Microbial Contributions for Rice Production: From Conventional Crop Management to the Use of ‘Omics’ Technologies

Rice, the main staple food for about half of the world’s population, has had the growth of its production stagnate in the last two decades. One of the ways to further improve rice production is to enhance the associations between rice plants and the microbiome that exists around, on, and inside the plant. This article reviews recent developments in understanding how microorganisms exert positive influences on plant growth, production, and health, focusing particularly on rice. A variety of microbial species and taxa reside in the rhizosphere and the phyllosphere of plants and also have multiple roles as symbiotic endophytes while living within plant tissues and even cells. They alter the morphology of host plants, enhance their growth, health, and yield, and reduce their vulnerability to biotic and abiotic stresses. The findings of both agronomic and molecular analysis show ways in which microorganisms regulate the growth, physiological traits, and molecular signaling within rice plants. However, many significant scientific questions remain to be resolved. Advancements in high-throughput multi-omics technologies can be used to elucidate mechanisms involved in microbial–rice plant associations. Prospectively, the use of microbial inoculants and associated approaches offers some new, cost-effective, and more eco-friendly practices for increasing rice production.

Sequestration of Plant Defense Compounds by Insects: From Mechanisms to Insect–Plant Coevolution

Plant defense compounds play a key role in the evolution of insect–plant associations by selecting for behavioral, morphological, and physiological insect adaptations. Sequestration, the ability of herbivorous insects to accumulate plant defense compounds to gain a fitness advantage, represents a complex syndrome of adaptations that has evolved in all major lineages of herbivorous insects and involves various classes of plant defense compounds. In this article, we review progress in understanding how insects selectively accumulate plant defense metabolites and how the evolution of specific resistance mechanisms to these defense compounds enables sequestration. These mechanistic considerations are further integrated into the concept of insect–plant coevolution. Comparative genome and transcriptome analyses, combined with approaches based on analytical chemistry that are centered in phylogenetic frameworks, will help to reveal adaptations underlying the sequestration syndrome, which is essential to understanding the influence of sequestration on insect–plant coevolution.

First record of Heteropsylla tenuata from Argentina (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), and additional notes on other psyllid species

The Psyllidae family is the most diverse within Psylloidea, with more than 1,300 species worldwide. Some psyllid species are important pests mainly of fruit trees, forest and ornamental plants. Despite being an economically relevant group, there are few studies on its biology, geographic distribution, natural enemies or host plant associations for many Argentinean psyllid species. This work records one species from Argentina for the first time, extends the distribution of another two psyllid species and provides information on host plants.

Vegetation of surrounding area of Chupriyanovka station and its antropogenic modification

В статье описан опыт крупномасштабного геоботанического картографирования популярного у дачников и отдыхающих участка «Чуприяновка», расположенного в нескольких километрах от окраины г. Тверь. Кроме естественных биоценозов выявлены антропогенно-измененные ассоциации, созданные человеком. Изложена методика картографирования, представлена карта, легенда и краткое описание выявленных растительных ассоциаций. Here we present a large-scale geobotanical mapping of Chuprijanovka area, a popular holiday site located near the city of Tver. In addition to natural biocenoses, anthropogenically altered associations created by humans have been identified. The method of mapping is presented, a map, a legend, and a brief description of the identified plant associations are presented.

THE GECHEPSIN FORTIFIED SETTLEMENT: EXPERIENCE OF COMPREHENSIVE EXCAVATIONS

Несмотря на очевидный прогресс в наших представлениях о системе расселения восточной периферии азиатского Боспора, круг известных памятников совсем невелик, а об их хронологии можно судить только на основании подъемного материала. Комплексные исследования на городище Гечепсин позволили выявить два строительных горизонта, датируемых керамическими материалами в пределах II в. до н. э. - II в. н. э. и охарактеризовать особенности топографии (фортификацию, коммуникации и т. п.). Исследованная кладка сооружения фортификационной системы крепости была сооружена на культурном слое эпохи позднего эллинизма и просуществовала не более века. Выявленные на площадке городища постройки возведены, судя по всему, в античных традициях сырцово-каменной архитектуры. В конце I тыс. до н. э. - нач. I тыс. н. э. в районе городища, согласно спорово-пыльцевому анализу, были широко распространены степные злаково-разнотравные растительные сообщества. Присутствие пыльцы водных растений в верхней части профиля отражает, вероятнее всего, использование речной глины для возведения сырцовых конструкций. Despite obvious progress in developing our concepts on the settlement system in the eastern periphery of Asian Bosporus, the group of the known sites is not that large, while their chronology can be determined only with the use of surface finds. Comprehensive excavations at the Gechepsin fortified settlement made it possible to identify two construction horizons dated by ceramic finds to 2 century BC -2 century AD and characterize specifics of topography (fortification, communications, etc.). The examined masonry of the fortress fortification construction was built in the occupation layer of the Late Hellenic period and did not function more than half a century. Constructions identified at the fortified settlement were, most likely, built in Ancient Greek traditions of adobe-stone architecture. At the end of I mill. BC - early I mill. AD steppe gramineous-mixed grass plant associations were widespread in the area around the settlement as evidenced by pollen analysis. Presence of water plant pollen in the upper part of the profile, most likely, reflects use of river clay for building adobe constructions.

