Tree shaping catalogs: formation and nature of garden chair applications

Purpose: Tree shaping catalog development of practical use: garden chair category; study of the ergonomic aspects of their design, calculation of the time for the formation of tree shaping objects with regard to the plant types. A deeper study of the formation of natural and artistic objects of architectural space, i.e., tree shaping.Design/methodology/approach: Ergonomic analysis, analysis of woody plants compositions in tree shaping, visual-anthropometric analysis, modeling, comparative analysis.Originality/value: 1. Proposed tree shaping catalogs in the category of garden chairs. These catalogs have no analogues in are Russia. 2. The selected woody plants of the West Siberian region, most adapted to humane correction of growth, with the ecological specification in accordance with the following parameters: gas resistance, growth rate, life cycle of a woody plant. 3. Diagrams are suggested for the garden chair dimensions (chair back height, seat width, chair leg height) depending on the woody plant (willow, Tatar maple, bird cherry).Findings: Many identified aspects are can be used in tree shaping: compositional complexity of tree shaping, woody plant type, growth characteristics, and the growing conditions.Practical implications: The obtained results can be used as in a deeper study of new approaches to the formation of open architectural spaces with plant materials.

Highly Active Thermophilic L-Asparaginase from Melioribacter roseus Represents a Novel Large Group of Type II Bacterial L-Asparaginases from Chlorobi-Ignavibacteriae-Bacteroidetes Clade

L-asparaginase (L-ASNase) is a biotechnologically relevant enzyme for the pharmaceutical, biosensor and food industries. Efforts to discover new promising L-ASNases for different fields of biotechnology have turned this group of enzymes into a growing family with amazing diversity. Here, we report that thermophile Melioribacter roseus from Ignavibacteriae of the Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi group possesses two L-ASNases—bacterial type II (MrAII) and plant-type (MrAIII). The current study is focused on a novel L-ASNase MrAII that was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and characterized. The enzyme is optimally active at 70 °C and pH 9.3, with a high L-asparaginase activity of 1530 U/mg and L-glutaminase activity ~19% of the activity compared with L-asparagine. The kinetic parameters KM and Vmax for the enzyme were 1.4 mM and 5573 µM/min, respectively. The change in MrAII activity was not significant in the presence of 10 mM Ni2+, Mg2+ or EDTA, but increased with the addition of Cu2+ and Ca2+ by 56% and 77%, respectively, and was completely inhibited by Zn2+, Fe3+ or urea solutions 2–8 M. MrAII displays differential cytotoxic activity: cancer cell lines K562, Jurkat, LnCap, and SCOV-3 were more sensitive to MrAII treatment, compared with normal cells. MrAII represents the first described enzyme of a large group of uncharacterized counterparts from the Chlorobi-Ignavibacteriae-Bacteroidetes clade.

Identification of quantitative trait loci underlying five major agronomic traits of soybean in three biparental populations by specific length amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq)

Flowering time, plant height, branch number, node numbers of main stem and pods per plant are important agronomic traits related to photoperiodic sensitivity, plant type and yield of soybean, which are controlled by multiple genes or quantitative trait loci (QTL). The main purpose of this study is to identify new QTL for five major agronomic traits, especially for flowering time. Three biparental populations were developed by crossing cultivars from northern and central China. Specific loci amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) was used to construct linkage map and QTL mapping was carried out. A total of 10 QTL for flowering time were identified in three populations, some of which were related to E1 and E2 genes or the other reported QTL listed in Soybase. In the Y159 population (Xudou No.9 × Kenfeng No.16), QTL for flowering time on chromosome 4, qFT4_1 and qFT4_2 were new. Compared with the QTL reported in Soybase, 1 QTL for plant height (PH), 3 QTL for branch number (BR), 5 QTL for node numbers of main stem, and 3 QTL for pods per plant were new QTL. Major E genes were frequently detected in different populations indicating that major the E loci had a great effect on flowering time and adaptation of soybean. Therefore, in order to further clone minor genes or QTL, it may be of great significance to carefully select the genotypes of known loci. These results may lay a foundation for fine mapping and clone of QTL/genes related to plant-type, provided a basis for high yield breeding of soybean.

