scholarly journals Editorial: The Next Step: Disentangling the Role of Plant-Soil Feedbacks in Plant Performance and Species Coexistence Under Natural Conditions

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Heinze ◽  
T. Martijn Bezemer ◽  
Jasmin Joshi
Keyword(s):  
Species Coexistence ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Natural Conditions ◽  
Plant Soil

scholarly journals Response of Barley Plants to Drought Might Be Associated with the Recruiting of Soil-Borne Endophytes

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 1414
Author(s):  
Luhua Yang ◽  
Peter Schröder ◽  
Gisle Vestergaard ◽  
Michael Schloter ◽  
Viviane Radl
Keyword(s):  
Drought Stress ◽  
Bacterial Communities ◽  
Soil Microbes ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Soil Microbiome ◽  
Bacterial Endophytes ◽  
Natural Conditions

Mechanisms used by plants to respond to water limitation have been extensively studied. However, even though the inoculation of beneficial microbes has been shown to improve plant performance under drought stress, the inherent role of soil microbes on plant response has been less considered. In the present work, we assessed the importance of the soil microbiome for the growth of barley plants under drought stress. Plant growth was not significantly affected by the disturbance of the soil microbiome under regular watering. However, after drought stress, we observed a significant reduction in plant biomass, particularly of the root system. Plants grown in the soil with disturbed microbiome were significantly more affected by drought and did not recover two weeks after re-watering. These effects were accompanied by changes in the composition of endophytic fungal and bacterial communities. Under natural conditions, soil-derived plant endophytes were major colonizers of plant roots, such as Glycomyces and Fusarium, whereas, for plants grown in the soil with disturbed microbiome seed-born bacterial endophytes, e.g., Pantoea, Erwinia, and unclassified Pseudomonaceae and fungal genera normally associated with pathogenesis, such as Gibberella and Gaeumannomyces were observed. Therefore, the role of the composition of the indigenous soil microbiota should be considered in future approaches to develop management strategies to make plants more resistant towards abiotic stress, such as drought.

Foraging behaviour in East Asian desert rodents and its implications on coexistence

2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 171-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling-Ying Shuai ◽  
Yan-Ling Song ◽  
Burt P. Kotler ◽  
Keren Embar ◽  
Zhi-Gao Zeng
Keyword(s):  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Species Coexistence ◽  
Interspecific Interactions ◽  
Interference Competition ◽  
Foraging Efficiency ◽  
Gobi Desert ◽  
Patch Use ◽  
Desert Rodents ◽  
Daily Scale

We studied the foraging behaviour of two sympatric rodents (Meriones meridianus and Dipus sagitta) in the Gobi Desert, Northwestern China. The role of the foraging behaviour in promoting species coexistence was also examined. We used giving-up densities (GUDs) in artificial food patches to measure the patch use of rodents and video trapping to directly record the foraging behaviour, vigilance, and interspecific interactions. Three potential mechanisms of coexistence were evaluated (1) microhabitat partitioning; (2) spatial heterogeneity of resource abundance with a tradeoff in foraging efficiency vs. locomotion; and (3) temporal partitioning on a daily scale. Compared to M. meridianus, D. sagitta generally possessed lower GUDs, spent more time on patches, and conducted more visits per tray per capita, regardless of microhabitat. However, M. meridianus possessed advantages in average harvesting rates and direct interference against D. sagitta. Our results only partly support the third mechanism listed above. We propose another potential mechanism of coexistence: a tradeoff between interference competition and safety, with M. meridianus better at interference competition and D. sagitta better at avoiding predation risk. This mechanism is uncommon in previously studied desert rodent systems.

scholarly journals The Effect of Weak Electrolyte Solutions on the Hatching Rate of the Eggs of Tricho-Strongylus Retortaeformis (Zeder) and its Interpretation in Terms of a Proposed Hatching Mechanism of Strongyloid Eggs

1958 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 584-601
Author(s):  
P. A. G. WILSON
Keyword(s):  
Water Permeability ◽  
Electrolyte Solutions ◽  
Hatching Rate ◽  
Natural Conditions ◽  
Ionic Solutions ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
Egg Membrane ◽  
Hatching Eggs ◽  
Colligative Properties

