Free Standard AU & NZ Shipping For All Book Orders Over $80!
Register      Login
Functional Plant Biology Functional Plant Biology Society
Plant function and evolutionary biology
Functional Plant Biology

Functional Plant Biology

Volume 51 Number 2 2024

FP23151The physiology and anatomy study in leaves of Saragolla and Svevo wheat cultivars under polyethylene glycol-simulated drought stress

Ilva Licaj 0000-0003-1759-1006, Chiara Germinario 0000-0003-0912-0503, Maria Chiara Di Meo 0000-0003-4510-6741, Ettore Varricchio 0000-0001-6241-7096 and Mariapina Rocco 0000-0002-5869-029X

Considering global climate change, drought is the major constraint to cultivation of crops including wheat, which is fundamental for staple human and animal nutrition. This situation leads to reduced crop yields and quality, resulting in a huge impact on the economy worldwide. Our objective was to recognise the most effective response strategy to foliar stress in wheat seedlings, using anatomical, morphological and physiological analyses. This information will help devise strategies for making crops resilient to abiotic stress (drought) linked with climate change.

FP23148Perception of strigolactones and the coordinated phytohormonal regulation on rice (Oryza sativa) tillering is affected by endogenous ascorbic acid

Le Yu 0000-0002-8139-3488, Jiankai Zhou, Junlong Lin, Mengwei Chen, Fang Liu, Xinlin Zheng, Liping Zhou, Ruozhong Wang, Langtao Xiao and Yonghai Liu 0000-0002-2741-9800

Strigolactones (SLs) play a role in the suppression of shoot branching. Here, we confirm that the coordinated phytohormonal regulation on rice (Oryza sativa) tillering is affected by endogenous ascorbic acid (Asc). We conclude that Asc or Asc/DHA may affect the coordinated regulation of SL, and the phytohormones indole acetic acid (IAA) and cytokinin (CTK) on rice tillering by regulating the expression of key genes and enzyme concentration in signal transduction, synthesis and transport of these phytohormones.

FP23179Mutant crtRB1 gene negates the unfavourable effects of opaque2 gene on germination and seed vigour among shrunken2-based biofortified sweet corn genotypes

Brijesh K. Mehta, Hema S. Chauhan, Sudipta Basu, Anjali Anand, Aanchal Baveja, Rajkumar U. Zunjare, Vignesh Muthusamy, Ashok K. Singh and Firoz Hossain 0000-0001-6662-7752

Seed germination and seedling vigour are the important traits for sweet corn productivity. Here, we analysed the effect of (1) β-carotene hydroxylase1 (crtRB1), (2) opaque2 (o2) and (3) o2 + crtRB1 genes on nutritional quality, germination, seed vigour and physico-biochemical traits in a set of 27 biofortified sh2-based sweet corn inbreds. The o2 + crtRB1-based sweet corn inbreds were found to be the most desirable for nutritional quality, germination and seed vigour over the crtRB1- and o2-based inbreds alone.

FP23275Upregulation of TaHSP90A transcripts enhances heat tolerance and increases grain yield in wheat under changing climate conditions

Ali Ammar, Zulfiqar Ali 0000-0003-1228-3338, Muhammad Abu Bakar Saddique, Muhammad Habib-ur-Rahman and Imtiaz Ali

Global ambient mean temperature will rise by approximately 0.3 and 1°C per decade for years 2025 and 2100, respectively. More than 40% of total wheat area in the world is affected by high temperature stress. This study identified that upregulation of TaHSP90A gene in wheat may enhance heat tolerance and increase yield up to 20–30%. Hence, it paves the way to exploit such genes to develop wheat varieties with high yields and better tolerance to heat stress under changing climate conditions.

This article belongs to the Collection Functional Genomics for Developing Climate Resilient Crops.