Genetic Analysis of Yield and its Attributes in Bread Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L. Em. Thell) Under Irrigated and Rainfed Conditions

Experiments were conducted to study the genetics and combining ability for yield and its attributes under Irrigated (E1) and Rainfed (E2) conditions using F1 hybrids derived from Line X Tester mating design by crossing eleven lines with three testers. Significant differences were observed among all the genotypes for all the traits in both E1 and E2 environments as well as in pooled analysis. The σ2gca/σ2sca ratio indicated predominance of non-additive gene action for all the characters in both environments. Therefore, this component of variance can be utilize in breeding programme through exploitation of heterosis and the selection process for identification of superior plant type should be postponed to further generations like F4 or F5. VL3001 and KACHU*2//WHEAR/SOKOLL was identified as good general combiner in irrigated condition (E1) and in rainfed condition (E2), respectively for maximum number of traits. Parent VL3001 was also identified as good general combiner for maximum number of traits in case of pooled analysis. Cross BECARD/KACHU × WH1080, BOW/VEE/5/ND/VG9144//KAL/BBB/YACO/4/CHIL/6/CASKOR/3/… × WH1080 and C306 × WH1142 was identified as good specific combination for maximum number of traits in irrigated condition (E1), rainfed condition (E2) and in pooled analysis, respectively.

Genes Associated with the Flax Plant Type (Oil or Fiber) Identified Based on Genome and Transcriptome Sequencing Data

As a result of the breeding process, there are two main types of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) plants. Linseed is used for obtaining seeds, while fiber flax is used for fiber production. We aimed to identify the genes associated with the flax plant type, which could be important for the formation of agronomically valuable traits. A search for polymorphisms was performed in genes involved in the biosynthesis of cell wall components, lignans, fatty acids, and ion transport based on genome sequencing data for 191 flax varieties. For 143 of the 424 studied genes (4CL, C3′H, C4H, CAD, CCR, CCoAOMT, COMT, F5H, HCT, PAL, CTL, BGAL, ABC, HMA, DIR, PLR, UGT, TUB, CESA, RGL, FAD, SAD, and ACT families), one or more polymorphisms had a strong correlation with the flax type. Based on the transcriptome sequencing data, we evaluated the expression levels for each flax type-associated gene in a wide range of tissues and suggested genes that are important for the formation of linseed or fiber flax traits. Such genes were probably subjected to the selection press and can determine not only the traits of seeds and stems but also the characteristics of the root system or resistance to stresses at a particular stage of development, which indirectly affects the ability of flax plants to produce seeds or fiber.

A novel adenylate isopentenyltransferase 5 regulates shoot branching via the ATTTA motif in Camellia sinensis

Background Shoot branching is one of the important agronomic traits affecting yields and quality of tea plant (Camellia sinensis). Cytokinins (CTKs) play critical roles in regulating shoot branching. However, whether and how differently alternative splicing (AS) variant of CTKs-related genes can influence shoot branching of tea plant is still not fully elucidated. Results In this study, five AS variants of CTK biosynthetic gene adenylate isopentenyltransferase (CsA-IPT5) with different 3′ untranslated region (3ˊ UTR) and 5ˊ UTR from tea plant were cloned and investigated for their regulatory effects. Transient expression assays showed that there were significant negative correlations between CsA-IPT5 protein expression, mRNA expression of CsA-IPT5 AS variants and the number of ATTTA motifs, respectively. Shoot branching processes induced by exogenous 6-BA or pruning were studied, where CsA-IPT5 was demonstrated to regulate protein synthesis of CsA-IPT5, as well as the biosynthesis of trans-zeatin (tZ)- and isopentenyladenine (iP)-CTKs, through transcriptionally changing ratios of its five AS variants in these processes. Furthermore, the 3′ UTR AS variant 2 (3AS2) might act as the predominant AS transcript. Conclusions Together, our results indicate that 3AS2 of the CsA-IPT5 gene is potential in regulating shoot branching of tea plant and provides a gene resource for improving the plant-type of woody plants.

