​Identification of Low Light Tolerant Blackgram Varieties with Respect to Morpho-physiology and Yield

Background: Blackgram is generally considered as a shade sensitive crop. Nevertheless, it fits well in intercropping, crop rotation and crop mixture in coconut gardens thus forming an integral part of cropping systems of the tropics. To encourage and extend blackgram cultivation in coconut gardens, suitable varieties tolerant to shade, need to be identified. The current study aims to screen shade tolerant blackgram varieties with respect to morpho-physiological characters and yield. Methods: Field experiment was conducted during Rabi 2019 at College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala, India. Uniformly spaced coconut palms of age above 40 years were selected having a light intensity of 40-46.5 Klux. Twelve promising blackgram varieties along with three cultures were evaluated under low light intensity in coconut garden. Morpho-physiological attributes and yields were recorded and analysed statistically. Result: Superior growth attributes and physiological parameters like stomatal frequency, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate and transpiration rate were recorded in varieties namely, DBGV 5, Sumanjana and VBN 5. These varieties were found tolerant to low light intensity with DBGV 5 recording significantly higher yield (1183.33 kg ha-1) followed by VBN 5 (916.67 kg ha-1) and Sumanjana (906.67 kg ha-1) and could be recommended as suitable for intercropping in coconut garden.

Genetic and Environmental Factors Jointly Impact Leaf Phenolic Profiles of Iris variegata L.

A plant’s main mechanism to diminish the effects caused by high free radical levels generated during high irradiance is the synthesis of various secondary metabolites. In addition to interspecies differences, their concentrations may be influenced by genetic, ontogenic, morphogenetic or environmental factors. We investigated the influence of genetic (genotypes from different natural habitats) and environmental (contrasting light regimes as well as successive parts of the vegetation period) variability on the accumulation of 10 selected phenolic compounds (phenolic acids, flavonoids, and xanthones) in Iris variegata genotypes. Genotypes originated from either sun-exposed or shaded natural habitats were transplanted to two experimental light treatments (high light intensity with a higher R/FR ratio and low light intensity with a lower R/FR ratio). Significant impacts of both genetic and environmental seasonal variability (spring, summer and fall during the vegetation period) on phenolic compound profiles were detected. Their highest amounts were detected in spring. The magnitude of difference between light treatments (high vs. low light intensity) and the direction of this change varied depending on the secondary compound class. Phenotypic correlations among the 10 analyzed secondary metabolites differed across the experimental light treatments and their number decreased from spring to fall.

Nighttime Temperatures and Sunlight Intensities Interact to Influence Anthocyanin Biosynthesis and Photooxidative Sunburn in “Fuji” Apple

Light and low temperatures induce anthocyanin accumulation, but intense sunlight causes photooxidative sunburn. Nonetheless, there have been few studies of anthocyanin synthesis under different sunlight intensities and low nighttime temperatures. Here, low nighttime temperatures followed by low light intensity were associated with greater anthocyanin accumulation and the expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes in “Fuji” apple peel. UDP-glucose flavonoid-3-O-glucosyltransferase (UFGT) activity was positively associated with anthocyanin enrichment. Ascorbic acid can be used as an electron donor of APX to scavenge H2O2 in plants, which makes it play an important role in oxidative defense. Exogenous ascorbate altered the anthocyanin accumulation and reduced the occurrence of high light–induced photooxidative sunburn by removing hydrogen peroxide from the peel. Overall, low light intensity was beneficial for the accumulation of anthocyanin and did not cause photooxidative sunburn, whereas natural light had the opposite effect on the apple peel at low nighttime temperatures. This study provides an insight into the mechanisms by which low temperatures induce apple coloration and high light intensity causes photooxidative sunburn.

Bulk-heterojunction photocapacitors with high open-circuit voltage for low light intensity photostimulation of neurons

All-optical control of strength and switching speed of neuromodulating currents.

Expression analysis of five candidate genes in eight contrasting rice genotypes suggest role of Lagging growth and development 1(LGD1), Pinhead1 (PNH1) and Leaf Panicle 2 (LP2) in low light intensity response at vegetative stage

Light acts as an energy source in plants for photosynthesis and also is an environmental cue leading to growth and differentiation. The quality and duration of light is therefore, key to obtaining yield and growth targets. Our previous study in rice led to identification of a panel of contrasting genotypes and putative candidate genes and markers for low light intensity tolerance. In the present study, expression of a set of five candidate genes (LGD1, PNH1, ILA1, CAB2R and LP2) previously identified to be associated with low light intensity tolerance was studied in a panel of eight rice genotypes at two time points post stress induction (one hour and two days). Cumulative normalised expression levels for genes LDG1 and PNH1 were down-regulated in response to one hour low light stress only in susceptible genotypes. While the cumulative normalised expression levels of ILA1 and LP2 genes were down- and up-regulated, respectively in tolerant genotypes. After two days of low light stress, expression of PNH1 and LP2 were down- and up-regulated in tolerant and susceptible genotypes, respectively. Our data suggests that genes LGD1, PNH1 and LP2 can be targeted for achieving vegetative stage low light intensity tolerance. Long term stress followed by recovery experiment revealed genotype Pusa Sugangh-5 as tolerant to low light intensity. These experiments suggest that mechanism of low light intensity tolerance in Pusa Sugangh-5 is distinct from the other four tolerant rice genotypes.