FP23256Assembly and comparative analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Pinellia ternata

Xiao Liu 0009-0005-8861-2531, Qian You, Mengmeng Liu, Chen Bo, Yanfang Zhu, Yongbo Duan, Jianping Xue, Dexin Wang and Tao Xue

Pinellia ternata is an important natural medicinal plant in China. However studies in P. ternata is largely limited owing to the lack of available genomic information. In this study, we assembled and annotated the mitogenome of P. ternata and performed extensive analyses based on the DNA and amino acid sequences of the annotated genes. Our study makes a significant contribution to the literature because it fills a gap in genomic research on P. ternata and the Araceae family.

FP23257Unlocking the potential of biochar in the remediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals for sustainable agriculture

Zubaira Maqbool, Muhammad Shahbaz Farooq 0000-0002-8507-4011, Anum Rafiq, Muhammad Uzair 0000-0001-8329-9762, Muhammad Yousuf, Muhammad Ramzan Khan and Shuhao Huo

This review discusses the benefits of biochar in remediating soils contaminated with heavy metals. Biochar has unique qualities to trap and neutralise heavy metals that adversely affect soil properties. It boosts soil quality by retaining nutrients, increasing microbial activity, and enhancing overall soil fertility. These findings suggest that biochar may be an affordable, and eco-friendly option for remediating soils contaminated with heavy metals to support more sustainable agriculture practices.

This article belongs to the Collection Functional Genomics for Developing Climate Resilient Crops.

Under elevated ozone (O3) levels, three Abelmoschus cytotypes (Abelmoschus moschatus, monoploid; Abelmoschus esculentus, diploid; Abelmoschus caillei, triploid) showed differential responses. In terms of growth, physiology ultrastructure, foliar protein profile, biomass and yield, the monoploid cytotypes exhibited severe reduction compared to its counterparts having higher ploidy under elevated O3 condition. This study offers crucial data that can be used further to improve plants’ ability to tolerate O3 stress.

FP23248Melatonin as a master regulatory hormone for genetic responses to biotic and abiotic stresses in model plant Arabidopsis thaliana: a comprehensive review

Muaz Ameen 0000-0003-1388-2113, Asma Zafar, Athar Mahmood 0000-0003-4473-1668, Muhammad Anjum Zia, Kashif Kamran, Muhammad Mansoor Javaid, Muhammad Yasin and Bilal Ahmad Khan

Melatonin is a natural substance found in plants, animals, and microbes. It is produced in similar ways in microbes and animals, but differently in plants. Scientists have used a plant called Arabidopsis thaliana to study how melatonin helps plants resist both environmental and biological stresses.

This article belongs to the Collection Functional Genomics for Developing Climate Resilient Crops.

FP23166Seed bacterial microbiota in post-submergence tolerant and sensitive barley genotypes

Eva María Gómez-Álvarez 0000-0002-1284-7212, Monique Salardi-Jost 0009-0000-0673-0977, Germán Darío Ahumada 0000-0003-1901-6339, Pierdomenico Perata 0000-0001-9444-0610, Matteo Dell’Acqua 0000-0001-5703-8382 and Chiara Pucciariello 0000-0002-1837-628X

Flooding is a predominant abiotic stress for cultivated plants. We investigated the bacterial microbiome of barley grains with a different capacity to germinate during a recovery period after flooding. Our results support the hypothesis that bacterial microbiota may contribute to a successful germination and seedling establishment after flooding events.

This article belongs to the Collection Flooding Stress and Hypoxic Responses in Plants.

FP23253Genome-wide analysis and expression divergence of protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) gene family members in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) under salt stress

Kauser Parveen, Muhammad Abu Bakar Saddique 0000-0001-8107-0833, Muhammad Umair Waqas, Kotb A. Attia 0000-0002-2992-1765, Muhammad Rizwan, Asmaa M. Abushady 0000-0001-9906-3578 and Imran Haider Shamsi

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) is a significant legume crop, and its development, growth, yield and quality is affected by salinity. Salinity also has an impact on the physiological and biochemical processes in chickpeas, including respiration, photosynthesis, transpiration and enzyme activity. To better understand the molecular makeup and biological capabilities of protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) genes in chickpeas, we characterised the first genome-wide, phylogenetic analysis and expression profiling of C. arietinum PDI genes (CaPDIs) under salt stress.

