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The biogeochemical niche (BN) hypothesis, which states that each species has a specific elemental concentration and stoichiometric proportions, has yet to be tested in different organs from plants spanning a broad environmental spectrum in grasslands. As a novel aspect, we tested the BN hypothesis by analysing leaf and root elemental composition (i.e. carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations and its ratios), as well as leaf and root morphological traits (i.e. leaf thickness, specific leaf area, leaf tissue density, root diameter, specific root length and root tissue density) from 139 species across 82 sampling sites in northern China's grasslands. We also investigated the relationships of the BN, determined by leaf and root elemental composition and its stoichiometry, with the morphological niche (MN), defined by leaf and root morphological traits in these grasslands. We found that a substantial amount of the variance in leaf and root elemental concentrations, their ratios and morphological traits was explained by legacy effects (phylogenetic + species). This demonstrates that both elemental composition and morphology can serve as valuable tools for identifying species niches. Additionally, leaf BN was highly associated with root BN. These findings introduce a new potential paradigm for understanding BN, highlighting a significant connection between species‐specific elemental compositions across different organs. Leaf BN and MN were also strongly correlated, supporting the leaf economics spectrum. However, root BN and root MN were independent of each other, indicating the presence of a multidimensional root economics spectrum. Synthesis. Our findings demonstrate the broad applicability of the BN hypothesis and the relationship between BN and MN in different plant organs. In this regard, our results suggest that elemental composition and morphological traits co‐evolve in leaves but evolve differently in roots among species in grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heracleum dissectum Ledeb. (HD) with high edible and medicinal values is distributed in Northeast Asia. To provide a reference for selecting appropriate parts and periods to harvest HD, the nutrient contents in different parts of HD at three growth stages were determined. The nutrients being determined are essential nutrients closely related to human needs, and the crude protein content of HD was 3.58-28.43 g • 100 g-1 DW (dry weight), sugar content was 2.33-30.92 g • 100 g-1 DW, and soluble dietary fiber content was 9.71-26.09 g • 100 g-1 DW. Crude protein was mainly distributed in leaf blades and inflorescences, sugar was primarily found in roots, and dietary fiber was predominantly located in leaves. From the leaf development stage to the flowering stage and then to the late seed harvest stage, the content of moisture, crude protein and soluble sugar first decreased and then increased. In contrast, the content of dietary fiber and crude fat first increased and then decreased. Key words: nutrient content, vegetable, plant organ, developmental stage [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to develop a 3-dimensional (3D)-based learning model with Visuospatial Transformation Learning (VTL). We used the Design-Based Research (DBR) research method which was tested on fifth-semester biology students regarding plant anatomy material. The results showed an increase in visual representation abilities in the high category. Students can identify cell shapes in detail based on cell and tissue structures. The VTL model provides a dynamic learning experience. Visualization and transformation of 2D into 3D is easy to understand because students have gone through the learning stages using VTL including (i) independent learning, (ii) making concept maps, (iii) discussing concept maps, (iv) practicum and 2D representation, and (v) representation 3D so students can understand the structure of plant tissues and organs in detail. The VTL model is recommended for learning other abstract material. The impact of using this model is that students can understand abstract material more quickly and help the development of science and its application better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legumes are abundant in the nitrogen deficient desert ecosystems, which is the center of supplying available nitrogen and the important pioneer species in this region. However, the studies on nitrogen uptake and utilization by legumes in desert ecosystems have rarely been reported so far. In this study Astragalus flexus and A. arpilobus, which are widely distributed in the Gurbantunggut Desert, were selected as the research objects. Three different nitrogen forms (15N-NH4+, 15N-NO3-, 15N-glycine) were added to 0-5 cm and 5-15 cm soil layers, respectively, to study the absorption and distribution strategies of different forms of nitrogen in two plants and their organs. The results were as follows: (1) In different soil layers, both plants preferred to absorb nitrate nitrogen, and the maximum absorption rates of A. flexus and A. arpilobus were 3.26, 2.59 μg·g-1·h-1, respectively. (2) In different soil layers, there were significant differences in the uptake and allocation of different nitrogen sources among plant organs (P 15N-glycine > 15N-NH4+, and the contribution rates of nitrate nitrogen to nitrogen absorption of A. flexus ranged from 37% to 41%, while the maximum contribution rate to the nitrogen absorption of A. arpilobus was 45%. (4) There were significant differences in recovery rates of different nitrogen forms between different organs of plants (P stem > root, while in the 5-15 cm soil layer, the rate was leaf > root > stem. In general, in the Gurbantunggut Desert ecosystem, different life forms legumes had both consistency and difference in nitrogen uptake and allocation capacity, and were affected by different soil depths and nitrogen forms. The results provide theoretical basis for nitrogen uptake, utilization and allocation of legumes in arid and semi-arid regions of Xinjiang.

