Assessing Comparative Microbiome Performance in Plant Cell Wall Deconstruction Using Multi-omics-Informed Network Analysis

Plant cell walls are interwoven structures recalcitrant to degradation. Both native and adapted microbiomes are particularly effective at plant cell wall deconstruction. Studying these deconstructive microbiomes provides an opportunity to assess microbiome performance and relate it to specific microbial populations and enzymes. To establish a system assessing comparative microbiome performance, parallel microbiomes were cultivated on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) from compost inocula. Biomass loss and biochemical assays indicated that these microbiomes diverged in their ability to deconstruct biomass. Network reconstructions from time-dependent gene expression identified key deconstructive groups within the adapted sorghum-degrading communities, including Actinotalea, Filomicrobium, and Gemmanimonadetes populations. Functional analysis of gene expression demonstrated that the microbiomes proceeded through successional stages that are linked to enzymes that deconstruct plant cell wall polymers. This combination of network and functional analysis highlighted the importance of cellulose-active Actinobacteria in differentiating the performance of these microbiomes.

Respon Pertumbuhan dan Produksi Sorgum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench.) dengan Pemberian Berbagai Dosis Amelioran di Lahan Pasca Tambang Timah

Lahan pasca tambang timah termasuk dalam karakteristik lahan marjinal karena memiliki tingkat kandungan hara yang rendah. Upaya pemanfaatan lahan pasca tambang timah pada pertanian yaitu budidaya tanaman seperti sorgum dengan pemberian berbagai dosis pupuk kotoran ayam dan N,P,K. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah mengetahui respon pertumbuhan dan produksi sorgum di lahan pasca tambang timah dengan pemberian berbagai dosis pupuk kotoran ayam dan N,P,K. Penelitian ini menggunakan Rancangan Acak Kelompok Faktorial (RAKF). Faktor pertama adalah dosis pupuk kotoran ayam yang terdiri dari 100 %, 50 % dan 25 % dosis acuan. Faktor kedua adalah dosis pupuk N,P,K yang terdiri dari 100 % dan 50 % dosis acuan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan pupuk kotoran ayam berpengaruh nyata terhadap parameter jumlah daun. Pupuk N,P,K berpengaruh sangat nyata terhadap parameter tinggi tanaman, diameter batang, bobot berangkasan basah, panjang akar, hasil biji per tanaman dan produktivitas. Pupuk N,P,K berpengaruh nyata terhadap parameter total padatan terlarut. Pengurangan dosis pupuk kotoran ayam dari 100 % ke 50 % menunjukkan hasil berbeda tidak nyata terhadap jumlah daun. Pengurangan dosis pupuk N,P,K menunjukkan hasil berbeda nyata terhadap semua parameter. Perlakuan A1K1 (pupuk kotoran ayam 100 % + pupuk N,P,K 100 %) merupakan kombinasi perlakuan terbaik untuk pertumbuhan dan produksi sorgum di lahan pasca tambang timah.

POTENSI ALELOKIMIA DARI EXTRACT DAN MULSA BIOMAS TANAMAN SORGUM (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

[ALLELOCHEMICAL POTENTIAL OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT AND MULCH OF PLANT BIOMASS OF SORGHUM (Sorgum bicolor L. Moench)]. This study was aimed to examine the allelopathic potential of sorghum through aqueous extract and mulch from biomass on seed germination and early growth of three tested plants, namely rice, mustard and cucumber. The results showed that the aqueous extract of the sorghum biomass significantly inhibited the germination of mustard and cucumber seeds, reduced the vigor-index of the germination of rice, mustard and cucumber seeds, and suppressed the growth of radicle length of mustard sprouts. The same thing was seen when sorghum biomass was tested as mulch which also suppressed the early growth of the tested plants on the variables of stem height, fresh and dry weight of biomass of rice, mustard and cucumber. The higher the concentration of allelochemicals extract or sorghum mulch, the stronger the inhibition on germination and early growth of the three test plants. At a concentration of 10% allelochemicals suppressed the germination of mustard and cucumber to 76 and 79%, respectively, while a dose of 10% mulch suppressed early growth in the height of rice, mustard, and cucumber to 56, 55, and 68%; and dry weight to 53, 30 and 60%. The results of this study are important information about the allelochemical potential of sorghum as a natural herbicide in integrated weed management

Effect of the fortilizer nitrophoska on sorghum Sorghum bicolor L. parasitized by witchweed (Striga Hermonthica Del Benth)

Effect of the fortilizer nitrophoska on sorghum Sorghum bicolor L. parasitized by witchweed (Striga Hermonthica Del Benth) Nitrophoska (NPK), a compound fertilizer, showed significant effects in stimulating yield components of Sorghum bicolor L. cultivar Tabat and in depressing the parasitism of Striga hermonthica Del. Benth. Over all treatments nitrophoska at N3 (54 kg N/F) gave 160, 105,121 and 120% increases in yield components over the control for head weight, plant height, 1000 grain weight and straw yield/ m2 of sorghum. Nitrophoska scored 83% and 80% decrease in striga dry shoot weight / m2 and striga density / m2, respectively less than the control at N1 (18 kg N/F). To maximize the yield components of sorghum, higher levels of nitrophoska (N2. N3) were recommended to be used; while lower levels of nitrophoska (N1) were recommended to combat the menace of striga in fields of sorghum

