The Right-Skewed Distribution of Fine-Root Size in Three Temperate Forests in Northeastern China

Trees can build fine-root systems with high variation in root size (e.g., fine-root diameter) and root number (e.g., branching pattern) to optimize belowground resource acquisition in forest ecosystems. Compared with leaves, which are visible above ground, information about the distribution and inequality of fine-root size and about key associations between fine-root size and number is still limited. We collected 27,573 first-order fine-roots growing out of 3,848 second-order fine-roots, covering 51 tree species in three temperate forests (Changbai Mountain, CBS; Xianrendong, XRD; and Maoershan, MES) in Northeastern China. We investigated the distribution and inequality of fine-root length, diameter and area (fine-root size), and their trade-off with fine-root branching intensity and ratio (fine-root number). Our results showed a strong right-skewed distribution in first-order fine-root size across various tree species. Unimodal frequency distributions were observed in all three of the sampled forests for first-order fine-root length and area and in CBS and XRD for first-order fine-root diameter, whereas a marked bimodal frequency distribution of first-order fine-root diameter appeared in MES. Moreover, XRD had the highest and MES had the lowest inequality values (Gini coefficients) in first-order fine-root diameter. First-order fine-root size showed a consistently linear decline with increasing root number. Our findings suggest a common right-skewed distribution with unimodality or bimodality of fine-root size and a generalized trade-off between fine-root size and number across the temperate tree species. Our results will greatly improve our thorough understanding of the belowground resource acquisition strategies of temperate trees and forests.

Metal Based-oxide Nanoparticles Assisted the Uptake of the Essential Elements and Phytoremediation of Populus Alba : Essential Metabolic Processes and Genetic Stability

The present study evaluated the phytoremediation activities of Populus alba upon using nano metal-based-oxides (i.e., Fe2O3, ZnO, and Mn2O3-NPs) as analogues of three main heavy metals Fe, Zn and Mn exist in soil as micronutrients at three different concentrations (i.e., 20, 40, and 60 mg/L) compared to the control. The as-prepared nanoparticles have been prepared via co-precipitation method. In addition, the physico-chemical properties were investigated using transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectra, X-ray diffraction and dynamic light scattering techniques. Overall, a significant difference in the biomass production-related parameters such as fresh weight, shoot length, root length, and root number compared to control upon the treatment with micronutrients-based nano-metal-oxides (i.e., Mn2O3 > Fe2O3 > ZnO NPs, respectively), except a significant increase in the root number of Populus alba plant upon their treatment with ZnO NPs compared to other prepared nano-metal-oxides and control. Also, a remarkable increase in the chlorophyll index was monitored upon treatment with Fe2O3 than other used Mn2O3 and ZnO NPs, respectively. Moreover, RAPD-PCR bioassays were applied and the actual 6 primers showed a genetic variation percentage of 34.17% indicating that Populus alba is highly genetically stable even in a highly contaminated environment/soil. All these data enhance the idea of using the Populus alba plant in phytoremediation and heavy metal uptake as micronutrients to clean up the surroundings.

Strategi Pembentukan Bilangan untuk Menyederhanakan Perhitungan pada Teorema Pythagoras

This research aims to describe the number formation strategy as an application form of the Pythagorean theorem. A number formation strategy to simplify calculations on the application of the Pythagorean theorem is needed since many mathematical problems solving involve Pythagorean theorem. In some mathematical problems, the Pythagorean theorem is only used as a tool to answer the real problem, for example is a problem in Geometric. This research applies a literature review method. There are three steps should be met to use the number formation strategy in this paper, namely: (1) ensuring that the two side lengths of a right triangle have the same factor, (2) changing integers other than the same factor (if it is the same, select one) becomes the root number, and (3) determining the side in question, if what is being asked is the longest side (hypothenuse) then the two numbers in the same root (radicand) must be added, otherwise if what is being asked is not the hypotenuse (not the longest side), then the two radicans must be subtracted while still being positive.

Relationship between bud number in seed branches and yield aspects of sweet potato

ABSTRACT Planting sweet potato branches with the appropriate bud number and disposition, below and above ground, can favor vegetative growth and yield that better fit the marketable standards. This study aimed to explore the influence of the number of buds and their distribution ratio, above and below ground level, on the agronomic and marketable components of sweet potato tuberous roots. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were arranged in a factorial scheme (3 x 5), with 2, 4, and 8 above-ground buds combined with 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 below-ground buds. Branches from the UZBD 06 accession (Canadense standard) were used. Vegetative, productive, and marketable traits of roots were evaluated. The use of branches with a greater number of buds above and below ground increased shoot dry biomass. Planting seed branches with 8 buds above and 8 buds below ground provided a greater number and production of marketable roots. The use of 10 buried buds increased root number and yield in the 150-450 g marketable classes, which the consumer market values the most.

