Transcriptome and Metabolome Comparison of Smooth and Rough Citrus limon L. Peels Grown on Same Trees and Harvested in Different Seasons

Background: Farmers harvest two batches fruits of Lemons (Citrus limon L. Burm. f.) i.e., spring flowering fruit and autumn flowering fruit in dry-hot valley in Yunnan, China. Regular lemons harvested in autumn have smooth skin. However, lemons harvested in spring have rough skin, which makes them less attractive to customers. Furthermore, the rough skin causes a reduction in commodity value and economical losses to farmers. This is a preliminary study that investigates the key transcriptomic and metabolomic differences in peels of lemon fruits (variety Yuning no. 1) harvested 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 days after flowering from the same trees in different seasons.Results: We identified 5,792, 4,001, 3,148, and 5,287 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between smooth peel (C) and rough peel (D) 60, 90, 120, and 150 days after flowering, respectively. A total of 1,193 metabolites differentially accumulated (DAM) between D and C. The DEGs and DAMs were enriched in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and plant hormone signaling, terpenoid biosynthesis, flavonoid, and phenylalanine biosynthesis, and ribosome pathways. Predominantly, in the early stages, phytohormonal regulation and signaling were the main driving force for changes in peel surface. Changes in the expression of genes associated with asymmetric cell division were also an important observation. The biosynthesis of terpenoids was possibly reduced in rough peels, while the exclusive expression of cell wall synthesis-related genes could be a possible reason for the thick peel of the rough-skinned lemons. Additionally, cell division, cell number, hypocotyl growth, accumulation of fatty acids, lignans and coumarins- related gene expression, and metabolite accumulation changes were major observations.Conclusion: The rough peels fruit (autumn flowering fruit) and smooth peels fruit (spring flowering fruit) matured on the same trees are possibly due to the differential regulation of asymmetric cell division, cell number regulation, and randomization of hypocotyl growth related genes and the accumulation of terpenoids, flavonoids, fatty acids, lignans, and coumarins. The preliminary results of this study are important for increasing the understanding of peel roughness in lemon and other citrus species.

Morphobiological properties of Belarusian varieties of Korean chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum coreanum)

The assortment of floral and ornamental plants is annually replenished with new varieties of perennial floral plants. The group of late summer and autumn flowering perennials is one of the most popular in landscaping. Korean chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum сoreanum) is one of the most promising crops for landscaping settlements in the Republic of Belarus, therefore, breeders of the Central Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus began to work with this group of small-flowered chrysanthemums.The article describes the results of breeding work, the purpose of which was to create local highly decorative varieties for our climatic zone. The method of free cross-pollination and subsequent selection from the obtained hybrid seedlings of the most promising forms were used in the work. The most significant features in the selection were the following: flowering time, winter hardiness, resistance to diseases and pests, as well as good vegetative reproduction. As a result, 4 domestic varieties of Korean chrysanthemum have successfully passed state variety testing and have been registered in the National List since 2020. Descriptions of these new varieties, their biometric parameters, decorative parameters and flowering times are provided.

SOME FEATURES OF OCEANOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF THE MICROALGAE AUTUMN-FLOWERING NEAR THE SOUTHEAST SHORE OF KAMCHATKA

