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Stresses, Volume 4, Issue 4 (December 2024) – 13 articles

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14 pages, 3986 KiB  
Article
Anomaly Detection Utilizing One-Class Classification—A Machine Learning Approach for the Analysis of Plant Fast Fluorescence Kinetics
by Nam Trung Tran
Stresses 2024, 4(4), 773-786; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses4040051 - 18 Nov 2024
Viewed by 312
Abstract
The analysis of fast fluorescence kinetics, specifically through the JIP test, is a valuable tool for identifying and characterizing plant stress. However, interpreting OJIP data requires a comprehensive understanding of their underlying theory. This study proposes a Machine Learning-based approach using a One-Class [...] Read more.
The analysis of fast fluorescence kinetics, specifically through the JIP test, is a valuable tool for identifying and characterizing plant stress. However, interpreting OJIP data requires a comprehensive understanding of their underlying theory. This study proposes a Machine Learning-based approach using a One-Class Support Vector Machine anomaly detection model to effectively categorize OJIP measurements into “normal”, representing healthy plants, and “anomalies”. This approach was validated using a previously published dataset. A subgroup of the identified “anomalies” was clearly linked to stress-induced reductions in photosynthesis. Furthermore, the percentage of these “anomalies” showed a meaningful correlation with both the progression and severity of stress. The results highlight the still largely unexploited potential of Machine Learning in OJIP analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Plant and Photoautotrophic Stresses)
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11 pages, 1658 KiB  
Article
Beyond the Classical Janzen–Connell Hypothesis: The Role of the Area Under the Parent Tree Crown of Manilkara zapota
by Oscar Antonio Euan-Quiñones, Helbert Mena-Martín, Patricia Herrera-Pérez, Ramiro Alexandro Cetina-Pérez, San German Bautista-Parra and Horacio Salomon Ballina-Gomez
Stresses 2024, 4(4), 762-772; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses4040050 - 14 Nov 2024
Viewed by 263
Abstract
The effect of the parent tree on seedling recruitment has been studied in various research studies. The Janzen–Connell (JC) hypothesis states that the closer the seedlings are to the source tree, the greater the risk of mortality and/or impact from pathogens and herbivores. [...] Read more.
The effect of the parent tree on seedling recruitment has been studied in various research studies. The Janzen–Connell (JC) hypothesis states that the closer the seedlings are to the source tree, the greater the risk of mortality and/or impact from pathogens and herbivores. Despite the extensive existing literature, there are not many studies that evaluate the influence of crown area, as well as the effects on leaf asymmetry, an important measure of biotic and abiotic stress. (1) This study evaluates the effect of distance from the parent tree and the crown’s area of influence on mortality, growth, and leaf asymmetry of Manilkara zapota seedlings, as well as insect herbivory and damage from leaf pathogens in a Mexican neotropical forest. (2) We selected 10 reproductive adult trees (Diameter at breast height, DBH ~ 10–25 cm) and established four 10 m × 1 m transects around each tree in four directions (north, south, east, and west). Each transect produced 10 quadrants of 1 m², and the quadrant where the shadow of the parent tree extended was marked as either under crown or crown-free. All M. zapota seedlings were counted in each quadrant. For one seedling in each quadrant, we recorded height, leaf asymmetry (LA), insect herbivory, and damage from leaf pathogens. Herbivory by insects, damage from leaf pathogens, and LA were only measured on the newest leaves. Mortality was determined after 9 months per quadrant, as well as light availability (photosynthetic photon flux density), temperature, and relative humidity. (3) We found that mortality and relative growth rate (RGRHeight) increased near and under the parent tree. Furthermore, LA decreased at greater distances from the parent tree and only outside the crown’s influence. Additionally, LA had a strong positive influence on damage caused by insect herbivory and leaf pathogens, impacting both more strongly under the crown. A high dependency of leaf pathogens on damage from insect herbivory was also recorded. Finally, the most frequent type of herbivory was that caused by chewing insects. (4) To our knowledge, we present one of the few studies that has addressed the JC hypothesis, considering not only the distance from the parent tree and seedling density but also the influence of the crown on the performance of M. zapota seedlings. Studies that consider the influence of the microenvironment are of fundamental importance for a comprehensive understanding of the JC hypothesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Plant and Photoautotrophic Stresses)
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10 pages, 1193 KiB  
Article
Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Confers Salinity Tolerance to Medicago sativa L.
