Analysis of the Possibility of Management of Curly-Leaf Pondweed for Energetic Purposes

The possibilities of using curly-leaf pondweed for energy purposes were analyzed. This plant contributes to overgrowth of water reservoirs, causing their eutrophication. The plants examined were from two different water reservoirs: Lake Winiary (Gniezno) and Lake Rusalka (Poznan). On the basis of the investigations, it was determined that it is possible to use curly-leaf pondweed for energy purposes, both in the combustion method and in the biomethane fermentation process. Studies were performed to assess the suitability of the plants for combustion as a solid biofuel and studies on the use of pondweed as a fermenter feedstock. The calorimetric study showed the possibility of obtaining more energy for the curly-leaf pondweed coming from Lake Rusalka. The heat of combustion of these plants was 13.95 MJ·kg−1 (Winiary pondweed) and 9.10 MJ·kg−1 (Rusalka pondweed). On the other hand, the calorific value of these plants was 12.60 MJ·kg−1 (Winiary pondweed) and 7.80 MJ·kg−1 (Rusalka pondweed). In the case of biogas yield studies, significantly higher biogas production was observed for Lake Rusalka pondweed than for Lake Winiary pondweed. The total biogas yield for these plants was 8.05 m3·Mg−1 for Rusalka pondweed and 3.19 m3·Mg−1 for Winiary pondweed. Differences in the chemical composition of pondweed originating from different lakes were also found, which translated into differences in the amount of energy that could be obtained from plants from both stands.

Influence of Curly Leaf Trait on Cottonseed Micro-Nutrient Status in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Lines

Cottonseed is a source of nutrients, including protein, oil, and macro- and micro-nutrients. Micro-nutrients such as boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) are essential for plant and human health. Deficiencies of these micro-nutrients in soil lead to poor crop production and poor seed quality. Micro-nutrient deficiencies in the human diet lead to malnutrition and serious health issues. Therefore, identifying new cotton lines containing high nutritional qualities such as micro-nutrients, and understanding plant traits influencing micro-nutrients are essential. The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of leaf shape (curly leaf: CRL) on cottonseed B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni (nickel), and Zn in two near-isogenic cotton lines differing in leaf shape (DP 5690 wild-type with normal leaves and DP 5690 CRL). We also used Uzbek CRL, the source of the curly leaf trait, for comparison. A field experiment was conducted in 2014 and 2015 in Stoneville, MS, USA. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The results showed that, in 2014, both DP 5690 wild-type and Uzbek CRL had higher seed B, Cu, Fe, and Ni than in DP 5690 CRL. The accumulation of Mn and Zn in seeds of DP 5690 CRL was higher than in DP 5690 wild-type and Uzbek CRL. However, in 2015, the concentrations of B, Cu, Fe, and Ni, including Mn and Zn, were higher in both DP 5690 wild-type and Uzbek CRL than in DP 5690 CRL. Positive and negative correlations existed in 2014; however, only positive correlations existed between all nutrients in 2015. This research demonstrated that leaf shape can alter cottonseed micro-nutrients status. As Uzbek CRL behaved similar to wild-type, both leaf shape and other factors contributed to the alteration in seed micronutrients, affecting seed nutritional qualities. Therefore, leaf-shape partially contributed to the changes in micro-nutrients in cottonseed. The negative and positive correlations in 2014, and only positive correlations in 2015, were likely due to the heat difference between 2014 and 2015 as 2015 was warmer than 2014. Significant levels of seed micro-nutrients were shown between these lines, providing opportunities for breeders to select for high seed micro-nutrients in cotton. Additionally, the current research provides researchers with physiological information on the impact of leaf shape on seed nutritional quality. The leaf shape trait can also be used as a tool to study leaf development, physiological, biochemical, and morphological processes.

Predicting Eurasian Watermilfoil and Curly-leaf Pondweed Presence-Absence in Adirondack Lakes Using Geographically Weighted Logistic Regression

Aquatic invasive species, Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) and Curly-leaf Pondweed (CLP), have been dispersing across New York, USA and are threatening the ecosystem of Adirondack Park, a state park with a large forest preserve and heavily frequented by tourists. In this study, the prediction of EWM and CLP invasion across Adirondack Park lakes is modeled using logistic regression (LR) and geographically weighted logistic regression (GWLR) with lake, landscape, and climate variable predictors. EWM presence-absence is found to be best predicted by nearby invaded lakes, human presence, and elevation. The presence-absence of CLP models have similar findings, with the addition of game-fish abundance being important. GWLR increases model performance and prediction, with explained variation of EWM and CLP increasing by 23% and 16% and the percent correctly predicted increasing by 2.6% and 0.9%. The study shows that GWLR, a relatively novel methodology, works better than common LR models for predicting invasion of EWM and CLP across Adirondack Park, and corroborates anthropogenic influences on dispersal of aquatic invaders.