Copyright of Guihaia is the property of Guihaia Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Allium ursinum L. is a wild relative of garlic, and it is abundant in many antioxidant compounds. Sulfur compounds, primarily cysteine sulfoxides (CSOs), are converted through several reactions into various volatile molecules, which are considered the principal flavor compounds of Alliums. In addition to secondary metabolites, wild garlic is abundant in primary compounds, such as amino acids, which serve not only as building blocks for the health-promoting sulfur compounds but also as antioxidants. The aim of this study was to investigate the link between individual amino acid contents, the total phenolic content, and the profile of volatile compounds as well as their influence on the antioxidant capacity of both the leaves and bulbs of wild garlic populations in Croatia. Both univariate and multivariate methods were used to study the differences in the phytochemical compositions among the wild garlic plant organs and the link between individual compounds and antioxidant capacity. Both the plant organ and location, as well as their interaction, have a significant impact on the content of total phenolic content, amino acids, volatile organic compounds, and the antioxidant capacity of wild garlic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The orchid growth and development often associate with microbes. However, the interaction between plant performance and microbial communities within and surrounding plants is less understood. Dendrobium catenatum, which used to be an endangered orchid species, has become a billion dollar industry in China. Simulated natural cultivation modes, such as living tree epiphytic (LT) and cliff epiphytic (CE) cultivations, improve the production or quality of D. catenatum and contribute to the development of D. catenatum industry. In a previous study, morphological characteristics, anatomical structure, and main bioactive components (polysaccharides and ethanol-soluble extractives) of D. catenatum grown under LT and CE significantly differed from a facility cultivation mode, pot (PO) cultivation, were observed. Whether cultivation mode affects bacterial and fungal communities of D. catenatum, thereby affecting the chemical quality of this plant, need to be explored. Results Both three plant organs (leaf, stem, and root) and cultivating substrates obtained under three cultivation modes: living tree epiphytic (LT), cliff epiphytic (CE), and pot (PO) cultivation were examined by adopting high-throughput sequencing methods. Subsequently, bacterial and fungal correlations with D. catenatum main chemical components, stem polysaccharides and ethanol-soluble extractives and leaf phenols and flavonoids, were elucidated. The results showed that microbial communities of the plants and substrates are both influenced by the cultivation mode. However, the plants and their cultivating substrates exhibited different patterns of bacterial and fungal composition, with clearly distinguished dominant bacterial groups, but shared dominance among fungal groups. Bacteria and fungi differed in abundance, diversity, and community structure, depending on the cultivation environment and plant organ. Both bacterial and fungal communities were affected by cultivation mode and plant organ. In both plants and substrates, PO bacterial and fungal community structure differed significantly from those of LT and CE modes. Bacterial and fungal community structure differed significantly between roots and the other two plant organs examined (stems and leaves). Several bacteria and fungi were positively correlated with main chemical components in D. catenatum. Conclusions The findings indicate that microbial communities of the plants and substrates were both influenced by the cultivation mode and plant organ, and some of them were positively correlated with main chemical components in D. catenatum. The research would enhance our understanding of interactions between Dendrobium and the microbial environment, and to provide a theoretical basis for the development of improved D. catenatum cultivation methods.

Medicinal and aromatic plants are rich in active substances that represent many medicines. Climatic factors and ontogenetic growth stages affect the quantity and quality of these costly materials. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of the geographic origins and the different plant organs (leaves, flowers and stalks) of Salvia sharifii Rech. f. & Esfand., an endemic aromatic herb in the south of Iran, essential oil in three different natural habitats. The essential oil was extracted by hydro-distillation using Clevenger type apparatus and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The highest essential oil content was obtained in flower (1.2%) and stalk (0.7%) of S. sharifii in Sirmand population. Also, in the latter plant organ, the highest essential oil content was observed in Abmah population (1.1%). Essential oils were characterized by the domination of sesquiterpenes (37.92-84.40%), followed by monoterpenes (13.42-58.86%). Quantitative and qualitative analyses of the essential oil identified 58 constituents that varied with plant origin and organ. Results revealed that the main essential oil constituents in S. sharifii were linalool, hexyl-2-methyl butyrate, caryophyllene, sclareol oxide, agarospirol and hexyl caprylate in different plant organs and natural habitats. The variations among natural populations of S. sharifii showed that add to the impact of plant inheritance, it conjointly encompasses a high adaptation potential so that a variety of climatic conditions like temperature, altitude and rainfall are among different populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulation of vegetation biomass is a crucial process for carbon fixation in the early stage of afforestation and a primary driving force for subsequent ecological functions. Accurately assessing the storage and allocation of elements in plantations is essential for their management and estimating carbon sink capacity. However, current knowledge of the storage and allocation patterns of elements within plant organs at the community level is limited. To clarify the distribution patterns of elements in plant organs at the community level, we measured the biomass within plant organs of five typical plantations in the early stage of afforestation in the loess hilly-gully region. We assessed the main drivers of element accumulation and distribution by employing redundancy analysis and random forest. Results revealed significant differences in biomass storages among plantations and a significant effect of plantation type on the storages of elements within plant organs. Furthermore, the dominant factors influencing C-N-P storage and allocation at the community level were found to be inconsistent. While the storage of elements was mainly influenced by stand openness, total soil nitrogen, and plant diversity, the allocation of elements in organs was mainly influenced by stand openness and soil water content. Overall, the spatial structure of the community had an important influence on both element storage and allocation, but soil conditions played a more important role in element allocation than in storage. Random forest results showed that at the community level, factors influencing element storage and allocation within plant organs often differed. The regulation of elemental storage could be regulated by the major growth demand resources, while the allocation was regulated by other limiting class factors, which often differed from those that had a significant effect on element storage. The differences in plant organ elemental storage and allocation drivers at the community level reflect