Nunatsiavut, ‘Our beautiful land’: Inuit landscape ethnoecology in Labrador, Canada

For Inuit in the subarctic transition zone of northeastern Canada, an intimate knowledge of the environment and local biodiversity is crucial for successful traditional activities. This study examines what kinds of landscape features and habitats Inuit of Nunatsiavut recognize and name. During interviews, community members (mostly Elders) were shown photographs from the region, and were asked to describe and name salient types of places in Labrador Inuttitut. The most frequently reported geographical units dealt with the region’s topography (e.g., ‘mountain’, ‘island’, ‘flat-place’), hydrology (e.g., ‘river’, ‘bay’), and superficial characteristics (e.g., ‘bedrock’, ‘permanent snow patch’). Ecological considerations were also prominent, such as plant associations and animal habitats (e.g., ‘shrubby-place’, wetland’, ‘caribou-return-to-place’). Areas were often characterized by a dominant species or substrate type, being named using the plural form of the species/substrate (e.g., napâttuk ‘tree’/ napâttuit ‘forest’, siugak ‘sand’/siugalak ‘sandy-area’). Some types of places reported by Inuit were significant mainly for traditional activities (e.g., ‘berry-patch’, ‘seal-place’, ‘dry-wood-place’, ‘danger-place’), aiding navigation and resource finding. Integrating Inuit conceptions of ecosystems and their component landscape units with those of contemporary science can improve our understanding of subarctic ecology, benefit climate change adaptation strategies and Inuit language/culture conservation initiatives.

AQUATIC AND MARSHY VEGETATION IN THE CENTER OF THE LOWER PLAIN OF SOMES RIVER: GENERAL CHARACTERISATION

Aiming to a larger study of vegetation of the lower Some Plain (Romania), this short paper summarises the outcome of the floristic inventories performed in aquatic and marshy vegetation, which was dominant in the area until about three centuries ago when the extended wetland drainage has started. By using the phytosociological method, 20 plant associations assigned to four vegetation classes were distinguished. Without presenting phytosociological tables at this first stage, the syntaxonomical framework, distribution and species composition of the revealed plant communities are briefly discussed by reference to the process of wetland drying and successional change as well as to newly formed anthropogenic lakes. The conservative value of some plant community types is emphasized by mentioning the presence of several endangered species that are included in the European-level Habitats Directive and various regional or national red lists/books.

THE MACROPHYTE FLORA AND VEGETATION OF THE PAUČKO LAKE (MT. KONJUH)

UDK: 581.9:574.5 (497.6) (285) The study presents the first data on biodiversity of macrophyte flora and vegetation of Paučko Lake, which is recognized as an area of great natural, landscape and hydrological value in the Protected Landscape “Konjuh”. Paučko Lake has a small surface and it’s located at 711 m a.s.l. in the catchment area of the Drinjača River. The aquatic and marsh vegetation were studied during spring and summer in 2018 using the traditional Zürich-Montpellier approach. The vegetation of Paučko Lake is comprised of aquatic and marsh associations of the classes Potamogetonetea Klika in Klika et Novák 1941 and Phragmito-Magnocaricetea Klika in Klika et Novák 1941. The following aquatic and marsh plant associations were identified: Myriophyllo-Potametum Soó 1934, Scirpo-Phragmitetum australis W. Koch 1926, Thelypterido palustris-Phragmitetum australis Kuiperex van Donselaar et al. 1961, Schoenoplectetum lacustris Chouard 1924, Typhetum latipholiae Lang. 1973 and Scirpetum silvatici Ht et H-ić prov. (in Ht et al.1974). Rare vulnerable taxa Thelypteris palustris Schott and Menyanthes trifoliata L. were recorded in emerged littoral communities, whose habitats are under successional changes caused by excessive macrophyte overgrowth by competitor species. Restoration measures are necessary to be taken to preserve the habitats of endangered species of the Paučko Lake.

Prunetum tenellae Soó 1951 Vincetosum herbaceae Pînzaru subass. nova (Prunion fruticosae R. Tx. 1952) in the cliff vegetation of the Republic of Moldova

This article presents the characterization of the phytocoenoses dominated by Amygdalus nana that occur in the cliff area of the Dniester river basin, Republic of Moldova, which have been grouped in a new sub-association – vincetosum hederaceae Pînzaru subass. nova, in the association Prunetum tenellae Soó 1951. This sub-association includes xerophilous, thermophilic, western-Pontic phytocoenoses, occurring on sandy clays or on rendzina soils, on the limestone hills of the Dniester river basin, at altitudes of 60-150 m. The fl oristic composition of these phytocoenoses is dominated by the Eurasian elements (50%), followed by the European (10%), the Pontic-Mediterranean (9,6%) and the Central European elements (5,2%). The subassociation Prunetum tenellae Soó 1951 vincetosum herbaceae Pînzaru is of high value in terms of biodiversity conservation and deserves to be included in the List of Protected Plant Associations of the Republic of Moldova

Two newly introduced Heteroptera (Insecta: Hemiptera) species in Colombia: Brachyplatys subaenus (Plataspidae) and Thaumastocoris peregrinus (Thaumastocoridae)

The introduction of alien species can carry negative consequences to the areas in which they appear. Early detection of introduced species is key if management practices are to be effectively implemented. Here, based on specimens from collections and citizen science observations, we document the recent introduction of two alien Heteroptera (Insecta: Hemiptera) species in Colombia: Brachyplatys subaenus (Westwood, 1837) (Plataspidae) and Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero & Dellapé, 2006 (Thaumastocoridae). Brachyplatys subaenus was found in two localities (Bolívar and Valle del Cauca), whereas T. peregrinus was found in a single locality (Bogotá) so far. Future research activities should establish the geographic range of these species, as well as document their host plant associations, in Colombia.