Vegetable crops in the Mediterranean basin with an overview of virus resistance

Stability Evaluation for Heat Tolerance in Lettuce: Implications and Recommendations

Lettuce is an important cool-temperature crop, and its principal abiotic stress is low heat tolerance. Lettuce production has become more challenging in the context of global warming changes. Hence, the main objective of this research was to investigate the relationship between stability and lettuce heat tolerance. Field and greenhouse trials were run in 2015 (summer) and 2016 (fall and spring). The environments were composed of a combination of season and place (field, glass, and plastic greenhouse), and the assessed genotypes were BRS Leila and Mediterrânea, Elisa, Everglades, Simpson, and Vanda. Statistical analysis showed a significant effect (p < 0.05) of environments (E), genotypes (G), and the GEI. BRS Leila, Elisa, and BRS Mediterrânea showed the greatest means to the first anthesis in suitable environments (milder temperatures). Among these cultivars, BRS Mediterrânea was the most stable and adapted to hot environments. The environmental conditions studied in this research, mainly high temperatures, could become a reality in many lettuce-producing areas. Therefore, the results can help indicate and develop lettuce varieties with greater heat tolerance.

A mechanistic review of the pharmacological potential of narirutin: a dietary flavonoid

Flavanones, a type of polyphenol, are found in substantial amounts in citrus fruits. When high- or moderate-dose orange juice consumption occurs, flavanones make up a significant portion of the total polyphenols in plasma. Disaccharide derivative narirutin, mainly dihydroxy flavanone, is found in citrus fruits. The substantial chemotherapeutic potential of narirutin has been amply demonstrated by numerous experimental studies. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to compile the research that has already been done showing narirutin to be a promising anticancer drug, with its mechanism of action being documented in treatment plans for various cancer forms. Narirutin functions in a variety of cancer cells by regulating several pathways that include cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, antiangiogenic, antimetastatic, and DNA repair. Narirutin has been shown to modify many molecular targets linked to the development of cancer, including drug transporters, cell cycle mediators, transcription factors, reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, and inflammatory cytokines. Taken together, these reviews offer important new information about narirutin's potential as a potent and promising drug candidate for use in medicines, functional foods, dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, and other products targeted at improving the treatment of cancer.

Isolation and characterization of bacteriophages for combating multidrug-resistant Listeria monocytogenes from dairy cattle farms in conjugation with silver nanoparticles

BACKGROUND

This study aims to achieve biocontrol of multidrug-resistant Listeria monocytogenes in dairy cattle farms which poses a severe threat to our socio-economic balance and healthcare systems.

METHODS

Naturally occurring phages from dairy cattle environments were isolated and characterized, and the antimicrobial effect of isolated L. monocytogenes phages (LMPs) against multidrug-resistant L. monocytogenes strains were assessed alone and in conjugation with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs).

RESULTS

Six different phenotypic LMPs (LMP1-LMP6) were isolated from silage (n = 4; one by direct phage isolation and three by enrichment method) and manure (n = 2; both by enrichment method) from dairy cattle farms. The isolated phages were categorized into three different families by transmission electron microscopy (TEM): Siphoviridae (LMP1 and LMP5), Myoviridae (LMP2, LMP4, and LMP6), and Podoviridae (LMP3). The host range of the isolated LMPs was determined by the spot method using 22 multidrug-resistant L. monocytogenes strains. All 22 (100%) strains were susceptible to phage infection; 50% (3 out of 6) of the isolated phages showed narrow host ranges, while the other 50% showed moderate host ranges. We found that LMP3 (the phage with the shortest tail) had the ability to infect the widest range of L. monocytogenes strains. Eclipse and latent periods of LMP3 were 5 and 45 min, respectively. The burst size of LMP3 was 25 PFU per infected cell. LMP3 was stable with wide range of pH and temperature. In addition, time-kill curves of LMP3 alone at MOI of 10, 1 and 0.1, AgNPs alone, and LMP3 in combination with AgNPs against the most phage-resistant L. monocytogenes strain (ERIC A) were constructed. Among the five treatments, AgNPs alone had the lowest inhibition activity compared to LMP3 at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.1, 1, and 10. LMP3 at MOI of 0.1 in conjugation with AgNPs (10 µg/mL) exhibited complete inhibition activity after just 2 h, and the inhibition activity lasted for 24 h treatment. In contrast, the inhibition activity of AgNPs alone and phages alone, even at MOI of 10, stopped. Therefore, the combination of LMP3 and AgNPs enhanced the antimicrobial action and its stability and reduced the required concentrations of LMP3 and AgNPs, which would minimize the development of future resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggested that the combination of LMP3 and AgNPs could be used as a powerful and ecofriendly antibacterial agent in the dairy cattle farm environment to overcome multidrug-resistant L. monocytogenes.

