Enriched CO2 and Root-Associated Fungi (Mycorrhizae) Yield Inverse Effects on Plant Mass and Root Morphology in Six Asclepias Species

While milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) are important for sustaining biodiversity in marginal ecosystems, CO2 flux may afflict Asclepias species and cause detriment to native communities. Negative CO2-induced effects may be mitigated through mycorrhizal associations. In this study, we sought to determine how mycorrhizae interacts with CO2 to influence Asclepias biomass and root morphology. A broad range of Asclepias species (n = 6) were chosen for this study, including four tap-root species (A. sullivantii, A. syriaca, A. tuberosa, and A. viridis) and two fibrous root species (A. incarnata and A. verticillata). Collectively, the six Asclepias species were manipulated under a 2 × 2 full-factorial design that featured two mycorrhizal levels (−/+ mycorrhizae) and two CO2 levels (ambient and enriched (i.e., 3.5× ambient)). After a duration of 10 months, Asclepias responses were assessed as whole dry weight (i.e., biomass) and relative transportive root. Relative transportive root is the percent difference in the diameter of highest order root (transportive root) versus that of first-order absorptive roots. Results revealed an asymmetrical response, as mycorrhizae increased Asclepias biomass by ~12-fold, while enriched CO2 decreased biomass by about 25%. CO2 did not impact relative transportive roots, but mycorrhizae increased root organ’s response by more than 20%. Interactions with CO2 and mycorrhizae were observed for both biomass and root morphology (i.e., relative transportive root). A gene associated with CO2 fixation (rbcL) revealed that the two fibrous root species formed a phylogenetic clade that was distant from the four tap-root species. The effect of mycorrhizae was most profound in tap-root systems, as mycorrhizae modified the highest order root into tuber-like structures. A strong positive correlation was observed with biomass and relative transportive root. This study elucidates the interplay with roots, mycorrhizae, and CO2, while providing a potential pathway for mycorrhizae to ameliorate CO2 induced effects.

Carrot AOX2a Transcript Profile Responds to Growth and Chilling Exposure

Alternative oxidase (AOX) is a key enzyme of the alternative respiration, known to be involved in plant development and in response to various stresses. To verify the role of DcAOX1 and DcAOX2a genes in carrot tap root growth and in response to cold stress, their expression was analyzed in two experiments: during root growth for 13 weeks and in response to a cold challenge trial of 7 days, in both cases using different carrot cultivars. Carrot root growth is initially characterized by an increase in length, followed by a strong increase in weight. DcAOX2a presented the highest expression levels during the initial stages of root growth for all cultivars, but DcAOX1 showed no particular trend in expression. Cold stress had a negative impact on root growth, and generally up-regulated DcAOX2a with no consistent effect on DcAOX1. The identification of cis-acting regulatory elements (CAREs) located at the promoters of both genes showed putative sequences involved in cold stress responsiveness, as well as growth. However, DcAOX2a promoter presented more CAREs related to hormonal pathways, including abscisic acid and gibberellins synthesis, than DcAOX1. These results point to a dual role of DcAOX2a on carrot tap root secondary growth and cold stress response.

Understanding Root Biology for Enhancing Cotton Production

Cotton is an important commercial crop grown in India. It occupies an area of about 12.7 million hectares and is grown both in irrigated as well as rainfed tracts. In such situations, roots are very important organ for plant growth and development, since they act as anchors, providing mechanical support, and chemical extractors for the growing plant. Root length density sets the proportion of water uptake both under wet conditions and dry soils. Cotton plants with efficient root system capture water and nutrients from soil having these features of longer tap root. It is widely accepted that breeding efforts on aboveground traits are not sufficient to the necessary yield advantage. Shifting the emphasis to analyzing the root system would provide an additional means to enhance yield under changing climatic condition. Belowground image analysis studies point to the importance of root system architecture for optimizing roots and rhizosphere dynamics for sustainable cotton production. In this review, we describe the cotton root biological context in which root-environment interactions providing an overview of the root growth morphology species wise, phytohormone action that control root growth, root anatomical significance in drying soils, biotic and abiotic stresses involved in controlling root growth and environmental responses.

