scholarly journals Ecotoxicological Assessment of a Glyphosate-Based Herbicide in Cover Plants: Medicago sativa L. as a Model Species

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 5098
Author(s):  
Beatriz Fernandes ◽  
Cristiano Soares ◽  
Cláudia Braga ◽  
Ana Rebotim ◽  
Rafael Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Contaminated Soils ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Environmental Safety ◽  
Model Species ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Ecotoxicological Assessment ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Target Plant

Despite the several innovations that have been incorporated in agriculture, the use of herbicides, especially glyphosate (GLY), is still the major tool for weed control. Although this herbicide has a notable worldwide representation, concerns about its environmental safety were recently raised, with a lot of divergence between studies on its non-target toxicity. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to understand the risks of this herbicide to non-target plants, including cover crop species, which have a crucial role in maintaining agroecosystems functions and in preventing soil erosion. Thus, this work aims to evaluate the growth and physiological responses of a cover plant species (Medicago sativa L.) exposed to increasing concentrations of a GLY-based herbicide (GBH), particularly focusing on the oxidative metabolism. The growth of roots and shoots was affected, being this effect accompanied by a rise of lipid peroxidation, suggesting the occurrence of oxidative stress, and by an activation of the antioxidant (AOX) system. Indeed, the results showed that adverse effects are visible at active ingredient concentrations of 8.0 mg kg−1, with the lowest EC50 being 12 mg kg−1, showing that GBH-contaminated soils may pose a risk to the survival of non-target plants in the most contaminated areas. Overall, these findings proved that GBH greatly impairs the growth of a non-target plant, strengthening the need of additional studies to unravel the real risks associated with the over usage of this pesticide, since there is an evident lack of studies performed with contaminated soils.

Artificial microRNA (amiRNA) induced gene silencing in alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

Botany ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian C. Verdonk ◽  
Michael L. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Gene Silencing ◽  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Target Gene ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Mirna Precursor ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Forage Crop ◽  
Ribonucleic Acids ◽  
Endogenous Gene ◽  
Medicago Sativa L

Gene silencing is a powerful technique that allows the study of the function of specific genes by selectively reducing their transcription. Several different approaches can be used, however they all have in common the artificial generation of single stranded small ribonucleic acids (RNAs) that are utilized by the endogenous gene silencing machinery of the organism. Artificial microRNAs (amiRNA) can be used to very specifically target genes for silencing because only a short sequence of 21 nucleotides of the gene of interest is used. Gene silencing via amiRNA has been developed for Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. and rice using endogenous microRNA (miRNA) precursors and has been shown to also work effectively in other dicot species using the arabidopsis miRNA precursor. Here, we demonstrate that the arabidopsis miR319 precursor can be used to silence genes in the important forage crop species alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) by silencing the expression of a transgenic beta-glucuronidase (GUSPlus) target gene.

The Affymetrix Medicago GeneChip® array is applicable for transcript analysis of alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 783 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mesfin Tesfaye ◽  
Kevin A. T. Silverstein ◽  
Bruna Bucciarelli ◽  
Deborah A. Samac ◽  
Carroll P. Vance
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Transcript Analysis ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Trifoliate Leaf ◽  
Model Legume ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Genome Array ◽  
Medicago Species ◽  
Medicago Genechip

The recently released Affymetrix GeneChip® Medicago Genome Array contains approximately 52 700 probe sets representing genes in both the model legume Medicago truncatula Gaertn. and the closely related crop species Medicago sativa L. (alfalfa). We evaluated the utility of the Medicago GeneChip® for monitoring genome-wide expression of M. truncatula and alfalfa seedlings grown to the first trifoliate leaf stage. We found that approximately 40–54% of the Medicago probes were detected in leaf or root samples of alfalfa or M. truncatula. Approximately 45–59% of the detected Medicago probes were called ‘present’ in all replicate GeneChips of Medicago species, indicating a considerable overlap in the number and type of Medicago probes detected between root and leaf organs. Nevertheless, gene expression differences between roots and leaf organs accounted for approximately 17% of the total variation, regardless of the Medicago species from which the samples were harvested. The result shows that the Medicago GeneChip® is applicable for transcript analysis for both alfalfa and M. truncatula.