Genome-wide analysis-based single nucleotide polymorphism marker sets to identify diverse genotypes in cabbage cultivars (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)

Plant variety protection is essential for breeders' rights granted by the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants. Distinctness, uniformity, and stability (DUS) are necessary for new variety registration; to this end, currently, morphological traits are examined, which is time-consuming and laborious. Molecular markers are more effective, accurate, and stable descriptors of DUS. Advancements in next-generation sequencing technology have facilitated genome-wide identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms. Here, we developed a core set of single nucleotide polymorphism markers to identify cabbage varieties and traits of test guidance through clustering using the Fluidigm assay, a high-throughput genotyping system. Core sets of 87, 24, and 10 markers are selected based on a genome-wide association-based approach. All core markers could identify 94 cabbage varieties and determine 17 DUS traits. A genotypes database was validated using the Fluidigm platform for variety identification, population structure analysis, cabbage breeding, and DUS testing for plant cultivar protection.

Prospective multifunctional roles and pharmacological potential of dietary flavonoid narirutin

Plant-based phytochemicals are now being used to treat plenty of physiological diseases. Herbal drugs have gained popularity in recent years because of their strength, purity, and cheap cost-effectiveness. Citrus fruits contain significant amounts of flavanones, which falls to the category of polyphenols. Flavanones occupy a major fraction of the total polyphenols present in the plasma when orange juice is taken highly or in moderate states. Narirutin is a disaccharide derivative available in citrus fruits, primarily dihydroxy flavanone. From a pharmacological viewpoint, narirutin is a bioactive phytochemical with therapeutic efficacy. Many experimental researches were published on the use of narirutin. Anticancer activity, neuroprotection, stress relief, hepatoprotection, anti-allergic activity, antidiabetic activity, anti-adipogenic activity, anti-obesity action, and immunomodulation are a couple of the primary pharmacological properties. Narirutin also has antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. The ultimate goal of this review is to provide the current scenario of pharmacological research with narirutin; to make a better understanding for therapeutic potential of narirutin, as well as its biosynthesis strategies and side effects. Extensive literature searches and studies were undertaken to determine the pharmacological properties of narirutin.

Tomato zonate spot virus induced hypersensitive resistance via an auxin-related pathway in pepper

Tomato zonate spotvirus (TZSV) often incurs significant losses in many food and ornamental crops in Yunnan province, China, and the surrounding areas. The pepper (Capsicum chinensePI152225)can develop hypersensitive resistance following infection with TZSV, through an as yet unknown mechanism. The transcriptome dataset showed a total of 45.81 GB of clean data were obtained from six libraries, and the average percentage of the reads mapped to the pepper genome was over 90.00 %. A total of 1403 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained after TZSV infection, including 825significantly up-regulated genes and 578 down-regulated genes. The Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses indicated that most up-regulated DEGs were involved in basal defenses. RT-qPCR, and virus induced gene silencing (VIGS) were used preliminarily to identifyBBC_22506 and BBC_18917, among total of 71 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), that play a key role in mediating the auxin-induced signaling pathway that might take part in hypersensitive response (HR) conferred resistance to viral infection in pepper (PI152225) byTZSV. This is the first study on the mechanism of auxin resistance, involved in defense responses of pepper against viral diseases, which lay the foundation for further study on the pathogenic mechanism of TZSV, as well as the mechanism of resistance to TZSV, in peppers.

