Heterogeneous Soil-Resource Distribution and Plant Responses — from Individual-Plant Growth to Ecosystem Functioning

2001 ◽  
pp. 451-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Huber-Sannwald ◽  
Robert B. Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Ecosystem Functioning ◽  
Resource Distribution ◽  
Plant Responses ◽  
Individual Plant ◽  
Soil Resource ◽  
Heterogeneous Soil

scholarly journals Light-emitting Diodes and the Modulation of Specialty Crops: Light Sensing and Signaling Networks in Plants

HortScience ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (9) ◽  
pp. 1281-1284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tessa Pocock
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Light Emitting Diodes ◽  
Signaling Networks ◽  
Healthy Plant ◽  
Plant Responses ◽  
Individual Plant ◽  
Developmental Processes ◽  
Specialty Crops ◽  
Light Emitting ◽  
Light Sensing

The technology to drive the output of individual arrays of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on timescales down to microseconds is enabling plant scientists and growers control over irradiance- and spectrum-induced plant responses. The two light sensing and signaling networks that regulate desired plant responses involve either photoreceptors (PR) and/or photosynthesis (PSN). These networks control morphological, physiological, and developmental processes (e.g., seed development and germination, seedling development, apical meristem formation, differentiation, flowering, etc.) as well as the energy distribution within the plant. Understanding the individual plant responses and the synergy between the PR and PSN networks will assist in the selection and timing of LED light programs for crop regulation and growth. Both networks sense and respond to irradiance and narrow-band spectra between 350 and 750 nm although their modes of action are different. Comparing the PR and PSN networks and their effect on plants shows that the PR network primarily regulates developmental processes in new tissues while the PSN network regulates routine operational processes. The two networks are required for healthy plant growth and are reliant on each other for biological fitness. A balance between these two networks will result in greater plant efficacy and can be achieved by light programs whose irradiance, spectra, duration, and timing can be regulated. Replacing high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps with LEDs is a catalyst for a fundamental change in plant lighting and we are on a steep learning curve to fully realize how to fully control LED technology in plant growth applications.

Plastic Mulch Color Effects on Light Micro-environment and Watermelon Plant Growth

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 474d-474
Author(s):  
N.K. Damayanthi Ranwala ◽  
Dennis R. Decoteau
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Light Transmission ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Plant Responses ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Reflected Light ◽  
Total Light ◽  
Dry Mass Partitioning

This study was conducted to evaluate the spectral properties of various colored plastic color mulches and to determine the effects of upwardly reflected light from the mulch surfaces on watermelon plant growth when differences in root zone temperatures are minimized. Two-week-old watermelon plants were grown with black mulch, red-painted mulch, SRM-Red mulch (Sonoco, Inc., Harstville, S.C.), and white mulch. Total light reflection (58 μmol·m–2·s–1 in 400–700 nm) and red: far-red (R:FR = 0.44) of reflected light were lower in black mulch and highest in white mulch (634 and 0.92, respectively). Both black mulch and white mulch had same blue:red (B:R = 0.6) while white mulch had higher B:FR (0.58) in reflected light compared to black mulch (0.26). Reflective properties of red mulches were somewhat similar, and R:FR, B:R, and B:FR were 0.8, 0.2, and 0.18, respectively. However, SRM-Red mulch had highest total light (355 μmol·m–2·s–1 in 400–700 nm) transmission through the mulch, and R:FR, B:R, and B:FR were 0.84, 0.28, and 0.23, respectively. Light transmission through the other mulches was nonsignificant. Watermelon plants grown with black mulch and red mulches had higher internode lengths compared to white mulch after 20 days. Further, plants grown under black had significant higher petiole elongation accompanied with higher dry mass partitioning to petioles, and lower partitioning to roots, stems, and leaves. There was no effects of surface mulch color on total plant dry mass or photosynthesis although plants with black had higher transpiration rate. This suggests the differential regulation of dry mass partitioning among plant parts due to mulch color. The similar plant responses with black mulch and white mulch to plants treated with FR or R light at the end of photoperiod implies the involvement of phytochrome regulation of growth due to mulch surface color.

