Characterization of Differentially Expressed Genes under Salt Stress in Olive

Climate change, currently taking place worldwide and also in the Mediterranean area, is leading to a reduction in water availability and to groundwater salinization. Olive represents one of the most efficient tree crops to face these scenarios, thanks to its natural ability to tolerate moderate salinity and drought. In the present work, four olive cultivars (Koroneiki, Picual, Royal de Cazorla and Fadak86) were exposed to high salt stress conditions (200 mM of NaCl) in greenhouse, in order to evaluate their tolerance level and to identify key genes involved in salt stress response. Molecular and physiological parameters, as well as plant growth and leaves’ ions Na+ and K+ content were measured. Results of the physiological measurements showed Royal de Cazorla as the most tolerant cultivar, and Fadak86 and Picual as the most susceptible ones. Ten candidate genes were analyzed and their complete genomic, CDS and protein sequences were identified. The expression analysis of their transcripts through reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) demonstrated that only OeNHX7, OeP5CS, OeRD19A and OePetD were upregulated in tolerant cultivars, thus suggesting their key role in the activation of a salt tolerance mechanism.

The Formation of Magmatic-Hydrothermal Features in Sn-Mineralized and Barren Tasmanian Intrusions, Southeast Australia: Insights from Quartz Textures, Trace Elements, and Microthermometry

Tasmania is the most important tin province in Australia, having been endowed with >0.65 Mt Sn. Some granitic intrusions in western Tasmania have distinctive tourmaline- and quartz-rich magmatic-hydrothermal features, whether they are mineralized (e.g., Heemskirk Granite) or barren (Pieman Heads Granite). The Devonian Heemskirk and Pieman Heads plutons crop out on the western coast of Tasmania and are characterized by similar mineralogical and geochemical compositions and ages. The magmatic-hydrothermal textural features include tourmaline patches, tourmaline orbicules, and tourmaline-muscovite veins, as well as miarolitic cavities and quartz-fluorite-sulfide veins in the Heemskirk Granite. Cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging, laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, and microthermometric analyses of quartz have revealed the physicochemical evolution of the magmatic-hydrothermal fluids from which these tourmaline- and quartz-bearing assemblages precipitated. High Ti quartz (20–28 ppm) in tourmaline patches, orbicules, and cavities typically have homogeneous CL-bright intensity, whereas CL-dark fractures have cut and/or offset the CL-bright and -gray domains that characterize low Ti quartz (3.4–8.5 ppm) from the tourmaline veins. The earliest fluid inclusion assemblages in the quartz-tourmaline orbicules and cavities have a salinity range from 3 to 14 wt % NaCl equiv with intermediate density and were probably trapped at lithostatic pressures of 1.57 ± 0.2 kbar and temperatures of 550° to 570°C, suggesting a depth of 5.9 ± 0.8 km. Prolonged depressurization and cooling may have led to the evolution of a brine (~39 wt % NaCl equiv salinity) from the primary magmatic liquid, which formed halite-bearing hypersaline inclusions in the tourmaline orbicules. Continuous pressure decrease explains the intense brittle failure and fluid migration outward from the apical portions of the pluton, where magmatic fluids partially mixed with and were cooled by external meteoric water. These mechanisms triggered the formation of tourmaline-muscovite-quartz veins and local cassiterite-bearing greisens from a moderate-salinity fluid (~12 wt % NaCl equiv) at temperatures of ~300°C and hydrostatic pressures of 120 bars. Retrograde dissolution textures evident from CL-bright quartz cores surrounded by oscillatory growth zones with gray CL response characterize the low Ti (<1 ppm) and high Al (500–1,000 ppm) quartz from the fluorite-sulfide veins that precipitated from a low-salinity (5.7 wt % NaCl equiv) acidic fluid at temperatures of 200° ± 25°C and hydrostatic pressures of <50 bars. High Sb concentrations (up to 80 ppm) in quartz may be an indicator of low-temperature base metal mineralization related to granitic intrusions. Abundant fluid percolation, protracted fractional crystallization, and high tin concentrations in exsolved hydrothermal fluids may explain why the Heemskirk Granite is well endowed in Sn and base metal deposits, whereas the Pieman Heads Granite is barren.

