Comparative transcriptome analysis of the cold resistance of the sterile rice line 33S

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important species for food production worldwide. Low temperature is a major abiotic factor that affects rice germination and reproduction. Here, the underlying regulatory mechanism in seedlings of a TGMS variety (33S) and a cold-sensitive variety (Nipponbare) was investigated by comparative transcriptome. There were 795 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified only in cold-treated 33S, suggesting that 33S had a unique cold-resistance system. Functional and enrichment analysis of these DEGs revealed that, in 33S, several metabolic pathways, such as photosynthesis, amino acid metabolism, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, were significantly repressed. Moreover, pathways related to growth and development, including starch and sucrose metabolism, and DNA biosynthesis and damage response/repair, were significantly enhanced. The expression of genes related to nutrient reserve activity were significantly up-regulated in 33S. Finally, three NAC and several ERF transcription factors were predicted to be important in this transcriptional reprogramming. This present work provides valuable information for future investigations of low-temperature response mechanisms and genetic improvement of cold-tolerant rice seedlings.

Assessment of Maternal Macular Pigment Optical Density (MPOD) as a Potential Marker for Dietary Carotenoid Intake during Lactation in Humans

Pregnancy and lactation can change the maternal nutrient reserve. Non-invasive, quantitative markers of maternal nutrient intake could enable personalized dietary recommendations that improve health outcomes in mothers and infants. Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) is a candidate marker, as MPOD values generally reflect carotenoid intake. We evaluated the association of MPOD with dietary and breastmilk carotenoids in postpartum women. MPOD measurements and dietary intake of five carotenoids were obtained from 80 mothers in the first three months postpartum. Breastmilk samples from a subset of mothers were analyzed to determine their nutrient composition. The association between MPOD and dietary or breastmilk carotenoids was quantitatively assessed to better understand the availability and mobilization of carotenoids. Our results showed that dietary α-carotene was positively correlated with MPOD. Of the breastmilk carotenoids, 13-cis-lutein and trans-lutein were correlated with MPOD when controlled for the total lutein in breastmilk. Other carotenoids in breastmilk were not associated with MPOD. Maternal MPOD is positively correlated with dietary intake of α-carotene in the early postpartum period, as well as with the breastmilk content of lutein. MPOD may serve as a potential marker for the intake of carotenoids, especially α-carotene, in mothers in the early postpartum period.

Seedling size and nutrient availability in the fall determine nitrogen resorption and storage compound allocation in Quercus variabilis

Aims Soil fertility and resorption of leaf compounds in the fall can influence resource buildup in plants. However, whether intraspecific differences in seedling size can affect nutrient reserve buildup is unknown. This study examined the effects of seedling size and fall fertilization on the uptake and resorption of nitrogen (N), as well as the allocation of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) and N in cultivated Quercus variabilis Blume. Methods After the formation of terminal buds (T1), seedlings were stratified into small (shoot height < 30 cm) and large seedlings. During the hardening period, seedlings were treated with three different rates of 15N-enriched fertilizer (0, 12, or 24 mg N seedling− 1) and monitored until leaf fall (T2). Results Small seedlings had lower N resorption efficiency and resorbed proportionally less N than large seedlings. Fall fertilization notably improved N and NSC reserves, without reducing N resorption efficiency. Large seedlings allocated proportionally less N to leaves than small seedlings although both sizes seedlings absorbed similar amounts of N from fall fertilization. The priority perennial organ for NSC allocation was roots, while N allocation was dependent on the phenological growth stage of the seedling. Roots were prioritized during the rapid growth phase, while stems were prioritized during the hardening period. Conclusions Under same fertilizer regime during the growth phase, large seedlings tends to have lower N concentration and have higher resorption efficiency compare to small seedlings, fall fertilization can increase N storage in large seedlings and NSC levels in both seedling sizes, without affecting growth.

