Ongoing Evolution in the Genus Crocus: Diversity of Flowering Strategies on the Way to Hysteranthy

Species of the genus Crocus are found over a wide range of climatic areas. In natural habitats, these geophytes diverge in the flowering strategies. This variability was assessed by analyzing the flowering traits of the Spanish collection of wild crocuses, preserved in the Bank of Plant Germplasm of Cuenca. Plants of the seven Spanish species were analyzed both in their natural environments (58 native populations) and in common garden experiments (112 accessions). Differences among species observed in the native habitats were maintained under uniform environmental conditions, suggesting a genetic basis for flowering mechanisms. Two eco-morphological types, autumn- and spring-flowering species, share similar patterns of floral induction and differentiation period in summer. The optimal temperature for this process was 23 °C for both types. Unlike Irano-Turanian crocuses, spring-flowering Spanish species do not require low winter temperatures for flower elongation. Hysteranthous crocuses flower in autumn prior to leaf elongation. We conclude that the variability in flowering traits in crocuses is related to the genetic and environmental regulation of flower primordia differentiation and elongation prior to emergence above the soil surface. The elucidation of the physiological differences between eco-morphological types of crocuses: synanthous with cold requirements and synanthous and hysteranthous without cold requirements, unlocks a new approach to the flowering evolution of geophytes in Mediterranean regions. Crocus species can serve both as a new model in the study of the molecular basis of hysteranthy and for the purposes of developing the molecular markers for desirable flowering traits.

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Quantification of Endospore-Forming Firmicutes by Quantitative PCR with the Functional Genespo0A

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.01376-13 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 79 (17) ◽

pp. 5302-5312 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Matthieu Bueche ◽

Tina Wunderlin ◽

Ludovic Roussel-Delif ◽

Thomas Junier ◽

Loic Sauvain ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quantitative Pcr ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Primer Design ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Natural Environments ◽

Natural Habitats ◽

Content Type ◽

Wide Range ◽

Primer Sets ◽

Reliable Quantification

ABSTRACTBacterial endospores are highly specialized cellular forms that allow endospore-formingFirmicutes(EFF) to tolerate harsh environmental conditions. EFF are considered ubiquitous in natural environments, in particular, those subjected to stress conditions. In addition to natural habitats, EFF are often the cause of contamination problems in anthropogenic environments, such as industrial production plants or hospitals. It is therefore desirable to assess their prevalence in environmental and industrial fields. To this end, a high-sensitivity detection method is still needed. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate an approach based on quantitative PCR (qPCR). For this, the suitability of functional genes specific for and common to all EFF were evaluated. Seven genes were considered, but onlyspo0Awas retained to identify conserved regions for qPCR primer design. An approach based on multivariate analysis was developed for primer design. Two primer sets were obtained and evaluated with 16 pure cultures, including representatives of the generaBacillus,Paenibacillus,Brevibacillus,Geobacillus,Alicyclobacillus,Sulfobacillus,Clostridium, andDesulfotomaculum, as well as with environmental samples. The primer sets developed gave a reliable quantification when tested on laboratory strains, with the exception ofSulfobacillusandDesulfotomaculum. A test using sediment samples with a diverse EFF community also gave a reliable quantification compared to 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing. A detection limit of about 104cells (or spores) per gram of initial material was calculated, indicating this method has a promising potential for the detection of EFF over a wide range of applications.

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Phenotypic Plasticity in the Invasion of Crofton Weed (Eupatorium adenophorum) in China

Weed Science ◽

10.1614/ws-d-11-00198.1 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 60 (3) ◽

pp. 431-439 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Yujie Zhao ◽

Xuejun Yang ◽

Xinqiang Xi ◽

Xianming Gao ◽

Shucun Sun

Keyword(s):