Investigation of SiO2 Nanoparticle Retention in Flow Channels, Its Remediation Using Surfactants and Relevance of Artificial Intelligence in the Future

In this study, the effect of these variables on commercial silica NP retention was presented in a fabricated flow model considering only the physical adsorption aspects of silica NP retention. From our observations, it was established that while silica NP concentration, flow rate and salt are key variables in influencing silica NP agglomeration and retention, the effect of temperature was highly subdued. The effect of salt-induced agglomeration was particularly severe at moderate salinity (≈4 wt% NaCl). To mitigate the effect of salt-induced agglomeration, a commonly used anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was added to the solution and the silica NP retention was tabulated. An amount of 0.3 wt% SDS was found to negate salt-induced agglomeration significantly, paving the way for use of silica NP solutions, even in the presence of saline conditions. A section on the prospective use of artificial intelligence for this purpose has been included. This study is useful for understanding NP retention behaviour, especially in the presence of salinity and its mitigation using surfactants, in flow applications.

Heatwave-associated Vibrio infections in Germany, 2018 and 2019

Background Vibrio spp. are aquatic bacteria that prefer warm seawater with moderate salinity. In humans, they can cause gastroenteritis, wound infections, and ear infections. During the summers of 2018 and 2019, unprecedented high sea surface temperatures were recorded in the German Baltic Sea. Aim We aimed to describe the clinical course and microbiological characteristics of Vibrio infections in Germany in 2018 and 2019. Methods We performed an observational retrospective multi-centre cohort study of patients diagnosed with domestically-acquired Vibrio infections in Germany in 2018 and 2019. Demographic, clinical, and microbiological data were assessed, and isolates were subjected to whole genome sequencing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Results Of the 63 patients with Vibrio infections, most contracted the virus between June and September, primarily in the Baltic Sea: 44 (70%) were male and the median age was 65 years (range: 2–93 years). Thirty-eight patients presented with wound infections, 16 with ear infections, six with gastroenteritis, two with pneumonia (after seawater aspiration) and one with primary septicaemia. The majority of infections were attributed to V. cholerae (non–O1/non-O139) (n = 30; 48%) or V. vulnificus (n = 22; 38%). Phylogenetic analyses of 12 available isolates showed clusters of three identical strains of V. vulnificus, which caused wound infections, suggesting that some clonal lines can spread across the Baltic Sea. Conclusions During the summers of 2018 and 2019, severe heatwaves facilitated increased numbers of Vibrio infections in Germany. Since climate change is likely to favour the proliferation of these bacteria, a further increase in Vibrio-associated diseases is expected.

Effect of salinity stress on the antioxidant defence systems of two varieties of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.)

Osmotic stress, oxidative stress and oxidation of essential macromolecules are common consequences of salinity stress that limit plant growth and productivity. Plants are known to evolve several strategies such as upsurge of antioxidant defence systems (ADS) and accumulation of osmolytes, so as to thrive under such conditions. In the present study, the effect of salinity stress (using irrigation method) on ADS of two cultivars (IT-99 and IT-288) of cowpea was examined. Plant samples (roots, young leaves and matured leaves) were harvested on day 21 of treatment with saline solution (100 – 400 mM NaCl). Antioxidant markers and osmolytes levels were quantified and compared with the controls (0.0 mM NaCl). The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase significantly increased (p<0.05) in the leaves, except for IT-288 where catalase activity significantly decreased (p<0.05) when compared to the control. On the contrary, catalase and peroxidase activities significantly decreased (p<0.05) in the roots of both cultivars. Largely, ascorbate, glutathione (GSH) and tocopherols levels increased as salinity increases, except for GSH in roots of IT-99, and leaves of IT-288. The amount of flavonoids detected in the same tissue were not significantly (p>0.05) different in all the salinity levels investigated. The level of proline increased at moderate salinity levels in all samples and at high salinity in roots of IT-99 and mature leaves of IT-288. For IT-99, levels of glycinebetaine significantly increased (p<0.05) at high salinity, but significantly decreased at similar levels in IT-288. H2O2 levels significantly increased in the roots but decreased (p<0.05) in leaves samples. Malondialdehyde concentration generally increased significantly (p<0.05) when compared with control. The findings of these study suggest that both cultivars were induced to express higher antioxidant activity and to a certain extent synthesis of more osmolytes.