Exploring quality control standards and potential antibacterial property of different extracts of the root of Physalis minima L.

Physalis minima (Fam. Solanaceae) is well known (local name: Pokmou) ethno-medicinal plant in north-east part of India. Traditional knowledge claimed that aerial parts of this plant has medicinal values like antiulcer, anti inflammatory, antimalarial, antidiabetic, antimicrobial etc but there are lack of scientific evidence to support these properties. The aim of study is to established standard monograph of the root of Physalis minima and also evaluate antibacterial property from root extracts against selected Gram (+ve) (S. aureus) and Gram (–ve) (E. coli) bacteria strains by agar disc diffusion method. Morphological study revealed that root is tap root, greyish white in colour, slightly sweet taste. Microscopic evaluation showed the presence of phelloderm, cambium, medullary rays across the xylem and phloem, starch grains. Physicochemical parameters were found to be within limit. Different extracts have shown the existence of metabolites viz. Alkaloids, steroids, tannin, flavonoids. Phytoconstituents like flavonoid, phenolic and tannin were quantified. Pet ether and ethanol extracts at 5mg/ml concentration showed remarkable zone of inhibition against Gram (+ve) and Gram (–ve) microorganism. Recent study suggests standardized Physalis minima root contains bioactive compounds mainly flavonoids, tannins possess significant antibacterial potential against both Gram (+ve) and Gram (–ve) microorganism.

ETHNOBOTANY STUDY OF CEMPELAHU (Cordia dichotoma G. Forst) IN TAMIANG HILL FOREST OF TANAH LAUT REGENCY AS A POPULAR SCIENTIFIC BOOK

Cempelahu plant (Cordia dichotoma. G. Forst) has distribution and benefits in the Bukit Tamiang-forest area. This study aims to describe the ethnobotany of cempelahu plant in the Bukit Tamiang-forest area, Tanah Laut Regency, to describe the validity and practicality of the contents of the popular scientific book Cordia dichotoma. G. Forst. The research method used is descriptive quantitative research followed by formative evaluation of the Tessmer test for the feasibility of BIP which was developed through the stages of Self evaluations, Expert review and one to one test. The results showed that Cordia dichotoma G. Forst plant has a tap root habit, simpodial stems are round, alternate ovate leaves, compound flowers are bordered, and the fruit is compound type of buni fruit. This plant is used as a medicine for ulcers and can disguise scars. Cordia dichotoma plant. G. Forst has the regional name "cempelahu" taken from the Banjar Campah language which means itching. The results of the development of teaching materials in the form of Popular Scientific Books on the expert review by 2 validators have very valid validation results and the results of the practicality of the contents on the individual test (one to one) by 3 students have very good results.

Chondrilla juncea (rush skeletonweed).

C. juncea is a herbaceous biennial or perennial plant native to parts of Western Europe, north Africa and central Asia. It was accidentally introduced into a number of regions around the world as a contaminant of plant material, seed and fodder. C. juncea is invasive in Australia, Argentina, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and a number of states in the USA. C. juncea produces a large tap root which can compete with native plant species for nutrients and water. In Australia and Argentina it is a major problem of wheat fields and can reduce yields by 80%. In the USA, C. juncea is one of the invasive species impacting on the threatened species Silene spaldingii. A number of distinct genotypes of C. juncea exist which makes control of this species difficult. In addition to this, C. juncea is resistant to a large number of herbicides.