by Malena Achiary, Camila Victoria Chiroli, Maria Cecilia Pacheco Insausti, Laura Virginia Gallardo, Ivana Tamara Ponce and Hilda Elizabeth Pedranzani
Stresses 2024, 4(4), 752-761; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses4040049 - 11 Nov 2024
Viewed by 288
Abstract
Alfalfa, a crop cultivated worldwide for use as livestock feed, exhibits great adaptability to various environmental conditions. This study evaluates the biomass production, lipid peroxidation, photosynthetic pigments and osmo-compatible response in Medicago sativa var CW660 mycorrhizae (AM) and non-mycorrhizae (NM) plants with Rhizophagus [...] Read more.
Alfalfa, a crop cultivated worldwide for use as livestock feed, exhibits great adaptability to various environmental conditions. This study evaluates the biomass production, lipid peroxidation, photosynthetic pigments and osmo-compatible response in Medicago sativa var CW660 mycorrhizae (AM) and non-mycorrhizae (NM) plants with Rhizophagus intraradices and when subjected to salinity (100 mM and 200 mM of NaCl). They were evaluated using the following morphological parameters: foliage fresh weight (FFW), foliage dry weight (FDW), root fresh weight (RFW), root dry weight (RDW), foliage length (FL) and root length (RL), chlorophylls a and b, proline and malondialdehyde (MDA) in AM and NM plants treated with different concentration of NaCl. The LFW and the LDW were higher in M plants. The RFW and the RDW increased in control AM plants, and under different saline treatments there were no differences between AM and NM in either parameter. FL increased in the control and at 100 mM of NaCl in M plants. Chlorophyll a decreased 27–30% and b decreased 1–50% in AM and NM plants at 200 mM NaCl. The proline level increased four times and promoted a defense in AM plants at 200 mM of NaCl. Lipid peroxidation decreased in AM plants by 10% at maximum salinity. M. sativa CW660 is sensitive to salinity stress, and inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) regulates its physiology and performance under such conditions, with osmotic protection and membrane protection. Full article
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8 pages, 2265 KiB  
Article
Rice Responses to the Stem Borer Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) by Infrared-Thermal Imaging: Implications for Field Management
by Rodrigo de Almeida Rocha, Pedro Valasco dos Santos, Juliano de Bastos Pazini, André Cirilo de Sousa Almeida and Anderson Rodrigo da Silva
Stresses 2024, 4(4), 744-751; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses4040048 - 3 Nov 2024
Viewed by 432
Abstract
Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius) is a major pest of rice crops, and its early detection—before any visible plant damage occurs—is crucial to prevent yield losses and establish effective, rational control methods. This study aimed to model the infrared-thermal responses of rice cultivars to D. [...] Read more.
Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius) is a major pest of rice crops, and its early detection—before any visible plant damage occurs—is crucial to prevent yield losses and establish effective, rational control methods. This study aimed to model the infrared-thermal responses of rice cultivars to D. saccharalis infestation levels. Between 2019 and 2020, two experiments were conducted in a controlled environment using the cultivars IR 40 and BR IRGA 409, previously identified as having different resistance reactions. Rice plants grown in pots were manually infested with first-instar larvae of D. saccharalis, ranging from 0 to 10 caterpillars per plant, with the plants maintained in cages covered with voile fabric throughout the trial. After 30 days of infestation, the number of live and dead caterpillars, the number of damaged and healthy stems, and the dry mass of the aerial parts were evaluated. A generalized linear mixed model was applied to the data obtained from leaf temperature as a function of infestation level throughout the infestation period, using the F-test to detect significant differences between cultivars. Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale, and Shape (GAMLSS) were fitted to the variables related to resistance. It was observed that leaf surface temperature is related to the level of infestation and could be used to detect susceptibility in IR 40. In both cultivars, leaf temperatures were higher within the first 15 days post-infestation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Plant and Photoautotrophic Stresses)
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10 pages, 680 KiB  
Article
Is Clonal Integration a Buffer for the Stress of Resource Acquisition Depletion in Eichhornia crassipes (Pontederiaceae) Ramets?
by Guilherme Ramos Demetrio, Dalton Serafim and Flávia de Freitas Coelho
Stresses 2024, 4(4), 734-743; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses4040047 - 2 Nov 2024
Viewed by 564
Abstract
Natural selection favors the allocation of finite resources to different functions maximizing fitness. In this sense, some functions may decrease whereas others increase when resources are limited in a process called a trade-off. However, a great variety of situations may obscure trade-off detection [...] Read more.
