VDAC1 Negatively Regulates Floral Transition in Arabidopsis thaliana

Voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs) are the most important proteins in mitochondria. They localize to the outer mitochondrial membrane and contribute to the metabolite transport between the mitochondria and cytoplasm, which aids plant growth regulation. Here, we report that Arabidopsis thaliana VDAC1 is involved in the floral transition, with the loss of AtVDAC1 function, resulting in an early-flowering phenotype. AtVDAC1 is expressed ubiquitously in Arabidopsis. To identify the flowering pathway integrators that may be responsible for AtVDAC1′s function during the floral transition, an RNA-seq analysis was performed. In total, 106 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between wild-type and atvdac1-5 mutant seedlings. However, none were involved in flowering-related pathways. In contrast, AtVDAC1 physically associated with FLOWERING LOCUS T. Thus, in the floral transition, AtVDAC1 may function partly through the FLOWERING LOCUS T protein.

Phytochemistry and biological properties of Drimys winteriJR et G. Forster var chilensis(DC) A.

Drimys winteri JR et G. Forster var chilensis (DC) A. is a tree native to central and southern Chile. Also it found in part of Argentina. It is abundant in wet swampy localities from sea level to an altitude of 1700 m. This tree is sacred for the Mapuche culture; it is used in folk medicine in such as inflammatory and painful processes. Phytochemical studies have demonstrated that this plant contains mainly sesquiterpenes of the drimane type, flavonoids, essential oils, phytosterols and some lignans. These drimanes have attracted interest because of their antifeedant, plant growth regulation, cytotoxic, antimicrobial and insecticidal properties. The objective of this review is to establish clearly the phytochemistry and biological activity of Drimys winteri JR et G. Forster var chilensis (DC) A. Articles based on other varieties are not considered.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Encapsulation of Novel Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) in Biopolymer Matrices

Novel plant growth regulators (PGRs) based on the derivatives of dehydroamino acids 2,3-dehydroaspartic acid dimethyl ester (PGR1), Z-isomer of the potassium salt of 2-amino-3-methoxycarbonylacrylic acid (PGR2) and 1-methyl-3-methylamino-maleimide (PGR3) have been synthesized and their growth-regulating properties investigated. Laboratory testing revealed their plant growth-regulating activity. PGR1 showing the most stimulating activity on all laboratory tested cultures were used in field experiments. Results showed that PGR1 is a highly effective environmentally friendly plant growth regulator with effects on different crops. Biopolymeric microcapsule formulations (chitosan/alginate microcapsule loaded with PGR) suitable for application in agriculture were prepared and characterized. Physicochemical properties and release profiles of PGRs from microcapsule formulations depend on the molecular interactions between microcapsule constituents including mainly electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds. The differences in the microcapsule formulations structure did not affect the mechanism of PGRs release which was identified as diffusion through microcapsules. The obtained results opened a perspective for the future use of microcapsule formulations as new promising agroformulations with a sustained and target release for plant growth regulation.

Synthesis, Characterization and Encapsulation of Novel Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) in Biopolymer Matrices

Novel plant growth regulators (PGRs) based on the derivatives of dehydroamino acids (2,3-dehydroaspartic acid dimethyl ester, Z-isomer of the potassium salt of 2-amino-3-methoxycarbonylacrylic acid and 1-methyl-3-methylamino-maleimide) have been synthesized and their growth-regulating properties investigated. Laboratory testing and field experiments revealed new compounds are highly effective environmentally friendly plant growth regulators with effects on different crops. Biopolymeric microcapsule formulations (chitosan/alginate microcapsule loaded with PGR) suitable for application in agriculture were prepared and characterized. Physicochemical properties and release profiles of PGRs from microcapsule formulations depend on the molecular interactions between microcapsule constituents including mainly electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds. The differences in the microcapsule formulations structure did not affect the mechanism of PGRs release which was identified as diffusion through microcapsules. The obtained results opened a perspective for the future use of microcapsule formulations as new promising agroformulations with a sustained and target release for plant growth regulation.