TopoRoot: a method for computing hierarchy and fine-grained traits of maize roots from 3D imaging

Background 3D imaging, such as X-ray CT and MRI, has been widely deployed to study plant root structures. Many computational tools exist to extract coarse-grained features from 3D root images, such as total volume, root number and total root length. However, methods that can accurately and efficiently compute fine-grained root traits, such as root number and geometry at each hierarchy level, are still lacking. These traits would allow biologists to gain deeper insights into the root system architecture. Results We present TopoRoot, a high-throughput computational method that computes fine-grained architectural traits from 3D images of maize root crowns or root systems. These traits include the number, length, thickness, angle, tortuosity, and number of children for the roots at each level of the hierarchy. TopoRoot combines state-of-the-art algorithms in computer graphics, such as topological simplification and geometric skeletonization, with customized heuristics for robustly obtaining the branching structure and hierarchical information. TopoRoot is validated on both CT scans of excavated field-grown root crowns and simulated images of root systems, and in both cases, it was shown to improve the accuracy of traits over existing methods. TopoRoot runs within a few minutes on a desktop workstation for images at the resolution range of 400^3, with minimal need for human intervention in the form of setting three intensity thresholds per image. Conclusions TopoRoot improves the state-of-the-art methods in obtaining more accurate and comprehensive fine-grained traits of maize roots from 3D imaging. The automation and efficiency make TopoRoot suitable for batch processing on large numbers of root images. Our method is thus useful for phenomic studies aimed at finding the genetic basis behind root system architecture and the subsequent development of more productive crops.

Germination and seedling growth response of mango (Mangifera Indica L.) cultivars to different nursery potting media

Background Mango is an important cash crop greatly contributing for food security of fruit growers in northwestern parts of Tigray region, northern Ethiopia. However, information was critically lacking with respect to germination and growth response of mango rootstock to varying compositions of growing media in the region. Thus, an experiment was conducted during 2018 to evaluate germination and seedling growth response of mango cultivars to different combinations of nursery potting media in a net house at Indasellassie. Seeds of Local, Dodo and Keitt cultivars of mango were sown in full top soil (M1); top soil: sawdust: sand (3:2:1)(M2); top soil: FYM (Farmyard manure): sand (3:2:1)(M3); and top soil: FYM: sawdust: (3:2:1)(M4). Randomized complete block design in a factorial arrangement with three replications were used. Data on germination and growth parameters were collected and analyzed using GenStat software. Results The findings of the experiment revealed that mango cultivar had significantly affected most of the germination and growth parameters except shoot number. Moreover, potting media affected most of the parameters except days to germination, germination percentage, stem diameter, root number, and shoot number. Interaction effects of cultivar and growing media significantly affected all parameters except internode length, shoot number and stem diameter. Accordingly, interactions of local mango cultivar and M3 media combination gave the highest for most of the parameters with the order of M3 = M1 = M4 > M2 for germination percentage, M3 = M1 > M4 = M2 for plant height, M3 > M1 > M2 = M4 for leaf number, M3 > M1 > M4 > M2 for leaf area, M3 = M1 > M2 = M4 for stem diameter, M3 = M1 > M2 > M4 for root number, M3 > M2 > M1 = M4 for root length, M3 > M1 > M2 = M4 for fresh weight, M3 > M1 = M2 = M4 for dry weight and Vigorosity II of mango. Conclusion Considering better mango performance on seed germination, seedling growth and establishment in the study area, mango growers should use Local mango cultivar with soil potting media combinations of top soil: FYM: sand in the ratio of 3:2:1 for improving productivity and food security.

