Identification of the Important Genes of Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens 113-2 Involved in Soybean Nodule Development and Senescence

Legume nodule development and senescence directly affect nitrogen fixation efficiency and involve a programmed series of molecular events. These molecular events are carried out synchronously by legumes and rhizobia. The characteristics and molecular mechanisms of nitrogen fixation at soybean important developmental stages play critical roles in soybean cultivation and fertilizer application. Although the gene expression of soybean were analyzed in nodules at five important soybean developmental stages, information on the expression of rhizobial genes in these nodule samples is limited. In the present study, we investigated the expression of Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens 113-2 genes in the nodule samples from five developmental stages of soybean (Branching stage, flowering stage, fruiting stage, pod stage and harvest stage). Similar gene expression patterns of B. diazoefficiens 113-2 were existed during optimal symbiotic functioning, while different expression patterns were found among early nodule development, nitrogen fixation progress and nodule senescence. Besides, we identified 164 important different expression genes (DEGs) associated with nodule development and senescence. These DEGs included those encoding nod, nif, fix proteins and T3SS secretion system-related proteins, as well as proteins involved in nitrogen metabolism, ABC transporters and two-component system pathways. Gene Ontology, KEGG pathway and homology analysis of the identified DEGs revealed that most of these DEGs are uncharacterized genes associated with nodule development and senescence, and they are not core genes among the rhizobia genomes. Our results provide new clues for the understanding of the genetic determinants of soil rhizobia in nodule development and senescence, and supply theoretical basis for the creation of high efficiency soybean cultivation technology.

Homo- and Dikaryons of the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus Rhizophagus irregularis Differ in Life History Strategy

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are obligate plant symbionts that have the potential to improve crop yield. These multinucleate organisms are either “homokaryotic” or “dikaryotic”. In AMF dikaryons, thousands of nuclei originating from two parental strains coexist in the same cytoplasm. In other fungi, homokaryotic and dikaryotic strains show distinct life history traits (LHTs), such as variation in growth rates and fitness. However, how such traits compare between dikaryons and homokaryons of AMF is unknown. To address this, we measured 20 LHT of four dikaryons and five homokaryons of the model fungus Rhizophagus irregularis across root organ cultures of three host plants (carrot, chicory, and tobacco). Our analyses show that dikaryons have clearly distinct life history strategies (LHSs) compared to homokaryons. In particular, spores of homokaryons germinate faster and to a higher proportion than dikaryons, whereas dikaryons grow significantly faster and create a more complex hyphal network irrespective of host plant species. Our study links AMF nuclear status with key LHT with possible implications for mycorrhizal symbiotic functioning.

Regional Innovation Ecosystems in Ukraine

The article substantiates the prerequisites, prospects and advantages of creating an innovation ecosystem at different levels of its formation. The main approaches to defining the essence of the concept of innovation ecosystems in both domestic and foreign specialized literature and their adaptability to the regional level are analyzed and grouped. The harmonious innovation ecosystem is a sign of a progressive society, which is identified by the symbiotic functioning of people and organizations, the result of which is the production of conscious innovations. The author outlines the stages of formation of the regional innovation ecosystem, the circle of its participants and ways of their interaction. For each stage, the procedures for its implementation, the main characteristic features and processes of transition from one to another are determined. The main feature of the creation and functioning of the regional ecosystem is the stable, constant interaction of its participants with educational and scientific institutions, as well as the adaptability of these institutions to the variability of the external environment. The article describes certain elements of foreign experience in the development of regional ecosystems and their implementation in Ukraine. Awareness of the existence or prerequisites for creating an effective regional ecosystem is the first step towards effective regional management and activation of the potential of the national economy. On the one hand, in the context of decentralization, local self-government bodies get maximum freedom in creating organizational elements of the regional innovation ecosystem, supporting scientific and human resources and the communication business environment. The author emphasizes that without the State support it is impossible to create conditions for the protectionism of innovation activity, to activate investment potential, to stimulate the necessary forms and methods of financing the relevant activity. Therefore, work at the regional level in terms of innovation should be carried out simultaneously following two directions of the hierarchy: from bottom up and from top to bottom in constant cooperation and coordination of own actions. As a result, priority directions of the State and regional support for the development of regional innovation ecosystems on the basis of the main specific platforms or technologies are substantiated.

Fourth Generation Warfare and the Challenges in Military-News Media Relations in India

Can there be a symbiotic relationship between the armed forces and the private conventional news media in a country with a democratic setup? What are the issues that come between these two entities especially in a complex scenario such as Fourth Generation Warfare? The objective of this chapter is to study these challenges in the relationship between the two institutions in the setting of fourth generation warfare in India. It presents areas of divergence that have been critical in the efficient symbiotic functioning of these two institutions.

Fourth Generation Warfare and the Challenges in Military-News Media Relations in India

Can there be a symbiotic relationship between the armed forces and the private conventional news media in a country with a democratic setup? What are the issues that come between these two entities especially in a complex scenario such as Fourth Generation Warfare? The objective of this chapter is to study these challenges in the relationship between the two institutions in the setting of fourth generation warfare in India. It presents areas of divergence that have been critical in the efficient symbiotic functioning of these two institutions.