1. The influence of solutions of NaCl on the hatching of eggs of Trichostrongylus retortaeformis is studied. It is shown that the effects are not the consequence of colligative properties, but are related to ionic phenomena. 0.05 N-NaCl slows down the rate of hatch without impairing the ultimate ‘hatchability’ of the eggs. Processes of development up to hatching are not slowed down. 2. The effect demonstrated in the case of NaCl is shown to be shared by eight other electrolytes, the depression in the rate of hatch being proportional to the mobility of the ions in solution. On the assumption that the effect of the ions is due to a penetration of the egg membrane(s) the rate of entry is shown to be controlled by the speed of the slower ion in any one salt. 3. The influence of NaCl on the permeability of hatching eggs to water is studied. It is shown that the rate of increase in permeability is slowed down sufficiently in NaCl to control the rate of hatch. The inference that water permeability is a necessary prerequisite for hatching is made, a further hypothetical process being invoked to account for the rate of hatch in the absence of NaCl, since it is not then controlled by changes in water permeability. 4. The probability that the net effect of ionic solutions on the eggs is one concerned with the rate of breakdown of the inner wax-like layer of the egg is strengthened by experiments demonstrating that the depressing influence of NaCl is antagonized by ‘Teepol’, though the comparable influence of other, non-emulsifying, compounds cannot be explained. 5. The role of water permeability in the hatching mechanism is investigated. 6. A hatching mechanism of strongyloid eggs is proposed which involves two processes, the first dependent upon the osmotic relationships of the unhatched larva to its environment, the second being some sort of chemical weakening of the outer shell. 7. It is suggested that the effect of ions on hatching rate assists the ‘embryonated egg’ to survive under natural conditions when the hatched first-stage larva might otherwise be destroyed by desiccation.

scholarly journals The Potential of Building Tourist Cities by Using Existing Resources in Uzbekistan with an Innovative Approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madina M. Khashimova ◽  
Shakhzod F. Turakulov
Keyword(s):  
Highly Qualified ◽  
Natural Conditions ◽  
Foreign Countries ◽  
Economic Infrastructure ◽  
The Republic ◽  
High Level ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
Steep Slopes ◽  
Training Area

This article reflects the construction of tourist cities using the resources available on the territory of Uzbekistan. The benefits of utilisation for the development of tourism infrastructure from geological cities that are not exploited, included in the available resources, have been analyzed. The high level of efficiency in the use of geological cities is based on the availability of economic infrastructure, which is recognized as the application of this infrastructure in the construction of tourist cities is low in costs. The article shows the specific natural anchors of three ecotouristic objects, the srategic plans for effective use of these anchors. Proposals on the expediency of the establishment of camps, bags, summer recreation zones are included in these facilities. The abundance of excursion facilities and attractions in the objects of ecotourism expressed their views on the possibility of opening remarkable travel destinations. And the steep slopes of the mountain are shown to be a special training area for training highly qualified climbers. Reflecting the peculiarities of the nature of the objects of the ecosystem, the role of these settlements with unique natural conditions in the development of tourism is established. The potential for the construction of such ecotouristic cities in the Republic of Uzbekistan is high, and the growth in the efficiency of the use of such potentials is reported to increase the number of tourists coming from foreign countries to Uzbekistan.

scholarly journals Indications for a Central Role of Hexokinase Activity in Natural Variation of Heat Acclimation in Arabidopsis thaliana

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasil Atanasov ◽  
Lisa Fürtauer ◽  
Thomas Nägele
Keyword(s):  
Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
Metabolic Regulation ◽  
Co2 Assimilation ◽  
High Light ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Hexokinase Activity ◽  
South Italy ◽  
Single Stress ◽  
Photosynthetic Capacities

Diurnal and seasonal changes of abiotic environmental factors shape plant performance and distribution. Changes of growth temperature and light intensity may vary significantly on a diurnal, but also on a weekly or seasonal scale. Hence, acclimation to a changing temperature and light regime is essential for plant survival and propagation. In the present study, we analyzed photosynthetic CO2 assimilation and metabolic regulation of the central carbohydrate metabolism in two natural accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana originating from Russia and south Italy during exposure to heat and a combination of heat and high light. Our findings indicate that it is hardly possible to predict photosynthetic capacities to fix CO2 under combined stress from single stress experiments. Further, capacities of hexose phosphorylation were found to be significantly lower in the Italian than in the Russian accession which could explain an inverted sucrose-to-hexose ratio. Together with the finding of significantly stronger accumulation of anthocyanins under heat/high light these observations indicate a central role of hexokinase activity in stabilization of photosynthetic capacities within a changing environment.