Natural selection favors the allocation of finite resources to different functions maximizing fitness. In this sense, some functions may decrease whereas others increase when resources are limited in a process called a trade-off. However, a great variety of situations may obscure trade-off detection in clonal plants, such as the ability to generate offspring by clonal growth that represents opportunities for resource uptake. The aim of this work was to evaluate if clonal integration and resource availability mediate biomass allocation patterns in E. crassipes through a greenhouse experiment. We set ramets in clonal and isolated conditions, and with and without leaf blades, and compared the relationship of biomass proportion allocated to each vegetative organ. We found that biomass allocation to vegetative structures in E. crassipes is primarily shaped by resource pools and is enhanced by clonal integration as attached ramets invest more in growth and vegetative structures. In this sense, regarding trade-off patterns in biomass allocation among vegetative organs and under resource depletion, clonal integration may represent a way to stabilize biomass allocation patterns and may decrease trade-off importance. We discuss trade-offs and clonal integration as evolutionary strategies that allow plant persistence and improve plants fitness. These findings may support aquatic plant management and control efforts while highlighting the evolutionary significance of clonal integration for plant life strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Plant and Photoautotrophic Stresses)
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20 pages, 2032 KiB  
Article
Transcriptomic and Physiological Meta-Analysis of Multiple Stress-Resistant Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strains
by Abdulkadir Özel, Alican Topaloğlu, Ömer Esen, Can Holyavkin, Mehmet Baysan and Zeynep Petek Çakar
Stresses 2024, 4(4), 714-733; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses4040046 - 1 Nov 2024
Viewed by 716
Abstract
Meta-analysis is a beneficial approach to reevaluating the outcomes of independent previous studies in the same scope. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or the baker’s yeast, is a commonly used unicellular and eukaryotic model organism. In this study, 12 evolved S. cerevisiae strains that became [...] Read more.
Meta-analysis is a beneficial approach to reevaluating the outcomes of independent previous studies in the same scope. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or the baker’s yeast, is a commonly used unicellular and eukaryotic model organism. In this study, 12 evolved S. cerevisiae strains that became resistant to diverse stress conditions (boron, caffeine, caloric restriction, cobalt, coniferyl aldehyde, ethanol, iron, nickel, oxidative stress, 2-phenylethanol, and silver stress) by adaptive laboratory evolution were reassessed to reveal the correlated stress/stressor clusters based on their transcriptomic and stress–cross-resistance data. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with k-means clustering was performed. Five clusters for the transcriptomic data of strains and six clusters for cross-resistance stressors were identified. Through statistical evaluations, critical genes pertinent to each cluster were elucidated. The pathways associated with these genes were investigated using the KEGG database. The findings demonstrated that caffeine and coniferyl aldehyde stressors exhibit clear distinctions from other stressors in terms of both physiological stress-cross-resistance responses and transcriptomic profiles. Pathway analysis showed that ribosome biogenesis was downregulated, and starch and sucrose metabolism was upregulated across all clusters. Gene and pathway analyses have shown that stressors lead to distinct changes in yeast gene expression, and these alterations have been systematically documented for each cluster. Several of the highlighted genes are pivotal for further exploration and could potentially clarify new aspects of stress response mechanisms and multiple stress resistance in yeast. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Human and Animal Stresses)
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15 pages, 6819 KiB  
Article
Maize Morphophysiological Changes Modulated by Cover Crops Rotation in Northeast Brazil
by José Wilker Germano de Souza, João Henrique Silva da Luz, Dayane Mércia Ribeiro Silva, Ricardo Barros Silva, Bruno Richardson dos Santos Costa, Alan Fontes Melo, Hugo Rodrigues dos Santos, Isabelly Cristina da Silva Marques, Jadielson Inácio de Sousa, Mariana Bernardino Vanderley, Luana do Nascimento Silva Barbosa, Maria Raquel da Silva Farias, Emerson dos Santos Ferreira Farias, Sivaldo Soares Paulino, Antônio Lucrécio dos Santos Neto, Paulo Sergio Pavinato, José Vieira Silva and Valdevan Rosendo dos Santos
Stresses 2024, 4(4), 699-713; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses4040045 - 27 Oct 2024
Viewed by 592
Abstract
Cover crops have gained attention due to their potential benefits for the soil and physiological performance of subsequent crops. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological and productive aspects of maize grown in succession to cover crops in northeastern Brazil. A randomized complete [...] Read more.
