Genome-wide association study reveals complex genetic architecture of cadmium and mercury accumulation and tolerance traits in Medicago truncatula

Heavy metals are an increasing problem due to contamination from human sources that and can enter the food chain by being taken up by plants. Understanding the genetic basis of accumulation and tolerance in plants is important for reducing the uptake of toxic metals in crops and crop relatives, as well as for removing heavy metals from soils by means of phytoremediation. Following exposure of Medicago truncatula seedlings to cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg), we conducted a genome-wide association study using relative root growth (RRG) and leaf accumulation measurements. Cd and Hg accumulation and RRG had heritability ranging 0.44 - 0.72 indicating high genetic diversity for these traits. The Cd and Hg trait associations were broadly distributed throughout the genome, indicated the traits are polygenic and involve several quantitative loci. For all traits, candidate genes included several membrane associated ATP-binding cassette transporters, P-type ATPase transporters, several oxidative stress response genes and stress related UDP-glycosyltransferases. The P-type ATPase transporters and ATP-binding cassette protein-families have roles in vacuole transport of heavy metals, and our findings support their wide use in physiological plant responses to heavy metals and abiotic stresses. We also found associations between Cd RRG with the genes CAX3 and PDR3, two linked adjacent genes, and leaf accumulation of Hg associated with the genes NRAMP6 and CAX9. When plant genotypes with the most extreme phenotypes were compared, we found significant divergence in genomic regions using population genomics methods that contained metal transport and stress response gene ontologies. Several of these genomic regions show high linkage disequilibrium (LD) among candidate genes suggesting they have evolved together. Minor allele frequency (MAF) and effect size of the most significant SNPs was negatively correlated with large effect alleles being most rare. This is consistent with purifying selection against alleles that increase toxicity and abiotic stress. Conversely, the alleles with large affect that had higher frequencies that were associated with the exclusion of Cd and Hg. Overall, macroevolutionary conservation of heavy metal and stress response genes is important for improvement of forage crops by harnessing wild genetic variants in gene banks such as the Medicago HapMap collection.

Dwarf and Tall Elephantgrass Genotypes under Irrigation as Forage Sources for Ruminants: Herbage Accumulation and Nutritive Value

This two-year study evaluated the effect of Pennisetum purpureum genotypes under rainfed or irrigated conditions, during the dry and rainy seasons, on herbage, leaf, and stem dry matter (DM) accumulation rates, nutritive value, and carbohydrate and protein fractionation. Treatments were tall (Iri 381 and Elefante B) or dwarf (Mott and Taiwan A-146 2.37) genotypes under rainfed or irrigated conditions. Taiwan A-146 2.37 (146 kg DM ha per day) showed similar herbage accumulation rate (HAR) to tall genotypes during the rainy season (124 and 150 kg DM/ha per day, respectively). Dwarf genotypes showed differences in leaf accumulation rate (LAR) (66 and 49 kg DM/ha per day). Mott leaf had less neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (589 g/kg DM) than Taiwan A-146 2.37 (598 g/kg DM), and tall genotypes had generally greater NDF (668 g/kg DM) than the dwarf genotypes. Irrigation increased fiber deposition in the leaf. Stems of all genotypes had lower in vitro digestible dry matter (IVDDM) (378 g/kg DM) under rainfed conditions in the rainy season. Leaf from irrigated plots had 23% more carbohydrate C fraction (160 g/kg CHO) than those from rainfed plots (122 g/kg CHO). Dwarf genotypes had generally greater nutritive value than tall genotypes. These genotypes show promise under irrigation to fill forage gaps during dry periods.

Recycled Wastewater and Reverse Osmosis Brine Use for Halophytes Irrigation: Differences in Physiological, Nutritional and Hormonal Responses of Crithmum maritimum and Atriplex halimus Plants

Halophytes are capable of coping with excessive NaCl in their tissues, although some species may differ in their degree of salt tolerance. In addition, it is not clear whether they can tolerate other confounding factors and impurities associated with non-conventional waters. The experiment was performed in a greenhouse with Crithmum maritimum and Atriplex halimus plants, growing on soil and irrigated with two different water types: reclaimed wastewater (RWW) (EC: 0.8–1.2 dS m−1) and reverse osmosis brine (ROB) (EC: 4.7–7.9 dS m−1). Both species showed different physiological and nutritional responses, when they were irrigated with ROB. Atriplex plants reduced leaf water potential and maintained leaf turgor as consequence of an osmotic adjustment process. Atriplex showed higher intrinsic water use efficiency than Crithmum, regardless of the type of water used. In Crithmum, the water status and photosynthetic efficiency were similar in both treatments. Crithmum presented a higher leaf accumulation of B and Ca ions, while Atriplex a higher amount of K, Mg, Na and Zn. Crithmum plants irrigated with ROB presented higher concentrations of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid and trans-zeatin-glucoside, whereas abscisic acid concentration was lower. Atriplex showed a lower concentration of trans-zeatin-riboside and scopoletin. The characteristics associated to water irrigation did not influence negatively the development of any of these species, which confirms the use of brine as an alternative to irrigate them with conventional waters.