Genetic Variation ◽

Phenotypic Plasticity ◽

Leaf Area ◽

Functional Traits ◽

Common Garden ◽

Similar Reaction ◽

Crofton Weed ◽

Wide Range ◽

Population Origin ◽

Common Garden Experiments

Phenotypic plasticity and rapid evolution are two important strategies by which invasive species adapt to a wide range of environments and consequently are closely associated with plant invasion. To test their importance in invasion success of Crofton weed, we examined the phenotypic response and genetic variation of the weed by conducting a field investigation, common garden experiments, and intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) marker analysis on 16 populations in China. Molecular markers revealed low genetic variation among and within the sampled populations. There were significant differences in leaf area (LA), specific leaf area (SLA), and seed number (SN) among field populations, and plasticity index (PIv) for LA, SLA, and SN were 0.62, 0.46 and 0.85, respectively. Regression analyses revealed a significant quadratic effect of latitude of population origin on LA, SLA, and SN based on field data but not on traits in the common garden experiments (greenhouse and open air). Plants from different populations showed similar reaction norms across the two common gardens for functional traits. LA, SLA, aboveground biomass, plant height at harvest, first flowering day, and life span were higher in the greenhouse than in the open-air garden, whereas SN was lower. Growth conditions (greenhouse vs. open air) and the interactions between growth condition and population origin significantly affect plant traits. The combined evidence suggests high phenotypic plasticity but low genetically based variation for functional traits of Crofton weed in the invaded range. Therefore, we suggest that phenotypic plasticity is the primary strategy for Crofton weed as an aggressive invader that can adapt to diverse environments in China.

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Sex ratio and life history traits at reaching sexual maturity in the dioecious shrub Fuchsia parviflora: field and common garden experiments

Journal of Tropical Ecology ◽

10.1017/s0266467421000043 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Jessica S. Ambriz ◽

Clementina González ◽

Eduardo Cuevas

Keyword(s):

Natural Population ◽

Sexual Maturity ◽

Sex Ratios ◽

Natural Populations ◽

Common Garden ◽

Common Garden Experiment ◽

Trade Offs ◽

Reproductive Biomass ◽

Common Garden Experiments ◽

Growth And Reproduction

Abstract Fuchsia parviflora is a dioecious shrub that depends on biotic pollination for reproduction. Previous studies suggest that the male plants produce more flowers, and male-biased sex ratios have been found in some natural populations. To assess whether the biased sex ratios found between genders in natural populations are present at the point at which plants reach sexual maturity, and to identify possible trade-offs between growth and reproduction, we performed a common garden experiment. Finally, to complement the information of the common garden experiment, we estimated the reproductive biomass allocation between genders in one natural population. Sex ratios at reaching sexual maturity in F. parviflora did not differ from 0.5, except in one population, which was the smallest seedling population. We found no differences between genders in terms of the probability of germination or flowering. When flowering began, female plants were taller than males and the tallest plants of both genders required more time to reach sexual maturity. Males produced significantly more flowers than females, and the number of flowers increased with plant height in both genders. Finally, in the natural population studied, the investment in reproductive biomass was seven-fold greater in female plants than in male plants. Our results showed no evidence of possible trade-offs between growth and reproduction. Despite the fact that female plants invest more in reproductive biomass, they were taller than the males after flowering, possibly at the expense of herbivory defence.

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Genome analysis of Pseudomonas sp. OF001 and Rubrivivax sp. A210 suggests multicopper oxidases catalyze manganese oxidation required for cylindrospermopsin transformation

BMC Genomics ◽

10.1186/s12864-021-07766-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Erika Berenice Martínez-Ruiz ◽

Myriel Cooper ◽

Jimena Barrero-Canosa ◽

Mindia A. S. Haryono ◽

Irina Bessarab ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Calvin Cycle ◽