Moderate Salinity Stress Affects Expression of Main Sugar Metabolism and Transport Genes and Soluble Carbohydrate Content in Ripe Fig Fruits (Ficus carica L. cv. Dottato)

Fig trees (Ficus carica L.) are commonly grown in the Mediterranean area, where salinity is an increasing problem in coastal areas. Young, fruiting plants of cv. Dottato were subjected to moderate salt stress (100 mM NaCl added to irrigation water) for 48 days before fruit sampling. To clarify the effect of salinity stress, we investigated changes in the transcription of the main sugar metabolism-related genes involved in the synthesis, accumulation and transport of soluble carbohydrates in ripe fruits by quantitative real-time PCR as well as the content of soluble sugars by quantitative 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A general increase in the transcript levels of genes involved in the transport of soluble carbohydrates was observed. Alkaline-neutral and Acid Invertases transcripts, related to the synthesis of glucose and fructose, were up-regulated in ripe fruits of NaCl-stressed plants without a change in the content of D-glucose and D-fructose. The increases in sucrose and D-sorbitol contents were likely the result of the up-regulation of the transcription of Sucrose-Synthase- and Sorbitol-Dehydrogenase-encoding genes.

Alterations in leaf anatomy, quality, and quantity of flavonols and photosynthetic pigments in Nigella sativa L. subjected to drought and salinity stresses

Nigella sativa was widely used for nutritional and medicinal purposes. The present study investigated the effect of drought and salinity stresses on anatomical leaves structure and some biochemical properties to increase the secondary metabolites. For salt stress plants were treated with NaCl (30, 60 mM), and for drought stress plants were irrigated daily (control), once every two days (2DI) and once every three days (3DI). Compared to control plants, 2DI, 3DI, and NaCl 60 mM treatments increase significantly leaf rutin content, while the amount of rutin in seeds of NaCl 60 mM treated plants showed a significant decrease. 3DI treatment also significantly increased rutin content in seeds compared to NaCl 30 mM and control plants. The maximum level of quercetin (0.58 mg g−1 DW), kaempferol (0.16 mg g−1 DW), and myricetin (0.04 mg g−1 DW) in leaves were gained in both NaCl treatments. However, the flavonol components were affected more at salinity conditions rather than drought. In all treated plants, the amount of these compounds in leaves was more than in seeds. The highest amount of total phenol (130 mg g−1 DW), flavonoids (11.4 mg g−1 DW), and carotenoid content (1.55 mg g−1 DW) of leaves were observed under 2DI stress. Treated plants probably encountered different changes in the anatomical structure of leaves, including the decrease of phloem area, reducing vascular bundles and diameters, decreasing the number, and increasing the volume of cortex cells. The study also corroborates the cooperation between increasing the antioxidant capacity with the total flavonoid, rutin, and quercetin. Results indicated a higher sensitivity of N. sativa to drought stress than salinity stress and indicated that moderate salinity and drought could enhance secondary metabolites of seeds in this plant. The formation of potent antioxidants via the treatments could be worthy for pharmaceutical industries.

Influence of a Paleosedimentary Environment on Shale Oil Enrichment: A Case Study on the Shahejie Formation of Raoyang Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, China

The characteristics of paleosedimentary environments are of great significance for the enrichment of organic matter (OM) and hydrocarbons in lacustrine shale. This study analyzed mineralogy, well logging data, organic geochemical parameters (total organic carbon and pyrolyzed hydrocarbon), inorganic geochemical parameters (major and trace elements), and multiple geochemical proxies based on inorganic geochemical parameters. These were used to reconstruct the paleosedimentary environment of the lower 1st Member of the Shahejie Formation (Es1L) to reveal OM and shale oil enrichment mechanisms and establish a shale oil enrichment model. The (Fe2O3+Al2O3)/(CaO + MgO), Sr/Ba, Rb/Sr, Cu/Al, and Th/U parameters indicate that the Es1L in Raoyang Sag was deposited in a paleoenvironment dominated by arid paleoclimate, reducing conditions, and saltwater. Paleoclimate, clastic influx intensity, preservation conditions, paleoproductivity, and paleosalinity all affect OM abundance. The OM accumulation in the shale of Es1L was mainly controlled by the high primary productivity of surface water due to algal blooms and moderate salinities, which was achieved using stratified water columns with low oxygen conditions in bottom water. As the main valuable sites for shale oil storage, carbonate mineral depositions are of great significance for oil enrichment. As the dominant lithofacies for oil enrichment, carbonate-rich shale and calcareous shale lithofacies were deposited under a drier paleoclimate, low clastic influx intensity, strong reducing conditions, high paleoproductivity, and moderate salinity paleoenvironment. Additionally, the profile of the shale oil sweet spot was determined through the combination of lithofacies, logging, and paleosedimentary environment data.