Growth and nutrition of Passiflora edulis submitted to saline stress after silicon application

We carried out greenhouse experiment to evaluate the effect of silicon (Si) on growth and mineral nutrition of yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) submitted to saline stress in a nutritive solution. The experiment comprised a completely randomized design in a 5x4 factorial scheme: five NaCl concentrations (0; 7.5; 15; 30 and 60 mmol L-1) and four SiO2 concentrations (0; 0.5; 1.0 and 1.5 mmol L-1) with four replicates. At the end of 35 days, we measured stem diameter, leaves, stem, and roots dry matter, as well as the macronutrient, Na, Cl, and Si leaf accumulation in plants. In most cases, the increase in NaCl supply in a nutritive solution reduced the dry matter of roots, stem, and leaves. The SiO2 supply attenuated the effect on higher tested saline stress (30 and 60 mmol L-1 NaCl) on roots and stem dry matter. The application of 0.5 mmol L-1 of SiO2 reduced the deleterious effect of salinity on all macronutrients absorption in yellow passion fruit cultivated in a nutritive solution.

Sewage sludge composted in the coloring and development of Bermuda grass

‘Barazur’ or DiscoveryTM (Cynodon dactylon) is a new variety of Bermuda grass that has slow vertical growth and a bluish-green colour, and the use of sewage sludge in implantation of this species may be an alternative for its sustainable cultivation, without need for chemical fertilizers. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the influence of sewage sludge compound on colour and development of Bermuda grass DiscoveryTM. The experiment was conducted in the field with sod implanted in black plastic containers (volume 8.46 L) filled with soil + sand (1:1) and added different dosages of sludge compost, being: 0 g L -1 (control), 30 g L-1, 60 g L-1 and 120 g L-1. Digital image analysis, fresh and dry leaf mass, Nitrogen leaf and Nitrogen leaf accumulation were evaluated. It was observed that the sewage sludge influenced on turfgrass colouring and development, where 30 g L-1 showed excellent results for colouring with less mass production and N accumulation than the highest dose, showing that this treatment is sufficient for lawn development, without the need of using higher concentrations of compound. It is concluded that the use of composted sewage sludge at a dose of 30 g L-1 is recommended for use in implantation of Bermuda grass DiscoveryTM.

PERIODICITY OF EXPOSURE OF HYDROPONIC LETTUCE PLANTS TO NUTRIENT SOLUTION1

ABSTRACT A balanced periodicity of the nutrient solution flow is essential for better agronomic performances and low production costs in hydroponic systems. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of periodicity of exposure of lettuce plants to the nutrient solution in an NFT hydroponic system on the production, nutrition, and profitability of this crop. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with five replications. The treatments consisted of four periodicities of exposure of lettuce plants to the nutrient solution, consisting of intervals of 60, 30, and 15 minutes between pumping periods of 15 minutes; and uninterrupted flow of the nutrient solution. The plants were harvested at 30 days after transplanting, and 15 lettuce plants of each experimental plot were used to determine total fresh weight; root fresh weight; shoot freshweight; and contents of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn in shoots, roots, and in the diagnostic leaf; accumulation of these nutrients in shoots and roots; and nitrate and ammonium contents in plant shoot. The highest production and profitability of lettuce were found using uninterrupted nutrient solution flow, which provided higher shoot and root nutrient contents to plants, and resulted in a better nutrient use efficiency.

Controlled release fertilizer used for the growth of Campomanesia aurea seedlings

Campomanesia aurea is a sub-shrub species native to the Pampa Biome, popularly known as “guabirobinha-do-campo”. It has an ornamental potential for use in pots or gardens due to its small size, irregular shape, intense flowering and aroma. One of the main factors for production is an adequate use of fertilizers and balanced fertilizations. The objective was to evaluate the growth of seedlings and nutrient leaf accumulation of C. aurea submitted to doses of controlled release fertilizer (CRF). C. aurea seedlings were transplanted to containers containing composted pinus bark and CRF doses of 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 g L−1. Height, chlorophyll index, number of stems, base diameter, leaf area, Dickson Quality Index, shoot dry matter, root dry matter and nutrient leaf accumulation were evaluated. For height, base diameter and number of stems, the point of maximum response was at the concentration 6.8, 6.6 and 6.9 g L−1 CRF, respectively. For shoot dry matter, leaf area and chlorophyll, we verified increase up to the concentration 8.1, 7.8 and 8.0 g L−1, respectively. There was a positive quadratic behavior for most nutrients, with the exception of Cu and Mn, which linearly increased with the increase of fertilizer dose. The application of CRF on C. aurea seedlings between 7 and 8 g L−1 substrate promoted an increase on the main growth characteristics of ornamental importance and provides superior results on nutrient leaf content.