Multicopper Oxidase ◽

Genomic Islands ◽

Biotechnological Applications ◽

High Similarity ◽

Multicopper Oxidases ◽

Metabolic Potential ◽

Natural Habitats ◽

Manganese Oxidation ◽

Wide Range

Abstract Background Cylindrospermopsin is a highly persistent cyanobacterial secondary metabolite toxic to humans and other living organisms. Strain OF001 and A210 are manganese-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) able to transform cylindrospermopsin during the oxidation of Mn2+. So far, the enzymes involved in manganese oxidation in strain OF001 and A210 are unknown. Therefore, we analyze the genomes of two cylindrospermopsin-transforming MOB, Pseudomonas sp. OF001 and Rubrivivax sp. A210, to identify enzymes that could catalyze the oxidation of Mn2+. We also investigated specific metabolic features related to pollutant degradation and explored the metabolic potential of these two MOB with respect to the role they may play in biotechnological applications and/or in the environment. Results Strain OF001 encodes two multicopper oxidases and one haem peroxidase potentially involved in Mn2+ oxidation, with a high similarity to manganese-oxidizing enzymes described for Pseudomonas putida GB-1 (80, 83 and 42% respectively). Strain A210 encodes one multicopper oxidase potentially involved in Mn2+ oxidation, with a high similarity (59%) to the manganese-oxidizing multicopper oxidase in Leptothrix discophora SS-1. Strain OF001 and A210 have genes that might confer them the ability to remove aromatic compounds via the catechol meta- and ortho-cleavage pathway, respectively. Based on the genomic content, both strains may grow over a wide range of O2 concentrations, including microaerophilic conditions, fix nitrogen, and reduce nitrate and sulfate in an assimilatory fashion. Moreover, the strain A210 encodes genes which may convey the ability to reduce nitrate in a dissimilatory manner, and fix carbon via the Calvin cycle. Both MOB encode CRISPR-Cas systems, several predicted genomic islands, and phage proteins, which likely contribute to their genome plasticity. Conclusions The genomes of Pseudomonas sp. OF001 and Rubrivivax sp. A210 encode sequences with high similarity to already described MCOs which may catalyze manganese oxidation required for cylindrospermopsin transformation. Furthermore, the analysis of the general metabolism of two MOB strains may contribute to a better understanding of the niches of cylindrospermopsin-removing MOB in natural habitats and their implementation in biotechnological applications to treat water.

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Introduced North American Black Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) Populations are Biennial

Invasive Plant Science and Management ◽

10.1614/ipsm-d-14-00015.1 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 624-630 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Christa E. Fettig ◽

Ruth A. Hufbauer

Keyword(s):

North American ◽

Common Garden ◽

Hyoscyamus Niger ◽

Active Growth ◽

Black Henbane ◽

Introduced Populations ◽

Winter Temperatures ◽

American Black ◽

The Relationship ◽

Bolting And Flowering

AbstractBlack henbane can be either annual or biennial. We investigated which life cycle is found in four introduced western North American populations. Plants were grown in a greenhouse common garden until half were vernalized by exposure to natural winter temperatures, while the other half remained in the greenhouse above 20 C, with 16 h of light and 8 h of dark. In total the plants were monitored 313 d after germination. We measured whether plants bolted, the time it took for bolting to commence, and the size at bolting. All vernalized plants bolted after 117 d of active growth (within 26 d of the end of the vernalization treatment), whereas only 26% of the nonvernalized plants bolted after an average of 278 d of active growth. Vernalized plants bolted at a smaller size than the nonvernalized plants that bolted (28 vs. 41 leaves on average). In the nonvernalized plants, the relationship between time to bolting and size was strong, but not so with the vernalized plants. Our results indicate that introduced black henbane plants are biennial, and that vernalization is more critical to bolting and flowering than reaching a certain size. Nonetheless, the fact that nonvernalized plants were capable of bolting if grown long enough suggests that vernalization is not the only cue that can trigger reproduction in introduced populations.

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Adaptation of Mediterranean forest species to climate: lessons from common garden experiments

Journal of Ecology ◽

10.1111/1365-2745.13730 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

JA Ramírez‐Valiente ◽

L Santos del Blanco ◽

R Alía ◽

JJ Robledo‐Arnuncio ◽

J Climent

Keyword(s):

Common Garden ◽

Mediterranean Forest ◽

Forest Species ◽

Common Garden Experiments

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Urochloa platyphylla (broadleaf signalgrass).

