and hard grazing management and root biomass deposition monitored using a root ingrowth core technique over a 13 month period. A previously published phytomer-based model of plant morphology that assumes continuous turnover of the root system was used to estimate mean individual root weight (mg) not previously available for field swards. The predicted root weights compared credibly with root data from hydroponic culture and the model output explained much of the seasonal variation in the field data. In particular, root deposition showed a seasonality consistent with influence of an architectural signal (AS) determined by plant morphology. This AS arises because it is theoretically expected that with rising temperatures and decreasing phyllochron in early summer, more than one leaf on average would feed each root bearing node. Conversely, in autumn the reverse would apply and root deposition is expected to be suppressed. The phytomer-based model was also able to explain deeper root penetration in summer dry conditions, as seen in the field data. A prediction of the model is that even though total root deposition is reduced by less than 10% under hard grazing, individual root weight is reduced proportionately more because the available substrate is being shared between a higher population of tillers. Two features of the field data not explained by the phytomer based model, and therefore suggestive of hormonal signaling, were peaks of root production after summer drought and in late winter that preceded associated herbage mass rises by about one month. In summary, this research supports a view that the root system of ryegrass is turning over on a continuous basis, like the leaves above ground. The phytomer based model was able to explain much of the seasonal variation in root deposition in field swards, and also predicts a shift of root deposition activity, deeper in summer and shallower in winter.

Glucosinolates are the biochemical compounds that provide defense to plants against pathogens and herbivores. In this study, the relative expression level of 48 glucosinolate biosynthesis genes was explored in four morphologically-different cabbage inbred lines by qPCR analysis. The content of aliphatic and indolic glucosinolate molecules present in those cabbage lines was also estimated by HPLC analysis. The possible association between glucosinolate accumulation and related gene expression level was explored by principal component analysis (PCA). The genotype-dependent variation in the relative expression level of different aliphatic and indolic glucosinolate biosynthesis genes is the novel result of this study. A total of eight different types of glucosinolates, including five aliphatic and three indolic glucosinolates, was detected in four cabbage lines. Three inbred lines BN3383, BN4059 and BN4072 had no glucoraphanin, sinigrin and gluconapin detected, but the inbred line BN3273 had these three aliphatic glucosinolate compounds. PCA revealed that a higher expression level of ST5b genes and lower expression of GSL-OH was associated with the accumulation of these three aliphatic glucosinolate compounds. PCA further revealed that comparatively higher accumulation of neoglucobrassicin in the inbred line, BN4072, was associated with a high level of expression of MYB34 (Bol017062) and CYP81F1 genes. The Dof1 and IQD1 genes probably trans-activated the genes related to biosynthesis of glucoerucin and methoxyglucobrassicin for their comparatively higher accumulation in the BN4059 and BN4072 lines compared to the other two lines, BN3273 and BN3383. A comparatively higher progoitrin level in BN3273 was probably associated with the higher expression level of the GSL-OH gene. The cabbage inbred line BN3383 accounted for the significantly higher relative expression level for the 12 genes out of 48, but this line had comparatively lower total glucosinolates detected compared to the other three cabbage lines. The reason for the genotypic variation in gene expression and glucosinolate accumulation is a subject of further investigation.

A 58-year-old woman with a history of morbid obesity, asthma, and prior warfarin use presented to the hospital with shortness of breath and a three-month history of painful, ulcerated ulcers with retiform purpura of her bilateral distal extremities. A punch biopsy specimen demonstrated focal necrosis and hyalinization of the adipose tissue with subtle arteriolar calcium deposition, findings consistent with calciphylaxis. We discuss the presentation of non-uremic calciphylaxis and review the risk factors, pathophysiology, and interdisciplinary management approach of this rare disease.

In Bangladesh, sweetpotato is the fourth most important source of carbohydrates behind rice, wheat, and potatoes. Potassium is vital for sweetpotato growth, boosting tuber size, sweetness, disease resistance, and yield quality, with deficiencies leading to poor tuber formation and increased stress susceptibility. The present study evaluated the effect of varying dosages of potassium fertilizer (Muriate of Potash, MoP) on the growth, yield, and biochemical qualities of sweetpotato. As a genetic material, BAU sweetpotato-5 was chosen as it is recognized for its high yield, short duration, and nutritional advantages. There were three treatments—full dosage of MoP (321.6 kg ha−1, T0), half dosage of MoP (160.8 kg ha−1, T1) and no MoP (T2). Four replications of a randomized complete block design (RCBD) were used in the experiment. According to analysis of variance, the morphological and biochemical parameters, such as the fresh weight plant−1, number of tuber plant−1, chlorophyll content, total phenolic content, vitamin C, carotenoid, anthocyanin, Zn, and Fe content varied significantly among treatments. The application of the full recommended dosage of MoP resulted in the highest values for several traits, including the fresh weight plant−1, number of tuber plant−1, chlorophyll content, carotenoid, anthocyanin, and Fe content. Conversely, total phenolic content and vitamin C were highest without MoP application. Principal component analysis (PCA) differentiated treatment T0 from T1 and T2 due to higher positive coefficients of the number of leaves at 115 days after transplantation, vine length at 115 days after transplantation, number of branches, stem diameter, fresh weight plant−1, tuber length, tuber diameter, tuber weight, number of tuber plant−1, SPAD, carotenoid, anthocyanin, Fe, and negative coefficients of total phenolic content, vitamin C, and Zn. The findings suggest that potassium is integral to maximizing both yield and key nutritional components in sweetpotato cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]