Cover crops have gained attention due to their potential benefits for the soil and physiological performance of subsequent crops. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological and productive aspects of maize grown in succession to cover crops in northeastern Brazil. A randomized complete block design with four repetitions was employed, in which the treatments consisted of the following cover crops: sunn hemp, spectabilis, pigeon pea, Brachiaria sp., jack bean, millet, and fallow. Physiological aspects and production components of maize were evaluated at the tasseling (VT) and smooth grain (R3) phenological stages. Millet cover increased carotenoid content in maize leaves by up to 78% at R3. Maize grown after pigeon pea, millet, and Brachiaria sp. showed up to 42% greater CO2 assimilation efficiency compared to jack bean. Carboxylation efficiency increased by up to 34% in maize grown after millet and Brachiaria sp., while water use efficiency improved by up to 76% in maize after sunn hemp and pigeon pea at R3. Sunn hemp, spectabilis, and jack bean reduced soil temperature by 2 °C compared to fallow. The highest maize yield was observed after jack bean, with an 8% increase over fallow. These findings demonstrate the benefits of incorporating cover crops into maize cultivation systems in the semi-arid region of Brazil. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Plant and Photoautotrophic Stresses)
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14 pages, 1561 KiB  
Article
Morphological and Cytogenetic Responses of In Vitro-Grown Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) Plants from “Touriga Franca”, “Touriga Nacional” and “Viosinho” Varieties Under Water Stress
by Ana Carvalho, Christina Crisóstomo, Fernanda Leal and José Lima-Brito
Stresses 2024, 4(4), 685-698; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses4040044 - 24 Oct 2024
Viewed by 421
Abstract
According to the climate projections, drought will increase in frequency and severity. Since water stress (WS) impacts a grapevine’s physiology and yield negatively, the evaluation and selection of tolerant genotypes are needed. To analyse the WS effects on the morphology and cell division [...] Read more.
According to the climate projections, drought will increase in frequency and severity. Since water stress (WS) impacts a grapevine’s physiology and yield negatively, the evaluation and selection of tolerant genotypes are needed. To analyse the WS effects on the morphology and cell division of three grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) varieties, “Touriga Franca” (TF), “Touriga Nacional” (TN) and “Viosinho” (VS), in vitro-grown plants were exposed to 10% polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) (−0.4 MPa) or 20% PEG (−0.8 MPa), incorporated in the culture medium, for four weeks. Control plants were kept in culture media without PEG. The VS and TN plants showed the highest mean numbers of nodes, shoots and leaves and average mitotic indexes under 20% PEG. The TF and TN plants showed the lowest frequencies of mitotic anomalies under 10% PEG. The VS plant growth was less affected by WS, but TF and TN presented more regular mitosis under moderate WS. Globally, in vitro culture constitutes a cost-effective experimental system for studying grapevine responses to WS and the preliminary selection of resilient genotypes. These approaches could be applied to study plant responses to other abiotic stresses based on additional evaluation techniques (e.g., transcriptional analyses or genome-wide association studies). Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Plant and Photoautotrophic Stresses)
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9 pages, 892 KiB  
Article
Thermal Stress as a Critical Factor in the Viability and Duration of Spittlebug Eggs
by Milena Duarte, Luís Augusto Calsavara and Alexander Machado Auad
Stresses 2024, 4(4), 676-684; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses4040043 - 21 Oct 2024
Viewed by 375
Abstract
The spittlebug Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant, 1909) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) is an important pest that causes significant losses in the production of forage crops for cattle feed. Information on the thermal requirements of this insect during the egg stage is crucial in assessing the interaction [...] Read more.