Acrolein Reduces Biomass and Seed Production of Potamogeton pectinatus in Irrigation Channels

2004 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 605-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego J. Bentivegna ◽  
Osvaldo A. Fernández ◽  
María A. Burgos
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Irrigation District ◽  
Potamogeton Pectinatus ◽  
Individual Plant ◽  
Plant Weight ◽  
The Third ◽  
Irrigation Channels

Chemical weed control with acrolein has been shown to be a lower cost method for reducing submerged plant biomass of sago pondweed in the irrigation district of the Lower Valley of Rio Colorado, Argentina (39°10′S–62°05′W). However, no experimental data exist on the effects of the herbicide on plant growth and its survival structures. Field experiments were conducted during 3 yr to evaluate the effect of acrolein on growth and biomass of sago pondweed and on the source of underground propagules (i.e., rhizomes, tubers, and seeds). Plant biomass samples were collected in irrigation channels before and after several herbicide treatments. The underground propagule bank was evaluated at the end of the third year. Within each treatment, plant biomass was significantly reduced by 40 to 60% in all three study years. Rapid new plant growth occurred after each application; however, it was less vigorous after repeated treatments. At the end of the third year at 3,000 m downstream from the application point, plant biomass at both channels ranged from 34 to 3% of control values. Individual plant weight and height were affected by acrolein treatments, flowering was poor, and seeds did not reach maturity. After 3 yr, acrolein did not reduce the number of tubers. However, they were significantly smaller and lighter. Rhizomes fresh weight decreased by 92%, and seed numbers decreased by 79%. After 3 yr of applications, operational functioning of the channels could be maintained with fewer treatments and lower concentrations of acrolein.

scholarly journals Genes Encoding Cucumber Full-Size ABCG Proteins Show Different Responses to Plant Growth Regulators and Sclareolide

2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 720-736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Rajsz ◽  
Anna Warzybok ◽  
Magdalena Migocka
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Plant Growth Regulators ◽  
Growth Regulators ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Plant Responses ◽  
Full Size ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Plant Genes ◽  
Cucumber Roots

AbstractFull-size members of the ABCG (ATP-binding cassette, subfamily G) subfamily of ABC transporters have been found only in plants and fungi. The plant genes encoding full-size ABCGs identified so far appeared to be differentially regulated under various environmental constraints, plant growth regulators, and microbial elicitors, indicating a broad functional role of these proteins in plant responses to abiotic and biotic stress. Nevertheless, the structure and physiological function of full-size ABCGs in many plant species are still unknown. We have recently identified 16 genes encoding full-size ABCG proteins in cucumber and found that the transcripts of two of them, CsABCG36 (CsPDR8) and CsABCG40 (CsPDR12), are most abundant in roots and are significantly affected by phytohormones and auxin herbicide. In this study, we analyzed the structure and phylogeny of all the full-size cucumber ABCG transporters and studied the organ expression profiles of the remaining 14 CsABCG genes. In addition, we investigated the effect of different plant growth regulators and the diterpene sclareolide on CsABCG expression in cucumber roots. Until now, the full-size plant ABCG transporters have been grouped into five different clusters. The new phylogenetic analysis of full-size ABCGs from model plants and cucumber clustered these proteins into six different subgroups. Interestingly, the expression profiles of cucumber ABCG genes assigned to the same clusters were not correlated, suggesting functional diversification or different regulatory mechanisms of the full-size cucumber ABCG proteins.