Carbon Microsphere From Postconsumer Soft Drink Bottles and Their Impact On Plant Growth Study of Cicer Arietinum

Present work is highlighted on the conversion of waste PET plastics to carbon nanosphere, their characterization by SEM-EDX, XRD and FTIR and finally their application in the field of germination of Cicer arietinum and biochemical analysis. SEM and XRD results revealed that PET plastic are comfortably converted to carbon microsphere with a diameter ranges between 2-8 µm with amorphous nature and FTIR study suggested that the existence of aromatic C-H and aromatic ring along with carbonyl groups. Root morphology suggested that both root length and seminal root number gradually decrease with increasing carbon microsphere dose. Biochemical results revealed that the level of proline, catalase and MDA levels significantly (p < 0.0001) increase with increasing the dose of carbon microsphere. Finally, it can be concluded that lower dose of carbon microsphere could be beneficial for both seed germination and seedling growth, but higher dose may have adverse effect on plant community.

Rooting Responses of Female and Male Cuttings of Leucadendron elimense E. Phillips subsp. elimense on the Type and Concentration of Auxin

Female and male plants of difficult-to-root species Leucadendron elimense subsp. elimense were investigated for rooting potential with three rooting hormones: indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) at three different concentrations (2000 ppm, 4000 ppm, and 6000 ppm). The experiment was made under essential misting, bottom heat, and a naturally ventilated greenhouse. After 18 weeks the experiment terminated and callusing and rooting percentage, root number, and root length were determined. Female cuttings rooted in the highest percentage (80%), root number (>30), and root length (close to 100 mm) after treatment with IAA at 4000 ppm. Under the above treatment male cuttings rooted in 70%, with a mean root number of 24 and root length of 90 mm. The efficient rooting results could aid in saving the species in its natural habitat and supporting restoration ecology, as well as introducing this species into the flower market.

Direct induction of adventitious root in Schefflera octophylla (Lour.) Harms from leaf explants cultured in vitro

Schefflera octophylla (Lour.) Harms is a precious plant species belonging to the Araliaceae family. All parts of plant have been used to create products for human health. In tissue culture of medicinal plants, the induction and multiplication of adventitious root of Schefflera octophylla for biomass collection have been studied. In this report, results on induction of adventitious root from leaf explants cultured in vitro of this plant species were presented. Leaf disks (~ 10 x 10 mm), leaf transverse - thin cell layers (t-TCLs) (~ 3 x 10 mm) were cultured on different mineral media MS, ½MS, B5, SH with NAA (0 - 5 mg/L), sucrose (0 - 50 g/L) and light intensity (0 - 4,000 lux). The results showed that, 30 days after culturing on ½MS solid medium plus 3 mg/L NAA, and 30 g/L sucrose in 4,000 lux light condition, direct formation of adventitious root was best from leaf disks, t-TCLs with rooting rate (%) 100, 100; root number/sample 68.80, 21.96; root lenght (mm) 16.53, 15.53, respectively. Leaf disk culture resulted in better rooting than t-TCL culture in two criteria of root number and root length. Morphological and histological observations of adventitious root primordia formation in the leaf disk were also performed. This is the first report on direct formation of adventitious root by in vitro culture of leaf disks/t-TCLs in Schefflera octophylla with very high efficiency, creating basis for further studies on root biomass multiplication for production of bioactive compounds.

Effect of Cutting Size on the Performance of Exogenous Auxin IBA in Vegetative Propagation of Rubus erythroclados Mart. ex Hook. f.

Aim: The climbing shrub Rubus erythroclados Mart. ex Hook. f. (amora-verde) has great food (fruits) and medicinal (leaves) potential. However, this species remains understudied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction between cutting size and IBA concentration in the vegetative propagation of R. erythroclados by stem cuttings. Study Design: The experimental design used was completely randomized in a 3x5 factorial combination. The cutting size factor was represented by three levels (10, 15 and 20 cm) and IBA concentration factor by five levels (0, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 and 4,000 mg L-1). Results: There was an interaction between the factors in 13 of the 19 variables analyzed, being: live cuttings at 30 and 60 days, live cuttings with callus formation, sprouted cuttings at 30, 60 and 90 days, rooted cuttings, shoot number, shoot diameter, root number, root length, length of the largest root and root diameter. Size increase of the R. erythroclados cuttings caused a decrease in the phytotoxic effect of IBA in the development of the aerial part. The effect of IBA in response to rooting induction, in the larger size of R. erythroclados cuttings, required an increase in IBA concentration compared to the cuttings of shorter size. Conclusion: Cuttings of 10 and 15 cm treated with 1,000 mg L-1 of IBA showed greater rooting (20.0%) compared to the other treatments, being, therefore, indicated for the vegetative propagation of R. erythroclados by stem cuttings.