Soil Characterization and Classification in an Upland of Southern Guinea Savannah Zone of Nigeria

Background: Soil characterization and classification is the foundation for sustainable land use and management. Upland soils are important in areas of high elevation and undulating terrain. This study characterized and classified Soils of an upland in southern guinea savannah of Nigeria.Methods: The prominent elevation points of the area were read with GPS device and four locations identified were labelled: UP1, UP2, UP3 and UP4. Profile pits were dug in each location, described for the morphological properties and sampled for laboratory analysis of soil physico-chemical properties.Result: The soils were slightly to strongly acidic with pH of 5.29 to 6.11, had low organic matter ranged of 1.52 to 1.79% and low soil nutrient reserve with the effective cation exchange capacity (CEC) of 5.9 to 9.26 mol kg-1. In-situ soil development, transportation and deposition of materials were the major soil formation processes in the area. The soils were classified as Alfisols and were marginally suitable (S3) for yam.

Seed biometry: another functional trait in caatinga

Seed biometrics is an excellent tool for understanding environmental filters, species potential and dispersal, successional stages of communities and the dynamics used by seeds to germinate, establish and develop, thus constituting a functional trait of the species. We aim to understand the relationship between aspects of seed biometrics and other phenological traits, in order to infer contributions about functional strategies in Caatinga. Between September 2017 and January 2019, 10 individuals of Cenostigma pyramidale (Tul.) LP Queiroz, Commiphora lepthophloeos (Mart.) JB Gillett, Jatropha mollissima (Pohl.) Baill., Monteverdia rigida (Mart.) Biral. Pseudobombax marginatum (A.ST.-Hil) A. Robyns, Zizyphus joazeiro Mart. were monitored for the selection of three seed collection matrices. From each matrix 100 seeds were collected, which after screening resulted in 35 intact seeds that were used to measure length, width, thickness and volume. Caatinga seeds are generally small, as a result of the environmental stresses of the Brazilian semiarid. The analyzed variables separated three groups in the PCA. We noticed that these groups evidenced the successional stages in the Caatinga. One group included M. rigida and P. marginatum, which are late secondary. C. pyramidale and C. lepthophloeos formed another group coincident with intermediate successional stages. J. mollissima and Z. joazeiro formed a group of pioneer species in anthropized environments. Another finding was that the area was in secondary succession. The pioneer species presented the largest seeds and this characteristic is associated with the need for nutrient reserve that allows the embryo to germinate and last for a longer period without the need for exogenous nutrients, an essential condition for the Caatinga. With the advancement of ecological succession and the establishment of a more consolidated plant community, competition for resources, the frequent dispersion vector type and the nature of the environmental stresses present, the seeds may be smaller.

Potassium and Magnesium Mediate the Light and CO2 Photosynthetic Responses of Grapevines

Potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) deficiency are common stresses that can impact on grape yield and quality, but their effects on photosynthesis have received little attention. Understanding the diffusional and biochemical limitations to photosynthetic constraints will help to guide improvements in cultural practices. Accordingly, the photosynthetic response of Vitis vinifera cvs. Shiraz and Chardonnay to K or Mg deficiency was assessed under hydroponic conditions using miniature low-nutrient-reserve vines. Photosynthesis was at least partly reduced by a decline in stomatal conductance. Light and CO2-saturated photosynthesis, maximum rate of ribulose 1.5 bisphospate (RuBP) carboxylation (Vcmax) and maximum rate of electron transport (Jmax) all decreased under K and Mg deficiency. Likewise, chlorophyll fluorescence and electron transport were lower under both nutrient deficiencies while dark respiration increased. K deficiency drastically reduced shoot biomass in both cultivars, while root biomass was greatly reduced under both Mg and K deficiency. Taken together, these results indicate that the decrease in biomass was likely due to both stomatal and biochemical limitations in photosynthesis. Optimising photosynthesis through adequate nutrition will thus support increases in biomass with carry-on positive effects on crop yields.

Chemical Properties and Mineralogical Composition of Soils in Original site at Coal Mining Area

Soil minerals and chemical properties play an essential role in agricultural, especially to know the availability of soil nutrient reserve. The objective of the study was to investigate soil chemical properties and mineralogical composition. of sand fraction in original area. The study was conducted in two stages. The First stage was in the field and the second stage was in the laboratory. The field study was at Original area PT. Khotai Makmur Insan Abadi, Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan. Soils were sampled from each horizon of the profile. The second stage was in the Laboratory. The chemical analysis was conducted in the Soil Laboratory, Agriculture Faculty, Mulawarman University. The Mineralogical composition of fine sand fractions was conducted in Pusat penelitian tanah Bogor, with line counting method using Microscope Polaritation (MP). The results of chemical characteristics indicated that low to very low content of organic matter, soil reactions are acid throughout the horizon, very low to moderate base satration, low to moderate soil cation exchange capacity, high of Al saturation. Sand fraction composition was dominated by resistant minerals (quartz and opaque). On the other hand the easily weatherable minerals are not detected in the original area. One of the reason soil has low CEC is, because the composition of sand fraction in the soil dominated by quartz.

