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Topic Review
Plasma Membrane Proton Pump in Plants
In plants, the plasma membrane proton pump (PM H+-ATPase) regulates numerous transport-dependent processes such as growth, development, basic physiology, and adaptation to environmental conditions.
  • 770
  • 16 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Olive Oil Sensory Analysis
In inland areas of Portugal and some regions of the Mediterranean basin, olive production is based on traditional olive groves, with low intensification, local cultivars, aged plants, and centenarian trees. These plants play a key role in the ecosystem, contributing to carbon sequestration and possessing a high genetic diversity, particularly important for selecting cultivars more resistant to climatic changes. Appreciation of the value of this genetic diversity implies genetic, morphological, and physicochemical characterization of centenarian trees, which is expensive and time-consuming. Sensory evaluation is also of utmost importance. 
  • 769
  • 07 Feb 2022
Topic Review
CRISPR Technology in Flowering Time Engineering
Flowering is a crucial process in the life cycle of most plants as it is essential for the reproductive success and genetic diversity of the species. There are situations in which breeders want to expedite, delay, or prevent flowering, for example, to shorten or prolong vegetative growth, to prevent unwanted pollination, to reduce the risk of diseases or pests, or to modify the plant's phenotypes.
  • 769
  • 12 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Trichoderma Species as Biocontrol Inoculant in Crop Rhizosphere
The fungal species belonging to the genus Trichoderma has been globally recognized as a potential candidate of biofertilizer and biocontrol agent to prevent devastating soil-borne fungal pathogens and enhance growth and productivity of agricultural crops. The antagonistic activity of Trichoderma to pathogenic fungi is attributed to several mechanisms including antibiosis and enzymatic hydrolysis, which are largely associated with a wide range of metabolites secreted by the Trichoderma species. Besides suppressing target pathogens, several metabolites produced by Trichoderma species may act against non-pathogenic beneficial soil microbial communities and perform unintended alterations within the structures and functions of microbial communities in the crop rhizosphere. Multiple microbial interactions have been shown to enhance biocontrol efficacy in many cases as compared to bioinoculant employed alone. 
  • 764
  • 25 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Mechanisms Involved in Nitrogen-Use Efficiency in Maize
Nitrogen is a nutrient that has great mobility in plants, so its metabolism involves several processes, including absorption, reduction, assimilation, translocation and remobilization. The genetic differences between nitrogen uptake or productivity per unit of nitrogen applied to the soil have been studied for several grasses, especially those of commercial importance, such as wheat, rice, oats and, mainly, corn. The latter, in general, is one of the most produced cereals worldwide and one that most requires nitrogen fertilizers to increase productivity.
  • 763
  • 11 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Molecular Plant–Nematode Interactions in Nematode Control
With the ongoing nature of the socio-economic importance of agriculture, the global needs for sustainable and mounting food production to suffice the increased human population are evident. Thus, it is essential that issues associated with a full spectrum of crop production restrictions and losses are soundly solved. Plant–parasitic nematodes (PPNs) rank high among other crop pests and pathogens that constitute major constraints to agricultural production. Estimates of crop losses due to PPNs for the 20 life-sustaining crops averaged 12.6% of worldwide crop yield which equaled USD 215.77 billion of annual yield. An additional 20 crops with significant values for food and export have also a 14.45% annual yield loss which equaled USD 142.47 billion. The total 40 crops sustain an average of 13.5% losses which are estimated at USD 358.24 billion annually. Clearly, these assessments will probably be elevated by adding other nematode-infected plant species worldwide to the list. Hence, adopting adequate and effective measures for optimizing PPN control tactics and strategies is a big challenge.
  • 763
  • 30 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Molecular Breeding to Develop HMT Tolerance in Rice
Heavy metal toxicity generally refers to the negative impact on the environment, humans, and other living organisms caused by exposure to heavy metals (HMs). Heavy metal poisoning is the accumulation of HMs in the soft tissues of organisms in a toxic amount. HMs bind to certain cells and prevent organs from functioning. Agricultural experts have expressed interest in further investigating the underlying mechanisms that allow plants to resist HM toxicity. Given a thorough understanding of HM transport and deposition in various plant organelles, researchers have proposed a number of experimental methods using innovative molecular approaches that can assist rice plants develop HM tolerance. In particular, detoxification, transport, and/or sequestration are the primary objectives of HM control techniques. Fluid transport from roots to other plant parts involves water transpiration, root pressure, cation exchange in the cell walls of xylem vessels, formation of complexes with amino acids (Cu), histidine, peptides (Ni), and chelates with organic acids (Zn). Accordingly, the concentrations of most HMs gradually decreased with distance from the root. These elements are transported inside the plant by cell wall charge interactions and the formation of soluble organic complexes in the sap.