10.1079/cpc.9669.20210099877 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Julissa Rojas-Sandoval ◽

Pedro Acevedo-Rodríguez

Keyword(s):

Environmental Conditions ◽

Crop Residue ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Grass Species ◽

Crop Fields ◽

Wide Range ◽

Germinating Seeds

Abstract U. platyphylla is a weedy grass species commonly found in disturbed, open and sandy sites such as crop fields, ditches and roadsides. It is considered a troublesome weed because of its tolerance to some herbicides principally in maize plantations (Chamblee et al., 1982; Gallaher et al.,1999). U. platyphylla is highly adaptable and it is able to germinate and grow throughout a wide range of soil and environmental conditions (Burke et al., 2003). Additionally, its seeds may remain on the crop residue until pre-emergence herbicides are no longer effective in controlling the germinating seeds, at which time the seeds fall to the soil surface and germinate (Alford et al., 2005).

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Effect of Environmental Factors on Germination and Emergence of Shortawn Foxtail (Alopecurus aequalis)

Weed Science ◽

10.1017/wsc.2017.42 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 66 (1) ◽

pp. 47-56 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Ning Zhao ◽

Qi Li ◽

Wenlei Guo ◽

Lele Zhang ◽

Lu’an Ge ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Osmotic Potential ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Abiotic Factors ◽

Germination Rate ◽

Seedling Emergence ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Burial Depth ◽

Effective Measure ◽

Wide Range

Shortawn foxtail is an invasive grass weed infesting winter wheat and canola production in China. A better understanding of the germination ecology of shortawn foxtail would help to develop better control strategies for this weed. Experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions to evaluate the effects of various abiotic factors, including temperature, light, pH, osmotic stress, salt concentration, and planting depth, on seed germination and seedling emergence of shortawn foxtail. The results showed that the seed germination rate was greater than 90% over a wide range of constant (5 to 25C) and alternating (15/5 to 35/25C) temperatures. Maximum germination occurred at 20C or 25/15C, and no germination occurred at 35C. Light did not appear to have any effect on seed germination. Shortawn foxtail germination was 27% to 99% over a pH range of 4 to 10, and higher germination was obtained at alkaline pH values ranging from 7 to 10. Seed germination was sensitive to osmotic potential and completely inhibited at an osmotic potential of −0.6 MPa, but it was tolerant to salinity: germination even occurred at 200 mM NaCl (5%). Seedling emergence was highest (98%) when seeds were placed on the soil surface but declined with the increasing burial depth. No seedlings emerged when seeds were buried 6-cm deep. Deep tillage could be an effective measure to limit seed germination from increased burial depth. The results of this study will lead to a better understanding of the requirements for shortawn foxtail germination and emergence and will provide information that could contribute to its control.

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The role of waterlogging and sand accretion in modulating the morphology of the dune slack plant Scirpus americanus

Canadian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1139/b90-230 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 68 (8) ◽

pp. 1780-1787 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Denise M. Seliskar

Keyword(s):

Sand Dune ◽

Plant Morphology ◽

Common Garden ◽

Stem Growth ◽

Reciprocal Transplant ◽

Dune Slack ◽

Coastal Sand Dune ◽

Scirpus Americanus ◽

Common Garden Experiments

Scirpus americanus Pers., a major dune slack plant in coastal sand dune ecosystems, differs in height along transects ranging between the lowest and highest elevational areas of slacks located along the coast of Delaware, U.S.A. Using reciprocal transplant and common garden experiments, results suggest that environmental factors rather than hereditary traits are more important in accounting for the differences in plant morphology expressed in the field. Dune slack plants are exposed to stresses of waterlogging and sand accretion in their natural environment. In controlled greenhouse experiments waterlogging was shown to inhibit stem growth and cause an increase in aerenchymatous tissue, whereas periodic sand deposition caused an increase in the plant height of Scirpus.

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