Evaluation and Classification of Soil Fertility Potentials of Gombi Area of Adamawa State, North- eastern Nigeria

A study was conducted to evaluate the soil fertility potential of Gombi area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. A total of eighty (80) soil samples composite from 0-20 and 20-50cm depths were collected from selected representative locations from the ten (10) wards of the study area and analyzed using standard laboratory pro- cedures. Results obtained revealed that the texture of the soil ranged from sandy loam to sandy clay across the study area. Soil pH was slightly acidic ranged from 6.49 to 6.92. Similarly, there no significant differences in total nitrogen and or- ganic carbon contents among both locations and sampling depths. However, total nitrogen and organic carbon contents were generally low and ranged from 6.7 to 10.3 g kg-1 for organic carbon and 0.88 to 1.0 g kg-1 for total nitrogen across the locations. Similarly, available phosphorus contents were generally low and were linked to P fixation by Fe and Aluminium under the acidic pH range. Three soil FCC classes were identified; SLdek, Ldek, and LSdek with SLdek dominating in six out of ten areas. Sandy nature of the soils, low nutrient reserve, and cation exchange reactions are the dominant constraints in the soils of the area. Integrat- ed soil fertility management which recognizes the use of local inputs such as or- ganic materials available within the environment and appropriate synthetic ferti- lizer practices could be employed to improve the soil constraints to maintain and sustain the productivity of the soils.

Fertility Capability Classification (FCC): A case for some rainfed soils of semi-arid Deccan plateau

Soil fertility capability classification (FCC) is a technical system which groups the soils according to kinds of problems they present for management. The soil fertility related constraints can be identified without testing for soil nutrients and the FCC tries to bridge the gap between pedology and soil fertility.The present study is an attempt to classify the soils of six soil series under rainfed conditions identified in a part of southern Deccan plateau. Three pedons were selected from each soil series to represent the range in characteristics of soil properties. According to FCC, the representative pedons were classified as LRdkemr+ (Gummagonda); Ldkmr+ (Pullagiri); LCdki (Chegunta); Ldkbn (Nerelapally); Cdʋkbn (Avancha) and Ldkemn- (Koduparthy). The presence of condition modifiers soil moisture stress (d) and low nutrient reserve (k) indicates that all the soils are poor in soil fertility and available moisture content. The soils of Gummagonda are shallow with root restricting layer and cultivation of crops makes these soils prone to erosion. Hence, pasture development is a viable option to conserve these soils.Poor nutrient supply (k), calcareousness (b) and Alkalinity (n) are the major constraints in soils of Nerelapally and Avancha and they need to be ameliorated with suitable amendments to sustain crop production.

Nutrient and water utilisation analyses of maize on chernozem soil in a long-term field experiment

We have conducted our research at the Látókép Research Farm of the University of Debrecen RISF Centre for Agricultural and Applied Economic Sciences during the cropyears of 2007, 2008 and 2009, on chernozem soil. In the case of crop rotation three models were set (mono-,bi- [wheat, maize] and triculture [pea, wheat, maize]). The five nutrient levels applied during the treatments were as follows: control [untreated], N60P45K45, N120P90K90, N180P135K135, N240P180K180. The conclusion of our results was the following: the crop rotation, the nutrient supply and the amount of precipitation all influenced the quantity of maize yield. As an effect of the increasing nutrient doses yield increase was experienced compared with the control treatments. In the average of the years the highest increase in yield excess/1 kg of NPK fertilizer was measured in the case of the monoculture (13 kg ha-1). As a consequence of is soil extorting effect the monoculture responded more intensively to the nutrient supplementation than the biculture or the triculture in the studied cropyears. In addition, we have observed that the three-year average yield amount per 1 mm precipitation was significantly influenced by the nutrient reserve of the soil. In the monoculture during the control treatment this value was 25 kg mm-1, the value measured in the case of the biculture turned out to be more favourable (42 kg mm-1).