community adaptation strategies and the regulation of resources by ecosystems in combination with plants. Our study provides valuable insights for enhancing plantation C sink estimates and serves as a reference for regulating element storage and allocation at the local scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N) deposition is known to significantly affect plant growth. Mycorrhizas play an important role in plant productivity, and plants of different mycorrhizal types respond differently to global change, which will inevitably affect plant response to N deposition. However, little is known about the differences of different mycorrhizas in biomass allocation of host plants in response to N addition. Here, a meta-analysis of data from N addition experiments was carried out to analyze the response of biomass in arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) and ectomycorrhiza (ECM) plants to N addition. The results showed that biomass of leaf, stem, fine root (FR), and litter between AM and ECM plants responded differently to N addition (p < 0.05). Among them, biomass of leaf and stem in ECM plants (leaf: 46.89%; stem: 45.59%) was more sensitive (positively) to N addition than AM plants (leaf: 27.84%; stem: 10.30%) (p < 0.05). N addition suppressed biomass of FR in AM plants (−11.22%) but promoted that in ECM plants (13.77%). The effects on biomass also varied with different functional groups between AM and ECM plants. However, the N responses were influenced by other resources. When other treatments were added, biomass was less varied in AM plants compared to ECM plants. In addition, the N response of WB (whole biomass) and root biomass were positively correlated with annual temperature in ECM plants, but that in AM plants did not. The effects on shoot biomass in AM and ECM plants to N addition both decreased with annual temperature. The N response of root biomass increased with annual precipitation. It can be seen that different mycorrhizal types regulate the response of different plant organ biomass to N addition, which is significant for predicting ecosystem responses and feedback to environmental change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The orchid growth and development often associate with microbes. However, the interaction between plant performance and microbial communities within and surrounding plants is less understood. Dendrobium catenatum, which used to be an endangered orchid species, has become a billion dollar industry in China. Simulated natural cultivation modes, such as living tree epiphytic (LT) and cliff epiphytic (CE) cultivations, improve the production or quality of D. catenatum and contribute to the development of D. catenatum industry. In a previous study, morphological characteristics, anatomical structure, and main bioactive components (polysaccharides and ethanol-soluble extractives) of D. catenatum grown under LT and CE significantly differed from a facility cultivation mode, pot (PO) cultivation, were observed. Whether cultivation mode affects bacterial and fungal communities of D. catenatum, thereby affecting the chemical quality of this plant, need to be explored. Results: Both three plant organs (leaf, stem, and root) and cultivating substrates obtained under three cultivation modes: living tree epiphytic (LT), cliff epiphytic (CE), and pot (PO) cultivation were examined by adopting high-throughput sequencing methods. Subsequently, bacterial and fungal correlations with D. catenatum main chemical components, stem polysaccharides and ethanol-soluble extractives and leaf phenols and flavonoids, were elucidated. The results showed that microbial communities of the plants and substrates are both influenced by the cultivation mode. However, the plants and their cultivating substrates exhibited different patterns of bacterial and fungal composition, with clearly distinguished dominant bacterial groups, but shared dominance among fungal groups. Bacteria and fungi differed in abundance, diversity, and community structure, depending on the cultivation environment and plant organ. Both bacterial and fungal communities were affected by cultivation mode and plant organ. In both plants and substrates, PO bacterial and fungal community structure differed significantly from those of LT and CE modes. Bacterial and fungal community structure differed significantly between roots and the other two plant organs examined (stems and leaves). Several bacteria and fungi were positively correlated with main chemical components in D. catenatum. Conclusions: The findings indicate that microbial communities of the plants and substrates were both influenced by the cultivation mode and plant organ, and some of them were positively correlated with main chemical components in D. catenatum. The research would enhance our understanding of interactions between Dendrobium and the microbial environment, and to provide a theoretical basis for the development of improved D. catenatum cultivation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucosinolates, commonly found in Brassica vegetables, are hydrolyzed by myrosinase to form bioactive isothiocyanates, unless specifier proteins redirect the degradation to less bioactive nitriles and epithionitriles. Here, the tissue-specific impact of specifier proteins on the outcome of glucosinolate hydrolysis in nine kohlrabi tissues was investigated. Glucosinolates and their hydrolysis product profiles, epithiospecifier protein and myrosinase activity, and protein abundance patterns of key glucosinolate biosynthesis, transport and hydrolysis enzymes were determined and correlated to the metabolites in the kohlrabi tissues. Leaf tissues were rich in glucoraphanin, while bulb tissues contained more glucoerucin. Moreover, a higher proportion of isothiocyanates was formed in leaf stalk, bulb peel, stem and root, tissues with relatively higher epithiospecifier modifier 1 abundance and a higher ratio of myrosinase activity to ESP activity. This study shows that tissue-specific glucosinolate hydrolysis is mediated by glucosinolate profiles, myrosinase activity and specifier protein as well as modifier protein abundance. • Glucosinolate hydrolysis was studied in nine kohlrabi tissues. • Leaf tissues are a good source for glucoraphanin. • Nitriles are the main glucosinolate hydrolysis products in most kohlrabi tissues. • High myrosinase to epithiospecifier protein activity ratio enhances isothiocyanates. • Epithiospecifier modifier 1 promotes isothiocyanate formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allium ursinum L. is a wild relative of garlic, and it is abundant in many antioxidant compounds. Sulfur compounds, primarily cysteine sulfoxides (CSOs), are converted through several reactions into various volatile molecules, which are considered the principal flavor compounds of Alliums. In addition to secondary metabolites, wild garlic is abundant in primary compounds, such as amino acids, which serve not only as building blocks for the health-promoting sulfur compounds but also as antioxidants. The aim of this study was to investigate the link between individual amino acid contents, the total phenolic content, and the profile of volatile compounds as well as their influence on the antioxidant capacity of both the leaves and bulbs of wild garlic populations in Croatia. Both univariate and multivariate methods were used to study the differences in the phytochemical compositions among the wild garlic plant organs and the link between individual compounds and antioxidant capacity. Both the plant organ and location, as well as their interaction, have a significant impact on the content of total phenolic content, amino acids, volatile organic compounds, and the antioxidant capacity of wild garlic.