The spittlebug Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant, 1909) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) is an important pest that causes significant losses in the production of forage crops for cattle feed. Information on the thermal requirements of this insect during the egg stage is crucial in assessing the interaction between insects and forage. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of constant and oscillating (diurnal/nocturnal) temperatures on the viability of M. spectabilis eggs and the duration of the egg stage. Temperatures of 20 °C to 30 °C were ideal for the development of this insect pest, resulting in greater viability and faster development of the embryos. In addition, it should be noted that a variation of up to 8 days is feasible for synchronizing the phenological stages of the forage plants and the eggs to be laid on these plants when subjected to 30 °C (16.6 days) or 20 °C (25.7 days) without significantly altering the viability of the eggs. Notably, a temperature oscillation of 25 °C during the day and 15 °C at night increased the viability of the eggs after exiting diapause. These results are essential for the rearing of M. spectabilis in the laboratory, allowing for the supply of eggs for experiments and contributing to advances in studies aimed at developing effective integrated management strategies for this pest. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Human and Animal Stresses)
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13 pages, 1548 KiB  
Article
The Preventive and Curative Potential of Morinda citrifolia Essential Oil for Controlling Anthracnose in Cassava Plants: Fungitoxicity, Phytotoxicity and Target Site
by Jossimara F. Damascena, Luis O. Viteri, Matheus H. P. Souza, Raimundo W. Aguiar, Marcos P. Camara, Wellington S. Moura, Eugênio E. Oliveira and Gil R. Santos
Stresses 2024, 4(4), 663-675; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses4040042 - 17 Oct 2024
Viewed by 558
Abstract
Controlling anthracnose in crops usually depends on synthetic chemicals, but essential oils offer a promising alternative with a potentially lower risk to human health and the environment. This study examines the use of noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) essential oil for preventive and [...] Read more.
Controlling anthracnose in crops usually depends on synthetic chemicals, but essential oils offer a promising alternative with a potentially lower risk to human health and the environment. This study examines the use of noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) essential oil for preventive and curative control of anthracnose in cassava plants. Extracted from ripe noni fruit, the oil was tested at concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 5.0 µL/mL for its antifungal properties against Colletotrichum species isolated from cassava. We applied the oil both preventively and curatively, monitoring for phytotoxic effects. Phytochemical analysis revealed that the main compounds were octanoic acid (64.03%), hexanoic acid (10.16%), and butanoic acid (8.64%). The oil effectively inhibited C. chrysophillum and C. musicola at 2.0 µL/mL, while C. truncatum required 5.0 µL/mL for significant inhibition. Higher concentrations reduced disease progression but showed phytotoxicity at only 5 µL/mL. Molecular docking suggested that octanoic acid interacts with the fungi’s tyrosine-tRNA ligase enzyme, hinting at its mechanism of action. Collectively, our findings reinforce the potential of noni essential oil as an alternative agent against Colletotrichum spp. in cassava crops. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Plant and Photoautotrophic Stresses)
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22 pages, 1013 KiB  
Review
Ergosterol Biosynthesis and Regulation Impact the Antifungal Resistance and Virulence of Candida spp.
by Daniel Eliaš, Nora Tóth Hervay and Yvetta Gbelská
Stresses 2024, 4(4), 641-662; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses4040041 - 2 Oct 2024
Viewed by 868
Abstract
Ergosterol is a key fungal sterol that is mainly found in the plasma membrane and is responsible for the proper membrane structure, rigidity, permeability and activity of membrane proteins. Ergosterol plays a crucial role in the ability of fungi to adapt to environmental [...] Read more.