Host Plant Species Mediates Impact of Neonicotinoid Exposure to Monarch Butterflies

Neonicotinoids are the most widely used insecticides in North America. Numerous studies document the negative effects of neonicotinoids on bees, and it remains crucial to demonstrate if neonicotinoids affect other non-target insects, such as butterflies. Here we examine how two neonicotinoids (imidacloprid and clothianidin) affect the development, survival, and flight of monarch butterflies, and how these chemicals interact with the monarch’s milkweed host plant. We first fed caterpillars field-relevant low doses (0.075 and 0.225 ng/g) of neonicotinoids applied to milkweed leaves (Asclepias incarnata), and found no significant reductions in larval development rate, pre-adult survival, or adult flight performance. We next fed larvae higher neonicotinoid doses (4–70 ng/g) and reared them on milkweed species known to produce low, moderate, or high levels of secondary toxins (cardenolides). Monarchs exposed to the highest dose of clothianidin (51–70 ng/g) experienced pupal deformity, low survival to eclosion, smaller body size, and weaker adult grip strength. This effect was most evident for monarchs reared on the lowest cardenolide milkweed (A. incarnata), whereas monarchs reared on the high-cardenolide A. curassavica showed no significant reductions in any variable measured. Our results indicate that monarchs are tolerant to low doses of neonicotinoid, and that negative impacts of neonicotinoids depend on host plant type. Plant toxins may confer protective effects or leaf physical properties may affect chemical retention. Although neonicotinoid residues are ubiquitous on milkweeds in agricultural and ornamental settings, commonly encountered doses below 50 ng/g are unlikely to cause substantial declines in monarch survival or migratory performance.

Underwater CAM photosynthesis elucidated by Isoetes genome

To conserve water in arid environments, numerous plant lineages have independently evolved Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM). Interestingly, Isoetes, an aquatic lycophyte, can also perform CAM as an adaptation to low CO2 availability underwater. However, little is known about the evolution of CAM in aquatic plants and the lack of genomic data has hindered comparison between aquatic and terrestrial CAM. Here, we investigate underwater CAM in Isoetes taiwanensis by generating a high-quality genome assembly and RNA-seq time course. Despite broad similarities between CAM in Isoetes and terrestrial angiosperms, we identify several key differences. Notably, Isoetes may have recruited the lesser-known ‘bacterial-type’ PEPC, along with the ‘plant-type’ exclusively used in other CAM and C4 plants for carboxylation of PEP. Furthermore, we find that circadian control of key CAM pathway genes has diverged considerably in Isoetes relative to flowering plants. This suggests the existence of more evolutionary paths to CAM than previously recognized.

An Overview of the Medicinally Important Plant Type III PKS Derived Polyketides

Plants produce interesting secondary metabolites that are a valuable source of both medicines for human use, along with significant advantages for the manufacturer species. The active compounds which lead to these instrumental effects are generally secondary metabolites produced during various plant growth phases, which provide the host survival advantages while affecting human health inadvertently. Different chemical classes of secondary metabolites are biosynthesized by the plant type III polyketide synthases (PKSs). They are simple homodimeric proteins with the unique mechanistic potential to produce a broad array of secondary metabolites by utilizing simpler starter and extender units. These PKS derived products are majorly the precursors of some important secondary metabolite pathways leading to products such as flavonoids, stilbenes, benzalacetones, chromones, acridones, xanthones, cannabinoids, aliphatic waxes, alkaloids, anthrones, and pyrones. These secondary metabolites have various pharmaceutical, medicinal and industrial applications which make biosynthesizing type III PKSs an important tool for bioengineering purposes. Because of their structural simplicity and ease of manipulation, these enzymes have garnered interest in recent years due to their application in the generation of unnatural natural polyketides and modified products in the search for newer drugs for a variety of health problems. The following review covers the biosynthesis of a variety of type III PKS-derived secondary metabolites, their biological relevance, the associated enzymes, and recent research.