scholarly journals Marketing analysis of the Villány wine region

2014 ◽  
pp. 119-123
Author(s):  
Klára Törökné Kiss
Keyword(s):  
Wine Industry ◽  
Natural Conditions ◽  
Wine Production ◽  
Wine Consumption ◽  
The Future ◽  
Marketing Analysis ◽  
Wine Region

Hungarian wine is not in such a bad position as it is considered. We have outstanding specialists and the country’s natural conditions are also proper. In Hungary, there are wine production and wine consumption has a major traditions. The role of marketing in our wine industry is growing more and more, and this trend is expected to continue in the future. The development of tourism in wine-growing regions and advertising would considerably promote the popularity of Hungarian wine.

scholarly journals Divergence in bidirectional plant-soil feedbacks between montane annual and coastal perennial ecotypes of yellow monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariah M. McIntosh ◽  
Lorinda Bullington ◽  
Ylva Lekberg ◽  
Lila Fishman
Keyword(s):  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Fungal Communities ◽  
Mechanistic Study ◽  
List Type ◽  
Mimulus Guttatus ◽  
Plant Variation ◽  
Plant Soil ◽  
Soil Origin

SUMMARYUnderstanding the physiological and genetic mechanisms underlying plant variation in interactions with root-associated biota (RAB) requires a micro-evolutionary approach. We use locally adapted montane annual and coastal perennial ecotypes of Mimulus guttatus (yellow monkeyflower) to examine population-scale differences in plant-RAB-soil feedbacks.We characterized fungal communities for the two ecotypes in-situ and used a full-factorial greenhouse experiment to investigate the effects of plant ecotype, RAB source, and soil origin on plant performance and endophytic root fungal communities.The two ecotypes harbored different fungal communities and responsiveness to soil biota was highly context-dependent. Soil origin, RAB source, and plant ecotype all affected the intensity of biotic feedbacks on plant performance. Feedbacks were primarily negative, and we saw little evidence of local adaptation to either soils or RAB. Both RAB source and soil origin significantly shaped fungal communities in roots of experimental plants. Further, the perennial ecotype was more colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) than the montane ecotype, and preferentially recruited home AMF taxa.Our results suggest life history divergence and distinct edaphic habitats shape plant responsiveness to RAB and influence specific associations with potentially mutualistic root endophytic fungi. Our results advance the mechanistic study of intraspecific variation in plant–soil–RAB interactions.

Species Size and Reproductive Economy in Herbaceous Vegetation

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Tracey
Keyword(s):  
Species Coexistence ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Traditional Theory ◽  
Old Field ◽  
Critical Question ◽  
Self Fertilization ◽  
Reproductive Economy ◽  
Competition For Resources

According to traditional theory, larger plants generaly have an advantage with respect to competition, especially for light. It seems a paradox then that most species that coexist within natural vegetation are relatively small; specis size distributions are right-skewed at virtually every scale. The critical question then becomes: if bigger is better in competition for resources, why then are there so many small plants? A potential explanation for this paradox is that smaller species may have greater reproductive economy-i.e. the ability to reproduce despite suppression from intense competition. Selection for greater reproductive economy may be associated with smaller seed sizes, increased rates of self-fertilization and/or clonality, and in the case of this study, smaller size at reproductive maturity. Random plots in an old field at Queen's University Biological Station were sampled and the largest and smallest reproductive individuals of each species were collected, dried and weighed - to test the hypothesis that smaller species can reproduce at a smaller proportion of their maximum potential plant sizes. The results did not support this, but the hypothesis that smaller plants have greater reproductive economy could not be rejected as it was not possible to record data for the largest possible plant size for each species (since even the largest plants were subjected to competition from neighbours). This provides a focus for future research. Understanding the role of plant size in affecting the process of species assembly has important implications for species coexistence and mechanisms of biodiversity preservation, and thus efforts involving conservation and ecosystem management.

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