Predicting Eurasian Watermilfoil and Curly-leaf Pondweed Presence-Absence in Adirondack Lakes Using Geographically Weighted Logistic Regression

Aquatic invasive species, Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) and Curly-leaf Pondweed (CLP), have been dispersing across New York, USA and are threatening the ecosystem of Adirondack Park, a state park with a large forest preserve and heavily frequented by tourists. In this study, the prediction of EWM and CLP invasion across Adirondack Park lakes is modeled using logistic regression (LR) and geographically weighted logistic regression (GWLR) with lake, landscape, and climate variable predictors. EWM presence-absence is found to be best predicted by nearby invaded lakes, human presence, and elevation. The presence-absence of CLP models have similar findings, with the addition of game-fish abundance being important. GWLR increases model performance and prediction, with explained variation of EWM and CLP increasing by 23% and 16% and the percent correctly predicted increasing by 2.6% and 0.9%. The study shows that GWLR, a relatively novel methodology, works better than common LR models for predicting invasion of EWM and CLP across Adirondack Park, and corroborates anthropogenic influences on dispersal of aquatic invaders.

Spatial analysis of two aquatic invaders in Adirondack Lakes: a modelling approach for environmental management

The global expansion of humans has stressed the natural world, removed boundaries between continents and habitats and exposed natural areas to invasive species. These cause billions of dollars of damage yet there are limited funds given for their management. Predictive tools can be used to develop pro-active strategies for managing invasive species and this study developed such a tool. Publicly available data were used to build predictive models for the presence of two invasive species, curly-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) and Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) within the Adirondack Park (New York State). Predictors were identified through: bivariate analysis to test the variables; ordinary least squares regression to build predictive models and logistic regression to validate those models; geographically weighted logistic regression to evaluate local impacts. Models were ranked by Aikake information criterion minimization and evaluated with McFadden’s rho-squared, standard coefficients and variance inflation factors. The top five models for each invasive species established seven predictors for curly-leaf pondweed and nine predictors for Eurasian watermilfoil. Geographically weighted regression, a local analysis, was found to be a definite improvement over the global analysis for watermilfoil but not for pondweed. Two predictors (lake elevation and distance to Interstate-87) were significant in all the top models for both species. The identified predictors provided a group of characteristics that could be used to identify vulnerable lakes and prioritize management strategies. Even though these findings were specific to the Adirondack Park, this approach could be applied to other invasive species or other areas to help in the decision-making process for management.

Spatial analysis of two aquatic invaders in Adirondack Lakes: a modelling approach for environmental management

The global expansion of humans has stressed the natural world, removed boundaries between continents and habitats and exposed natural areas to invasive species. These cause billions of dollars of damage yet there are limited funds given for their management. Predictive tools can be used to develop pro-active strategies for managing invasive species and this study developed such a tool. Publicly available data were used to build predictive models for the presence of two invasive species, curly-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) and Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) within the Adirondack Park (New York State). Predictors were identified through: bivariate analysis to test the variables; ordinary least squares regression to build predictive models and logistic regression to validate those models; geographically weighted logistic regression to evaluate local impacts. Models were ranked by Aikake information criterion minimization and evaluated with McFadden’s rho-squared, standard coefficients and variance inflation factors. The top five models for each invasive species established seven predictors for curly-leaf pondweed and nine predictors for Eurasian watermilfoil. Geographically weighted regression, a local analysis, was found to be a definite improvement over the global analysis for watermilfoil but not for pondweed. Two predictors (lake elevation and distance to Interstate-87) were significant in all the top models for both species. The identified predictors provided a group of characteristics that could be used to identify vulnerable lakes and prioritize management strategies. Even though these findings were specific to the Adirondack Park, this approach could be applied to other invasive species or other areas to help in the decision-making process for management.

