Foliar Application of Sodium Nitroprusside Boosts Solanum lycopersicum L. Tolerance to Glyphosate by Preventing Redox Disorders and Stimulating Herbicide Detoxification Pathways

Strategies to minimize the effects of glyphosate (GLY), the most used herbicide worldwide, on non-target plants need to be developed. In this context, the current study was designed to evaluate the potential of nitric oxide (NO), provided as 200 µM sodium nitroprusside (SNP), to ameliorate GLY (10 mg kg−1 soil) phytotoxicity in tomato plants. Upon herbicide exposure, plant development was majorly inhibited in shoots and roots, followed by a decrease in flowering and fruit set; however, the co-application of NO partially prevented these symptoms, improving plant growth. Concerning redox homeostasis, lipid peroxidation (LP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels rose in response to GLY in shoots of tomato plants, but not in roots. Additionally, GLY induced the overaccumulation of proline and glutathione, and altered ascorbate redox state, but resulted in the inhibition of the antioxidant enzymes. Upon co-treatment with NO, the non-enzymatic antioxidants were not particularly changed, but an upregulation of all antioxidant enzymes was found, which helped to keep ROS and LP under control. Overall, data point towards the benefits of NO against GLY in tomato plants by reducing the oxidative damage and stimulating detoxification pathways, while also preventing GLY-induced impairment of flowering and fruit fresh mass.

Composition and Niche-Specific Characteristics of Microbial Consortia Colonizing Marsberg Copper Mine in the Rhenish Massif

The Kilianstollen Marsberg (Rhenish Massif, Germany) has been extensively mined for copper ores, dating from Early Medieval Period till 1945. The exposed organic-rich alum shale rocks influenced by the diverse mine drainages at an ambient temperature of 10 °C could naturally enrich biogeochemically distinct heavy metal resistant microbiota. This metagenomic study evaluates the microbially colonized subterranean rocks of the abandoned copper mine Kilianstollen to characterize the colonization patterns and biogeochemical pathways of individual microbial groups. Under the selective pressure of the heavy metal contaminated environment at illuminated sites, Chloroflexi (Ktedonobacteria) and Cyanobacteria (Oxyphotobacteria) build up whitish-greenish biofilms. In contrast, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria dominate rocks around the uncontaminated spring water streams. The metagenomic analysis revealed that the heavy metal resistant microbiome was evidently involved in redox cycling of transition metals (Cu, Zn, Co, Ni, Mn, Fe, Cd, Hg). No deposition of metals or minerals, though, was observed by transmission electron microscopy in Ktedonobacteria biofilms which may be indicative for the presence of different detoxification pathways. The underlying heavy metal resistance mechanisms, as revealed by analysis of metagenome-assembled genomes, were mainly attributed to transition metal efflux pumps, redox enzymes, volatilization of Hg0, methylated intermediates of As(III) and reactive oxygen species detoxification pathways.

ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) Transporter Genes in Plant-Parasitic Nematodes: An Opinion for Development of Novel Control Strategy

The molecular interaction between the nematode and the host plant cells is complex and sophisticated. Initial contact with the plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) triggers immune response in the host plant system which includes the release of toxic molecules. To put a bridle on this immune response, PPNs trigger pivotal cytoprotective mechanisms, such as antioxidant and detoxification pathways. Mechanisms of these pathways have been studied in PPNs and the specific genes involved have been targeted for gene silencing research in view of developing novel control measures. However, one of the important group of proteins involved in detoxification pathways known as ABC-transporters are not being studied until recently in PPNs. This opinion article focusses on the current knowledge and future prospects of ABC transporters in PPNs.

ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) Transporter Genes in Plant Parasitic Nematodes: An Opinion for Development of Novel Control Strategy

The molecular interaction between the nematode and the host plant cells is complex and sophisticated. Initial contact with the plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) triggers immune response in the host plant system which includes the release of toxic molecules. To put a bridle on this immune response, PPNs trigger pivotal cytoprotective mechanisms, such as antioxidant and detoxification pathways. Mechanisms of these pathways have been studied in PPNs and the specific genes involved have been targeted for gene silencing research in view of developing novel control measures. However, one of the important group of proteins involved in detoxification pathways known as ABC-transporters are not being studied until recently in PPNs. This opinion article focusses on the current knowledge and future prospects of ABC transporters in PPNs.