Food Security and Nutrition in Mozambique: Comparative Study with Bean Species Commercialised in Informal Markets

In Mozambique (South-eastern Africa), Phaseolus vulgaris and Vigna spp. are important staple foods and a major source of dietary protein for local populations, particularly for people living in rural areas who lack the financial capacity to include meat in their daily dietary options. This study focuses on the potential for improving diets with locally produced nutritious legumes whilst increasing food security and income generation among smallholder farmers. Using bean species and varieties commercialised as dry legumes in the country, it sets out to characterize and compare the chemical properties of Phaseolus vulgaris and Vigna spp. among the most commercialised dry legume groups in Mozambique. The principal component analysis showed a clear separation between Phaseolus and Vigna species in terms of proximate composition, whereas protein content was quite uniform in both groups. It concludes that the introduction of improved cultivars of Phaseolus vulgaris and Vigna species maize–legume intercropping benefits yield, diets and increases household income with limited and low-cost inputs while enhancing the resilience of smallholder farmers in vulnerable production systems affected by recurrent drought and the supply of legumes to urban informal markets.

An Annotated List of Legume-Infecting Viruses in the Light of Metagenomics

Legumes, one of the most important sources of human food and animal feed, are known to be susceptible to a plethora of plant viruses. Many of these viruses cause diseases which severely impact legume production worldwide. The causal agents of some important virus-like diseases remain unknown. In recent years, high-throughput sequencing technologies have enabled us to identify many new viruses in various crops, including legumes. This review aims to present an updated list of legume-infecting viruses. Until 2020, a total of 168 plant viruses belonging to 39 genera and 16 families, officially recognized by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), were reported to naturally infect common bean, cowpea, chickpea, faba-bean, groundnut, lentil, peas, alfalfa, clovers, and/or annual medics. Several novel legume viruses are still pending approval by ICTV. The epidemiology of many of the legume viruses are of specific interest due to their seed-transmission and their dynamic spread by insect-vectors. In this review, major aspects of legume virus epidemiology and integrated control approaches are also summarized.

Overview of Biotic Stresses in Pepper (Capsicum spp.): Sources of Genetic Resistance, Molecular Breeding and Genomics

Pepper (Capsicum spp.) is one of the major vegetable crops grown worldwide largely appreciated for its economic importance and nutritional value. This crop belongs to the large Solanaceae family, which, among more than 90 genera and 2500 species of flowering plants, includes commercially important vegetables such as tomato and eggplant. The genus includes over 30 species, five of which (C. annuum, C. frutescens, C. chinense, C. baccatum, and C. pubescens) are domesticated and mainly grown for consumption as food and for non-food purposes (e.g., cosmetics). The main challenges for vegetable crop improvement are linked to the sustainable development of agriculture, food security, the growing consumers' demand for food. Furthermore, demographic trends and changes to climate require more efficient use of plant genetic resources in breeding programs. Increases in pepper consumption have been observed in the past 20 years, and for maintaining this trend, the development of new resistant and high yielding varieties is demanded. The range of pathogens afflicting peppers is very broad and includes fungi, viruses, bacteria, and insects. In this context, the large number of accessions of domesticated and wild species stored in the world seed banks represents a valuable resource for breeding in order to transfer traits related to resistance mechanisms to various biotic stresses. In the present review, we report comprehensive information on sources of resistance to a broad range of pathogens in pepper, revisiting the classical genetic studies and showing the contribution of genomics for the understanding of the molecular basis of resistance.

Brachycorynella asparagi (Mordv.) Induced-Oxidative Stress and Antioxidative Defenses of Asparagus officinalis L

The aim of this study was to investigate whether and to what extent oxidative stress is induced in leaves of one- and two-month-old plants of Asparagus officinalis L. cv. Argenteuil infested by Brachycorynella asparagi (Mordvilko) at a varied population size. The pest B. asparagi has been described as the most damaging species feeding on asparagus. Analyses using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) demonstrated generally higher concentrations of semiquinone radicals with g-values of 2.0045 ± 0.0005 and 2.0026 ± 0.0005 in Asparagus officinalis (A. officinalis) leaves after Brachycorynella asparagi (B. asparagi) infestation than in the control. Observations of leaves under a confocal microscope showed a post-infestation enhanced generation of the superoxide anion radical (O₂^•-) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in comparison to the control. Strong fluctuations in Mn²⁺ ion levels detected by EPR spectroscopy versus time were detected in leaves infested by aphids, which may indicate the involvement of these ions in the control of O₂^•- production. An enhanced superoxide dismutase activity is an important element in leaf defense against oxidative stress. Visible symptoms were found in aphid-infested A. officinalis. Damage to leaves of one- and two-month-old A. officinalis plants by the aphid B. asparagi was dependent on the intensity, duration of infestation and plant age.