Radish downy mildew (DM) caused by the oomycete Hyaloperonospora brassicae f. sp. raphani is a serious problem in radish crop, an edible root vegetable of the Brassicaceae family. The objective of this research was to assess radish germplasm for DM resistance and to evaluate the response of different radish organs to the disease under controlled conditions. Forty-four radish accessions were inoculated at cotyledons and true-leaves with H. brassicae isolate R10, collected in cotyledons of field plants. The roots were tested with isolates R10 and R6, this last one collected in roots of field radish. DM symptoms varied with the radish genotype and plant organ analysed. Twenty-seven resistant and partially resistant accessions were identified in all plant stages and are promising sources of resistance to DM, namely 16 commercial varieties, 10 breeding lines, and one landrace. A significant correlation was observed between cotyledon and leaf (1st and 2nd leaves) DM resistance, but low and no correlation was found between the resistance of true-leaves or cotyledons and roots, respectively. Cotyledon and leaf evaluation cannot be used to predict root resistance response in radish. However, cotyledon resistance has its own value because non-infected cotyledons will act as a barrier to slow disease progression to true-leaves and roots. Interesting sources of DM resistance were identified that can be used in radish breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology / Yingyong Shengtai Xuebao is the property of Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The seasonal dynamic characteristics of C, N, and P stoichiometry and water use efficiency (WUE) of Messerschmidia sibirica and the soil in the Yellow River Delta (YRD) were studied. The correlations of stoichiometric characteristics and WUE between organs of M. sibirica and soil were analyzed. The results showed that: (1) the contents of C, N, and P and their stoichiometric ratios in various organs of M. sibirica varied with seasons. The seasonal dynamics of leaf N:P showed that the degree of nutrient restriction by N decreased in July and increased in September. (2) The contents of C, N, and P, as well as their stoichiometric ratio, showed a high correlation throughout the growing season, with N:P showing a significantly positive correlation among organs and the lowest stoichiometric correlation between leaf and root. (3) C13 stable isotope analysis showed that the WUE of M. sibirica in May was significantly higher than that of other months (July and September). The WUE had a significantly positive correlation with leaf C and N content and a significantly negative correlation with leaf C:N, indicating that M. sibirica can compensate for the decline in N use efficiency through the improvement of WUE. The structural equation model (SEM) showed that the leaf N and P contents were affected by the joint effect of season and WUE, and the leaf C content was mainly directly affected by WUE. (4) Redundancy analysis (RDA) analysis showed that soil P content and soil N:P were the main factors affecting the variation of stoichiometry and WUE in various organs of M. sibirica. This study is helpful to deeply understand the adaptive mechanism of plant nutrient and water use, which provides a theoretical basis for vegetation protection and restoration in the study area.

Teucrium stocksianum Boiss. belongs to the fam. lamiaceae. In this study, the different plant organs (leaves, flowers, and stalks) of this species were collected from NikShahr region of Sistan & Balouchestan province and examined for the content and essential oil composition variability. The samples essential oil was extracted by hydro-distillation and analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The average essential oil content of flowers, leaves, and stalks was obtained 0.68, 0.42, and 0.13% (w/w), respectively. Also, 33, 35, and 32 compounds were identified in the flowers, leaves, and stalks essential oil, respectively. The a-pinene (8.6-23%), -pinene (4.9-10%), -cadinene (4.3-24.6%), caryophyllene oxide (1.4-8.6%), and viridiflorol + guaiol (6.1-7.6%) were the major essential oil compounds. The flowers and leaves essential oil was rich in monoterpene hydrocarbons (35.6 and 50.3%, respectively), whereas the stalks essential oil was characterized with the high content of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (42.3%). The findings of this study showed that the T. stocksianum flowers had the potential to produce more essential oil than the leaves and stems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resource allocation, including biomass allocation and nutrient allocation between different organs in a plant, reflects the trade‐off in partitioning between above‐ground and below‐ground organs and the growth and adaptation strategies of plants in a changing environment. Although varied resource allocation patterns among different organs in different functional groups of terrestrial plants have been found, few studies have focused on freshwater ecosystems.In this study, to clarify biomass and nutrient allocation strategies and their responses to environmental factors, we collected and analysed 2,162 samples from 262 aquatic plant communities (including emergent plants, floating‐leaved plants and submerged plants) in various aquatic habitats in north‐eastern China.The results showed that the root/shoot (R/S) ratios of the three aquatic plant life‐forms were significantly different, and the trend showed that the ratio values for the three plant life‐forms occurred in the following order: emergent plants > floating‐leaved plants > submerged plants. There were obvious scaling relationships between above‐ground biomass, N (or P or N:P ratios) and below‐ground biomass, N (or P or N:P ratios), but their scaling exponents changed among different aquatic plant life‐forms. The allocation of biomass and nutrients between different organ responses to environmental factors was not consistent for the different life‐forms of aquatic plants. The partial least squares path model revealed that plant stoichiometric characteristics are important direct drivers of biomass production. Climate conditions, water properties and soil nutrients indirectly affect biomass through effects on plant stoichiometric characteristics.Synthesis. Our study demonstrates that global climate change may affect water properties and soil nutrients, influence plant stoichiometric characteristics and affect aquatic plant growth, further altering aquatic plant community structure and biogeochemical cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of plant hormone ethylene on gypenoside biosynthesis-related key enzyme gene expression and gypenoside content in medicine-food plant Gynostemma pentaphyllum were analyzed in this study. Fluorescence quantitative PCR was employed to test the expression levels of GpFPS, GpSS and GpSE, key enzyme genes in saponin biosynthesis pathway in different organs of G. pentaphyllum treated with ethephon, while spectrophotometry and HPLC were used to assay the contents of total gypenoside and saponin monomer Rb1, Rb3 and Rd in G. pentaphyllum. The results were as follows:(1)The expression levels of GpFPS, GpSS and GpSE genes were up-regulated by addition of ethephon in different extents, and the expression patterns of these three genes were dissimilar in different organs, but similar in the same organ.