This article belongs to the Collection Functional Genomics for Developing Climate Resilience Crops.

Leaves, flowers and pods of pigeonpea (Cajunus cajan) damaged by spotted pod borer (Maruca vitrata) can result in severe yield losses. Defence mechanism in pigeonpea against pod borer infestation must be identified in order to develop resistant cultivars for increasing yield and crop protection in future. Upregulation of the glyoxalase pathway in AL1747 pigeonpea genotype played a key impact in resistance to pod borer by minimising pod borer induced damage to leaves, flowers and pods.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is used for animal feed, and production of alcoholic beverages and food. Lodging reduces the yield up to 80% and decreases the grain quality and can be overcome through introduction of semi-dwarfing genes. Approximately 20% yield gain can be achieved through development of semi-dwarf lodging-resistant varieties adapted to climate change specifically for marginal areas will be beneficial.

This article belongs to the Collection Functional Genomics for Developing Climate Resilient Crops.

FP23001Glycine max acyl–acyl carrier protein thioesterase B gene overexpression alters lipid content and fatty acid profile of Arabidopsis seeds

Shihui Zhao, Fan Yan, Yajing Liu, Monan Sun, Ying Wang, Jingwen Li, Xinsheng Zhang, Xuguang Yang 0009-0000-5900-4434 and Qingyu Wang 0000-0002-7522-7627

Overexpression of GmFATB1A, GmFATB1B, GmFATB2A and GmFATB2B from Glycine max in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants increased the seed oil content by 10.3%, 12.5%, 7.5% and 8.4%, respectively, compared to that in the wild-type and led to significant increases in palmitic and stearic acid content.

Isoforms of lipoxygenase (LOX1 and LOX2) participate in the production of chemical defences in seeds of field-grown soybean (Glycine max). Activity and expression of protease inhibitors is correlated with jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene, and upregulation of LOX. Participation of LOX in modulating JA-regulated defenses decreased digestive enzyme activities in guts of the southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula).

FP23038Transcriptome-based analysis of candidate gene markers associated with resistance mechanism to Phytophthora melonis that causes root and crown rot in pumpkin

Mohammadhadi Najafi, Mehdi Nasr-Esfahani 0000-0001-6753-147X, Jafar Vatandoost, Hamed Hassanzade-Khankahdani and Matin Jami Moeini

Phytophthora melonis causes significant yield losses in pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo). Understanding of the molecular mechanism of resistance against this disease is scarce, and the availability of resistant cultivars is limited. Here, we analysed gene expression changes of 10 gene markers and defence enzyme activities in resistant and susceptible pumpkins. Higher activities of gene markers and defence enzymes were observed in resistant cultivars. We provide valuable information for future studies to understand simultaneous disease resistance.

Studies of the effect of viruses on marine microalgae in the laboratory are necessary to identify patterns of contact between viruses and phytoplankton in the sea. It has been shown that the deficiency of nutrients and high conсentration of copper cause a slowdown in the processes of lysis of algae cells under the influence of viruses. Therefore, in the sea areas with a deficiency of nutrients and a high conсentration of copper, the impact of viruses on microalgae may be lessened.

FP23243The role of EGY2 protease in response to high light stress

Robert Lucinski 0000-0003-3289-4996, Jedrzej Dobrogojski, Takao Ishikawa and Malgorzata Adamiec

Intramembrane proteolysis is a poorly understood but very important process that allows the cell to respond to changes in the environment. In this work, we investigate how one of the intramembrane proteases, EGY2, affects the functioning of leaf chloroplasts under light stress conditions. Our results indicate for the first time what the substrate for the EGY2 protease is and how its action may translate into the functioning of chloroplasts.

Committee on Publication Ethics

Call for Papers

We are seeking contributions for the following Special Issues. More

Australian Society of Plant Scientists

Official Journal of the Australian Society of Plant Scientists (asps.org.au).

ASPS logo

Best Paper Award

Phan Thi Thanh Hoai has been awarded the ASPS-FPB Best Paper Award for 2023.

Advertisement