NO-TILL ALFALFA ESTABLISHMENT AS INFLUENCED BY PREVIOUS COVER CROP

1985 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 609-613 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. D. WOLF ◽  
E. S. HAGOOD Jr. ◽  
M. LENTNER
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Secale Cereale ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Planting Methods ◽  
No Till ◽  
Secale Cereale L ◽  
Medicago Sativa L

Conventional tillage was compared with no tillage for establishing alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in the residue of previous cover crops. The influences of planting methods and interim cover crops were studied near Blacksburg, Virginia. Alfalfa was seeded (a) in late March into a rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crop, (b) in late April after a rye cover crop was harvested for silage, and (c) in late August into stubble left after removing millet (Setaria italica L.) as hay. Millet for the summer cover crop was planted after a rye cover crop was removed for silage. Alfalfa yields in the year after establishment showed no-till plantings to be equal to conventional planting methods. Previous cover crop did not affect alfalfa yields in the year after establishment. Alfalfa was successfully established into residue from rye and millet. Conditions were ideal for late August plantings after removing Millet for hay. Alfalfa stands were weed-free. These data indicate that alfalfa can be established with no-tillage methods into residue from interim cover crops such as rye and millet and will provide good conservation practices.Key words: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), rye, Secale cereale L., no-till, erosion control

scholarly journals An evaluation of the efficiency of cultural plants to remove heavy metals from growing mediu

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 156-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Hajiboland
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Contaminated Soils ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Tissue Concentration ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Hydroponic Culture ◽  
Phaseolus Vulgaris L ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Medicago Sativa L

 Contamination of heavy metals in the environment is one of major concern because of their toxicity and threat to human life and the environment. Phytoextraction, using plants to extract heavy metals from contaminated soils is an emerging technology. In this work, in order to find a suitable plant species for use in cleaning up the soil in an industrial region, some crop species, which are cultivated by farmers on these soils, were studied. The effects of various concentrations of four heavy metals including Cd, Cr, Co and Ni were studied in two cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in hydroponic culture media under controlled environmental conditions. The results showed that, despite a higher tissue concentration, and because of a low biomass particularly under toxicity conditions, alfalfa was not an effective species in removing heavy metals from the medium. In contrast, regarding the biomass, metal content, as well as % recovery values, it became apparent that the bean plant was the most effective crop in removing heavy metals from medium.

Change of protein content in plants of Medicago sativa L. under the influence of soil contamination with oil and reclamation with the application of the preparation "Elena"

Biomics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 324-328
Author(s):  
Yu.M. Sotnikova ◽  
A.S. Grigoriadi ◽  
R.G. Farkhutdinov
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Contaminated Soils ◽  
Petroleum Hydrocarbons ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Practical Interest ◽  
Morphometric Parameters ◽  
Biological Product ◽  
Medicago Sativa L

The study of the adaptive mechanisms of plants in response to the action of oil makes it possible to identify signs that ensure the resistance of plants in conditions of oil pollution, with the aim of using them in the development of methods of reclamation and selection of plants resistant to oil pollution for it. The available data on the effects of petroleum hydrocarbons on plants are highly controversial. The species diversity of plants capable of growing on oil-contaminated soils has not been sufficiently studied. Phytoremediation is the most suitable soil purification tool for agricultural areas due to the large extent of the land and the relative cheapness of the method. Physiological, biochemical and morphometric parameters are important indicators of plant resistance to hydrocarbon pollutants. Of great scientific and practical interest is the identification of the resistance of higher plants to exogenous petroleum hydrocarbons (HC) and the identification of the effect of phytoremediation and the effect of the introduction of biological products in case of hydrocarbon pollution of the soil. The aim of the work was to assess changes in the biochemical and morphometric parameters of Medicago sativa L. plants under conditions of soil pollution with oil and reclamation using the biological product "Elena". Determination of the protein content in leaves makes it possible to judge the status of nitrogen metabolism in plants. It was revealed that oil pollution led to a decrease in the protein content of the plant Medicago sativa L. The use of the biological product "Elena" led to the restoration of this parameter. The results showed that the positive effect of the studied biological product depends on the concentration of the pollutant.

scholarly journals The effect of weed frequency in the overall alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) productivity, case study from Kosovo

2019 ◽  
Vol 113 (1) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Enver SHERIFI ◽  
Naim BERISHA
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Green Manure ◽  
Biomass Productivity ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Forage Crop ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Wide Usage

<p>Alfalfa (<em>Medicago sativa</em> L.) represents an important leguminous forage crop in farming as well as in systems of animal husbandry. It is known for its wide usage for grazing, hay, silage as well as in the form of green manure and cover crop. Our study aims to assess the influence of weeds on quality and quantity of three different aged alfalfa plots. A list of registered weed plant species divided by harvesting periods on each of the surveyed plots is offered. The biomass productivity and its correlation to the effects of artificial fertilizers, alfalfa age and the frequency of weeds are provided. We concluded that using mineral fertilizers in a controlled manner will help to reduce considerably the amount of weeds and also that alfalfa crops will be best to be replaced after four years as its productivity will start afterwards to drop sharply, whereas the number and frequency of weeds will increase conversely.</p>

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