The role of light in the plants world

This article describes the differences in how people and plants perceive light. This is important in some artificial light applications. In particular, it concerns the horticulture area, in which LED lighting is increasingly used. There is a misunderstanding of the specifics of the environment in this area. As a result, even experienced lighting professionals design greenhouse lamps in the same way as for people. This article describes the negative consequences of this approach. Full Text: PDF ReferencesA. R. Young, J. Claveau, and A.B. Rossi, Ultraviolet radiation and the skin: Photobiology and sunscreen photoprotection, Jurnal of the American Academy of Dermatology, vol. 76, p. 100-109, Mar. 2017. CrossRef S. Pashiardis, S.A. Kalogirou, and A. Pelengaris, Characteristics of Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR) Through Statistical Analysis at Larnaca, SM Journal of Biometrics & Biostatistics, p. 1-16, Jun. 2017. CrossRef W. Bommel, Interior Lighting: Visual Mechanism. Springer Nature Switzerland AG., p. 3-23, 2019. CrossRef L.T. Sharpe, A. Jagla, and W. Jägle, A luminous efficiency function, V*(λ), for daylight adaptation, Journal of Vision, vol. 5, no. 11, p. 948-968, Apr. 2012. CrossRef I. Fryc, and E. Czech, Application of optical fibers and CCD array for measurement of luminance distribution, Proceedings of SPIE, vol. 5064, p. 18-21, Apr. 2003. CrossRef I. Fryc, Design issue of novel type of an illuminance meter photometric head, Jurnal of Modern Optics, vol. 56, no. 33, p. 1504-1508, Jul. 2009. CrossRef I. Fryc, and P. Tabaka, The influence of different photometric observers on luxmeter accuracy for LEDs and FLs lamps measurements, Optica Applicata, vol. 49(2), p. 345-354, Jul. 2019. CrossRef M. Liu, Y. Yan, Q. Xue, and L. Gong, The research and analysis of factors affecting Critical Flicker Frequency, 6th Int. Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics, Las Vegas, 2015. CrossRef W. Wojtkowski, SEPIC converter for high power LED lighting, Przeglad Elektrotechniczny, vol. 86, no. 10, p. 260-263, 2010. DirectLink W. Wojtkowski, Step-up converters for power LED power supply, Przeglad Elektrotechniczny, vol. 87, no. 4, p. 71-72, 2011. DirectLink Y. Berkovich, and all, LED crop illumination inside space greenhouses, in Reach, vol. 6, Elsevier, p. 11-24, 2017. CrossRef C.M. Campillo, R. Fortes and M.H. Prieto, Solar Radiation Effect on Crop Production, Mar. 2012 CrossRef I. Ashdown, Photometry and Photosynthesis: From Photometry to PPFD., Nov. 2015 DirectLink K.J. McCree, The Action Spectrum, Abasorptance and Quantum Yield of Photosynthesis in Crop Plants, Agricultural Meteorology, vol. 9, 191-216, Oct. 1970. CrossRef OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, Horticulture Lighting with LEDs, Nov. 2016 CrossRef Standard DIN 5031-10 Optical radiation physics and illuminating engineering. CrossRef EconoLux Indastries Ltd., What Light do Plants Need, Hong Kong, 2016. CrossRef M.B. Ali, L. Khandaker, and S. Oba, Comparative study on functional components, antioxidant activity and color parameters of selected leafy vegetables as affected by photoperiods, J Food Agric Environ, vol. 7, p. 392-398, 2009. CrossRef A. Szmidt-Jaworska, K. Jaworski, A. Tretyn, and J. Kopcewicz, The involvement of cyclic GMP in the photoperiodic flower induction of Pharbitis nil, Jurnal of Plant Physiology, vol. 161, p. 277-284, 2004. CrossRef A. Szmidt-Jaworska, K. Jaworski, and J. Kopcewicz, The Involvement of Cyclic ADPR in Photoperiodic Flower Induction of Pharbitis nil, Jurnal of Plant Growth Regulation, vol. 25, p. 233-244, Sep. 2006. CrossRef A. Szmidt-Jaworska, K. Jaworski, A. Zienkiewicz, M. Lenartowska, and J. Kopcewicz, Guanylyl cyclase activity during photoperiodic flower induction in Pharbitis nil, Jurnal of Plant Growth Regulation, vol. 57, p. 173-184, 2009. CrossRef Light Laboratory Inc., Goniophotometer Test Report HLG ELITE lamps. CrossRef U.J. Błaszczak, D.A. Aziz, L. Gryko, Influence of the spectral composition of LED lighting system on plants cultivation in a darkroom, Proceedings of SPIE, vol. 10445, p. 1-9, 2017. CrossRef