  • 762
  • 16 May 2023
Topic Review
Leaf Senescence in Rice
Leaf senescence, which is the last developmental phase of plant growth, is controlled by multiple genetic and environmental factors. Leaf yellowing is a visual indicator of senescence due to the loss of the green pigment chlorophyll. During senescence, the methodical disassembly of macromolecules occurs, facilitating nutrient recycling and translocation from the sink to the source organs, which is critical for plant fitness and productivity. Leaf senescence is a complex and tightly regulated process, with coordinated actions of multiple pathways, responding to a sophisticated integration of leaf age and various environmental signals. Many studies have been carried out to understand the leaf senescence-associated molecular mechanisms including the chlorophyll breakdown, phytohormonal and transcriptional regulation, interaction with environmental signals, and associated metabolic changes. The metabolic reprogramming and nutrient recycling occurring during leaf senescence highlight the fundamental role of this developmental stage for the nutrient economy at the whole plant level. The strong impact of the senescence-associated nutrient remobilization on cereal productivity and grain quality is of interest in many breeding programs.
  • 761
  • 01 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Interactions of Phytohormones with Fiber Development
Phytohormones are small endogenous signal molecules in plants. Plant hormones are regulators of plant growth and development and are also particularly important in the establishment of fiber cells in cotton. Gibberellic acid (GA), jasmonic acid (JA), auxin, ethylene (ETH), and brassinosteroid (BR) all contribute to fiber formation, but cytokinin (CK) and abscisic acid (ABA) inhibit fiber growth. Studies of endogenous hormone levels have shown that plant hormones affect the formation of cotton fiber cells. Plant hormones have been shown to play important roles in the growth of cotton fiber cells and the retention of cotton bolls. Furthermore, measurements of hormone levels have shown that fiber cell initiation and elongation are linked. ESTs from ovules indicate that several phytohormone regulators contribute to the early stages of fiber growth, including auxin, BR, GA, and ABA. The expression of MIXTA, MYB5, GL2, and eight genes in the auxin, BR, GA, and ETH pathways is up-regulated when fiber cells begin to form, but the expression of these genes is down-regulated in the n1n1 mutant, which is not capable of making fibers. These findings are consistent with the well-known effects of phytohormones on fiber cell development in immature cotton ovules grown in vitro. Assembly of ESTs from fiber initials at 1 DPA has revealed several novel genes involved in fiber formation. In addition to CAPRICE (CPC) genes, many genes that regulate BRs, GTP-mediated signal transduction, cell cycle control, and components of a Ca2+-mediated signaling pathway have been identified in fiber at one DPA. This indicates that Ca2+ and other signaling pathways play a role in fiber development. It also suggests that the expression of phytohormonal pathway genes is activated before the expression of MYB-like genes is activated, which suggests that phytohormones play a key role in determining cell fate.
  • 761
  • 24 May 2022
Topic Review
Metallothionein Genes in Oryza Genus
Metallothionein (MT) proteins are low molecular mass, cysteine-rich, and metal-binding proteins that play an important role in maintaining metal homeostasis and stress response. However, the evolutionary relationships and functional differentiation of MT in the Oryza genus remain unclear.
  • 759
  • 29 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Plant Immune Response
In a world with constant population growth, and in the context of climate change, the need to supply the demand of safe crops has stimulated an interest in ecological products that can increase agricultural productivity. This implies the use of beneficial organisms and natural products to improve crop performance and control pests and diseases, replacing chemical compounds that can affect the environment and human health. Microbial biological control agents (MBCAs) interact with pathogens directly or by inducing a physiological state of resistance in the plant. This involves several mechanisms, like interference with phytohormone pathways and priming defensive compounds. In Argentina, one of the world’s main maize exporters, yield is restricted by several limitations, including foliar diseases such as common rust and northern corn leaf blight (NCLB). 
  • 758
  • 26 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Origins and Evolution of Plant Hormone Modules
Biological modularity refers to the organization of living systems into separate functional units that interact in different combinations to promote individual well-being and species survival. Modularity provides a framework for generating and selecting variations that can lead to adaptive evolution. While the exact mechanisms underlying the evolution of modularity are still being explored, it is believed that the pressure of conflicting demands on limited resources is a primary selection force. One prominent example of conflicting demands is the trade-off between survival and reproduction. 