Effect of EMS induced mutation in rice cultivar Nagina 22 on salinity tolerance

Salinized hydroponic culture experiment with three salinity levels (EC control, 6 and 12 dS/m) was performed to screen salt tolerant mutants of aerobic rice cultivar Nagina 22 and to study the nature of salt tolerance from a total of 432 EMS induced M4 mutants. Plants were harvested 30 days after sowing. Growth parameters viz. root weight, shoot weight, root length, shoot length, Na and K concentrations in shoot and roots were measured. Combined Factor scores of growth parameters was computed by Principle Component Analysis using Minitab software. At EC 12 dS/m 10 mutants out of 432 were able to survive. At moderate salinity, some mutant lines produced higher shoot weight compared to their respective control showing inverse trend and the effectiveness of EMS induced mutation in inducing salinity tolerance to these mutants. At high salinity only10 mutants survived (remained green) up to the time of 30 days harvest. These mutants performed well in terms of overall growth recording 2.1-2.5 times higher factor score and 8-14 times higher shoot weight compared to the N 22 check. One mutant N22-L-1010 almost completely excluded Na at xylem parenchyma level. Two other mutants N22-L-1013 and N22-L-806 maintained Na exclusion compared to the N22 check. N22 check and mutant N22-L-1009 maintained similar degree of Na exclusion though the N22 check died because it cannot maintain adequate K in shoot. We conclude that EMS has induced salinity tolerance in some mutants. The study can be advanced further to characterize the putative mutants through molecular genetics approaches.

Parameter genetik kultivar-kultivar jagung local pada cekaman salinitas sedang

Produktivitas jagung di Sulawesi Tengah masih relatif rendah dibanding produksi nasional sehingga perlu ditingkatkan melalui pemuliaan tanaman. Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengkaji parameter genetik tanaman jagung pada cekaman salinitas sedang. Penelitian dilaksanakan pada Juni sampai Agustus 2019, di Green House Fakultas Pertanian, Universitas Tadulako, Palu. Rancangan percobaan yang digunakan adalah Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) terdiri atas 6 perlakuan genotip dan diulang 3 kali serta 5 unit tanaman per perlakuan sehingga terdapat 90 unit percobaan. Parameter genetik yang di analisis adalah koefisiean keragaman genotipik, koefisien keragaman fenotipik, heritabilitas, kemajuan genetik, korelasi, dan analisis sidik lintas. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kehijauan daun, bobot tongkol berkelobot, berat tongkol tidak berkelobot, dan berat biji pertongkol memiliki koefisien keragaman genetik tinggi. Kehijauan daun, berat tongkol berkelobot, bobot tongkol tidak berkelobot, panjang tongkol tidak berkelobot, diamater tongkol, berat biji per tongkol dan bobot 100 biji memiliki nilai heritabilitas dan kemajuan genetik tinggi. Seleksi secara tidak langsung dapat dilakukan pada umur panen agar diperoleh hasil jagung lokal yang tinggi pada kondisi tercekam salinitas sedang. Karakter-karakter tersebut dapat dijadikan acuan dalam menyeleksi tanaman jagung dengan cekaman salinitas sedang untuk program pemuliaan jagung.AbstractThe productivity of maize in Central Sulawesi is relatively low compared to national production and needs to be improved by plant breeding. The study aimed to examine the genetic parameters of the maize plant traits at moderate salinity stress. The research was conducted from June to August 2019, at the Green House of the Faculty of Agriculture, Tadulako University, Palu. The genetic parameters analyzed were genetic coefficient of variation, phenotypic coefficient of variation, heritability, genetic advance, correlation, and path analysis. The experimental design used a completely randomized design consisting of six genotypic treatments and repeated three times. The results showed that the leaves greenness, the weight of the cob with and without husk, and weight of seeds per cob had a high genetic coefficient of variation. Leaf greenness, the weight of the ear with and without husk, ear length without husk, ear diameter, seed weight per ear and yield have a high value of heritability and genetic advance. Indirect selection can be applied through harvest time trait to obtain a high local maize yield in moderate salinity stress condition. These traits can be used as a reference in selecting maize plants with moderate salinity stress for maize breeding programs.