(2)The contents of total gypenoside in all organs increased when compared with the control, and those in root, mature leaf and young leaf arrived at significant level 3 d after ethephon treatment; However, the three saponin monomers increased or decreased in organs were inconsistency, with Rb3 had the highest content. The results provide reference for the research of using plant hormone to regulate the secondary metabolism in G. pentaphyllum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beech trees (Fagus sylvatica) are prominent keystone species of great economic and environmental value for central Europe, hosting a diverse mycobiome. The composition of endophyte communities may depend on tree health, plant organ or tissue, and growth habitat. To evaluate mycobiome communalities at local scales, buds, and twigs were sampled from two young healthy mountain beech stands in Bavaria, Germany, four kilometers apart. With Illumina high-throughput sequencing, we found 113 fungal taxa from 0.7 million high-quality reads that mainly consisted of Ascomycota (52%) and Basidiomycota (26%) taxa. Significant correlations between richness and diversity indices were observed (p < 0.05), and mycobiomes did not differ between habitats in the current study. Species richness and diversity were higher in twigs compared to spring buds, and the assemblages in twigs shared most similarities. Interaction network analyses revealed that twig-bound fungi shared similar numbers of (interaction) links with others, dominated by negative co-occurrences, suggesting that competitive exclusion may be the predominant ecological interaction in the highly connected twig mycobiome. Combining community and network analyses strengthened the evidence that plant organs may filter endophytic communities directly through colonization access and indirectly by facilitating competitive interactions between the fungi.

Beech trees (Fagus sylvatica) are prominent keystone species of great economic and environmental value for central Europe, hosting a diverse mycobiome. The composition of endophyte communities may depend on tree health, plant organ or tissue, and growth habitat. To evaluate mycobiome communalities at local scales, buds, and twigs were sampled from two young healthy mountain beech stands in Bavaria, Germany, four kilometers apart. With Illumina high-throughput sequencing, we found 113 fungal taxa from 0.7 million high-quality reads that mainly consisted of Ascomycota (52%) and Basidiomycota (26%) taxa. Significant correlations between richness and diversity indices were observed (p < 0.05), and mycobiomes did not differ between habitats in the current study. Species richness and diversity were higher in twigs compared to spring buds, and the assemblages in twigs shared most similarities. Interaction network analyses revealed that twig-bound fungi shared similar numbers of (interaction) links with others, dominated by negative co-occurrences, suggesting that competitive exclusion may be the predominant ecological interaction in the highly connected twig mycobiome. Combining community and network analyses strengthened the evidence that plant organs may filter endophytic communities directly through colonization access and indirectly by facilitating competitive interactions between the fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Non-additive effects during the decomposition of mixed litter at species level have important consequences on ecosystem nutrient cycling, whereas such effect at plant organ level remains unclear. Methods: We investigated mass loss and nutrient release of single and mixed litter from leaf and culm for a dominant grass and of shoots for two dominant grasses under both ambient and enriched N conditions in a temperate grassland. Results: We found comparable mixing effects on litter mass loss and nutrient release at organ and species levels after 2-yr decomposition. Nitrogen enrichment stimulated litter mass loss of all litter types but did not alter the mixing effects on mass loss. Further, N enrichment enhanced the non-additive effects of mixing on N release at plant organ level but not at species level. Conclusions: This study extend the non-additive effects of litter decomposition from inter-specific level to intra-specific level by highlighting the synergistic interaction between leaf litter and culm litter during decomposition. Given the existence of non-additive mixing effects at plant organ level, it is more difficult to predict litter decomposition and nutrient cycling in herbaceous communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the difference of Se content in brown rice of different rice genotypes was evaluated on natural seleniferous soil. Firstly, the Se content of brown rice in 80 rice germplasm resources was determined, which ranged from 0.0249-0.1426 mg/kg, showing obvious differences. Next, two cultivars with a significant difference in Se content in brown rice, i.e., cv. Wuyangeng (high) and cv. IR68144 (low), were used to study the distribution pattern of Se in different organs. Moreover, the physiological mechanism of the Se content diversity in brown rice of the two cultivars was explored preliminarily. The results showed that the Se content of cv. Wuyangeng was 2-3 times higher compared to cv. IR68144. However, the Se contents of cv. IR68144 root and leaf were significantly higher than that of cv. Wuyangeng under both natural soil environment and artificial nutrient solution culture. Cv. IR68144 also had a stronger root Se accumulation coefficient and shoot Se transfer coefficient. Consequently, it can be inferred that the stronger Se transfer ability from stem to grain was the key reason for the higher Se content in brown rice cv. Wuyangeng than in cv. IR68144.

