Functional Characterization of an Amaranth Natterin-4-Like-1 Gene in Arabidopsis thaliana

The functional characterization of an Amaranthus hypochondriacus Natterin-4-Like-1 gene (AhN4L-1) coding for an unknown function protein characterized by the presence of an aerolysin-like pore-forming domain in addition to two amaranthin-like agglutinin domains is herewith described. Natterin and nattering-like proteins have been amply described in the animal kingdom. However, the role of nattering-like proteins in plants is practically unknown. The results described in this study, obtained from gene expression data in grain amaranth and from AhN4L-1-overexpressing Arabidopsis thaliana plants indicated that this gene was strongly induced by several biotic and abiotic conditions in grain amaranth, whereas data obtained from the overexpressing Arabidopsis plants further supported the defensive function of this gene, mostly against bacterial and fungal plant pathogens. GUS and GFP AhN4L-1 localization in roots tips, leaf stomata, stamens and pistils also suggested a defensive function in these organs, although its participation in flowering processes, such as self-incompatibility and abscission, is also possible. However, contrary to expectations, the overexpression of this gene negatively affected the vegetative and reproductive growth of the transgenic plants, which also showed no increased tolerance to salinity and water-deficit stress. The latter despite the maintenance of significantly higher chlorophyll levels and photosynthetic parameters under intense salinity stress. These results are discussed in the context of the physiological roles known to be played by related lectins and AB proteins in plants.

Plant morphometry matches beetle diversity: effects of natural adjacent vegetation on grain Amaranth crop under small-holder conditions

Grain Amaranth, Amaranthus hypochondriacus L., is an emerging arable crop cultivated worldwide. One way to obtain resources from the crop, other than grain, is to grow Amaranths in the dry season and harvest only the leaves. In this environmental condition the response of an Amaranth agroecosystem to the presence of natural and semi-natural habitats or other crops has not been studied yet. We analysed the response of (1) Amaranth morphometry and (2) alpha and beta diversity of beetles to the nearness of adjacent vegetation and natural habitats (such as deciduous forest) at the small-holder conditions. Our results showed that A. hypochondriacus crop plants responded positively to the presence of an ecotone (adjacent vegetation) and the natural habitat (deciduous forest), i.e., A. hypochondriacus plants grew bigger in the section nearest to adjacent vegetation, which was a pattern consistent in time. Moreover, for beetles (considered as a bioindicator group), richness was different amongst the study areas and negatively followed the gradient of perturbation. These results suggest that Amaranth crop is sensitive to the presence of natural and semi-natural habitats but not to other crops in the dry season. In addition, beetles match the response of Amaranth plants. This is the first time that this type of data is recorded in grain Amaranth agroecosystem and it will help to understand the interaction amongst grain Amaranth agroecosystems, biodiversity, and natural adjacent vegetation to boost ecosystem services.

GENOME-WIDE IDENTIFICATION AND COMPUTATIONAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE NUCLEAR FACTOR-YC SUB-UNITS IN GRAIN AMARANTH (Amaranthus hypochondriacus)

Nuclear factor-Y (NF-Y) has been known as one of the plant-specific transcription factors that play key roles in numerous biological processes during the growth and development of plant species. In this study, a comprehensive analysis of NF-YC sub-units in grain amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) was carried out based on the bioinformatics approaches. Firstly, a total of five members of the NF-YC sub-units was reported in the grain amaranth. Its structural analyses revealed that the NF-YC sub-units were variable in physic-chemical properties, like protein sizes, molecular masses, isoelectric point, instability index, and grand average of hydropathy. Of our interest, the expression profiles of genes encoding NF-YC sub-units in various tissues\organs during the growth and development of grain amaranth. We found that three genes, including AhNF-YC01, AhNF-YC04, and AhNF-YC05 were highly expressed in leaf, root, floral, immature seed, and stem tissues. Interestingly, AhNF-YC05 was exclusively expressed in leaf and stem tissues. Taken together, our study could provide a solid understanding for further functional characterization of genes encoding NF-YC sub-units in grain amaranth.

PopAmaranth: A population genetic genome browser for grain amaranths and their wild relatives

The combination of genomic, physiological, and population genetic research has accelerated the understanding and improvement of numerous crops. For non-model crops the lack of interdisciplinary research hinders their improvement. Grain amaranth is an ancient nutritious pseudocereal that has been domesticated three times in different regions of the Americas. We present and employ PopAmaranth, a population genetic genome browser, which provides an accessible representation of the genetic variation of the three grain amaranth species (A. hypochondriacus, A. cruentus, and A. caudatus) and two wild relatives (A. hybridus and A. quitensis) along the A. hypochondriacus reference sequence. We performed population-scale diversity and selection analysis from whole-genome sequencing data of 88 curated genetically and taxonomically unambiguously classified accessions. We employ the platform to show that genetic diversity in the water stress-related MIF1 gene declined during amaranth domestication and provide evidence for convergent saponin reduction between amaranth and quinoa. PopAmaranth is available through amaranthGDB at amaranthgdb.org/popamaranth.html.

Determination of the Effect of Changing Ingredient Type and Concentration on Functional Properties of Banana-Vegetable Soup Powder

Bananas continue to experience high post-harvest losses of up to 45% due to limited value addition. The limiting factor being lack of key nutrients in the fruit hence the need to supplement banana with different ingredients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of changing ingredient type and concentration on functional properties and analyze the potential of developing an acceptable soup for children between 6 to 59 months using banana flour. Using Nutri-survey, grain amaranth, pumpkins, tomatoes, mushrooms and carrots were the selected ingredients. Design Expert was used to perform Response surface methodology (RSM) using a mixture design to establish the optimal ingredient concentrations. The optimal formulation constituted banana, grain amaranth, pumpkins, carrots and mushrooms at 41%, 41%, 9%, 5% and 4% respectively. Tomatoes were eliminated for its insignificant effect (p<0.05) to functional properties of the soup flour. The product had an energy composition of 409.39 kCal/100 g, peak viscosity of 2631.41 Cp while the holding viscosity, breakdown viscosity, final viscosity, peak time, carbohydrates, proteins and zinc contents were 1430.11 Cp, 1209.57 Cp, 2495.29 Cp, 4.9 minutes, 65.38%, 14.86% and 13.50 g/100 g respectively. Mathematical models predicting variation of gross energy, protein content, fiber content and ash content were significant at p<0.05. The results suggest that a nutritious soup can be obtained from banana flour.