High dilutions of Magonia pubescens hidrogel affect germination variables in Sorghum bicolor L. Moench

Introduction: In science homeopathic diseases or physiological disorders are not considered just a result of abiotic and biotic factors, but rather a consequence of loss of organic system homeostasis. Homeopathic science is currently being used efficiently in the control of plagues[1], plant diseases[2], in the increase of medicinal plants’ active principles[3] and in plant metabolism[4,5]. Although actual results, both in the academic and field-level, very little is known about physiological mechanisms action of homeopathic medicine on germination process[6]. This work aims to study the effect of M. pubescens hydrogel, on some physiological variables of sorghum germination (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench). Material and methods: The experiment was conducted at Homeopathy and Plant Physiology of Biology Department at UEM in the period from 04/05/06 to 30/12/06. M. pubescens (tingui) seeds were obtained from the region of Montes Claros - Minas Gerais. The M. pubescens hidrogel was obtained from the external centrals wrappers of 4 dry seeds, after they have been disposed in petri dishes with distilled water for a period of 36 hours of soaking (25oC). The hydrogel mother tincture was prepared according to Manual of Technical Standards for Homeopathic Drugstore[7] 3rd ed (2003), in the proportion of a hidrogel part (5g) to ten parts (50g) of absolute alcohol 70% and stored in a glass amber (capped and protected from light). After 15 days of maceration, the solution was filtered and after 48h at rest, the mother tincture was considered ready for use. The dilution 1cH (Centesimal Hahnemannian) was obtained by adding 0.2 ml of the mother tincture in 19.8 ml of distilled water (1/100) and sucussioned 100 times (33 sucussions s-1) by mechanical arm dynamizer with automatic stop (Model Denise 50 - AUTIC). The subsequent dilutions (2cH to 30cH) were obtained from the same procedure, starting from the dilution 1cH. Bioassay: In petri dish containing 15 seeds of sorghum in a circular distributed were added 10 ml with their dilutions (3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 20 and 30cH) and the control containing distilled water. The petri dishes were placed in a growth chamber (type BOD), temperature of (25 ± 2)°C and photoperiod of 16h. The variables were analyzed by germination period of 73.5h as described below: · Germination (%G): %G = (∑ni.N-1)x100 , where ∑ni, is the total number of germinated seeds in relation to the number of seeds put to germinate, expressed in percentage; · Germination average time (GAT): GAT = ∑ni . ti / ∑ni , where ni is the number of germinated seeds within a certain interval of time ti-1 and ti; expressed in hours. · Germination average speed (GAS), expressed in hours): GAS = ∑ni / ∑ni . ti · Germination speed index (GSI): IVG = G1 / N1 + G2 / N2 + ........ Gn / Nn , where G1, G2....Gn is the number of germinated seeds and N1, N2, ... Nn is the number of hours after sowing. The total number of germinated seeds, at each time (12h) was also analyzed. Seeds were considered germinated when the radicle had 1 to 2 mm of lengths. Experimental design: The experimental design was randomized block with 4 replications, totaling 32 experimental units. It was adopted the double-blind methodology, to avoid possible interference or direction by the researcher. Statistical Analysis: The data were analyzed by ANOVA and the averages compared by Scott-Knott test (p≤0.05). The twinning combined data were analyzed for interaction germination x time (G x T) by F test to 5% of probability. Results and discussion: The homeopathy of Magonia pubescens hydrogel affected on the germination kinetic variables of sorghum seeds, when compared with the control (Fig. 1). This effect was most observed in the initial process of germination (from 13h). Research accomplished by Salgado-Labouriau (1973) [8] showed that the hydrogel formed from the external wrapper Magonia pubescens seeds, does not contain inhibiting, but contains factors that accelerate the germination process. Apparently, these results seem contradictory. However, for the homoeopathic optics, some used medicines in a considered way might have determined effect. Already in high diluted doses this behavior can be reversed, as it happens with some drugs. This behavior in pharmacokinetics is denomined Hormesis. When diluted and given dynamism, the product of hydrogel, instead of stimulating, it can delay the germination for the same phenomenon. Hormesis is not yet explained by science. Homeopathy of the Magonia pubescens gel significantly increased the germination average time (GAT) of sorghum seeds and reduced the germination average speed (GAS) and the germination speed index (GSI) (Fig. 2A, B and C). The values of these variables suggest that homeopathy, somehow slowed the speed of sorghum seeds soaking. Conclusion: The results here presented suggest that high dilutions of Magonia pubescens hidrogel can be used in future experiment such as bioherbicide.