A general relationship between the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) content of all plant organs (e.g. leaf, stem, and root) is hypothesized to exist according to whole-plant economics spectrum (PES) theory, but the evidence supporting these expected patterns remains scarce. We measured the N and P content of the leaves, twigs and fine roots of 64 species in three different forest communities along an elevational gradient (evergreen broad-leaved forest, 1319 m a.s.l. coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest, 1697 m a.s.l. and deciduous forest, 1818 m a.s.l.) in the Wuyishan National Nature Reserve, southeastern China. The scaling relationship between the N and P content and the linear regression relationship between the N:P ratio and N and P content were analysed. The leaf N and P content was significantly higher at the high-elevation site than at the low- or middle-elevation sites (P < 0.001). The N and P content followed a power-law relationship with similar scaling slopes between organs. The N (common slope, 1.13) and P (common slope, 1.03) content isometrically covaried among leaves, twigs and roots. The scaling exponents of the N–P relationship were not significantly different from 1.0 in all organs, with a common slope of 1.08. The scaling constants of N–P decreased significantly (P < 0.05) from the highest value in fine roots (β = 1.25), followed by leaves (β = 1.17), to the lowest value in twigs (β = 0.88). Standardized major axis (SMA) analyses and comparisons of 95 % confidence intervals also showed that the numerical values of the scaling slopes and the scaling constants did not differ regardless of elevation. The N content, but not the P content, accounted for a large proportion of the variation in the N:P ratio in leaves (N:P and N: r 2 = 0.31, F = 33.36, P < 0.001) and fine roots (N:P and N: r 2 = 0.15, F = 10.65, P < 0.05). In contrast, the N:P ratio was significantly related to both the N and P content in the twigs (N:P and N: r 2 = 0.20, F = 17.86, P < 0.001; N:P and P: r 2 = 0.34, F = 35.03, P < 0.001, respectively). Our results indicate that different organs of subtropical woody plants share a similar isometric scaling relationship between their N and P content, providing partial support for the PES hypothesis. Moreover, the effects of the N and P content on the N:P ratio differ between metabolic organs (leaves and fine roots) and structural organs (twigs), elucidating the stoichiometric regulatory mechanism of different organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mineral contents of leaf, leaf petiole, fruit and fruit peduncle during the early and late stages of the production cycle may explain differences in response to fertilization in several strawberry genotypes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of two strawberry cultivars grown in soil. The nutritional status was determined as the amounts of nutrients taken up by the strawberry plants and the nutrient distribution within various parts of the plants during the production season. Uptake and partitioning of nutrients were determined by successive destructive harvesting of plants and mineral analysis of plant organs at two stages of growth (early and late season). The trial was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replicates per treatment. The data were examined by analysis of variance (three-way ANOVA), with cultivar ('Camarosa' and 'Candonga'), type of sap (leaf petiole sap, fruit peduncle sap), plant organ (leaf and fruit) and growing season included as factors. The macronutrient contents were influenced by the production season, organ and type of sap, and strawberry cultivar. However, the macronutrient contents were more strongly influenced by the production season than by the strawberry cultivar. In addition, the micronutrient contents of leaf petiole sap and the fruit peduncle sap varied widely, whereas the micronutrient content of the whole organ was higher in leaf than in fruit. The results thus suggested that fruit nutrient concentrations decreased over time. The results also revealed a significant effect of production season on the composition of all macronutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salvia mirzayanii Rech. F. & Esfand. is one of the medicinal species of the Lamiaceae family, growing wild only in Iran. In this study, different plant organs (leaf, flower, stem and whole plant (=aerial parts)) were collected from the Khonj region of Fars province in March 2018 and studied for their essential oil content and chemical composition. The essential oil of samples was extracted by hydro-distillation and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The essential oil yield of leaf, flower, stem and aerial parts was obtained to be 3.2, 2.6, 0.4 and 2.3% (w/w), respectively. The highest number of identified chemical components was observed in aerial parts and flowers (26 compounds) and the least in stem (23 compounds). The results of essential oil compound analysis revealed that α-terpinyl acetate, linalool, 1,8-cineol, β-eudesmol, δ-cadinene, and α-terpineol were the main compounds in the leaf essential oil. The main compounds of flower essential oil were included δ-cadinene, α-terpinyl acetate, linalool, β-eudesmol, and γ-cadinene. Compounds α-terpinyl acetate, linalool, linalool acetate, 1,8-cineol, and α-terpineol were abundantly found in the stem essential oil. The main compounds in the essential oil of aerial parts were δ-cadinene, α-terpinyl acetate, linalool, 1,8-cineol, γ-cadinene, and α-terpineol. The presence of chemical diversity in the essential oil of the whole plant and its various organs could be considered for pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries as well as for the plant breeders in selecting the appropriate organs for consumption and breeding purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology / Yingyong Shengtai Xuebao is the property of Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Heather (Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull.) is noted for a diverse chemical composition and a broad range of biological activity. The current study was aimed at monitoring changes in the accumulation of certain groups of phenolic compounds in various organs of heather (leaves, stems, roots, rhizomes, flowers, and seeds) at different growth stages (vegetative, floral budding, flowering, and seed ripening) as well as studying antioxidant (employing the DPPH and FRAP assays) and antibacterial activity of its extracts. The highest total amount of phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids, and proanthocyanidins was detected in leaves and roots at all growth stages, except for the flowering stage. At the flowering stage, the highest content of some groups of phenolic compounds (flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, and anthocyanins) was observed in flowers. Highest antioxidant activity was recorded for the flower extracts (about 500 mg of ascorbic acid equivalents per gram according to the DPPH assay) and for the leaf extract at the ripening stage (about 350 mg of ascorbic acid equivalents per gram according to the FRAP assay). Strong correlation was noted between antioxidant activity (DPPH) and the content of anthocyanins (r = 0.75, p ≤ 0.01) as well as between antioxidant activity (FRAP) and the total content of phenolic compounds (r = 0.77, p ≤ 0.01). Leaf extracts and stem extracts turned out to perform antibacterial action against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, whereas root extracts appeared to be active only against B. subtilis, and rhizome extracts against E. coli.