Cottonseed Protein, Oil, and Minerals in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Lines Differing in Curly Leaf Morphology

Cottonseed is an important source of protein, oil, and minerals for human health and livestock feed. Therefore, understanding the physiological and genetic traits influencing the nutrient content is critical. To our knowledge, there is no information available on the effects of leaf shape—curly leaf (CRL)—on cottonseed protein, oil, and minerals. Therefore, the objective of the current research was to investigate the effect of the curly leaf trait on cottonseed protein, oil, and minerals in cotton lines differing in leaf shape. Our hypothesis was that since leaf shape is known to be associated with nutrient uptake, assimilation, and photosynthesis process, leaf shape can influence seed protein, oil, and minerals. A two-year field experiment using two curly leaf lines (Uzbek CRL and DP 5690 CRL) and one normal leaf (DP 5690 wild type) line was conducted in 2014 and 2015 in Stoneville, MS, USA. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The results showed that both Uzbek CRL and DP 5690 wild type lines had higher seed oil, and nutrients N, P, K, and Mg than DP 5690 CRL. Calcium was higher in DP 5690 CRL for two years and protein was only higher than the parents in 2015. Consistent significant positive and negative correlations between some nutrients were observed, which may be due to environmental conditions, especially heat. This indicates that curly leaf trait may partially regulate the accumulation of these nutrients in seeds. The results demonstrated that leaf shape trait—curly leaf—can affect cottonseed nutritional qualities. This research is important to breeders for cotton selection for high seed oil or protein, and to other researchers to further understand the genetic impact of leaf shapes on seed nutritional quality. It is also important for scientists to use leaf shape as a tool for physiological, biochemical, and morphological research related to leaf development.

A Single Amino Acid Change In Histone Methyltransferase CURLY LEAF Results In Premature Bolting In Chinese Cabbage (Brassica Rapa L. Ssp. Pekinensis)

Background: Flowering is an important inflection point in the transformation from vegetative to reproductive growth, and premature bolting severely decreases crop yield and quality. Results: In this study, a stable early-bolting mutant, ebm3, was identified in an ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)-mutagenized population of a Chinese cabbage doubled haploid (DH) line ‘FT’. Compared with ‘FT’, ebm3 showed early bolting under natural cultivation in autumn, and curled leaves. Genetic analysis showed that the early-bolting phenotype was controlled by a single recessive nuclear gene. Modified MutMap and genotyping analyses revealed that Brebm3 (BraA04g017190.3C), encoding the histone methyltransferase CURLY LEAF (CLF), was the causal gene of the emb3. A C to T base substitution in the 14th exon of Brebm3 resulted in an amino acid change (S to F) and the early-bolting phenotype of emb3. The mutation occurred in the SET domain (Suppressor of protein-effect variegation 3-9, Enhancer-of-zeste, Trithorax), which catalyzes site- and state-specific lysine methylation in histones. Tissue-specific expression analysis showed that Brebm3 was highly expressed in the flower and bud. Promoter activity assay confirmed that Brebm3 promoter was active in inflorescences. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that Brebm3 localized in the nucleus. Transcriptomic studies supported that Brebm3 mutation might repress H3K27me3 deposition and activate expression of the AGAMOUS (AG) and AGAMOUS-like (AGL) loci, resulting in early flowering.Conclusions: Our study revealed that an EMS-induced early-bolting mutant ebm3 in Chinese cabbage was caused by a nonsynonymous mutation in BraA04g017190.3C, encoding the histone methyltransferase CLF.These results improve our knowledge of the genetic and genomic resources of bolting and flowering, and may be beneficial to the genetic improvement of Chinese cabbage.

Respuesta del perejil crespo a diferentes densidades de población de Meloidogyne arenaria

The effect of initial population density (Pi) of the peanut root-knot nematode, Melodoigyne arenaria, on curly leaf parsley growth was assessed in this study. The population densities of M. arenaria ranged from 0 to 64 eggs + second-stage juveniles (J2)/cm3 soil in sterile sandbags. The root gall index (RGI), reproduction factor (RF), fresh leaf weight (FLW), dry leaf weight (DLW), root fresh weight (RFW), root length (RL), leaf height (LH), and chlorophyll index (SPAD) were determined at 90 days after inoculation. FLW, DLW, RFW, LH, and SPAD data were fitted to the Seinhorst equation, y = m + (1 - m) zPi-T, to determine the tolerance limit T = 0.25 eggs +J2/cm3 soil for FLW, DLW, RFW, and LH, with relative means (m) of 0.52, 0.24, 0.22, and 0.4 respectively; conversely, the T value for SPAD was 0.125 eggs + J2/cm3 soil and with a m of 0.26. All biometric variables decreased with an increase in the initial population density (Pi). Nevertheless, the highest RF of M. arenaria in parsley was 78.92 for a Pi = 8 eggs + J2/cm3 soil, with an RGI value of 5 from Pi = 1 eggs + J2/cm3. Curly leaf parsley growth decreased with an increase in Pi of M. arenaria.