Ergosterol is a key fungal sterol that is mainly found in the plasma membrane and is responsible for the proper membrane structure, rigidity, permeability and activity of membrane proteins. Ergosterol plays a crucial role in the ability of fungi to adapt to environmental stresses. The biosynthesis of ergosterol is also intimately connected with the antifungal resistance and virulence of pathogenic fungi. The most common etiological agents of life-threatening fungal infections are yeasts belonging to the genus Candida. The antifungal agents mostly used to treat Candida spp. infections are azoles, which act as competitive inhibitors of sterol demethylase, a key enzyme in the fungal ergosterol biosynthetic pathway. Although most studies on ergosterol biosynthesis, its regulation and the uptake of sterols are from the baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the study of ergosterol biosynthesis and its relationship to antifungal drug resistance and virulence in pathogenic fungi is of utmost importance. The increasing antifungal drug resistance of Candida spp. and the limited armamentarium of antimycotics pose a challenge in the development of new therapeutic approaches. This review summarizes the available data on ergosterol biosynthesis and related phenomena in Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida species (Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis and Candida auris) with special emphasis on C. albicans and C. glabrata as the most common etiological agents of systemic candidiasis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Plant and Photoautotrophic Stresses)
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14 pages, 724 KiB  
Review
Effects of LED Light on Aromatic Medicinal Plants from Lavandula, Salvia, and Thymus Genera: A Systematic Review
by Gustavo J. Cáceres-Cevallos and María J. Jordán
Stresses 2024, 4(4), 627-640; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses4040040 - 30 Sep 2024
Viewed by 823
Abstract
LED light technology has been used in recent years in plant breeding due to its proven energy efficiency, low cost, and high quality for the enhancement of crops, including some aromatic medicinal plants (AMPs). Nonetheless, although several studies have shown that specific wavelengths [...] Read more.
LED light technology has been used in recent years in plant breeding due to its proven energy efficiency, low cost, and high quality for the enhancement of crops, including some aromatic medicinal plants (AMPs). Nonetheless, although several studies have shown that specific wavelengths can increase the content of bioactive compounds used by pharmaceutical, medical, and perfumery industries, there is limited information on this topic and the possible implications for plant stress in AMPs. The current systematic review focused on the effects of LED light on the physiological response, metabolite synthesis, and flowering induction in three important AMP genera: Lavandula, Salvia, and Thymus, belonging to the Lamiaceae family. A literature search was performed in the Web of Science and Scopus databases. This review is reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The bibliographic analysis highlights the significant variation in physiological responses to different light spectra between species, even within the same genera, implying a need to optimize light conditions in each species to achieve the best results. Finally, this review provides essential information for laying the groundwork for future research focused on enhancing AMPs using LED light to overcome various types of stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Plant Responses to Environmental Stress)
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13 pages, 1953 KiB  
Article
A Maize Mutant Impaired in SL Biosynthesis (zmccd8) Shows a Lower Growth, an Altered Response to Nitrogen Starvation, and a Potential Secondary Effect on Drought Tolerance
by Laura Ravazzolo, Andrea Chichi, Franco Meggio, Leonardo Buzzicotti, Benedetto Ruperti, Serena Varotto, Mario Malagoli and Silvia Quaggiotti
Stresses 2024, 4(4), 614-626; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses4040039 - 25 Sep 2024
Viewed by 781
Abstract
Strigolactones (SLs) are essential phytohormones involved in plant development and interaction with the rhizosphere, regulating shoot branching, root architecture, and leaf senescence for nutrient reallocation. The Zea mays L. zmccd8 mutant, defective in SL biosynthesis, shows various architectural changes and reduced growth. This [...] Read more.
Strigolactones (SLs) are essential phytohormones involved in plant development and interaction with the rhizosphere, regulating shoot branching, root architecture, and leaf senescence for nutrient reallocation. The Zea mays L. zmccd8 mutant, defective in SL biosynthesis, shows various architectural changes and reduced growth. This study investigates zmccd8 and wild-type (WT) maize plants under two nutritional treatments (N-shortage vs. N-provision as urea). Morphometric analysis, chlorophyll and anthocyanin indexes, drought-related parameters, and gene expression were measured at specific time points. The zmccd8 mutant displayed reduced growth, such as shorter stems, fewer leaves, and lower kernel yield, regardless of the nutritional regime, confirming the crucial role of SLs. Additionally, zmccd8 plants exhibited lower chlorophyll content, particularly under N-deprivation, indicating SL necessity for proper senescence and nutrient mobilization. Increased anthocyanin accumulation in zmccd8 under N-shortage suggested a stress mitigation attempt, unlike WT plants. Furthermore, zmccd8 plants showed signs of increased water stress, likely due to impaired stomatal regulation, highlighting SLs role in drought tolerance. Molecular analysis confirmed higher expression of SL biosynthesis genes in WT under N-shortage, while zmccd8 lacked this response. These findings underscore SL importance in maize growth, stress responses, and nutrient allocation, suggesting potential agricultural applications for enhancing crop resilience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Plant Responses to Environmental Stress)
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