Potential Role of Endophytes for Sustainable Environment

2019 ◽  
pp. 78-95
Author(s):  
Zubair A. Dar ◽  
Bhat Rifat ◽  
Javeed I. A. Bhat ◽  
Asma Absar Bhatti ◽  
Shamsul Haq ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Organic Contaminants ◽  
Plant Stress ◽  
Plant Responses ◽  
Sustainable Environment ◽  
Plant Growth Promoting ◽  
Plant Stress Tolerance ◽  
Growth Promoting ◽  
Almost All

Endophytes are symptomless fungal and bacterial microorganisms found in almost all living plants. They are vital components of plant microbiomes. Endophytes affect plant growth and plant responses to pathogens, herbivores, and environmental change by producing a range of natural products having antifungal, antibacterial, and insecticidal properties. Endophytes have shown particular promise in agriculture particularly as beneficial crop inoculants and are known to enhance abiotic and biotic plant stress tolerance by increasing tolerance to drought and water stress, as well as tolerance to high temperature and high salinity. A better understanding of their plant growth-promoting mechanisms could simplify higher production of energy crops in a more sustainable manner even on marginal land and feed stocks for industrial processes, thus contribute to avoiding conflicts between food and energy production Many endophytes can be exploited to improve the efficiency of phytoremediation as they are found to be resistant to heavy metals and capable of detoxifying organic contaminants.

scholarly journals Reaching Natural Growth: Light Quality Effects on Plant Performance in Indoor Growth Facilities

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1273
Author(s):  
Camilo Chiang ◽  
Daniel Bånkestad ◽  
Günter Hoch
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Field Trial ◽  
Light Quality ◽  
Plant Traits ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Biomass Productivity ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Plant Responses ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Species Specific

To transfer experimental findings in plant research to natural ecosystems it is imperative to reach near to natural-like plant performance. Previous studies propose differences in temperature and light quantity as main sources of deviations between indoor and outdoor plant growth. With increasing implementation of light emitting diodes (LED) in plant growth facilities, light quality is yet another factor that can be optimised to prevent unnatural plant performance. We investigated the effects of different wavelength combinations in phytotrons (i.e., indoor growth chambers) on plant growth and physiology in seven different plant species from different plant functional types (herbs, grasses and trees). The results from these experiments were compared against a previous field trial with the same set of species. While different proportions of blue (B) and red (R) light were applied in the phytotrons, the mean environmental conditions (photoperiod, total radiation, red to far red ratio and day/night temperature and air humidity) from the field trial were used in the phytotrons in order to assess which wavelength combinations result in the most natural-like plant performance. Different plant traits and physiological parameters, including biomass productivity, specific leaf area (SLA), leaf pigmentation, photosynthesis under a standardised light, and the respective growing light and chlorophyll fluorescence, were measured at the end of each treatment. The exposure to different B percentages induced species-specific dose response reactions for most of the analysed parameters. Compared with intermediate B light treatments (25 and/or 35% B light), extreme R or B light enriched treatments (6% and 62% of B respectively) significantly affected the height, biomass, biomass allocation, chlorophyll content, and photosynthesis parameters, differently among species. Principal component analyses (PCA) confirmed that 6% and 62% B light quality combinations induce more extreme plant performance in most cases, indicating that light quality needs to be adjusted to mitigate unnatural plant responses under indoor conditions.

scholarly journals Plant growth under suboptimal water conditions: early responses and methods to study them

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 1706-1722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marieke Dubois ◽  
Dirk Inzé
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Osmotic Stress ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Soil Drought ◽  
Growth Media ◽  
Plant Responses ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Environmental Constraint ◽  
Early Stress ◽  
Different Types

Abstract Drought stress forms a major environmental constraint during the life cycle of plants, often decreasing plant yield and in extreme cases threatening survival. The molecular and physiological responses induced by drought have been the topic of extensive research during the past decades. Because soil-based approaches to studying drought responses are often challenging due to low throughput and insufficient control of the conditions, osmotic stress assays in plates were developed to mimic drought. Addition of compounds such as polyethylene glycol, mannitol, sorbitol, or NaCl to controlled growth media has become increasingly popular since it offers the advantage of accurate control of stress level and onset. These osmotic stress assays enabled the discovery of very early stress responses, occurring within seconds or minutes following osmotic stress exposure. In this review, we construct a detailed timeline of early responses to osmotic stress, with a focus on how they initiate plant growth arrest. We further discuss the specific responses triggered by different types and severities of osmotic stress. Finally, we compare short-term plant responses under osmotic stress versus in-soil drought and discuss the advantages, disadvantages, and future of these plate-based proxies for drought.

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