  • 756
  • 22 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Kandelia candel Thioredoxin f
Water deficit caused by osmotic stress and drought limits crop yield and tree growth worldwide. Screening and identifying candidate genes from stress-resistant species are a genetic engineering strategy to increase drought resistance. In this study, an increased concentration of mannitol resulted in elevated expression of thioredoxin f (KcTrxf) in the nonsecretor mangrove species Kandelia candel. By means of amino acid sequence and phylogenetic analysis, the mangrove Trx was classified as an f-type thioredoxin. Subcellular localization showed that KcTrxf localizes to chloroplasts. Enzymatic activity characterization revealed that KcTrxf recombinant protein possesses the disulfide reductase function. KcTrxf overexpression contributes to osmotic and drought tolerance in tobacco in terms of fresh weight, root length, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production. KcTrxf was shown to reduce the stomatal aperture by enhancing K+ efflux in guard cells, which increased the water-retaining capacity in leaves under drought conditions. Notably, the abscisic acid (ABA) sensitivity was increased in KcTrxf-transgenic tobacco, which benefits plants exposed to drought by reducing water loss by promoting stomatal closure. KcTrxf-transgenic plants limited drought-induced H2O2 in leaves, which could reduce lipid peroxidation and retain the membrane integrity. Additionally, glutathione (GSH) contributing to reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and transgenic plants are more efficient at regenerating GSH from oxidized glutathione (GSSG) under conditions of drought stress. Notably, KcTrxf-transgenic plants had increased glucose and fructose contents under drought stress conditions, presumably resulting from KcTrxf-promoted starch degradation under water stress. We conclude that KcTrxf contributes to drought tolerance by increasing the water status, by enhancing osmotic adjustment, and by maintaining ROS homeostasis in transgene plants.
  • 755
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
The Lissorchiid Concept of the Genus Anarhichotrema Shimazu
Anarhichotrema Shimazu, 1973 is a monotypic digenean genus, with the type- and only species, Anarhichotrema ochotense Shimazu, 1973, known to infect North Pacific fishes. This genus was originally described as a member of the Lissorchiidae (Monorchioidea) and later moved to the Zoogonidae (Microphalloidea).
  • 755
  • 07 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Cirsium appendiculatum
The widespread genus Cirsium Mill. (thistle) is one of the biggest genera in Asteraceae family (subfamily: Carduoideae Cass. Ex Sweet, tribe: Cardueae Cass., subtribe: Carduinae (Cass.) Dumort, sect. Cirsium). It includes about 250 species spread throughout Europe, North Africa, East Asia, Central Asia, SW Asia and North and Central America. Its species have been used for many years as a traditional herbal medicine. As the origin of the name suggests (“khirsos” in Greek means “swollen veins”), the genus Cirsium has been known for centuries for its usage against varicose diseases, to relieve pain.
  • 754
  • 13 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Grapevine Viruses in Mexico
About grapevine viruses in Mexico, nine viruses have been identified, including grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV), grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3), grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV), and grapevine virus A (GVA).  Important information is provided about these viruses and viral pathogens that have not yet been reported in Mexico, but represent an ongoing threat to plant health and grapevine production in other viticultural regions of the world.
  • 754
  • 28 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Food-Secure World
Food security is an overly broad concept. It is, therefore, difficult to capture the totality of this concept in a few words. Several attempts have been made by global bodies in recent decades before arriving at the current definition. At the World Food Conference (1974), the concept of ‘food security’ was introduced, and it was defined as the consistent availability of sufficient global food supplies, including essential nutrients, to enable a steady increase in food consumption and counteract fluctuations in production and prices. 
  • 754
  • 14 Aug 2023
Topic Review
RNA/DNA Differences Associated with Drought Response in Wheat
RNA/DNA difference (RDD) is a post-transcriptional RNA modification to enrich genetic information, widely involved in regulating diverse biological processes in eukaryotes. RDDs in the wheat nuclear genome, especially those associated with drought response or tolerance, were not well studied up to now.
  • 752
  • 21 Mar 2022
Topic Review
The Molecular Identity of Plant Callus Tissues
In response to different degrees of mechanical injury, certain plant cells re-enter the division cycle to provide cells for tissue replenishment, tissue rejoining, de novo organ formation, and/or wound healing. The intermediate tissue formed by the dividing cells is called a callus. Callus formation can also be induced artificially in vitro by wounding and/or hormone (auxin and cytokinin) treatments. The callus tissue can be maintained in culture, providing starting material for de novo organ or embryo regeneration and thus serving as the basis for many plant biotechnology applications. Due to the biotechnological importance of callus cultures and the scientific interest in the developmental flexibility of somatic plant cells, the initial molecular steps of callus formation have been studied in detail. It was revealed that callus initiation can follow various ways, depending on the organ from which it develops and the inducer, but they converge on a seemingly identical tissue. However, the common molecular signature that the various pathways converge on and define calli, regardless of their variable origin, as the same tissue has not yet been revealed.
  • 751
  • 13 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Chemistry and pharmacological study of Aspidosperma pyrifolium (Apocynaceae)
Aspidosperma pyrifolium Mart., popularly known as “pereiro-preto”, is a small tree that is widely distributed in Northeastern Brazil, more precisely in the Caatinga. Its wood is used in the manufacture of furniture, due to its excellent quality; in traditional medicine, the extract of its leaves and bark is used for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The study made it possible to isolate 15-methoxyaspidospermine and 15-methoxypyrifolidine, corroborating the results of pharmacological assays, which showed anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential, especially at 30 mg kg−1 (p < 0.001). Thus, the species was shown to be a promising source of active substances, with special attention paid to its toxicological potential.
  • 749
  • 09 Dec 2021
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