Flora and vegetation of urbanized areas on the example of the Melekeska and Shukralinka valleys within Naberezhnye Chelny

The paper deals with the examination results of flora and vegetation of the Melekeska and Shukralinka valleys within Naberezhnye Chelny. The most common plant associations are identified, they are Bromopsetum variograminosum, B. varioherbosum, Festicetum variograminosum, Calamagrostetum epigeiosum; Phragmitetum australis associations are identified in the flooded areas. Anthropogenically altered areas with a high mosaicity of listed above associations communities and ephemeral weeds are widely represented. The volume and structure are shown in the areas flora. This area is subjected to constant anthropogenic load. Taxonomic and geographic analyses of flora as well as a range of vital forms and ecological types are submitted. 120 plant species from 94 genera and 40 families have been identified. The position of the leading families is like that in regional flora, Asteraceae, Poaceae, and Fabaceae are leading. Perennial polycarpic grasses especially long-rhizome (21,7%) and tap-root (15,0%) dominate among biomorphs (69,2%). Species with wide ranges are of paramount importance, they are Euro-West Asian (30,9%), Eurasian (27,5%), Holarctic (11,7%) and the percentage of alien species is 8,5%. Ruderal (36,7%), meadow (17,5%) and humid meadow (11,7%) species are leading in the ecological-coenotic spectrum. The adventive flora is represented by 16 species and it is briefly analyzed. Valley floras of some other Middle Volga rivers have been compared.

Value Added Gummy Jelly from Palmyra Palm (Borassus flabellifer Linn.)

The palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer Linn.) is a multipurpose tree. It is commonly found along the coasts of Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia due to its strong tap root system’s ability to store a large volume of water and raise the water table level in the surrounding area. Several uses of this plant include beverages, food, medicine, fiber and timber. Unfortunately, due to the short shelf-life of palmyra palm fruit, more than 60% of the annual fruit yield is lost within 10 days of harvesting, and there is limited commercial use of ripe palm fruit. As a result, the physical properties, physicochemical properties, and proximate composition of value-added gummy jelly from palmyra palm were evaluated. The results showed that up to 26% (w/w) of fruit juice (prepared by mixing the mesocarp of ripe palmyra fruit with water (at a 1:1 w/w ratio) and then removing the insoluble pulp) can be added to the gummy jelly recipe with significant effects on textural and color characteristics, as well as changes in moisture, protein, carbohydrate and energy content.

Respon Pertumbuhan dan Hasil Tanaman Wortel (Daucus carota L.) di Dataran Rendah pada Berbagai Volume Media dan Dosis Ampas Padat Biogas

This study aimed to determine the growth responses and yield of carrot (Daucus carota L.) grown at the lowland at various rates of biogas solid waste and media volumes. The experiment was carried out at Mataram University experimental field in Narmada, West Lombok, NTB with an altitude of 136 m above sea level, from April to July 2019. The experiment was designed according a factorialy Randomized Completed Block Design (RCBD). The first factor consisted of 4 volumes of the media which i.e: 2000 cm3/20 x 20 cm, 4000 cm3/25 x 25 cm, 5000 cm3/30 x 25 cm and 7000 cm3/30 x 30 cm. The second factor consisted of 3 levels of biogas solid waste (bio-slurry) with i.e: 10 tons/ha, 15 tons/ha, and 20 tons/ha. These two factors were combined resulted in 12 treatment combinations. Each treatment was repeated so there was 36 experimental units each with replicate. The results showed that the rates of bio-slurry affected the rate of increase in carrot leaf length and did not significantly affect the other parameters or yield of carrot plants in the lowlands. Rates of 10 tons/ha and 20 tons/ha produced a higher leaf length than 15 tons / ha. The media volumes influenced the rate of increase in leaf length, rate of increase in the number of leaves, plant fresh weight, dry tap root weight and tap root length. The media volume of 5000 cm3 and 7000 cm3 resulted higher growth and yield of carrot plants in the lowlands rates of the media volume of 2000 cm3 and 4000 cm3. There was no interaction between the bio-slurry rates and the media volumes in influencing the growth and yield of carrot plants in the lowland