This work aimed to investigate the variability of the chemical composition of the aromatic halophyte Crithmum maritimum L. essential oils according to the geographical origin and separated organs, using a statistical approach based on the multiple analysis of variance and the Principal Component Analyses. One hundred twenty samples were collected from three distinct bioclimatic regions (10 samples×3 provenances×4 organs). Hydrodistillation of separated organs (roots, stems, leaves and flowers) yielded 0.13 to 1.75 % of the dry matter. Chemical investigation of the volatile compounds by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry showed that C. maritimum essential oils were dominated by monoterpenes hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoterpenes, and phenylpropanoids varying, respectively, from 33.3 to 66.9, from 7.8 to 46.6 and from 4.5 to 57.2 % according to organs and localities. Statistical analyses identified three different chemotypes depending on the geographic origin as follow: γ-Terpinene-Thymol methyl ether / Dillapiole / Thymol methyl ether-Dillapiole., (© 2023 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology / Yingyong Shengtai Xuebao is the property of Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology / Yingyong Shengtai Xuebao is the property of Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Nitrogen (N) deposition could influence plant stoichiometry and growth rate and thus alter the structure and function of the ecosystem. However, the mechanism by which N deposition changes the stoichiometry and relative growth rate (RGR) of plant organs, especially roots with different diameters, is unclear.Methods: We created a gradient of N availability (0–22.4 g N m-2 year-1) for Pinus tabuliformis seedlings for 3 years and examined changes in the carbon (C):N:phosphorus (P) ratios and RGRs of the leaves, stems, and roots with four diameter classes (finest roots, 2 mm).Results: (1) N addition significantly increased the C and N contents of the leaves and whole roots, the C content of the stems, the N:P ratios of the leaves and stems, and the C:P ratio of the whole roots. (2) In the root system, the C:N ratio of the finest roots and the C:P ratios of the finest and finer roots significantly changed with N addition. The N:P ratios of the finest, finer, and middle roots significantly increased with increasing amount of N added. The stoichiometric responses of the roots were more sensitive to N addition than those of the other organs (3) The RGR of all the organs significantly increased at low N addition levels (2.8–11.2 g N m-2 year-1) but decreased at high N addition levels (22.4 g N m-2 year-1). (4) The RGRs of the whole seedlings and leaves were not significantly correlated with their N:P ratios at low and high N addition levels. By contrast, the RGRs of the stems and roots showed a significantly positive correlation with their own N:P ratio only at low N addition level.Conclusion: Addition of N affected plant growth by altering the contents of C and N; the ratios of C, N, and P; and the RGRs of the organs. RGR is correlated with the N:P ratios of the stems and roots at low N addition level but not at high N addition level. This finding is inconsistent with the growth rate hypothesis.

Baphicacanthus cusia (Nees) Bremek, the plant source for many kinds of drugs in traditional Chinese medicine, is widely distributed in South China, especially in Fujian. Recent studies about B. cusia mainly focus on its chemical composition and pharmacological effects, but further analysis of the plant's gene functions and expression is required to better understand the synthesis of its effective compounds. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is a powerful method for gene expression analysis. It is necessary to select a suitable reference gene for expression normalization to ensure the accuracy of RT-qPCR results. Ten candidate reference genes were selected from the transcriptome datasets of B. cusia in this study, and the expression stability was assessed across 60 samples representing different tissues and organs under various conditions, including ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, hormonal stimuli (jasmonic acid methyl ester and abscisic acid), and in different plant organs. By employing different algorithms, such as geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper, which are complementary approaches based on different statistical procedures, 18S rRNA was found to be the most stable gene under UV irradiation and hormonal stimuli, whereas ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 was the best suitable gene for different plant organs. This novel study aimed to screen for suitable reference genes and corresponding primer pairs specifically designed for gene expression studies in B. cusia, in particular for RT-qPCR analyses.

The effects of water stress on crop yield through modifications of plant architecture are vital to crop performance such as common bean plants. To assess the extent of this effect, an outdoor experiment was conducted in which common bean plants received five treatments: fully irrigated, and irrigation deficits of 30% and 50% applied in flowering or pod formation stages onwards. Evapotranspiration, number and length of pods, shoot biomass, grain yield and harvest index were assessed, and architectural traits (length and thickness of internodes, length of petioles and petiolules, length and width of leaflet blades and angles) were recorded and analyzed using regression models. The highest irrigation deficit in the flowering stage had the most pronounced effect on plant architecture. Stressed plants were shorter, leaves were smaller and pointing downward, indicating that plants permanently altered their exposure to sunlight. The combined effect of irrigation deficit and less exposure to light lead to shorter pods, less shoot biomass and lower grain yield. Fitted empirical models between water deficit and plant architecture can be included in architectural simulation models to quantify plant light interception under water stress, which, in turn, can supply crop models adding a second order of water stress effects on crop yield simulation.