В этой работе продемонстрированы возможности оптических наблюдений со спутников Sentinel-2, 3 для изучения связанных физических и биологических процессов в поверхностном слое океане во время интенсивного осеннего цветения фитопланктона у юго-восточного побережья Камчатки в сентябре 2020 г. В Авачинском заливе цветение водорослей проявлялось в виде областей с высокой концентрацией хлорофилла-а, придавая морской поверхности соответствующий темно-зеленый оттенок. На композитном изображении с разрешением 10 м из-за выраженных спектральных различий на морской поверхности выделялись скопления водорослей, организованные в сложные системы мезомасштабных и субмезомасштабных взаимодействующих вихревых структур. По данным реанализа ERA5 установлено, что среднемесячная температура поверхности океана (ТПО) акватории Авачинского залива в сентябре 2020 г. показала положительную аномалию с максимумом ТПО (12.0°С) за последние 42 года при климатической норме 10.4°С. Мы допускаем, что при сохранении тенденции роста в ближайшие годы этот максимум будет превышен. The paper demonstrates the possibilities of optical observations from the satellites Sentinel-2, 3 for studying linked physical and biological processes in the ocean's surface layer. The specific example of using an observation system for surveillance over intense autumn-flowering of phytoplankton near Kamchatka's southeast shore in September 2020 is considered. In Avachinsky Bay, the microalgae flowering manifested as areas with high chlorophyll-a concentration, coloring the sea surface into the corresponding dark green shade. On a composite image with a resolution of 10 m, significant spectral differences on the sea surface highlighted conglomerates of algae organized in complex systems of mesoscale and submesoscale interacting vortex structures. According to ERA5 reanalysis, it was found that the average monthly sea-surface temperature in Avachinsky Bay in September 2020 demonstrated a positive anomaly with a maximum (12,0° C) over the past 42 years with a climate normal of 10,4° C. It is assumed that this maximum will be surpassed if the current trends continue.

The Genus Nerine Herb. (Amaryllidaceae): Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry, and Biological Activity

Nerine Herbert, family Amaryllidaceae, is a genus of about 30 species that are native to South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and Swatini (formerly known as Swaziland). Species of Nerine are autumn-flowering, perennial, bulbous plants, which inhabit areas with summer rainfall and cool, dry winters. Most Nerine species have been cultivated for their elegant flowers, presenting a source of innumerable horticultural hybrids. For many years, species of Nerine have been subjected to extensive phytochemical and pharmacological investigations, which resulted in either the isolation or identification of more than fifty Amaryllidaceae alkaloids belonging to different structural types. Amaryllidaceae alkaloids are frequently studied for their interesting biological properties, including antiviral, antibacterial, antitumor, antifungal, antimalarial, analgesic, cytotoxic, and cholinesterase inhibition activities. The present review aims to summarize comprehensively the research that has been reported on the phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Nerine.

A new autumn flowering Crocus (Iridaceae) from SW Turkey: C. terzioghluii

Crocus terzioghluii (Iridaceae) is described as a new species endemic to southwestern Anatolia, Turkey. It is related to Crocus babadagensis and differs from this species in having corm tunics with well-developed rings, and prominent stripes on outer segments, as well as in leaf number and flowering time. The corms and tunics of both species are illustrated. A phylogenetic tree obtained by Bayesian phylogenetic inference of the combined sequences of the nuclear rDNA ITS and ETS regions confirms the affiliation of C. terzioghluii to C. ser. Biflori and its close relationship to C. babadagensis. A microphotograph of the metaphase chromosomes (2n = 2x = 8) along with the idiogram and a leaf cross section of the new species are given.

Autumn plant poisoning hazards

Potentially poisonous plants are a common part of the environment of many farm animals. Risk of poisoning varies season by season and year by year with variation in the environmental conditions. In the autumn there is risk of poisoning from seeds and fruits and autumn flowering plants. This includes plants containing cyanogenic glycosides (such as cherry laurel) and yew which contains taxine alkaloids. These plants commonly cause sudden death in livestock. Oak, although part of the natural diet of many animals, can cause episodic outbreaks of poisoning, particularly following hot, dry summers. Signs mainly involve the gastrointestinal and renal systems. Poisoning with horse chestnut is not common but can cause neurological and gastrointestinal signs. Ingestion of autumn crocus can also cause gastrointestinal signs in livestock. Prevention of poisoning by recognising the risks and limiting potential circumstances of exposure and ensuring access to forage is essential, as treatment options for management of poisoning in livestock are limited and, in some cases, the only sign of exposure is sudden death.

Allium panormitisi (Amaryllidaceae), a new autumn-flowering species from Symi Island, SE Aegean, Greece

Allium panormitisi, from the island of Symi (SE Aegean, Greece), is described as a species new to science. It is an autumn-flowering species of Allium section Codonoprasum (Amaryllidaceae) and is classified as endangered (EN) according to IUCN criteria. Its morphology, karyology and conservation status are presented and discussed, in addition to its taxonomic relationships to other autumnal species of A. sect. Codonoprasum distributed in the E Mediterranean area.