The preanthesis period in wheat is critical for growth of plant organs including leaves, stems, spikes and roots. However, the roles of the preanthesis biomass accumulation of plant and plant organs in yield determination are only partially elucidated, and the underlying genetic basis remains largely unknown. This study aimed to understand the physiological and genetic relationships between preanthesis biomass accumulation and yield determination. In a mapping population of bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum ‘Forno’) and its relative spelt ( Triticum spelta ‘Oberkulmer’) contrasting for biomass, the dry weight of above-ground whole shoots and different organs, and leaf area, were analysed at GS39 (full flag leaf emergence) and anthesis. Yield components (thousand grain weight, grains per spike, final shoot biomass and grain weight per spike) and plant height were measured at maturity, followed by identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for all above traits. Field experiments were carried out in UK in 2011–2012 and 2012–2013 seasons, each using a randomised complete block design with three replicates. The results showed that there was a significant variation in biomass and its partitioning to organs at different stages. Consistent with the previous findings, stem water soluble carbohydrates and spike dry weight at anthesis contributed to thousand grain weight and grains per spike, respectively. In addition, this study revealed many other traits positively associated with one or more yield components, including biomass and leaf area at GS39, leaf and structural stem growth as well as whole shoot biomass at anthesis, and higher dry matter accumulation and crop (and spike) growth rates between the two stages. Increasing shoot biomass by removing other tillers at GS39 led to higher grain number and grain weight per spike. These results indicate the importance of the preanthesis growth of plant and plant organs for yield determination. Plant height was only weakly correlated with final biomass at maturity so it is possible to produce high-biomass genotypes without increasing plant height. Genetic analysis revealed 193 QTL associated with biomass and biomass-related traits. Frequent QTL coincidences between biomass and yield traits were observed, mainly on chromosomes 2B, 3A, 4A, 4B, 5A, 6A and 7B, indicating pleiotropy or tight gene linkages, consistent with their phenotypic associations. The preanthesis biomass traits associated with yield components and the underlying QTL, would facilitate the trait-based physiological and molecular breeding in wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quantitative response of yield to density in plant populations has been an important focus of both theoretical research and empirical research. Most studies on yield-density effects have focused mainly on aboveground plant parts, and rarely on various plant organs and belowground parts. We tested the hypothesis that yield-density effects of belowground parts are different from those for aboveground parts. Bulbs of Allium cepa var. aggregatum were sown at five densities at the Pasture Ecology Research Station, western Jilin Province, China. We harvested populations at four different points in time and analyzed yield-density relationships of above- versus belowground parts and component organs. A hyperbolic model provided a very good fit to above- and belowground biomass, as well as the biomass of specific organs throughout the experiment. Aboveground and leaf biomass achieved constant final yield, but stand stem and root biomass increased monotonically with increasing sowing density. Belowground and specifically bulb yield was highest at intermediate densities at the later harvests. Constant final yield may be widely applicable to total biomass production by a population, but it does not apply to specific organs, such as stems, roots, or bulbs. Asymptotic leaf biomass reached its asymptote earlier than that of other aboveground parts. The effect of density on A. cepa var. aggregatum organs is a consequence of allocation of photosynthate to different organs in response to competition. Yield-density effects are different above- and belowground as a result of the different mechanisms of competition, constrained by the functional relationship between above- and belowground organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grazing considerably affects ecosystem nutrient cycling and element stoichiometry at the regional and global levels according to synthesized studies. However, the effects of grazing, especially its intensity, on the plant litter decomposition stage of key processes in biogeochemical cycles are not clearly understood. Here, a meta-analysis of 65 published papers was undertaken to examine the responses of eight variables associated with litter decomposition to grazing or grazing intensity. We also explored whether experimental and environmental factors altered the effects of grazing on litter decomposition. Our results indicated that grazing significantly promoted litter decomposition when all the data was averaged, and that the magnitude of its effects on litter decomposition became weaker as grazing intensity increased. Grazing did not affect mixed root litter decomposition, but increased single root litter decomposition, and light grazing had a stronger positive effect. Specifically, grazing significantly accelerated litter C and P release, and significantly increased single N release by single above-ground litter, but not root or mixed aboveground litter. In addition, environmental factors (e.g., elevation, and mean annual precipitation) and experimental factors (e.g., experiment duration and litterbag size) affected the litter decomposition responses to grazing. These results suggest that the effects of grazing on litter decomposition and nutrient release depend on grazing intensity, litter type, and plant organs. Grazing alters terrestrial plant litter decomposition and grazing intensity plays an important role in regulating the magnitude of the effect during litter decomposition and nutrient cycling. • Effect of grazing on litter decomposition and nutrient release was examined. • Light grazing showed a stronger promoting effect on litter decomposition. • Effect of grazing on litter decomposition depends on plant organ and litter type. • Effect of litterbag area on litter decomposition should be considered in subsequent studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the effects of annual application of three rates of compost on nutrient concentration and accumulation in tree organs, after 11 years of continuous application of a municipal solid waste (MSW) compost in a commercial nectarine orchard. Trees were subjected, since their plantation (2001), to the following MSW compost rate: 0, 5 and 10 t dw ha −1 yr −1 , split in May (60%) and September (40%). In 2011/2012 biomass of pruned wood, thinned fruits, fruit pulp and stones at harvest, and abscised leaves were weighted and analyzed for macro (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) and micro (Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn) nutrients concentration. In addition, leaves and fruit pulp at harvest were analyzed for heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb) concentration. Plant part biomass (with the exception of thinned fruits) was linearly related to compost application rate. The highest rate of compost increased N and decreased Ca and Mg concentration in leaves sampled in summer, whereas no differences among treatments were observed for the other nutrients. At the end of the season leaf N, K and Zn were remobilized to storage plant part, while P, Ca, Mg, Fe and Mn reached the highest values in abscised leaves. Nitrogen, K, Mg, Cu, Mn and Zn accumulation in the plant part analyzed increased as a consequence of the application of compost at 10 t ha −1 when compared with compost at 5 t ha −1 and control. Phosphorous accumulation was increased by compost at the highest rate compared with control; no differences were observed for Ca and Fe accumulation. Nitrogen and P were mainly accumulated in fruit, abscised leaves and pruned wood; K was allocated mainly into fruits, while Ca and Mg were found highest in abscised leaves. Concentration of heavy metals in leaves and fruits were not affected by treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]